63

A week had passed, and the anticipation for our mating ceremony continued to build. The preparations were in full swing, and I couldn't help but feel nervous about the whole affair.

But I took comfort in the fact that Lin seemed to have everything under control. He had arranged for guards to secure the borders of our territory, ensuring our safety from potential rogues.

My heart raced as our wedding day approached, a whirlwind of nerves and excitement coursing through me. Weeks of planning and anticipation were finally coming to fruition.

The thought of marrying Lin, the love of my life, filled me with a profound sense of joy and fulfillment. It was kind of a kill joy that my mother refused to come and see the wedding. She knew who Lin was - she'd seen him and approved - but she refused to come for our mating ceremony.

As the sun bathed the morning of our wedding in a warm glow, a hint of unease lingered in the back of my mind. Two days earlier, I had received a mysterious message