The Exalted Luna

Vanessa's pov.

"No, I won't do it." I said, ignoring the gasp from my mother and the sharp intake of breath from my father.

"What do you mean you won't do it?" His eyes turned icy as he pinned them on me.

"I won't be Evelyn's substitute." I shook my head, still looking at the floor.

"Do you think you have a say?He promised to destroy our houses and packs and you think it is best to be selfish right now?"

"You call this selfish huh?" I blinked back tears. "Why do I have to be the one to suffer for her own mistakes and your greed?" I yelled.

"You will do it and that is final, you won't be the reason for the downfall of this village.” He spoke like it was my fault right from the start. "Get dressed."

I was forced to wear the dress which was rightfully Evelyn's . We arrived at the palace and we got down from the carriage and ventured into the palace.

"The wedding will hold immediately so you don't have a chance of running away." My mother whispered, forcing a ball of resentment towards her and my father.

I was led into the dressing room. I looked around while my mother went out to get the maids. Just then, the door opened and closed behind me.

I turned, looking at the strange aged man standing by the door.

"You must be the bride," he nodded, accessing me.

"And who are you?" I asked, ignoring the fact he was openly staring into my eyes.

"I am an elder of this pack." He answered. I have heard of something of that sort before, but this was the first time I was seeing one.

"I came to warn you against trying to run away, don't even think about it.”

What is with these people and thinking I was going to flee just because of a marriage of convenience.

"And don't even try to do anything to jeopardize the wedding, else your family would face the consequences," he walked away, not even granting me an opportunity to reply.

My mother came in, barely after a few minutes he had left, with a few other maids.

"Change into these." She handed me a long red gown, urging me into the closet. I took off the dress I had on and wore the dress I was asked to put on.

I looked at the mirror, the dress was tight around my bowels, forming a corset, then it hung on my hip.

I walked out, met with an exaggerated gasp from my mum's lip. "Look at how beautiful you look.” I almost laughed out at how she was able to feign a compliment so easily on just a dress.

"Can we please get this over with?" I sat on the chair as they worked on my makeup and hair.

~~~

Walking into the hall with every eye on me was nerve wracking. It felt like a thousand needles at the back of my neck as my hair stood. My father rushed to my side, taking my hand and leading me to the altar.

I stared at the man on the altar in a suit. His hair was the darkest shade of black that I have ever seen. His grey eyes stared at me with disinterest, then that pull started as I got closer to the altar.

The moon goddess had thought it was best to make a man I was marrying out of convenient my second chance mate.

If he felt the tug also, he didn't make it a point to indicate, his expression didn't change neither did he mutter any word.

My father dropped me at the altar and went back to sit at the front row with my overly excited mum.

The deacon finally arrived, starting the ceremony. He said some words I couldn't quite understand. I stared at my soon to be husband all through, feeling a knot in my chest.

"Do you, Lorenzo Ruzzo, take Vanessa Miller to be your legally wedded wife?” The deacon asked, looking at the man in front of me.

"I do." He answered gruffly, his face passive.

"And do you Vanessa Miller take Lorenzo Ruzzo to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

I could just decide to say no right now, but the warning of that man sat comfortably at the back of my mind.

His eyes twitched at my hesitation in answering the deacon—the first reaction that I have gotten out of him since I saw him.

I looked at my father staring at me angrily, while my mother was staring at me with a pleading face.

Heaving a deep breath, I skimmed my eyes over my soon to be husband's face. "I do."

The hall erupted into cheers and people stood up clapping.

"I now pronounce you Husband and wife." He stepped aside. "You may now kiss the bride.”

And at that moment, my heart erupted into fireworks, and I forgot how to breathe.

He stepped forward, and leaned down, before capturing my lips in a kiss.

I could swear I felt a spark fly.

He recoiled quickly and got off the altar, leaving me standing there with my cheeks tinted in embarrassment.

The reception took place immediately, it felt so rushed.

I looked around the hall, taking in each face of the people partnered into dancing, but my husband was nowhere to be found.

My father came at me smiling, his face shining brightly as he nodded to his peers as he passed them by.

"My beautiful daughter," he laughed, widening his arm for a hug. "I am so happy with the decision you made today."

I held back a scoff, trying not to let him know how his words made me feel.

I was threatened into making this decision,yet he is happy.

"I wish you guys a happy marriage. Your union will surely last to pass the test of time.” He smiled before retreating back to my mother's side.

I scoffed inwardly. Like this marriage is going to last even a month.