Chapter 1

The night before our mating ceremony, someone slipped a hotel keycard under my door.

The room number was the exact same one where Alpha Lucas Stone had proposed to me.

I thought it was a pre-wedding romance he had planned for me.

But when I pushed the door open, I saw him tangled naked with another woman.

Once he was finished, Lucas slowly pushed the woman aside, lit a cigarette, and smirked carelessly through the smoke.

"I didn't want to hide it from you anymore. I wanted you to find out now so I wouldn't have to explain myself after we're married."

He flicked the ash and added,

"Don't worry, you'll still be my only Luna. You've been with me for ten years. No other man would ever want you anyway."

"Tomorrow, everything goes on as planned. Except, tomorrow is just for show. The one I'm actually marking is her."

He expected me to scream, to ask why. But I just turned around and walked away.

The next day, Lucas stood at the altar in his tuxedo, waiting for me.

I didn't run. Instead, I walked down the aisle arm-in-arm with his deadliest rival, baring the fresh bite mark on my neck:

"You can have the ceremony. He gets the mark."

"She's here! The bride is finally coming out!"

On the pathway outside the grand hall, the young wolves of the pack crowded both sides, craning their necks to get a glimpse.

Someone whistled, and another laughed, shouting, "Luna Elena, you look stunning today!"

I didn't say a word as my bodyguards escorted me into the car.

Lucas stood on the steps in his white groom's suit, a smug, in-control smile plastered on his face.

He had called me this morning, claiming he hadn't slept all night and was too exhausted to pick me up.

He wanted to sleep in.

He was just that confident that I would show up anyway.

Lucas's best friend, Brian Clarke, was the first to whistle.

"Look at that! She still showed up!"

He nudged Lucas with his elbow, a smirk on his face. "Man, you really have her wrapped around your finger. Hooking up with another girl the night before your wedding, and your bride still shows up in her gown. What do you call that? Excellent training!"

Another groomsman chimed in, "Seriously. After how wild you went in bed yesterday, anyone else would be paralyzed. But look at you, standing here ready to be the groom. I have to hand it to you."

The guys burst into laughter.

Lucas's lips curled up slightly.

His tone was casual. "Elena has been with me for ten years. Who else would take her if she didn't marry me?"

He glanced down at the engagement ring I had taken off and left behind yesterday.

"It's normal for her to throw a little tantrum. But in the end..."

He paused, his voice utterly certain. "She will still walk up to me and put her hand in mine."

Brian Clarke gave him a thumbs-up.

The car door opened, and I stepped out, my white gown shimmering under the sunlight.

The sun hit the fabric, reflecting a brilliant glow.

A flash of awe crossed Lucas's eyes.

"My Luna looks beautiful in her gown," he murmured, genuinely impressed.

But before he could even reach for my hand, his phone buzzed, stealing his attention.

He looked at the caller ID.

His smile widened naturally as he took a couple of steps back to answer.

"What's wrong? Didn't I tell you to call later?"

A lazy, whimpering voice came from the other end.

"Lucas, I'm flying out of the country this afternoon... Can't you make some time for me? I want you to mark me before I leave. That way, everyone will know I'm yours."

"Ten minutes?" Lucas chuckled softly. "Are you really that impatient?"

Hanging up, Brian Clarke nudged him. "Who was that?"

"Summer." Lucas slipped his phone into his pocket, his eyes gleaming. "She's flying out this afternoon. She insisted that I mark her before she goes. She's so cute when she begs, I just couldn't say no."

Brian Clarke raised an eyebrow. "But what about the ceremony here..."

"What's the rush?" Lucas brushed it off. "The ceremony takes an hour or two anyway. I'll slide out quickly. You know how dramatic Summer is. If I don't satisfy her, she might actually crash the wedding and make a scene."

Brian Clarke knew better than to argue.

Lucas walked over, putting an arm around my shoulder, and signaled the photographer.

"Hey, snap a quick photo of us. For memories."

*Flash.* It was done.

He checked his watch. "Alright, that's it for now. I have to go."

He turned and walked toward another car.

"Lucas!"

I stood in my place, calling out to him.

He paused and looked back at me.

He still had that arrogant, careless look on his face, as if he owned the world.

"If you leave today," I said, my voice steady and clear, "I will replace the groom for this ceremony."