Chapter 19 #2
"That's too dangerous. You have no idea what I'm up against." I tried to pull my hand back but couldn't. Frank kept begging. "What about you, Serenity? Do you really want to leave everything behind? Leave Tara, leave that café, wander alone forever?"
I had to admit, his words struck the softest part of my heart.
Of course, I didn't want to leave! I didn't want to lose that café. More importantly, I didn't want to lose Arian. I didn't want to leave the place where I could watch him grow up!
But could I really stay?
I looked at Frank's sweat-covered face, torn with indecision, and asked him softly, "Aren't you scared? Being with me means you'll be in danger too."
"As long as I'm with you, I'm not afraid of anything!" he answered firmly.
Just then, the station announcement came on. A train was pulling in. The warrior who'd gone to buy tickets returned and reminded me, "Luna, it's time to go."
But I stood frozen in place and faced a decision that tore me apart.
"I'm not getting on that train."
The warriors looked at me uneasily. "What do you mean? Luna, are you sure about this?"
"I'm sure." I looked at Frank. When he heard my words, his face broke into a wild smile. This time, I managed to pull him up from the ground. He immediately wrapped me in a tight embrace under the warriors' hostile glares, saying "thank you" over and over.
But I smiled bitterly where he couldn't see, feeling a twinge of guilt. Because I knew I wasn't staying for him. I was staying for my child and the memories I couldn't let go of.
The warriors couldn't stop me. They had no authority to. Frank took my hand without hesitation and led me away, regardless of whether those two warriors followed.
True to his promise, he found us a temporary shelter in a remote area near Tara. We lived here while keeping an eye on things in town, ready to return at any moment.
For the first few days, I stayed on high alert, prepared to flee the moment I spotted any sign of hunters.
But as the days passed—nearly a month now—everything in Tara remained calm. The hunters never appeared.
Throughout this time, Frank treated me well. He kept me hidden and drove out to buy our supplies himself. He always came back with little gifts for me. A bouquet of flowers. A box of pastries. And a diamond engagement ring.
I accepted Frank's proposal.
The wedding was set for two weeks later. Frank insisted on a proper ceremony. He even hired a priest and ordered a custom wedding gown.
"You're going to be the most beautiful bride in the world." He kissed my hand.
I managed a strained smile. Novella stirred restlessly inside me. She missed Elias. She missed Arian. But I suppressed her, telling myself this was the best choice.
The wolf warriors Elias had sent to protect me left the night before the wedding. Perhaps they didn't want to watch their pack's Luna marry another man.
But I didn't care. I tried on my white wedding dress ahead of time and looked at myself in the mirror.
The petal-shaped sweetheart neckline hugged my full bust perfectly.
The fabric cinched at my waist, accentuating my curves before flowing down my long legs into a mermaid-tail skirt.
My figure and pretty face showed almost no sign that I'd ever given birth.
Lace, tulle, and pearls adorned me from head to toe.
I really did look like a bride about to find her happily ever after.
But the image was too familiar. It reminded me of the white gown I'd worn when I married Elias, and a bittersweet ache spread through my chest.
"Serenity, are you dressed?" Frank's voice came from outside the door.
"Yes, I'm ready. You can come in." I called out. The door opened and he walked in. The moment he saw me, his eyes lit up. "My God, sweetheart, you look like a goddess!"
"Don't be ridiculous." I gave him a small smile.
"I mean it." Frank reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a beautiful pearl necklace. "But something's missing. Add this, and you'll be the most beautiful bride ever!"
"Is that my necklace?" I touched my bare neck. A sweetheart neckline needed a necklace to look complete, but I hadn't seen one when I was trying on the dress. "Did you take it?"
"Because I wanted to put it on my bride myself. You'll grant me that wish, won't you, sweetheart?"
I thought nothing of it and nodded slightly. Frank walked behind me to fasten the necklace. Just then, a sharp pain stabbed the back of my neck. Something pierced my skin!
Instantly, my limbs went weak. My vision blurred and spun. I tried to turn around and ask Frank what he had done, but my heels caught on the elaborate skirt. I crashed to the ground!
The door slammed open.
Several men carrying rifles stormed in. Silver-tipped gun barrels pointed straight at me. As my consciousness faded, I struggled to lift my head and saw Frank running toward the door, relief and liberation written all over his face.
"I did what you told me to! Now hurry, get this monster out of here!"
His voice grew distant and muffled. Before I blacked out completely, one final thought drifted through my mind, a sadness so profound it became calm—
Ah… So it was all a lie.