FORCED INTO A NEW WORLD

As they reached the grand doors at the end of the aisle,

Olivia turned to Antonio, her smile still in place, but her eyes searching his

for some sign of acknowledgment.

 "We did it," she

whispered, her voice tinged with a mix of relief and triumph.

Antonio nodded, but the gesture felt mechanical. "Yes," he

replied, his voice barely audible. "We did."

The doors were pulled open by two pack members standing on

either side, and the couple stepped out into the bright sunlight. The warm rays

felt almost jarring after the dim, candlelit ceremony. A cheer rose from the

crowd gathered outside, more guests, pack members, and well-wishers who had

come to witness the union of their Alpha and Luna.

Antonio's eyes swept over the sea of faces, each one beaming

with happiness, pride, and hope for the future. It was what they had all

wanted, what they had been waiting for—a symbol of stability, of continuity, of

leadership. But all Antonio felt was a crushing sense of loss, as if he were

leaving behind not just Rachel, but a part of himself as well.

The rest of the day unfolded in a blur. There were

photographs to be taken, congratulations to be received, and the endless small

talk that came with such an occasion. Olivia was ever the gracious hostess,

moving among the guests with ease, her smile never faltering. She accepted

compliments on her dress, on the ceremony, on the future she and Antonio were

now meant to build together. To anyone watching, she was the perfect Luna; poised,

elegant, and in control.

But as Antonio stood by her side, shaking hands and nodding

politely, he felt like an imposter. The words of gratitude that came from his

lips felt foreign, detached, as though someone else were speaking for him. He

could sense Olivia's eyes on him occasionally, a subtle, silent pressure for

him to match her enthusiasm, her resolve. But he couldn't, not with the weight

of what had been lost bearing down on him.

As the evening approached, the reception began in the

mansion's grand ballroom. The room was transformed into a dazzling spectacle,

with glittering chandeliers casting soft, golden light across the polished

marble floors. The tables were adorned with lavish centerpieces, arrangements

of roses, lilies, and ivy that matched the flowers from the ceremony. The

guests were seated, their laughter and conversation filling the room as they

enjoyed the feast that had been prepared for them.

Antonio and Olivia took their seats at the head table, a

place of honor from which they could oversee the celebration. The pack's elders

sat nearby, their expressions one of contentment and approval. Antonio knew

they were satisfied this was the union they had wanted, the bond that would

ensure the pack's future.

The dinner was sumptuous, with course after course of

exquisitely prepared dishes, each one more elaborate than the last. But Antonio

barely tasted the food. Each bite felt like ash in his mouth, his appetite lost

in the swirl of emotions he could not fully name. He forced himself to smile,

to nod, to engage in the polite conversation expected of him, but his mind was

elsewhere.

At one point during the evening, Olivia leaned in close, her

voice low and meant only for him. "We're doing well, Antonio. The pack is

happy. This is what they needed."

Antonio met her gaze, seeing the determination in her eyes.

She was right, in a way. The pack was happy, the elders were pleased, and by

all appearances, the future was secure. But at what cost? Was this the life he

had envisioned? Was this truly what was best for the pack?

The evening stretched on, the hours blending together in a

haze of music, laughter, and dancing. Antonio watched as couples moved

gracefully across the dance floor, their movements fluid and synchronized. He

remembered the times he had danced with Rachel, how effortless it had felt, how

natural. But now, as Olivia took his hand and led him to the floor, he felt

stiff, disconnected.

The first dance as husband and wife was supposed to be a

moment of joy, a celebration of their union. The music was soft, a gentle waltz

that filled the room with a romantic ambiance. Olivia moved with grace, her

hand resting lightly on Antonio's shoulder as they swayed together. But

Antonio's heart wasn't in it. His movements were mechanical, his mind

elsewhere.

As they danced, Antonio caught glimpses of the faces around

them, the guests, the pack members, the elders. All of them watching, all of

them expecting. He knew they saw a happy couple, a united front. But inside, he

felt as though he were slowly unraveling, the weight of his choices pulling him

apart.

When the dance finally ended, the applause was polite,

approving. Olivia smiled at him, a smile that was both triumphant and relieved.

Antonio managed to return the gesture, though it felt hollow.

As the evening wound down and the guests began to depart,

Antonio found himself standing alone in the courtyard, the cool night air a

welcome relief from the stifling atmosphere inside. The stars were bright

above, the moon casting a soft, silvery glow over the landscape. It was quiet,

peaceful, but Antonio's heart was anything but.

He heard footsteps behind him and turned to see Olivia

approaching. Her expression was softer now, the mask of the perfect Luna slipping

just a little.

"Are you alright?" she asked, her voice tentative.

Antonio didn't answer right away. He looked out over the

darkened landscape, his thoughts once again drifting to Rachel. "I'm trying to

be," he finally said, his voice heavy with resignation.

Olivia stepped closer, her hand reaching out to rest on his

arm. "I know this isn't easy, Antonio. But we're in this together now. We have

to be strong, for the pack."

Antonio nodded, but the gesture felt empty. He knew Olivia

was right, they were bound together now, by duty if not by love. But the void

left by Rachel's absence was something that no amount of resolve could fill.

"I just need some time," Antonio said quietly, pulling away

from Olivia's touch.