Whispering Shadows: The Lost Bond

I admired myself happily in the full-length mirror as the seamstress bid her goodbyes and departed the room, her arms filled with gowns.

I smoothed my hands over the exquisite fabric of my wedding dress, a wistful smile playing on my lips.

This was my last night as Anastasia Vanes, daughter of the Alpha King. Tomorrow, I would become Anastasia Lancer, wife and mate to Brent Lancer, the future Alpha King.

Covering my mouth, I stifled a squeal of excitement.

At last, I would leave this dreadful wing of the mansion and move to my own floor with my husband. I'd only need to see my stepmother and stepsister during special events, avoiding them on most days.

I bit my lip nervously. Should I show my dad the dress? He would see it tomorrow, but we had so little time together anymore. Spending this last evening as his daughter might be a nice gesture.

I sighed softly. If my mother were still here... Although my father had betrayed her by taking a mistress, I couldn't shake the feeling that life would have been easier if she had lived. Perhaps I would have had more siblings.

With a final twirl and giggle of contentment, I opened my bedroom door and stepped into the hallway.

As I walked past the bedrooms and suites on this floor, I overheard a couple's unmistakable sounds of passion.

I snickered and rolled my eyes.

I hadn't been intimate with Brent yet—I was determined to save myself for our wedding day, when we would mark each other.

After exchanging vows and celebrating with the Bloody Crescent Pack, our family would retreat to the inner moon temple, where the elders awaited.

It was a simple ceremony, involving intimate vows between mates, allowing our wolves to express their pledge to their fated partners.

The ritual encouraged mutual acts of service, culminating in our return to our room to consummate our bond as a mated pair.

Blushing furiously at the thought, I stifled another giggle. Bearing Brent's mark would fill me with pride—his loyalty was unwavering...

"F**k. Eve..."

The sound of the headboard hitting the wall intensified, and I froze. No... it couldn't be!

My head turned instinctively toward the door I was about to pass, noticing it was slightly ajar. A nervous swallow caught in my throat, my heart racing erratically. I had to be mistaken—it couldn't be what it seemed.

"Brent, oh... deeper... harder!" Eve's shrill voice pleaded between breathy moans.

My legs seemed to have a mind of their own as I found myself positioned next to the crack in the door. I nudged it open slightly, trying to peer into the dimly lit room beyond, but it wasn't enough to see clearly.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door a little further. My chest felt as if it might explode as I held my breath, the door opening wider.

What I saw made my hands fly to my mouth to stifle a gasp of horror. There was my sister beneath my fiancé, Brent. My heart shattered instantly as he roared his release inside her, and Eve turned her head to the door with a smirk.

An icy chill swept over me, as though someone had doused me with a bucket of ice water. I stood there, staring with eyes wide and mouth slightly open in shock.

Eve lifted her hand, waving smugly in my direction with a smile plastered on her face as Brent collapsed on top of her, showering kisses on her neck.

I wanted to scream, to rage, to sob, but I remained silent, closing the door quietly and clenching my fists in anger at my sides.

Staring blankly ahead, I made my way down the stairs and out into the night.

For quite some time, I wandered through the city in a daze, my mind reeling from the scene I had just witnessed.

Brent and I were supposed to be fated mates. What had happened? Finding your fated match was rare, and such relationships were almost infallible, with little desire to seek fulfillment elsewhere due to the bond their wolves shared.

My wolf, Maine, stayed silent throughout everything, though I could sense her fury burning within me.

Maine was never one for excessive chatter. When I tried to reach out to her, she mostly stayed silent, expressing her feelings on matters at the appropriate time without the need for words.

The numbness that carried me into the city started to fade, giving way to the excruciating pain coursing through my heart.

......

I sniffled quietly, taking in my surroundings as I wandered through the bustling club district of the city, a place renowned for its vibrant nightlife. The pulsating beats emanating from inside the clubs only reminded me of Brent's strong, rhythmic heartbeat that I used to hear whenever I rested my head on his chest. The grief washed over me anew.

"Perhaps you can find a quieter bar," Maine growled in my mind.

I jumped at the unexpected gruff voice, taking a moment to recover before responding.

"But... Maine... I don't drink... I never have," I protested.

"No? Well, fated mates don't typically sleep with their mate's sister, yet here we are. Now seems like the perfect time to start drinking," she snapped back brutally.

I bit my lip, unsure of how to reply. I could feel Maine's heavy sigh reverberating through me.

"Even if you don't want to drink, I want something to numb us both. Freda is frowned upon, and if I see that b*tch again, she'll get what's coming to her. Until then, find somewhere quiet and drink until I shut up," she grumbled.

Taking a deep breath, I lowered my head, letting my hair fall over my face to hide from the curious glances directed my way. Eventually, I found myself at a bar known for its high-profile clientele and its commitment to protecting their privacy—an ideal spot to hide away for a while.

The doorman stopped me at once, chuckling as he spoke. "Listen, missy, I know we're called The Minister, but I think you've got the wrong kind of church. You can't get married here."

Feeling the heat rise to my cheeks, I lifted my head and stared defiantly at him. He paled as realization dawned.

"Ah... Miss Vanes! I'm sorry, I just... with your attire... wedding dresses aren't usually... and..." he stuttered, stumbling over his words as I narrowed my eyes, allowing Maine's golden irises to shine through furiously.

"If I wanted jokes, I'd see a comedian. I want somewhere quiet to drink where no one will bother me," I hissed.

The doorman hurriedly escorted me inside, where I was shown to a booth on the top floor, reserved for those with the highest profiles. Being the daughter of an Alpha King afforded me this privilege, and as I squeezed into the booth, carefully lifting my dress to avoid tangling in it, I was grateful for the lack of prying eyes.

Before long, the manager approached, apologizing profusely for the doorman's conduct. As a gesture of sincerity, he offered complimentary drinks for the evening.

I accepted the manager's generous offer with gratitude and, as he handed me the drinks menu, I decided to go along with Maine's recommendations. I didn't hold back on ordering.

After polishing off my fourth glass of Merlyn Cabernet, I reached a firm conclusion: there was no way I would go through with this wedding. If Brent could betray me now, before we were even married and marked, it was likely that his behavior would only worsen.

"It's the worst kind of betrayal," Maine snarled in my mind. "You should seduce him and let me tear his member off so he can't bury himself balls deep in another woman again."

For some reason, I found Maine's fierce suggestion amusing, and a ripple of laughter ran through me from her direction.

"That would be a bit messy, Maine. I think a good rejection should do the trick," I giggled.

"Maybe take a man home with you tonight and repay the favor," Maine smirked.

"Maine!" I protested, feeling the warmth from the wine deepen as my ears grew hotter.

Before long, a pressing need to visit the toilet arose. Navigating the maze-like corridors of private rooms and offices, I stumbled into what I assumed was the ladies'room.

As I adjusted my dress and sat down in a stall, the sound of footsteps entering the room made me stifle a giggle. The alcohol had indeed taken effect. Although my kind typically boasted a strong tolerance, the Merlyn witches had certainly perfected their line of fortified wines.

I swayed slightly as I stood and turned to flush, freezing at the distinct sounds of two male voices carrying into the room.

"Alpha, I know you don't want to discuss this, but you really must consider your options," a concerned male voice urged.

"Not this again, Alvin." Another voice, deep and husky, sighed heavily, weary of the topic at hand.

"Eavesdropping seems to be a new talent we've acquired," Maine slurred with amusement in my mind.

"Shhh! They might hear us!" I replied through our mind link, stifling yet another giggle.

"If the others discover the curse, you know it will lead to bids for takeovers."

"And what? If I don't have a Luna, I can't rule well? Give me a break, Alvin." The deep voice snorted derisively.

"If you can't produce an heir, the pack's future isn't secure! At least consider taking a chosen mate."

"And if my mate shows up in the meantime?"

"Can you be certain they would be honest about it? The curse took away your ability to..."

The curse? What curse were they talking about?

"Can you be certain they'd be truthful about such matters? The curse has taken away your ability to find your true mate. Who's to say those meddling witches won't send impostors to seize control of the pack, hmm? This is not a trivial matter to be dismissed lightly!" the man identified as Alvin argued, frustration evident in his voice.

My eyes widened. What exactly had I stumbled into?

Though I didn't recognize the voices, the situation sounded serious. Leaning forward against the door to hear more clearly, I inadvertently caused it to swing open. I stumbled forward, crashing into the opposite wall with a loud groan.

Maine snickered in my mind. "Forgot to close the door properly?"

"You're not helping..." I muttered, clutching the spot on my head that had slammed against the wall, grimacing from the pain.

As I looked up, my eyes met those of two visibly shocked men, who had poised themselves to confront an intruder and now found themselves unsure of what to do next.

"Who are you? Explain yourself!" the man identified as Alvin blustered furiously.

Dropping my hand to my side, I looked at him incredulously. "Me explain myself?! Don't you think it should be the other way around?"

"Wha...?" he began, but I cut him off angrily.

"Two grown men using the ladies'bathroom to discuss such nonsense... What are you, perverts?!" I demanded, glaring at them furiously.

Alvin looked helplessly at the other man.

The man with the deep voice adopted a more relaxed posture, shoving his hands into his pockets as he regarded me quietly. "Interesting choice of attire for the men's bathroom... don't you think?" he commented dryly, eyebrow raised.

I blinked stupidly. Men's bathroom? Surely not... was it?

As my eyes swept across the room, the men's urinals glaringly confirmed my mistake, and I anxiously bit my lip.

Damn.

The man with the deep voice chuckled at my evident discomfort, turning away as if to leave.

"We can't just leave her. If your secret gets out..." Alvin protested loudly, causing the man with the deep voice to pause, head slightly turned in consideration of his friend's words.

After a moment's reflection, he nodded slightly before turning to leave once more.

Alvin's eyes flickered to a golden hue, a signal that a transformation was imminent, and my heart began to race wildly. Were they really considering killing me for overhearing their conversation?

"Let them try!" Maine growled in my mind, eager to confront the potential threat.

"Wait!" I shouted impulsively. "You need a chosen mate, and I need a way out of this wedding tomorrow. I'll do it! I'll marry you."

The man with the deep voice stopped abruptly, turning to face me. His eyes took in my appearance—slightly drunk and disheveled in a wedding dress—but what likely caught his attention was the boldness in my gaze, free from fear.

He reflected briefly on the situation before a slight smile appeared. "I accept. Alvin will draft a basic contract with you, and we can finalize the terms after you've settled your... non-wedding."

"Alpha, are you seriously—" Alvin began to protest.

"That's an order, Alvin," the man interrupted with commanding authority, eyes flashing silver.

Alvin paled slightly, swallowing hard before responding, "Yes, Alpha Calixto." He submitted by baring his neck to Calixto.

I blinked in surprise. Alpha Calixto? What had I just committed myself to?

Alpha Calixto watched me keenly from across the booth as Alvin prepared the initial agreement. I found myself wondering why I was so desperate to escape my meticulously planned marriage, considering how well the dress suited me.

Sighing, Alvin quickly typed out the agreement, occasionally consulting with Calixto about his expectations. Meanwhile, I was seated opposite, nervously clutching the fabric of my wedding dress beneath the table, feeling my stomach churn.

"I don't know why you're so anxious. He leads a strong pack, the most powerful in the country, doesn't he? Seems like a pretty good deal," Maine remarked casually.

True, but he had a fearsome reputation and seemed cold. I didn't know the first thing about his businesses or ideals—only that my father detested him.

"Better to deal with a powerful, cold man than suffer the pain every time your mate sleeps around." Maine's words were harsh, but there was truth in them.

I grimaced at her choice of words but couldn't argue with the sentiment.

"Miss?" Alvin said, a hint of irritation in his voice.

Realizing I had missed something he said, I smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry, my wolf was distracting me."

"Oh, really? I assume it means she isn't thrilled," Alvin smirked.

"Not at all. Quite the opposite. She thinks it's a good match. Her exact words were that the contract is better than a fated mate who can't keep his pants zipped." I replied without hesitation, offering him a sweet smile.