The world was an eternal twilight, a canvas of greys and blacks where the sun was but a legend. On this perpetual night, I, Zeve, stood veiled, my heart thrumming with a foolish hope.

"Do you, Zeve, take Chaz Enver as your groom and mate for life?"

"I do." My voice was a whisper, lost beneath the translucent white. This was it, the moment I'd dreamed of through twenty-two years of existence. My gaze found Chaz's, and I offered a faint smile, imagining a future where his warmth would finally chase away the perpetual chill that had followed me since childhood. I was a rogue's child, accepted by Luna Ava, but never truly by anyone else.

He had returned from training, grown into the youngest alpha, a heartthrob with green eyes. He had saved me from Talia's cruel bullying, from the endless taunts about my 'curse' and 'ill fate.' He'd proposed, making the bullying cease, protecting me. My childish crush had blossomed into an undeniable love. I couldn't imagine life without him.

"Do you, Chaz Enver, take Zeve as your bride and your mate for life?"

My heart hammered. He held my hands, his eyes meeting mine. "I…"

Then a roar, deep and terrifying, split the air. "He doesn't!" Chills raced through me, freezing my blood. The garden, lit with a thousand candles, was plunged into chaos. Chaz dropped my hands, drawing his sword. "Protect Zeve at all costs!" he commanded, his eyes colder than winter.

Before I could understand, soldiers dragged me away, my white wedding gown trailing in the mud. The last thing I saw was the crimson stain creeping across the white flowers, the screams echoing as the flames of our union consumed everything.