A NEW BEGINNING

When the first light of dawn began to filter through the

curtains, casting a pale glow across the room, Antonio knew that the time had

come. He rose from the bed, his movements slow and deliberate, as if he were

preparing himself for a battle he knew he would lose.

He dressed in silence, pulling on the ceremonial robes that

had been laid out for him. The rich, dark fabric was embroidered with silver

threads, the symbols of his lineage woven into the cloth. It was the attire of

an Alpha, a leader, a man who was about to take a Luna. But as Antonio looked

at himself in the mirror, he saw only a man on the edge of despair.

The wedding ceremony was to take place in the grand hall,

the same room where so many of the pack's most important events had been held.

It was a room steeped in tradition, a place where vows were made and lives were

joined. But to Antonio, it felt more like a stage, a place where he would have

to play a part he didn't want.

As he made his way down the hallway, the sound of his

footsteps echoing off the stone walls, Antonio's mind was consumed with

thoughts of Rachel. He imagined her face, her voice, the way she had looked at

him with such love and trust. And with each step, the pain in his chest grew

sharper, more unbearable.

Finally, he reached the doors to the grand hall. He paused

for a moment, his hand resting on the polished wood, as if hoping that

something, anything, would happen to stop what was about to take place. But the

doors remained closed, the silence heavy and unyielding.

With a deep breath, Antonio pushed the doors open and

stepped inside.

The grand hall was a vision of elegance and beauty. The

high, vaulted ceiling was draped with white silk, softening the light from the

chandeliers above. Rows of chairs, covered in white fabric and tied with silver

ribbons, lined the aisle. At the far end of the room, the altar stood adorned

with flowers, white roses, lilies, and ivy, symbols of purity, renewal, and

eternal commitment.

The guests had already gathered, their faces filled with

anticipation. They turned to look at Antonio as he entered, their expressions

ranging from admiration to curiosity. But Antonio barely noticed them. His gaze

was fixed on the altar, on the place where he would soon stand, where he would

be bound to Olivia for the rest of his life.

And then he saw her.

Olivia stood at the altar, her back to him, her posture

perfect and poised. She wore a gown of pure white, the fabric flowing around

her like water. The dress was simple yet striking, with a fitted bodice that

flared out into a long, graceful train. Her veil, made of delicate lace,

trailed behind her, and her hair was styled in loose waves that cascaded over

her shoulders.

As she turned to face him, Antonio saw the expression in her

eyes, determined, yet guarded, as if she too were steeling herself for what was

to come. She offered him a small smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. It was

the smile of someone who had won a battle, but not the war.

Antonio approached the altar, his steps slow and heavy. He

could feel the weight of the guests' gazes on him, the unspoken expectations,

the hopes and dreams of the pack resting on his shoulders. But all he could

think about was Rachel, how he had failed to find her, how he had failed to

hold on to the love they had shared.

The officiant, an elder of the pack, stepped forward to

begin the ceremony. His voice was solemn, his words carefully chosen, but to

Antonio, they sounded distant, almost like a murmur in the background. The

elder spoke of duty, of commitment, of the sacred bond between Alpha and Luna,

but each word felt like another nail in the coffin of the life Antonio had

wanted.

When the time came for the vows, Olivia spoke first. Her

voice was steady, confident, as she recited the traditional words, promising to

stand by Antonio's side, to support him, to lead the pack with him. But there

was something else in her tone, a determination that went beyond the words, a

resolve to make this work, no matter the cost.

Then it was Antonio's turn. He took a deep breath, forcing

himself to focus on the words he had memorized. But as he began to speak, his

voice faltered. The words felt heavy, unnatural, as if they didn't belong to

him. He glanced at Olivia, her eyes locked onto his, urging him to continue.

I'll forget my past and focus on my present, only then

can I lead the pack with power and might he thought to himself.

And so he did.

He recited the vows, each one feeling like a betrayal of the

love he still held for Rachel. But he said them anyway, because there was no

other choice. When he finally finished, the weight of the promise he had just

made settled over him like a shroud.

The elder pronounced them husband and wife, and the guests

erupted into applause. But the sound was muted in Antonio's ears, as if he were

hearing it from underwater. Olivia turned to him, her expression a mix of

triumph and something softer, almost like relief.

Antonio leaned in and pressed a brief, perfunctory kiss to

Olivia's lips. It was a kiss devoid of passion, of love, but it was enough to

satisfy the expectations of the pack.

I'm sorry Rachel

 The guests cheered,

their voices echoing through the grand hall, but Antonio felt nothing.

As they turned to face the gathered crowd, Antonio's heart

felt heavy with an overwhelming sense of resignation. The applause echoed

around them, filling the grand hall with a thunderous roar of approval, yet it

all felt hollow to him. The smiling faces, the admiring glances, the nods of

approval from the elders, none of it reached him. He was simply going through

the motions, playing the role that had been thrust upon him.

Olivia's hand slipped into his as they began to walk down

the aisle together, the guests standing to honor the newly wedded couple. Her

grip was firm, almost possessive, as if she feared he might pull away at the

last moment. Antonio could feel the warmth of her hand, but it did nothing to

thaw the coldness that had settled in his heart.

The decorations that had been so meticulously arranged, the

soft scent of the flowers that filled the room, the flickering light of the

candles all of it blurred into the background as Antonio's thoughts drifted

once more to Rachel. He had imagined this day so many times, but never like

this. He had envisioned Rachel by his side, her eyes sparkling with joy, her

laughter filling the air as they embarked on a future together. Instead, he was

walking alongside a woman he did not love, bound to her by duty rather than by

choice.