Word Count: 2208

~Hunter

My hair is pulled back over my shoulders by gentle hands as it is fashioned into an intricate updo.

"This is the best day of my life!" Tay dances about next to me, already dressed. In fact, she was ready hours ago, and burst into my room at sunrise to wake me.

I sip from the drink she brought me, shaking my head. "Isn't it my wedding?"

The wedding day came by too fast to avoid. My back hasn't improved, and my immune system is worse than ever. I'm stuck here, and there is no getting out of marrying Kaan.

I know I should be more horrified at the thought, or that I should have done more to avoid this outcome, but I'm strangely okay with this.

I've accepted that marrying him ties him to me, but this doesn't have to be forever. There's a chance for me to get the freedom I've always wanted one day, but for now, I need protection from Vinn, the monster who is chasing me down.

"Sure, but you're marrying my brother which will make you my sister," Tay exclaims excitedly.

Every aspect of this ceremony and reception has been planned by Kaan's parents and various advisors. I woke up to a gauzy white dress hanging on my door that fits disturbingly well.

Outside my bedroom window, a large tent has been erected, shielding lines of tables adorned with silverware and pale linens. The flower arrangements are light pink and the bridesmaids dresses match. Aside from Tay, I know nothing about the women who are masquerading as my friends.

"If I can even stand. My legs have been especially wary today." I pull the ridiculous fabric up, massaging them thoroughly.

Tay's brows knit together with concern as she leans against the vanity, mindlessly sorting through the makeup "I can't believe you're not better yet."

I sigh, staring at myself in the mirror. Despite eating well here, I'm evidently sick. My eyes look haunting, and my skin is sallow and lifeless. It's like the poison from Kaan's arrow never left my system.

"You're telling me...I'll never escape this place." I tap my foot against the ground impatiently, feeling the biting need to escape this room, this place. I want to see Kaan.

Tay brushes the hair-stylist away, coming to stand behind me. "Well, Kaan will treat you well and you'll have me to keep you company. Life is good."

She wraps her arms around my neck from the back, grinning at me in the mirror.

I'm glad she's happy about this. Someone deserves to enjoy this day more than her parents are going to.

"Will Azura be attending?" I ask.

"She ah...well, she gets overwhelmed by that many people." Tay pulls back, fiddling with her earring uncomfortably. "I'm sure she will watch from the window."

"I would really like it if she could be involved," I say, more to myself than her.

I've already asked her parents, who gave the same excuse as Azura. It makes sense, I just wish there was some way she could attend without having to be involved with everyone else.

At the end of the day, she's also going to be my sister...

"Come on, let's have Jessie finish your hair so we can start the ceremony." Tay paints that hopeful smile back on, giving me a wink in the mirror before she disappears through the door.

Time passes in a violent blur. I'm hustled down the stairs, so many people touching my face and hair, asking me all sorts of questions about Kaan and I's love that I briskly dismiss.

This is miserable.

Before I know it, I've walked down the aisle, trying not to be sick over the pale pink and white flooring that has been laid out.

Kaan stands on a raised dais, watching me with cautious eyes. He's waiting for me to make a break for it, although he doesn't have to be worried about that. I'm barely managing the walk up the short steps, his hand sliding into mine all that helps me up.

He looks utterly beautiful.

Every stranger in attendance will have no problem seeing him as their true Alpha. His presence cascades across the entire space, mellowing mine.

I'm grateful for that...all it takes is one person to recognise me, although at this point it's too late.

Kaan's smile is genuine as his eyes sweep over me. Until now I've felt ridiculous in this dress, but seeing the way those dark green eyes glaze over slightly, I feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.

"Don't be nervous," he whispers lowly, securing both of my hands in his.

Imaginary strength courses through me, squaring my shoulders back, diminishing the impact of the pain from standing. This is my mate, and right now I'm okay with sinking all my trust into him.

"I'm tying myself to you forever," I breathe, trying not to look at the crowd of people looking at us, knowing might legs will buckle from beneath me if I do.

He brushes his knuckles against my cheeks. "We are mates. It doesn't get anymore tied."

It was only months ago that I was going to be in this exact position with a man that terrified me. Now, I'm marrying someone I know will never hurt me, that will be cruel.

I'm marrying someone who could actually love me.

The ceremony passes with no interruptions. I mumble through the words, trying not to make my fear obvious. Kaan and I are supposed to love each other, so I gaze into his eyes and offer a few weak smiles.

He plays the part expertly. He even says his vows with conviction, his gaze never lifting from mine. After each sentence he gives my hands a comforting squeeze, and at the end, he kisses me gently, perfectly.

He pulls away all too fast, and people clap. My vision swims as he guides me back down the aisle, whispering assuring words in my ears.

And just like that, it's done.

Everyone shifts into a different tent to enjoy the reception. Drinks and shared, people start eating and dancing, and I finally start to relax.

Kaan is very quickly pulled away from me, swept into dances with all sorts of people. I just watch the dance floor, sipping from my drink, numb to the reality I'm now deeply entrenched in.

Dragging my gaze from my handsome mate, it locks onto a man at the other side of the dance floor who stares me down.

I immediately start choking on my bitter drink, sending me into a coughing fit.

A few people glance my way, but pay me no mind. I'm the oddity at this event, with most people taking a long look at who managed to snag their Alpha, but none will bother coming up to me.

Wiping my mouth, I look back at the man. He's advancing on me.

Forcing myself to stand, I bite against the pain in my leg, panic flaring up within me. There is no escaping this.

"You really don't think I would find you," he says as he closes in.

I stiffen, unable to move, unable to run. Vinn. It's been months, and after running from him for so long, he feels like death creeping up on me.

"How?" I stammer, fear constricting around my throat making my breathing harsh.

Had I not escaped that night, I would be in this dress, standing before Vinn. Him and I would be married, and I would never even know Kaan's name.

"Edgar told me everything once I caught that little rat," he mutters, sliding his hands into his pockets.

I close my eyes for a moment. I knew something happened to Edgar when I searched the property for him everyday since last week, and I wasn't able to find him. No one could tell me where he went, either.

"Where is he?" My voice is shaking, knowing the answer isn't going to be something I want to hear.

Nothing about Vinn has changed. I know it. He still has that cold, menacing look, although his black hair is cropped now instead of long, and his face is more gaunt.

"Hopefully dead in a ditch somewhere." His expression doesn't shift. He knows he's heartless, cruel. I don't think he's ever felt empathy in his life. "Don't give me that look, Livia, I let him go.

An overwhelming sense of relief overcomes me, although there's a good chance he is lying. All he cares about is overpowering me again. He wants to lock me up in his home, call me his wife and hurt me whenever he pleases.

"Vinn..."

"Listen. I no longer have a claim to you, at least not yet, so all I can do is ask you to return with me." His tone lightens, and he holds out his hand.

If he's trying to reason with me, he's insane. I should have known he would come here to ruin this day for me.

I glance over his shoulder. Kaan's back is to me as he dances with some older lady.

"I won't be doing that," I tell him firmly.

His dark blue eyes narrow, his jaw settling into a hard line. "Then maybe I can demand it."

I take a step back, the backs of my legs bumping against the chair. I may not be able to run, but we are standing in a crowded area with guards swarming everywhere.

My mate isn't too far either, and I know Kaan could kill Vinn without much effort.

"If you touch me I scream, and my husband is an excellent shot," I say with a cold smile.

Vinn turns his head to look at my mate. I can practically feel the anger emanating off his body. I'm surprised he's maintained a calm façade for this long. By now I would have thought he would have grabbed me with a harsh grip and tried to drag me from here.

"I would happily kill that young fool," he growls.

"Try it. See what happens."

Kaan is multiple inches taller than Vinn, and obviously much stronger. Vinn's build is lean and I don't think he's had to hit more than a woman in his life. Kaan would crush him.

Vinn seems to come to the same conclusion because he whirls around to face me again.

"You act so sure of yourself, Livia. Do I need to remind you that you abandoned your family, your Pack? My Pack?"

"I was never accepted as my father's daughter, everyone preferred my sister. And my parents resented me because of it, and for once I decided I only owed myself a good life, and not anyone else." I snap.

I used to be so careful what I would say around him to avoid rousing anger from him. Even when he was courting me, which was all for show, his temper would show very quickly.

He grabs my arm. "Why don't we go meet this excellent husband of yours."

"No. Don't." I baulk.

Kaan would only cause a scene in an attempt to protect me, which would only make the situation worse. I need Vinn to leave here soon, so can I find out a way to get him off my back forever.

"Why not, Livia? Or should I say, Hunter?" His lips curve up into a slow, sadistic smile.

I yank my arm out of his grip, rubbing it. "What do you want from me, Vinn? Seriously."

"I want you home, marrying me instead. I can get you out of this whole marriage thing," he insists, like he's doing me a favour.

I grit my teeth.

"I'm in love with him."

"Liar. I know you."

"You know nothing," I growl. I'm not about to tell him Kaan and I are mates, even if it's tempting. I want Vinn to hurt, to know there is no chance I'll ever love him.

Kaan is the far better man in every possible way.

Vinn pulls back as a couple dance awfully close to us. He seems to realise there are all these people around us, and that any attempt to take me with him would be quickly thwarted.

"You will meet me in the nearest motel in three days. Alone. We will talk then," he hisses lowly.

"No. Absolutely not," I growl. He doesn't get to keep telling me what to do. Not anymore.

He looks over his shoulder, then back at me. "If you disagree, you can be certain I'll make the rest of your life here a living hell."

I exhale through my nose. Three days might be enough time to decide what to do. At some point I'm going to have to do something about him

"Fine. I'll be there," I mutter reluctantly.

He grins, backing up a step. "Have a good wedding night, Livia."

I watch as he turns, walking from the tent, leaving me wondering what the hell I'm going to do.

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