Phoenix: rise from death. **COMPLETED**

#8 the beginning

the garden was in full bloom. the smells wafting through the air dancing with the small breeze that blew through. the sun was starting its slow decent as it would soon fade into night. I looked out my window and over the decorations lining all parts of the garden. a tent was set up on one flowing with fabrics that moved gently with each gust. everything was white and baby blue with sprinkles of silver. it was magical. I had only wanted a small wedding but Christopher made it clear that as an alpha he was expected a certain status and must show it. I gave in. I had no choice. my fire red locks were partially up in an elegant bun then cascaded down my back. a crown of flowers was placed on my head. my white silk gown was a one shoulder tight bodice that dropped at my waste and flowed out. the silk was soft and smooth and felt cool on my body. I felt like a princess. surely today of all days Christopher would fall in love. today he won't be able to resist the mate bond. I was wrong. I was so wrong.

my parents were there in the adjoining room waiting to see me in my dress. my stomach was in knots. I made my way to the door that separated us and walked through seeing them standing there gasping. "oh my sweet Angel! you are so beautiful. truly you take my breath away." my mom came over grabbing me into a hug as tears spilled over.

"mom we have to be careful if I ruin my make up Christopher will get upset. I want him to see me at my best." she only nodded not saying a word. I knew her and my father didn't like Christopher. my parents had been Luna and alpha pf a different pack and had retired right after I met Christopher. they moved here to be close to me and soon after begged me to reject him. i refused to ignore the mate bond. I had dreams he would love me. I could see the look my parents shared between them.

my dad just came over and took me into his arms. he was sad. his eyes were haunted. I felt him lean down into my ear as he whispered to me. "if you ever want to leave you are not alone. we will always be here for you."

I just smiled. I knew better. he would fall in love with me and everything would work out. I was eighteen and so naive. I trusted too much. I coukd hear the music begin and someone came in to warn Carla and myself it was time. my dad came to my side and I reached for his arm. we were lead downstairs to the doors that lead out to the garden. Carla stepped out first making her way to the alter. Christopher stood there his face stoic and emotionless. he didn't even bother to look my way. my turn to walk. I smiled up at my father as he looked down at me his eyes a plea for me to run. I should have listened to them. they knew what he was but I refused to see it. I walked out of the door my father by my side and walked to my future. the mate who promised to love me. the mate promised that would love me.

I ran my hands down the silky dress one more time. this was exactly what I needed. I peeked out of the cave entrance. it was midnight already and the moon was brightly lighting the land. the stars were beautiful this time of night. such a calming sensation. there were cameras that I knew I could tap into and watch as my plan started to unfold. this was just the beginning of what I had planned for him. may his torment be sweet. I made my way in the dark to the pack house. I knew the patrols were usually less at night and I could slip in and out easily at this time. before I even knew it I was there at the pack house watching through the window of what used to be our room. I had come to loathe him coming in at night. the smell of him coming towards me like a predator and his smell that assaulted my nose. it was always mixed with the scent of other women. alcohol on his breath as he forced me to kiss him. I stopped fighting him. it had just made him grow more violent in his rage. tonight it wasn't me in that window. tonight it was someone else. I climbed the tree and hung my wedding dress from a branch and watched as it blew gently in the breeze.

I didn't stay long. I took in the window one last time before making my way back through the territory to my hide out. the cave in which my life was now. safety. once I was inside safely I took my phone out and went to work on hacking into the cameras around the packhouse. I fell asleep for a what seemed a minute but when I opened my eyes the sun was barely coming up. I grabbed my phone and watched it knowing Christopher would wake up soon. this was the start. there was a shuffle as a warrior noticed the dress then I could see his eyes grow blank. mindlinking. soon the area became rushed with pack members flowing out of the pack house. and then out of nowhere was Christopher. staring up at the dress that flowed into the wind. he didn't know I had deleted all footage of the hour before and after I was there. I smirked at the thought of how angry he would be. I watched as he stood there unsure of what to do. his face had turned pale as his hand came to his mouth. I could see as pack members started talking all at once and warriors shifted flying into the forest looking for a ghost. I had made sure to run around and leave my scent all over the territory. making sure to touch and rub on trees and bushes to throw them off. a complete circle of my scent was in the territory and I made sure to enter the water far away from my safety. I thought of everything to throw them off.

Christopher let out a roar so loud I could hear it in my cave where I was hidden. I then watched him climb the tree tearing my dress from the branch I had hung it on. he had it in his hand as he looked at each member standing there in shock. I could then see warriors coming back from the woods unable to find anything. they never would. I watched them and in three years they never changed anything. Christopher was too sure of himself to believe he needed to change anything. his arrogance would help me with his downfall. the last thing I saw before I shut down the phone was Christopher ripping my wedding dress to pieces then stomping back to the packhouse. a slow fire was now burning in him and he would make mistakes. I was counting on it. o closed my eyes and slowly let myself drift away. I was exhausted. my body spent but I still drifted away with a smile on my face. he was angry and I knew it wouldn't take much for him to tip over the edge and I would be there to enjoy every last minute of it. I may have been reduced to ashes but I was going to rise through the fire like the Phoenix that I was. my wolf was content in my head and I felt her snuggle in. it had been a long few days since our rebirth. today was exciting. it was well deserved. Christopher had once made me his play toy. what would he do now that he had become mine?