Lucy's POV
"Wake up, Lucy. In a few hours, you'll be in your new home. Is this how you plan to care for your husbands—by sleeping the day away?"
My mother's voice pierced through my sleep, dragging me from the only place I still felt safe. My dreams.
"Mom…" I groaned, fluttering my eyes open. The room swam for a second before coming into focus.
Three maids stood beside my bed, giggling softly. And next to them, my cousin Selena laughed a little too loud for my liking.
"What…day is…it?" I croaked, squinting at the sunlight that poured through the open curtains.
Selena clapped her hands. "Your wedding day, silly! Come on, we need to get you ready. We can't keep your husbands waiting."
Husbands.
The word sat like a rock in my stomach.
My father had arranged a political marriage between me and not one, but four Alphas, the rulers of the most powerful kingdoms. My father and theirs had this planned out all for power and control.
A brutal alliance masked as a royal union. I was the price paid for peace.
And the worst part? I had no say in it.
"I can't believe this is happening," I whispered as my mother yanked the sheets off and practically dragged me out of bed.
"You know the Alphas don't like being kept waiting," Selena said with a teasing smirk as she guided me toward the bathroom. "Let's give you a quick bath. We want you to look like the rare jewel you are."
The last time I saw the Alphas was at my mother's birthday banquet. And that was three years ago, before Bran, my brother, died.
I wasn't sure they could recognize me anymore. They'd come with their father, who was now the Alpha King.
Even back then, before I knew I'd be handed off to them like tribute, I could tell they weren't men who tolerated delay or disobedience.
I slid into the warm bath, trying not to let the heat sting my nerves. The maids bathed me gently while Selena washed my hair, humming like this was any ordinary day.
"I can feel your heartbeat," she whispered, grinning. "You're scared."
She wasn't wrong; we have been close for years. She could easily predict me… especially how I was feeling right now.
"Selena, I don't know what's waiting for me there. I don't know how they'll treat me… if they'll even like me. Or if I'll ever come back home." My voice cracked as I clung to her arm.
Her grin widened. "Then I'll come with you."
My breath hitched. "Really?"
"Yes! I can't wait to see the four Alphas. I've heard they're insanely hot, powerful, and ridiculously rich. Lucy, you're so lucky to be their bride."
Selena's green eyes sparkled with excitement. She seemed even more thrilled than I was to meet them.
When I stepped out of the tub, the maids wrapped me in a towel. My mother waited in my room, seated beside a gown that shimmered under the morning light.
A breath caught in my throat.
"Your future mates sent this," Mother said with a rare, proud smile. "The gown is woven from rare silks and encrusted with diamonds. And "this"—she held up a breathtaking "necklace"—was handcrafted in the Northern mines. A gift from them."
Selena gasped. "Gods above, this is… This is so beautiful."
I saw something flicker in her eyes as she stared at the necklace.
My mother dressed me herself. Her hands were gentle, reverent, almost as if this moment meant something more than duty to her. Maybe she truly believed they'd care for me. Maybe she just wanted to believe it.
"They'll love you, Lucy," she whispered, kissing my forehead. "You'll be more than their bride—you'll be their Luna."
I caught Selena admiring the diamond necklace resting on the bed while Mom gently arranged my hair.
"Wow… this is so much," she whispered, then glanced back at me. "I wish I were the one marrying someone as rich as your husband, Lucy. You're incredibly lucky."
Her eyes dimmed for a moment before a bright smile stretched across her face.
"Alright, enough drooling over the jewelry, Selena! Go get ready. Mom said, We're leaving in thirty!" I teased with a chuckle, and she headed out of the room.
"I'm glad to see you're not as nervous anymore," Mom said softly as she helped me slip into the dress.
"It's a little better now," I nodded quietly. "Selena's coming with me. Just knowing she'll be there… It eases the tension a bit."
Once dressed, I took one last look around my childhood room. My father wasn't coming. He had a political summit to attend. My mother had to stay back and rule while he was gone. I was to be escorted by royal guards, with only Selena for company.
I swallowed the lump in my throat.
My only brother, Bran, had died in a border war three years ago. He should have been here today, walking me to my fate. But instead, it was me alone.
Well, me and Selena.
I descended the staircase to find her waiting beside the car, practically bouncing with excitement. I hugged my mother tightly, tears streaming down both our faces.
"I'll miss you," I choked.
"I'll always be proud of you," she whispered.
The car ride was long. Silent, at first. Selena held my hand the entire time, whispering reassurances I struggled to believe.
Then suddenly—
The car jolted to a stop.
My head snapped forward, heart lurching as I caught myself on the seat.
"What happened?" I asked, breath shaky, eyes darting to the driver.
"I'm sorry, Princess," he said quickly, already stepping out. "Something's wrong with the engine. I'll take a look."
I turned to Selena, my pulse quickening. She was fidgeting, her smile forced as they faded.
My eyes blinked with worry. We were running out of time. My heart pounded in my chest.
"Why don't we step outside for a bit?" she suggested, her voice unusually chipper. "You look pale… You need air."
Something felt off.
"I—okay." I hesitated, then opened the door. The air outside was heavy and still, thick with tension I couldn't name.
The moment I stepped out, Selena's hand grabbed my throat as my back slammed against a tree.
"Wh…at… are… you… doing, Se…Lee!?" I choked, unable to breathe, as her hands tightened on my neck.
"I need you to grab her now!" She commanded the royal guards behind her.
My face went red as tears burned in my eyes. Shock filling my bones.
"What are you doing?! I command you to release me!"
Selena stepped forward as the guards held me hostage.
Her smile had vanished, replaced by something sharp…predatory.
"You've always had everything, Lucy," she said, her voice low and trembling with something that sounded like hatred. "The dresses. The titles. The praise. The Alphas. But not this time."
I froze. My breath caught.
"W-What?"
She moved closer, eyeing the diamonds at my throat like they belonged to her.
"I'm the one who deserves this life. Not you. And now… it's mine."
"Take the dress. And the diamonds." She turned to the guards. "Now!"
"No. No, Selena… Don't do this." My voice cracked with betrayal. "You said you were coming to support me! Why are you doing this?"
"Oh, sweet cousin… Did you really think I was going to be your sidekick while you married four Alphas?" She laughed darkly. "Those men belong with me. They deserve power, ambition… not a trembling little girl."
"Guards, release me. I command you to take her back to the palace. She needs to be punished for this crime."
But no one moved.
Selena raised an eyebrow. "It seems your guards answer to someone else now. Me."
"What?!"
"They made their choice. I promised them wealth, status, and a life of luxury. Why stay loyal to a girl who won't even be queen in her own marriage?"
"Selena…please… You can't do this!"
"Shut her up. Tie her up."
They stripped my gown, tore away the necklace, and forced me into her plain blue travel dress. I was shaking and numb.
They dragged me into a crumbling hunter's lodge in the woods nearby and tied me to a chair.
"I'll be the one riding into the Alphas' palace today," Selena whispered, her eyes gleaming. "And once they see me, they won't even remember you existed."
"Don't do this…" I whimpered, tears blinding me.
But she only smirked, stepping back.
"Goodbye, Princess. Try not to freeze before someone finds you."
"If they do." She scoffed.