Chapter 4 The prophecy

A month had passed since Zara's life had spiraled out of control. She had become a shadow of her former self, rarely leaving her room or interacting with anyone. The pack's upcoming wedding celebration between their leader, Scott, and his chosen mate, Harley, only served as a painful reminder of her own miserable existence.

With difficulty, she rose from the bed and stumbled to the bathroom, her body heaving as she vomited for the umpteenth time that day. Exhausted and bewildered, she wondered what was wrong with her. She felt frail and drained, and Scott's constant harassment only made her condition worse.

Last night's encounter still lingered in her mind. It was the eve of his wedding, yet he had chosen to spend it with her, leaving her feeling totally exhausted.

What was his problem, exactly? Why couldn't he be with his mate? Was tormenting her some kind of twisted amusement for him? She retched until her stomach was empty, then splashed water on her face and gazed at her reflection.

Something was off.

Her skin was pale, yet it glow with a ghostly light.

What in the world was wrong with her?

As she returned to her room, she found Eve waiting by the dressing table, a tray of food in her hand.

The aroma wafted up, making Zara's stomach churn.

She recoiled, her voice sharp. "Take that away from me!"

Eve looked down at the tray in her hands, then back at Zara, her eyebrow raised in confusion. "But this is your favourite food."

Zara plopped down on the bed, her expression unyielding. "And I don't like it anymore."

A long moment passed, and Eve just stared at Zara, taking in her frail state. "Are you sure you're alright?" she asked, her tone laced with suspicion.

Zara ignored the question, instead asking, "What time will the wedding start?"

Eve swallowed hard. "As soon as the Alpha returns."

"Return?" Zara's eyebrow quirked upward. "Where did he go?"

Eve's voice was measured. "To the mountain side, to take care of some rogue wolves."

This revelation made Zara gasp. "Are we under attack?"

Eve rolled her eyes inwardly but maintained a straight face. "We aren't under any attack, Miss Zara. Alpha Scott just wants to ensure the surroundings are clear....." She paused, tilting her head as if collecting her thoughts before continuing. "But I heard there are twin wolves and their pack roaming around. Even our pack members are scared to move freely."

Listening intently, Zara asked, "Are they that dangerous?"

Eve's expression turned wry. "Not as dangerous as our Alpha, I think."

Zara huffed, getting off the bed and rounding her dressing chair, her lips pouting.

Eve burst out laughing at the sight. Zara sighed, speaking her mind. " I wish someone more powerful than Alpha Scott would defeat him and take control of his pack."

Eve's laughter ceased abruptly, and she stared at Zara with wide, huge eyes.

Zara mouthed, "What?"

Eve's voice trembled. "There's a prophecy that's been bothering the pack for a month now....that a female wolf with rare powers, gifted by the moon goddess, along with her fated mates...."

"Mates?" Zara interrupted, her curiosity piqued.

Eve nodded. "Twin mates." She took a deep breath, her voice filled with a mix of awe and trepidation. " The prophecy says they'll unite all packs, and rule over them."

Zara laughed, unsure of what to make of the story.

"Absurd, right?" Eve gave her a knowing look.

She nodded.

"You should tell that to the alpha. He's been losing sleep over it."

Zara smirked. "He's been spending those nights with me."

Eve chuckled."Someone's getting naughty." Setting the tray aside, she pulled Zara into the dressing chair, and began examining her face. "You look pale."

Zara sighed wearily. " I know."

As Eve began dolling up her face, a bell echoed through the pack, signalling the wedding was about to start.

Zara smiled, hiding her pain.

Without a word, Eve helped her into a red ball gown. Scott had chosen it specifically for the wedding, leaving her no choice but to wear it, despite feeling it was more suited to a different occasion, not someone's wedding. She was convinced he was trying to humiliate her.

Just as she completed her outfit with a silver heeled shoes, her stomach churned, and she rushed into the bathroom to retch, but nothing came out.

Eve followed, gently patting her back. "Are you sure you're alright?" she asked, concern etched on her face.

"Yes,"Zara straightened up, washed her face, and wiped it with a towel before returning to the room.

Eve watched her closely. "You don't need to attend the wedding if you don't feel up to it." She attempted to talk her out of attending.

Zara retorted sharply, her voice laced with sarcasm. "And watch everyone in the pack berate me and call me jealous? No, thanks."

"No, I didn't mean it that way......." Eve began to protest but Zara cut her off. "Let's just go."

Without waiting, she stepped out of the room and house, heading to the large hall. Eve trailed silently behind her.

As they walked, everyone they passed had a comment about Zara's gown. Some called her an attention seeker, but Zara pretended not to hear. She was used to the insults;they no longer affected her.

The hall was beautifully decorated, with everyone dressed in black gowns or suits. Zara stood out in her red ball gown, the odd one out. She heard the snickers directed at her but remained unfazed.

Her gaze was fixed on the four people standing at the center of the hall: Alpha Scott, Harley, her stepmother, and father. They looked like the perfect family she had always yearned for, and she couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.

"Let's begin the ceremony," one of the pack elders announced, his voice echoing through the hall.

Zara stood frozen, her face expressionless, as she watched the exchange of vows. She remained unmoved as her father blessed the couple, and as the crowd began to chant the names of their alpha and Luna.

The only thing that broke her trance-like state was Eve's gentle tap on her shoulder. "Let's go." Like a robot, Zara followed Eve out of the hall and into an even larger one, where the reception would take place.

No one noticed her arrival. No one glanced her way as she sat down in the designated area for families. She was just a silent presence, a mere decoration.

As the foods and drinks began to flow, the atmosphere in the hall transformed. The sound of laughter and chatter filled the air, and the scent of roasted meats and freshly baked bread wafted through the crowds.

Zara sat quietly, observing the celebrations with a detached air. Nursing a glass of sparking water, her eyes scanned the room with a mixture of pain and disinterest. Her gaze locked onto Harley, who flashed her an evil grin.

Whispering something in Scott's ear, Harley picked up a bottle of alcohol, rose to her feet, and began approaching Zara.

Zara's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with unease.

What was Harley trying to do? She fidgeted in her seat, her eyes fixed wearily on Harley's advancing form.

Harley stopped beside her, raising her voice to draw attention. "I want to toast to my beautiful little sister, who..."she paused, a sly smile spreading across her face as she surveyed the crowd. "Loves to share all my stuff with me." The sarcasm in her voice was clear, and Zara shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

The hall fell silent as Harley continued, her words dripping with venom. "She shared my title with me, shared my father with me, and as you all know, is now sharing my alpha with me."

Danny Dante intervened, his voice firm. "Don't do this to your sister, Harley." But Harley ignored him, stretching out her arms to hand Zara the bottle of alcohol. "Drink up, bitch...." she sneered.

Before Harley could utter another word, Scott made a swift move, snatching the bottle from her hand, his expression dark and unreadable.

"Alpha?" Harley muttered, her voice laced with fear. Scott's glare lingered on her for a moment before he turned his attention to Zara.

"Are you okay?" He asked, a flicker of concern crossing his eyes.

But Zara had reached her limit. The stares, the humiliation, the overwhelming smells of alcohol and smoke– it all became too much.

A wave of nausea washed over her, and she felt an urgent need to vomit. Covering her mouth, she rose to her feet and rushed out of the hall, oblivious to the curious stares that followed her.

~~~

TBC