DARK PARADISE

APRIL'S POV

You ever hear the saying, "Some roads should never be taken"?

Well, tonight I took one of them... and I'm not sure I'll make it back.

Today was supposed to be perfect. It was my wedding day together with my twenty-second birthday. The day I finally proved I was more than just the wolfless daughter living in my twin sister's shadow.

Well spoiler alert: it wasn't anything close to perfect. 

My hands trembled as I stared at my reflection in the mirror in my room. After years of whispers and sideways glances, after being called weak, cursed, broken-today, I would finally become Luna. 

I would be called Mrs. Blackwood. The rejection, the shame, all of it would end.

It had to.

Before I could stand, my phone buzzed on the nightstand.

"Hello, birthday girl-or should I say, our latest bride-to-be?" Stephanie's voice burst through the speaker, filled with warmth and her usual teasing.

"Thanks, Steph." I couldn't keep the smile out of my voice. "You can call me anything you want."

"Well, someone's in a good mood."

"Of course I am. But where are you? You're supposed to be here helping me get ready-"

My bedroom door flew open.

"Surprise!" Stephanie swept in like a hurricane, arms full of makeup bags and hair tools, grinning like a maniac.

I burst out laughing despite the nervous energy inside my body. That was Stephanie, my loud, loyal, and utterly shameless bestie. My only real friend in a pack that doesn't look at me like I was a stain on their perfect bloodline.

"Sit down, ugly," she ordered, shoving me toward the chair. "Let me turn you into a goddess."

"Sure, sure. Whatever makes you happy."

I sank into the chair and watched as Stephanie worked her magic. She lined my eyes with accuracy, dusted shimmering powder across my cheekbones, painted my lips a soft rose. With every brushstroke, I looked less like April Quinn, the disappointment, and more like someone who belonged.

Maybe today, I finally would.

"Where's May?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light. "Isn't she supposed to be here? She's my maid of honor."

Stephanie's hand paused for just a second. "She said she had to oversee the final preparations at the hall."

Of course she did. May always had something more important to do. Something that made her look indispensable while I sat waiting in the shadows.

"There." Stephanie stepped back, eyes bright with satisfaction. "You look perfect."

I turned to the mirror and my breath got caught up.

She was right. For once, I looked like I belonged in this world-like I could stand beside an Alpha and not seem like a mistake.

"Now get dressed before your dad sends a search party."

I stood and reached for the gown hanging on the closet door. It was a vision in white-lace and silk that shimmered really good. I'd spent months choosing it, imagining this exact moment.

As I slipped into the dress, the fabric settled around me and Stephanie zipped me up, then moved behind me holding a delicate silver chain.

"This is my gift to you," she said softly, fastening it around my neck.

I looked down. A wolf pendant rested against my collarbone-small, intricate, beautifully carved. For a moment, I could have sworn my reflection's eyes flashed red in the mirror. 

I blinked and my red eyes changed back to brown. 

'Did I just see my eyes glow red?'

It seemed it was my imagination, desperate for something I'd never have.

"A wolf pendant for a wolfless girl," I said with a sad smile, fingers brushing the cool silver.

"Hey." Stephanie grabbed my shoulders and spun me around, her expression fierce. "Don't you dare call yourself that. You're my best friend, not some cursed nobody."

"Steph-"

"I'm serious, April. Your wolf is in there. I know it. And if you say the word 'wolfless' one more time, I'll personally kick your ass."

Tears pricked my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Not now. Not when I was so close to everything changing.

More important Steph will kick my ass if I ruin the make up.

"Thank you," I whispered.

She pulled me into a quick hug, then grabbed my hand. "Come on. You're late, and your father's going to lose it."

We rushed downstairs. At the entrance to the ceremony hall, Stephanie squeezed my hand one last time, then slipped inside. I stood alone at the heavy doors, heart pounding so hard I thought it might crack a rib.

This is it. After today, everything changes.

I pushed the doors open.

The scent hit me first-white roses and champagne, elegant and suffocating. The hall was decorated exactly how I'd imagined: soft lights, trailing ivy, candles flickering like tiny stars. For a moment, I felt a flicker of gratitude toward May. Maybe she had actually cared enough to make this beautiful for me.