Chapter 12

***Serafina's POV***

I was running barefoot not minding the cold and harsh ground that touched my feet.

I was trying to keep up with King Calixto's phase but he was running too fast while carrying Cressida so the moment we reached the palace I was running out of breath and I felt like I would pass out any moment.

"Call the doctor!" King Calixto's thunderous voice echoed in the whole garden where everyone was gathered including my whole pack...and my parents.

They are all confused while looking at King Calixto.

Queen Ysobel walked towards her son so many questions written on her face.

"Calixto, what happened? Why do you look like that?" she asked her voice filled with worry then her gaze lowered looking at Cressida who was still unconscious while lying in King Calixto's arms. "And what happened to Cressida?"

"Just call the fucking doctor!" King Calixto demanded filled with rage ignoring his mother's questions.

"Just tell me what is happening first, Calixto? In just an hour the wedding will happen so why do you look like that?"

Queen Ysobel's gaze shifted on me her eyes seeking for answer.

"Serafina, what is happening? Why do both of you look like a mess?"

She was in a panic not because Cressida was on the verge of dying but because King Calixto and I looked like a complete mess.

"Call the servants Maximus and have both of them cleaned. We are running out of time-"

"Call the fucking doctor!" King Calixto shouted once again cutting his mother off.

"A wedding won't happen if Cressida dies. I won't marry that woman if something happened to Cressida," he said.

Queen Ysobel fell silent. She looks at her son with furrowed eyebrows completely lost on why her son is acting that way.

"Why are you acting like this Calixto? Over a mere servant, you will call off the wedding planned for so many years?"

A sarcastic smile appeared on King Calixto's face and when his blazing red eyes were directed at me I felt my entire body go cold out of fear.

"If this servant dies the Queen that you have chosen for me will be a murderer Mom. Why don't you tell them Serafina how did you end up in that forest? Why don't you tell them that you plan to escape and you force this mere servant to help you? Why don't you tell them how you just watch how the rouges slit the throat of this helpless servant?!"

Tears started falling from my eyes. Everyone was now looking at me with their eyes filled with judgment. I can hear murmurs and when I directed my gaze on my father I saw disappointment in his eyes.

"I'm sorry," I whispered weakly. I can't defend myself because what King Calixto said is the truth. I manipulated Cressida into helping me. I failed to save her from those rouges.

"Is that the truth Serafina?" Queen Ysobel asked her voice filled with hope that I would say no and disagree with everything King Calixto had said but I don't have the heart to do that.

I bowed my head ashamed to look at the Queen. "I am sorry Queen Ysobel,"

I heard her taking a deep breath.

"Call the doctor and save this servant. The wedding will still happen. We will start the ceremony in a few minutes," she coldly uttered before I heard her retreating footsteps and upon lifting my head I saw his blazing gaze directed at me.

Cressida was no longer in his arms but I could still see her blood on the suit he was wearing.

He did not say anything but the way he looked at me told me that he despised me and maybe if we were alone I was already lying on the ground...lifeless.

He stared at me for a few seconds before he turned his back and followed Maximus who was now carrying Cressida.

The moment he left all the attention was shifted on me. Their judging eyes pierce through my soul making me feel so small. I want to disappear and be swallowed by the ground. I just want to escape their judging eyes.

"Serafina,"

When I heard my mother's gentle voice calling my name tears started forming in the corner of my eyes again.

When I turned my head I saw her standing in front of me her eyes filled with worry.

Without saying anything she hugged me tightly triggering my tears even more. She caressed my back and I started sobbing on her shoulder.

"I don't want to be here Mom. I want to go home. I don't want to live here. I don't want to marry King Calixto,"

I heard her take a deep breath. She broke off the hug and cupped my face gently wiping my tears using her thumb.

She looked at me painfully. "I'm sorry Serafina. I am sorry for being weak. I am sorry I can't do anything to help you,"

I swallowed the lump in my throat and pulled my mother into a tight hug once again. I know this is hard for her too. I know it pains her to see me in this situation.

"I'm sorry I can't go against your father my child,"

I bit my lower lip to suppress my sobs but it ended up escaping my lips.

I did not say anything. I just cry my heart out while my mother soothes me with her gentle touches.

It took me a few minutes to calm down and when I finally stopped crying I broke the hug and looked at my mother directly in the eyes with a smile plastered on my face.

"I will be fine Mom. I am sorry for letting those words come out of my mouth. I am sorry for making you worry. Don't worry about me I will be fine here. I will survive and fulfill my duty as King Calixto's Queen. I will make Father proud. I will bring honor to our pack,"

Worry is still evident in my mother's face but she nods her head and holds my hand squeezing it gently.

"I will pray for you and I will wait for your return to our territory,"

I smiled and nodded.

I can't be weak all the time. I have to do it even if I am scared. I have to do it no matter how scary my life in the palace will be.

"Prepare yourself Serafina the bloody full moon is already showing," my father interjected so I immediately wiped the remaining tears on my face and took a deep breath gathering all my courage.

I took my father's hand and let him guide me as we walked towards the altar.

I waited for a few minutes before King Calixto finally showed up. There is still blood on his suit and I can still see rage in his eyes.

The Queen stands in front of the altar while we are standing on her sides.

"We are gathered here today to witness the union of my son King Calixto to Lady Serafina. Under the bloody full moon and the power vested upon me by the Moon Goddess, I will seal the bond of the new rulers of our Kingdom," Queen Ysobel took our left hand and without any warning, she slit our palms. I bit my lower lip enduring the pain and watched Queen Ysobel intertwine our bloody palms. "Two werewolves joined by the blessing of Moon Goddess can't be separated by a mere werewolf,"

Queen Ysobel then gave all her attention to King Calixto. "You may now mark your bride, King Calixto," she gently uttered urging King Calixto to mark me.

I can feel my heart beating erratically when King Calixto looked at me directly in the eyes. He stared at my face for a few seconds before he started leaning in.

I closed my eyes waiting for his pang to dig into my neck but before marking me he whispered in my ear.

"Put my mate's life in danger again Serafina and I will make sure you will taste hell,"

I whimpered in pain when he started sucking the blood on my neck and when he finally pulled out a sigh of relief escape my lips.

I was about to take a step back eager to be far from him but he held my nape pulling me even closer to him.

"As for your punishment for putting Cressida's life in danger, I will let you have a glimpse of hell Serafina. Tonight...in our bed...I will let you taste hell. I will make sure you won't be able to walk in a week once I claim your fragile body,"