As I stood there, frozen in shock, I saw Dante's expression, his eyes…. He was not the Dante I know. It dawned on me that I was mated to him.
I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized that I was sent here to be his mate. And now I am trapped in a marriage, bound to a man who I despise So much. And I was stuck in this timeline, forced to witness the events that would shape my own destiny.
Dante's voice cut through the silence, his words echoing through the hall. "I, Dante, take you, Aria, as my mate and wife. Together, we will rule the Bloodmoon Pack, and our union will bring strength and prosperity to our people."
I didn't know when I repeated the vows, my voice barely above a whisper. He could sense my unease, my reluctance to bind myself to this man. But I had no choice. I was trapped.
" I, Aria, take you as my mate and husband. I will stay by your side and walk with you through thick and thin." I said, my heart twisting with anger as those words slip from my lips.
As we exchanged our vows, I felt a strange sensation wash over me. It was as if I was being pulled towards him, drawn into his world. I tried to resist, but it was too late. I was sucked into the ceremony, forced to participate in the ritual that would bind me to Dante.
How could this be? I was sent back in time to prevent Dante's rise to power, not to marry him. And yet, here I was, standing beside him, exchanging vows.
But what did it all mean? And how could I change the course of events to prevent Dante's tyranny? I knew I had to act fast, but for now, I was trapped in this bizarre and unsettling reality.
As we finished our vows, I sensed a piercing gaze upon me. Turning, I met the eyes of a stunning woman with raven hair and piercing emerald eyes, her expression twisted in anger and jealousy. I was perplexed, unsure why she regarded me with such malice.
As Dante and I took our seats on the throne, a procession of wolves came to congratulate us. "May your union bring strength and prosperity to our pack," one of them said, bowing low. The maids, guards, and council members followed, offering their felicitations.
After the ceremony, my personal maid, a sweet and timid woman, escorted me to my chambers. "Congratulations, Aria...oh, Luna, I mean, my lady," she stuttered, correcting herself.
I smiled, reassuring her. "Please, call me Aria."
As we sat on the ornate bed, I began to query her. "Where are my parents?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
Her expression shifted to one of surprise and confusion. "Have you forgotten, Aria?"
I hesitated, unsure how to respond. "This wedding has left me stressed, I'm afraid I've forgotten," I admitted.
The maid's eyes darted about, as if fearful of being overheard. "Your mother...she was locked away by your father. He forbade her from leaving her quarters."
My eyes widened in shock. "Why would my father do such a thing?"
The maid's voice barely above a whisper, she revealed, "Your mother was a maid, Aria. She had an affair with your father, and you...you were born out of wedlock. The pack doesn't regard you or your mother as worthy."
A pang of sorrow struck my heart. "So, my mother is imprisoned because of me?"
The maid nodded, her eyes filled with pity. "She's been locked away since your birth, Aria."
I felt lost, unsure of the life I was living or the family I belonged to. "If I'm an illegitimate child, why was I mated to Dante?" I asked, confusion etched on my face.
The maid's expression turned solemn. "The Moon Goddess chose you, Aria."
My mind reeled, struggling to comprehend the situation. "And who was that woman at the wedding, the one who looked at me with such hatred?"
The maid's voice dropped to a whisper. "That's your step-sister, Freya. She's the legitimate daughter of your father and his first wife. She's always hated you, and now that you're mated to Dante, her feelings for you have only intensified."
I felt a chill run down my spine. "Almost everyone in this pack treats me like a nobody, don't they?"
The maid nodded, her eyes filled with a deep sadness. "How could you forget all of this, Aria?"
I sat there, my mind a jumble of thoughts and emotions. The maid's words still lingered in my mind, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease.
Just as I was lost in thought, the maid spoke up, "You should sit with your veil on, the Alpha will soon be here. I hope you enjoy your first night together." Her expression was a mix of pity and concern as she bowed and turned to leave.
I called out to her, "Hey... umm... I'm sorry... what's your name?" I asked, feeling a pang of embarrassment.
The maid turned back to me, a look of surprise on her face. "My name? How could you forget my name, Aria? Are you okay?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.
I quickly fabricated a reason, "I'm good, I just need rest... maybe it's because of the medicine I took for my headache." I lied, hoping she wouldn't press the issue further.
The maid's expression softened, and she said, "Okay... my name is Heaven. Please don't forget again." She smiled weakly and turned to leave once more.
As she departed, I felt a surge of determination course through my veins. I wouldn't let these people walk all over me. I wouldn't let anyone bully me. I was Aria, the Luna of the Rennari pack, the strongest fox. I wouldn't let anyone hurt me.
With newfound resolve, I tried to shift into my fox form, hoping to reassure myself that my powers were still intact. But to my shock and dismay, my powers didn't respond. I was stuck in my human form, vulnerable and powerless.
A wave of anger and frustration washed over me. How was this happening to me? How would I get my revenge without my powers? I felt trapped and helpless, unsure of what to do next.
Just as I was being furious about loosing my powers, the doors opened.