Chapter 4 A Wedding In A War

Maya’s POV… I stood in the grand Silverfang Pack’s ceremonial hall, dressed in elegant silver and blue—the colors of my new home. The marriage had been swift, a formal affair attended by pack leaders, nobles, and warriors alike. It was not a union of love, nor of fate, but of duty. Yet, as James stood beside me, his hand steady on mine as weexchanged vows, I could not deny the quiet strength in his presence. My mother had watched from the sidelines, her expression unreadable. Lady Elara had gotten what she wanted—a husband for me, a future for our bloodline. But deep down, I knew my mother still feared losing me. Now, as the ceremony ended and the cheers of the crowd filled the air, I felt a strange mix of emotions. I was no longer just Maya, daughter of Elara. I was Luna of the Silverfang Pack. I was James’s wife. That night, I stood in our shared chamber, staring at the massive bed draped in rich furs. The night of ourwedding. A night meant for consummation, for sealing the bond we had agreed upon. But fate had other plans. James stood by the window, the letter clutched in his hand, his jaw tight as he read the urgent message from one of the neighboring Alphas. The rogues are gathering in greater numbers. They seek to claim all packs under their rule. The council has called for unity. All Alphas must prepare to fight. We march in three days. James let out a slow breath before turning to face me. I stood near the bed, still dressed in my wedding attire, the silver embroidery of my gown catching the dim light. But there was no softness in my gaze—only frustration. “You’re leaving?” I asked, my voice even, but James could hear the disappointment beneath it. James ran a hand through his hair. “Maya, I have no choice.” My wolf bristled within me. “You always have a choice.” He exhaled sharply. “You know that’s not true.” I crossed my arms. “So, what? You marry me, bring me here, and then disappear before we even have a moment to breathe?” James stepped closer, his presence commanding but not unkind. “I didn’t plan for this, Maya.” His voice softened slightly. “This war has been building for months. The rogues aren’t just attacking isolated packs anymore. They want to take control of everything. If we don’t stand together now, there may not be a Silverfang Pack left to return to.” I clenched my fists at my sides. I understood. I truly did. But that didn’t mean I had to like it. “You’re leaving me alone in a pack I barely know,” Isaid, my voice quieter now. James hesitated, then reached out and took my hands in his. His grip was firm, grounding. “I trust my pack,” he said. “They will protect you as their Luna. And I will return.” I searched his face, looking for something—some reassurance, some promise that this wouldn’t be the start of a life where duty always came before us. But James was an Alpha. Duty would always come first. He must have seen the flicker of doubt in my eyes because his hold on me tightened slightly. “I won’t be gone long,” he murmured. I lifted my chin. “Long enough.” A muscle in his jaw ticked. He didn’t argue. Instead, he lifted my hand to his lips, pressing a firm kiss against myknuckles. The simple touch sent a strange warmth through me, one I wasn’t prepared for. “I will come back to you,” James promised, his deep voice laced with something I couldn’t quite place. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to nod. I didn’t say it aloud, but deep inside, I knew one truth. This marriage had already begun with distance between us. And I wasn’t sure if James’s return would bring us closer—or if war would only drive us further apart. *** The next morning, before the sun had fully risen over the Silverfang lands, James was gone. I had stood on the steps of the packhouse, watching as he and his warriors rode out, their armor gleaming in the dim light of dawn. He had looked back only once, his sharp gaze meeting mine for the briefest moment, before he disappeared into the trees, swallowed by duty. Now, the packhouse felt too quiet. I paced through its halls, feeling out of place in a home that did not yet feel like mine. The Silverfang warriors acknowledged me with respectful bows, the servants addressed me as Luna, but none of it filled the emptiness left by James’s sudden departure. I had never imagined my wedding would lead to this—alone in unfamiliar territory, bound to a man I barely knew, while he went off to fight a war I had no part in. A sharp knock at the door of my chamber pulled me from my thoughts. “Come in,” I called. The door opened, revealing a woman with short dark hair and piercing green eyes. She carried herself with confidence, her stance relaxed but authoritative. “Luna,” the woman greeted with a small nod. “I am Beta Evelyn. James left instructions for me to assist you in any way you need while he is away.” I studied her. “You’re his Beta?” Evelyn smirked. “Surprised?” “A little,” I admitted. Female Betas were rare, but the way Evelyn carried herself made it clear she had earned her position. “James trusts me,” Evelyn said simply. “And now, as Luna, you have my loyalty as well.” I nodded, appreciating the directness. “What news do we have from the front?” Evelyn hesitated slightly. “No word yet. But it’s only been a day.” I exhaled, feeling frustration coil in my chest. I hated waiting. Hated feeling useless. “I need to do something,” I said finally. “I can’t just sit here.” Evelyn studied me for a moment, then a slow smile spread across her lips. “Then perhaps you’d like to see the training grounds?” I straightened. “Yes. I would.” If war was coming to our lands, I refused to sit idle. I may have been left behind, but I would make sure that when James returned, I would not be the same woman he had left behind. I would be stronger. I would be ready.