Shenaya’s POV
The early morning light fell like a soft blanket over the Crescent pack’s territory. Dew clung to the grass, shimmering under the sunlight, as though the earth was dressed in celebration of our wedding day. Today, I was marrying Aiden, my Alpha, best friend, and partner in fierce and fragile love.
I could feel the energy in the air as the whole pack bustled with preparations. I spent the morning getting ready, surrounded by close friends, family, and members of the pack who all wore excited smiles as they darted around to help, offering me congratulations and teasing glances. The field we had chosen as our wedding site was dressed in rows of pristine white chairs, lined up in front of a wooden podium decorated with garlands of roses, lilies, and green ivy.
My heart felt full, overwhelmed with love and gratitude for everyone who had come. Even Skylar, Aiden’s former mate and my one-time enemy, was here today, holding her daughter Zoey’s hand, standing in the crowd with a rare expression of genuine happiness. My brother Ethan gave me a knowing smile, standing off to the side with my mom, whose eyes glistened with pride. And there was Lucy, looking healthier, standing by Aunt Belle, who had returned after months to attend. In front of the aisle, little Leo, who had been assigned the important role of ring bearer, was in the care of my mom, fidgeting with excitement, his chubby fingers curled around the tiny box that held our rings.
I was dressed in a flowing white gown with intricate lace sleeves that hugged my arms, the bodice fitted with tiny pearls. The train flowed behind me like a river of silk, and in my hands, I clutched a bouquet of wildflowers Aiden had gathered just for me. The faint scent of lavender and jasmine wafted up, calming my nerves as I took each step toward him. My dad’s arm linked with mine, he whispered words of encouragement to me as he walked me down the aisle. When I finally looked up to see Aiden waiting for me on the podium, his sight nearly took my breath away.
He stood tall, proud, and noble, looking like the Alpha he was meant to be. He was Dressed in a tailored black suit with a dark red tie that matched the color of his pack insignia, his gaze was filled with warmth, tempered by the fierce protectiveness he held for me. His usual commanding air softened as he watched me approach, and when I finally stood before him, his hands reached out, steadying me in a way only he could.
I could hardly breathe as the officiant started with the prayers, I was beyond excited and all I could do was look at Aiden, my husband-to-be, I could hardly contain myself. When the time came to say our vows I took a deep breath and, looking into his eyes only, I started saying them, feeling only love inside of me.
“Aiden,” I began, “we have fought numerous wars, we have lost friends and comrades, and yet, this this is us after we fight together, no matter what, You are not just my Alpha, you are the man who taught me what being strong and weak is. You offered me shelter, you showed me what it feels like to feel at home, to embrace love, and to live a life without the chains of fear. I hereby vow to support you, protect you, and cherish you with my spirit, heart, soul, and body. You are the total heart, Aiden, and today, I surrender everything you need from me.”
He gazed at me with words which filled my heart with warmth, I could not summon tears as he held my hands. He then spoke with a murmur a profound vow that rang in the chamber.
“Shenaya,” the words came out in a choked voice, “from the day you came into my life I understood that no one and nothing could break the fortress I constructed around my heart. You are fierce, kind, and have strength that awes me. I promise to shield you, nurture what we’ve got, and definitely never compromise on what we have. I promise to ground you when it rains, to support you when you lose your footing, and to love you as much as I am capable. You and I have grown apart and I know today, and every day, my heart belongs to you.”
His words embraced me and the power that I felt inside his voice, helped me cry for the first time and wash out all the pain that was festering inside of me. But before I could say the next thing again, the powerful sound of a gun being fired overwhelmed the surroundings.
It felt like hours before my eyes as I stood there horrified while my heart dropped as Aiden tripped and fell to the floor. He gaped at me in disbelief before his body started sagging as if drowning in water. And then fell to the floor and lay still, a small pool of blood seeping from the head wound. I screamed loud and tragically before I collapsed on my knees beside him, the violence of my sobbing shaking his head in my hands.
“No, no, no!” I choked and clutched my hands upon my chest and a trickle of blood oozed out of the horrific cut and felt warm and tacky beneath my fingers.
Around me, people gasped, their faces blurring as I looked up. And that’s when I saw him. Andrew. His hand still held the gun, his face twisted in a mix of rage and satisfaction as he glared at Aiden’s lifeless form.
Ethan and a few of the warriors sprang into action, charging at Andrew, their growls filling the air. But my world had shrunk to the man lying before me, his eyes closed, his breathing shallow. My vision blurred with tears as I whispered,
“Aiden, stay with me. Don’t leave me, please…”
“Andrew!” I screamed with fury and terror boiling within me and my hands shaking uncontrollably. “Why… why would you do this?”
He only smirked, his eyes narrowing as he said,
“You thought you could take everything away from me, Shenaya. Zoey, the pack, everything. But I always finish what I start.”
Everything around me faded. The only thing that remained was the hollow emptiness in my chest, the rage and the grief swirling together until they became one.
I looked up at Andrew, every fiber of my being thrumming with a feral anger I had never felt before. I stood, gently laying Aiden’s head down as I rose, facing the man who had just stolen my future.
“You’ll pay for this,” I spat with my voice filled with a venom I didn’t even know I had. “You’ll pay with every ounce of blood in your body, Andrew.”
The pack warriors started to close in on him, but he raised his gun again, his smile taunting.
“Stay back, or you’ll all regret it,” he sneered, his gaze flicking around to the gathering crowd.
Leo, who had been standing nearby as the ring bearer, was clutching his father’s leg, his young eyes wide with terror. I saw Skylar move to shield him, her own eyes wide with shock and horror.
With a sudden rush of energy, I felt my wolf stir within me pushing me forward. I couldn’t wait. I couldn’t allow him to breathe a second longer after what he had done.
Just as Andrew turned to make his escape, I lunged, letting out a roar that shook the very ground beneath us. He barely had time to react as I tackled him, his gun flew from his hand as we hit the ground.
“You took everything from me,” I snarled, my hands pressing down on his throat as he struggled beneath me, gasping for air. “You’ll pay for every second of this pain.”
I tightened my grip, but he managed to kick me back just enough to break free, his hand scrabbling for the gun but before he could grab it, Skylar stepped forward, grabbing it and pointing it directly at him, her face set in steely determination.
“You’ve gone far enough, Andrew,” she said, her voice was cold and unwavering.
Andrew glared at her, his lips curling in a sneer.
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me,” Skylar said without hesitation.
Just as he lunged for her, she fired. The shot echoed once again, and this time, Andrew fell to the ground, clutching his side as he gasped in pain. He looked up at me, his face twisted in agony, and for a brief moment, I saw a flash of fear in his eyes.
I knelt beside him, my heart pounding as I stared down at him, hatred burning through me.
“This is the end for you, Andrew. You lost everything the moment you decided to take him from me.”
“This isn’t over, Shenaya. As long as I have breath, you’ll never have peace.” He laughed weakly, his breath rasping.
“Maybe not. But you won’t be around to see it.”
As the pack’s warriors dragged him away, I turned back to Aiden’s body, my heart shattering all over again as I fell to my knees beside him. The crowd was silent, the joy of moments ago replaced with grief and shock.
Aunt Belle’s voice cut through the silence, calling on her powers, her hands glowing with a soft, blue light.
“Shenaya,” she said, her voice steady, though I could hear the fear underlying her words. “There’s still a chance.”
Without any moment’s delay, she started the portal and called out for a supernatural neurosurgeon whom the trauma required.
The woman was Dr. Astrid Monroe, a witch of healing arts, a woman who resided on the opposite coast. I kept quiet in anticipation as the portal began to glow, the atmosphere around us dancing as she walked out, a serene warrior in the silver garment.
“It’s ok kiddo,” Dr Monroe said, kneeling beside Aiden ‘Step back.’
Her fingers fidgeted over his chest, her lips were mumbling something, and only a gentle green light glowed around his head.
“He’s in a coma,” she said after a few moments looking at me, her bottom lip trembling with compassion. “I will try to the best of my abilities but it is largely on him.”