Chapter 151

151 iv. Red Wedding

It was the summer of the year 2003 when tragedy struck in the alpha’s midst.

Despite the rather unharmonious family relations the alpha had, the vampire attacks dwindled throughout the years. For a while, it felt like the wolves are winning.

It almost felt like the vampires have surrendered, forced into being silent by the threatening presence of their alpha.

With the seemingly inconsequential presence of the wolves’ mortal enemy, it was only natural that the protocols and defenses that has been in place started to relax. So much so that it had almost turned to null.

With the future alpha as the front bearer of the move to open the borders of the pack’s territory to bring in even more prosperity, the plan has been approved. It was of course mostly because the alpha and his favored wife backed the project.

Expanding the borders means more trade and even more businesses all over the once wild forest.

As the wolves didn’t feel the need to hunt anymore, they kept only a sizable part of the old forest to maintain its fauna and flora for the benefit of the wild animals and the wolves that feast on them every once in a blue moon.

The opening of the new businesses and trade routes normally necessitated the influx of new people as businessmen, tourists, and even employees and managers to man the new establishments.

Because the wolves have been trained to not be concerned any longer about the other species that were once thought to be as strong as they are, even the screening already had lapsed.

.....

It will be told later that the first wife and her family had a hand in the regretful turn of events, but then considering what happened after, no matter the punishments that will be given will still not amount to the tragedy that befell the pack.

As it was customary to species of the dark such as werewolves, the marriage of the alpha’s firstborn son to a wolf with a good standing and family background was to happen during the first full moon of the following year.

Everyone can recall how beautiful the

young lady was as she walked down the aisle. She was so innocent, so pretty, so breathtaking.

Her eyes were twinkling like the stars above their heads as the pack looked in amazement and joy at finally finding a perfect bride for the future alpha. All were in agreement the young couple will be so perfect together.

She was midway through the aisle when someone heard a scream. It took everyone a while before they can react.

Like they were sheeps that were suddenly scattered as vampires from all corners of the woods seemed to be jumping at wolves in their defenseless human forms.

The alpha roared as the rest of his family transformed into wolves. But it was a bloody massacre, the vampires have outnumbered them.

Fangs bored against fangs, nails clawed, and cries were heard as the blood of the innocents was spilled.

When the wolves were finally able to drive away the vampires that have infiltrated their midst, the cries turned to wails as they saw their future queen’s wedding gown drenched in red.

Her groom turned human and walking towards her, stumbled several times as he reached out his hand to hers.

Touching her beautiful face that looked like she was just sleeping, his howl was heard loud and clear

“Yuki,” he whispered.

“My love,” her eyelids fluttered open revealing her brown eyes that were already too dim.

The elders came and surrounded them but didn’t dare to approach. It was clear to them that there was nothing they could do.

The lady was far too gone to be saved, but still, their future alpha called them for help. He was stopped only when her cold hands reached out to him.

“Please, no more,” she pleaded.

“No more? What are you saying? Are you out of your mind? You are wounded! People need to help or... or...” he couldn’t even bear to continue.

She shook her head as she coughed up blood, “No more. It is too late.”

“Shut up! Fuck the shut up!” he scolded her. Everyone became silent as they looked on.

Jiro has never been one to say curses. It means even he must know how grave the situation is.

“Listen to me, you will let them treat you and you will rest. We will wed on the second Monday of the month, when the full moon will once again be set,” his voice faltered, he knew he was just convincing himself.

She coughed up blood again and looked into his golden eyes that seemed to burn into her clammy cold-like skin.

“Stay with me,” she begged him when he attempted to move away.

His eyes were already filled with tears but he couldn’t seem to move to ask for help. His feet were frozen and his body slumped as his eyes focused on her hazel brown eyes.

“Don’t leave me, please,” he begged her.

She smiled at her for the last time, “It’s alright. I promise. It will all be okay. I love you, Jiro.”

Those were the bride’s last words to her beloved before her eyes finally closed with finality.

The wolves howled in despair and sadness, not just for the loss of hundreds in their ranks, but mostly for the loss of their seemingly perfect future.

The groom carried his bride and laid her on the altar, slumping into her body as he collapsed.

Jiro was brought to the hospital while corpses were buried on the ground with simple crosses to serve as their gravestones.

It was as per tradition that those who have fallen into the hands of the vampires will be buried immediately on the forest grounds to sanctify their bodies and allow their souls to rest.

Dominus and his two wives immediately held the ceremony necessary upon burial. After this, they followed Jiro to the hospital to check on him.

While they were in the car, Dominus held Mary’s hand as if to comfort her from her thoughts. More than anything, seeing her so silent and in deep thoughts worried him.

He knew it was all so selfish to think of her foremost but he felt relief that she wasn’t hurt. Protecting her has been his main focus aside from driving their enemies away.

He knew she was feeling guilty somehow because without her in the scene, Jiro’s bride would have been saved. Even the alpha’s men have been focused on protecting Mary amidst that massacre.

“What are you thinking of?” he finally had the courage to ask.

“Our son,” she whispered, as if even saying it can be a crime.

“Jiro,” he clarified.

“No... Kaede,” she whispers again in an even softer voice.

“What of him?” his frown deepened.

“He wasn’t there at the wedding,” she felt her heart throb, a mother’s instinct maybe.

“He was late just as he always is. What were you expecting from someone so irresponsible,” he pointed out, his voice raised as if Kaede can hear him at this point.

She shook her head. He didn’t understand what she was trying to say nor can she say what was in her mind.

To say the words she was thinking at this moment will be an utmost betrayal to the relationship between her and Kaede, as mother and son.

She looked at him who looked out of focus for a moment, “Let’s go to the hospital first. Jiro needs us.”

He nodded and kept silent, stopping the car for a minute and kissing her hand, then pulling her to him in an embrace.

It was the kind of hug that never wanted to let go, “I was so scared for a minute. My rage and my fear coincided. All I could focus on was you.”

She hugged him back and tangled her hands in his hair, “It is fine my love. I am here beside you. You were able to protect me. But we need to hurry. Our son needs us.”

It would be another full minute before he would let go of her, “Thank you for your strength and wisdom. I do not know how I could possibly survive without you.”

She pressed a chaste kiss on his lips as if to further reassure him, “You didn’t have to find out tonight. I am here with you. Breathing, unharmed. Alpha, I am here beside you. Let us go and meet our son first. He needs his father.”

“One moment,” he held her by her shoulders and pulled her close, claiming her lips hungrily.

It was a kiss that was both ravishing and kind, both possessive and giving. She answered him back, clinging to his neck as he ravished her even more.

She started moaning softly as their bodies clashed, stopped only by the realization of the heavy duties that lay on their shoulders.

She pushed him away and looked into his eyes, “That’s enough for now.”

“Will you warm me later? I feel so cold,” he said it so honestly that she felt like tearing up.

She nodded and rubbed his cheeks, “I will warm you later. I do feel so cold too. But for now, we need to face this together. Your people need you. There is no one else who can give them the strength they needed most right now, except for you.”

“Later then,” he mumbled, asking for a reassurance.

“Later,” she promised and squeezed his hand.

He held her hands and kissed the back of them, looking into her blue eyes that were his only source of peace that night.