Chapter 1

It was our bonding ceremony,witnessed by the Moon Goddess.

I had just fixed my laurel wreath.But my fiancé,the Alpha,Kyle,was gone.

My mother was a pack elder.

She came to me with red eyes and told me:

"Kyle went to the Sacred Stone Altar in the east...

The Alpha of the Cliffrock Pack abandoned Elara at their ceremony.

Kyle went to finish the ritual for him."

Elara.The she-wolf who supposedly shared a fated bond with Kyle.

She had been missing for years and was recently found.

Of all days,she chose today to hold her bonding ceremony at the Cliffrock Pack.

My mind went totally blank.I sprinted toward the Sacred Stone Altar.

I peered through cracks in the ancient stone pillars.

I saw Kyle.

He gazed tenderly at Elara,holding the moonlight stone that sealed their vows.

His eyes softened as he looked at Elara."I do."

Those were the vows meant for me.

I pushed past the guards.

I demanded to know who he was actually bonding with today.

He showed no panic.

Right in front of both packs,he spoke with calm confidence.

"Selene,don't get mad.Let me explain."

"Elara almost had a mental breakdown just now.

If she is left alone on the altar today,her wolf soul will shatter."

"The ceremony was already rehearsed—and flawless.

Once I'm done here,I will come right back.

We will finish our final moon kiss then,okay?"

I looked at the two of them on the altar.

They were gazing into each other's eyes,radiating the scent of true mates.

And suddenly,I couldn’t help but laugh.

My seven years of support and companionship meant nothing.

Less than a single tear from his fated mate.

I tore the laurel wreath from my head.

It was the symbol of Luna's power.

I tossed it into the dead ashes beside the altar.

I’d rather have nothing at all than this....

"Selene,what are you doing?"

Kyle's voice echoed through the pack's mind-link,bouncing off the empty altar walls.

I stared at the holy leaves in the ashes.

I didn't look back.

Up on the platform,Elara flinched.

She tugged at the hem of Kyle's suit.

Kyle patted the back of her hand.

He stepped down from the platform and stopped in front of me.

"Today is witnessed by the moon goddess.Do you really have to make things so ugly?"

"This is just a formality.Our rehearsal was perfect.What more do you want?"

I looked at his expectant face.

I had loved that face for seven years.

Right now,it looked so foreign it made me sick.

"Kyle,the ceremony ends here."

My tone was calm.

His eyebrows locked together.

He seemed annoyed that I was challenging his Alpha authority.

"I will still pay for our pack's celebration.

Let the pack members enjoy the feast first.

I won't make things difficult for you."

"But I have to stay here to help Elara calm down.

I'm here to keep her steady."

"Go back to the den and cool off.

Don't cause a scene here.You'll make us a joke in front of both packs."

He reached out to touch my forehead.

I turned away,dodging his touch.

His hand froze in midair.His eyes darkened.

"Selene,enough."