Elara sat in front of the mirror, her reflection a haunting reminder of the path she was being forced to walk. The wedding gown, a masterpiece of silver and lace, felt heavy on her shoulders, like the weight of the future that had been chosen for her.

Lyra worked silently, arranging Elara's hair into an intricate style befitting a queen, but Elara's thoughts were far from the ceremony that awaited her.

As Lyra placed the final pin in her hair, Elara caught a glimpse of movement in the mirror. For a brief moment, she thought she saw a shadow flicker behind her, but when she turned, there was nothing there. Just the empty room and Lyra's calm presence.

"My lady?" Lyra's voice was gentle, but tinged with concern. "Is something troubling you?"

Elara hesitated, then shook her head. "No, it's nothing. Just nerves, I suppose."

Lyra gave her a sympathetic smile. "It's only natural to feel that way, especially on a day like this. But you'll be a wonderful queen."

"Will I?" Elara murmured, more to herself than to Lyra. The doubts that had been festering in her heart grew stronger, and she couldn't ignore them any longer. "Do you really believe that?"

Lyra paused, her hands stilling on Elara's hair. "I do. You have a kind heart, and that's what this kingdom needs. But if you're having second thoughts..."

Elara's gaze dropped to her lap. "What if I don't want to be queen? What if this isn't the life I was meant to live?"

Before Lyra could respond, King Thaddeus entered the room, his expression a mix of pride and anxiety. "Elara, you look every bit the queen you were meant to be."

Elara forced a smile, but the words felt hollow.

She had once dreamed of this day, of the moment when she would be crowned queen, but now it felt like a prison sentence. The life she had imagined with Cedric was nothing more than a fading memory, eclipsed by the reality of her love for Caelan and the uncertainty that lay ahead.

"Are you ready?" her father asked, offering his arm.

Elara's heart pounded in her chest. She knew she couldn't go through with this marriage, but what choice did she have? Cedric was powerful, ruthless, and determined to claim her as his own. And Caelan...where was he? Was he even alive?

Before she could answer, the trumpets blared, signaling the start of the ceremony. The doors to the chapel loomed before them, and with a deep breath, Elara took her father's arm and began the slow march toward her fate.

The grand doors opened, revealing the opulent chapel filled with the kingdom's elite. At the end of the aisle, Prince Cedric stood tall, a triumphant smirk on his face. Elara's steps faltered, but she forced herself to keep moving. She couldn't let fear control her.

As they reached the altar, the priest began the ceremony, his voice a distant echo in Elara's mind. She barely heard the words, her thoughts consumed by the mystery of the wolf and the lingering hope that Caelan might still be out there, fighting for her.

When the priest asked if anyone objected to the union, a tense silence fell over the chapel. Elara's heart raced, her eyes darting to the doors, half-expecting Caelan to burst through them. But there was no dramatic entrance, no heroic rescue. Only the oppressive silence of inevitability.

Just as the priest began to speak again, a soft murmur rippled through the crowd.

Elara followed their gazes to the side entrance of the chapel, where a hooded figure slipped into the room, unnoticed by the guards. The figure moved swiftly, weaving through the pews until they were standing just a few feet away from the altar.

The hooded figure threw back their cloak, revealing a familiar face.

But it wasn't Caelan. It was someone Elara hadn't seen in years—her childhood friend, Eamon, whom she had believed to be dead.

"Elara," Eamon's voice was a whisper, but it carried through the chapel like a thunderclap.

"Don't do this."

Cedric's face twisted in anger, his hand moving to his sword. "Who are you to interrupt this ceremony? Guards, arrest him!"

Eamon didn't flinch as the guards approached; his eyes locked on Elara's.

"You know this isn't right. Cedric isn't the man you think he is. He's been plotting against your father, against the entire kingdom. If you marry him, you'll be handing him the throne—and he'll destroy everything you love."

Elara's breath caught in her throat. She had always known Cedric was ambitious, but treacherous? Could Eamon be telling the truth? She looked at her father, whose face had gone pale, and then at Cedric, whose expression was now one of barely concealed rage.

The guards reached for Eamon, but he moved with a speed and precision that took them by surprise. In a blur of motion, he disarmed them and turned their weapons on Cedric, holding them at bay.

"Elara," Eamon said urgently, "we don't have much time. If you don't leave now, it will be too late."

Torn between fear and the desire for truth, Elara hesitated. But as she looked into Eamon's eyes, she saw the sincerity there—the same honesty she had trusted as a child. And then she made her decision.

"No," she said, her voice trembling but resolute. "I won't marry Cedric. I can't."

Cedric's eyes narrowed, his voice low and dangerous. "You're making a grave mistake, Elara. One you'll come to regret."

"Maybe," Elara replied, standing tall, "but I'd rather live with my own mistakes than be a puppet for someone else's ambitions."

The room erupted into chaos. Cedric lunged toward Eamon, but before he could strike, a dark shadow leaped from the balcony above, landing between them with a fierce growl.

The wolf.

The same wolf that had appeared to Elara the night before, now stood protectively in front of her, its eyes blazing with a cold fury. The crowd recoiled in fear, and Cedric froze, his hand hovering over his sword.

In that moment, Elara knew that the wolf was more than just a symbol—it was a guardian, sent to protect her from the dangers that lurked in the shadows of the palace. And with that realization came a surge of courage.

"Father," Elara said, turning to King Thaddeus, "we need to leave. Cedric can't be trusted."

King Thaddeus looked torn, but the sight of the wolf and the determination in his daughter's eyes convinced him. "You're right. We need to get out of here."

As the guards hesitated, uncertain whether to follow Cedric's orders or protect their king, Elara, Eamon, and King Thaddeus made their way toward the chapel doors. The wolf followed closely behind, its presence a silent warning to anyone who might try to stop them.

Cedric's voice rang out, filled with venom. "You won't get away with this, Elara! I will find you, and when I do, you'll regret ever defying me!"

But Elara didn't look back. With Eamon by her side and the wolf leading the way, she stepped into the unknown, ready to face whatever dangers lay ahead. She had made her choice, and there was no turning back.

As they reached the exit, a group of Cedric's loyal guards blocked their path. King Thaddeus stepped forward, drawing his sword. "Get out of our way."

One of the guards, a captain who had served the king for years, hesitated. "Your Majesty, please. Don't make us do this."

"You serve the crown," King Thaddeus said, his voice firm. "And I am still your king. Stand down."

The captain's eyes flicked to Cedric, who stood seething behind them, and then back to King Thaddeus. Finally, he lowered his weapon, and the other guards followed suit, stepping aside to let them pass.

As they disappeared into the night, the palace behind them fell into turmoil, the echoes of Cedric's threats lingering in the air. But Elara's heart was light, filled with the hope that she could carve out a new future—one where she was free to love and live on her terms.

The doors slammed shut behind them, but the brief moment of relief was shattered as Cedric's voice echoed through the chapel. "Seize them! Kill anyone who tries to stop you!"

Elara's heart leapt into her throat as the guards, momentarily frozen by the appearance of the wolf, snapped back into action. They surged toward the fleeing group, swords drawn, their faces twisted with the grim determination to carry out Cedric's orders.

Eamon pushed Elara forward, his voice urgent. "Run! We have to get out of here before they reach us!"

"But what about the others?" Elara gasped, her voice trembling with fear. "The guests—our people—"

"There's no time!" Eamon's tone was sharp, but his eyes softened as he added, "We'll come back for them, Elara. But right now, you're the priority. We can't let Cedric win."

There was nowhere to run.

The hallway ahead was long, and the guards were closing in fast. Just as despair began to settle in, the wolf let out a ferocious snarl, its eyes blazing as it charged toward the guards.

The first wave of guards faltered, clearly unsettled by the sudden ferocity of the beast. But they quickly regrouped, determined to bring down the creature that stood between them and their prey. The wolf lunged at the nearest guard, its powerful jaws clamping down on his arm with a sickening crunch. The guard screamed in agony, dropping his sword as the wolf tossed him aside like a rag doll.

Elara's pulse pounded in her ears as she watched the wolf battle against the oncoming wave of guards. It moved with deadly grace, a blur of fur and fangs, taking down one enemy after another. But despite its strength, the odds were overwhelming.

"We need to get as far away from the palace as possible," Eamon said, grabbing Elara's arm and pulling her toward the exit.

Elara mounted the horse with shaking hands, her mind racing with thoughts of the wolf still fighting against overwhelming odds. "What about the wolf? We can't just leave it behind."

Eamon paused, his gaze darkening. "The wolf will find its way."

With a final glance back at the palace, Elara urged her horse forward, the sound of pounding hooves echoing. The cold wind whipped through her hair as they galloped away from the only home she had ever known, the wolf's fierce cries still ringing in her ears.

As they rode into the darkened forest, Elara's heart was heavy with fear and uncertainty. But deep within, she felt a flicker of hope. The wolf had given her a chance—a chance to survive, to fight, and to stay alive.

And she would take it. 

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Hello everyone!!

Using the song "Staying Alive" as the backdrop, this chapter mirrors the fight for survival, both literally and figuratively. Elara's decision to defy Cedric and flee the palace marks a turning point in her journey—a declaration that she will no longer be a passive participant in her own life but will fight for the future she desires.

With that said don't forget to comment and press the cute ⭐ button!! 

Warm regards,

Lupe

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