Chapter 3

I lifted my dress and walked down the altar steps.

A Beta tried to follow. One sharp glare from me stopped him dead in his tracks.

"I need a minute," I said flatly. "Alone."

Leaving the noisy altar behind, I walked down the mossy path. Deeper into the woods.

The cool night breeze cleared the scent of the Crimson Moon Pack from the air. But it couldn't wash away the bitter mockery in my heart.

I was the only daughter of the West's strongest Alpha. The Western Wolf King.

Ten years ago, my parents arranged the perfect political mating for me.

But I was too proud. I rejected the match. Instead, I fell for Caleb. Back then, he was just a struggling, nobody Alpha.

I still remember the day I left my pack. I made a bet with my furious parents. "The mate I choose will give me a better life than any arranged match."

I poured my blood, sweat, and tears into building him up.

Eight years ago, I helped him expand his territory. We took three rich lands on the East Coast. That night, Caleb pinned me against a rock under the full moon.

With tears in his eyes, he kissed my knuckles. He swore he would only ever be loyal to me, Aurora.

Six years ago, rogues attacked us in the night. He threw himself in front of me without a second thought. He took a lethal, poisoned claw for me and lay in bed for three whole months.

I used to think I won that bet.

I thought he was worth it. Worth crossing half the continent. Worth building this grand altar in the North for him.

Inside me, my wolf felt my heartbreak. She let out a pathetic whimper and curled into a tight ball of pain.

Just then, I heard hushed voices. They came from behind an old oak tree nearby.

I stopped and looked over.

Marcus and a few wolves were hiding in the shadows. T

hey held a glowing communication stone, which projected a small, shimmering image into the air above it.

"Alpha, you need to come back." Marcus sounded frantic. "The guests are waiting. This is getting out of hand."

Caleb’s voice came through the stone. It was husky and full of lust. "I know. But Lila..."

In the wavering projection, I saw his hands on her body.

Then came the blonde she-wolf's loud moans and heavy panting.

The sound blasted through the crystal without shame.

It was so sickly sweet I wanted to throw up.

"Caleb... you promised to stay until dawn. What’s so great about her anyway?"

"Be good, baby." Caleb’s voice was sickeningly fond. "I’ll come right back after the ceremony. I'm yours all night."

"Alpha, maybe just come back and finish the ritual?" another Beta suggested. "We’ll handle the Luna."

"Lila is at the peak of her heat." Caleb sounded annoyed now. "She won't let me go until she gets what she wants. Stall the Elders. I’ll be back soon."

"But what if the visiting Alphas notice..."

"Notice what?" Caleb scoffed. He sounded so damn arrogant. "Aurora will wait for me like a good girl. Where else is she gonna go?"

Lila giggled. Her moans grew louder. The wet sound of skin slapping against skin echoed through the stone, piercing my ears.

I stood in the shadows. My wolf's sorrow vanished in an instant. All that was left was cold, dead silence.

It’s fine. I told myself.

I was blind. I bet everything on him, and I lost. I admit it.

But the daughter of the Western Wolf King still has her pride.

It was time to start this mating ceremony. And it was time to change the groom.

I stepped out of the shadows. The moonlight stretched my silhouette.

The wolves jumped out of their skin. Marcus nearly dropped the stone.

"Lu... Luna?" All the color drained from Marcus’s face. He scrambled to cut the connection.

I gave him a cold stare, then glanced at the glowing stone.

"Marcus," I said. My voice was dangerously calm. "Tell the Elders the ceremony begins now."

Marcus trembled. "Luna, but... the Alpha isn't back yet..."

"Caleb Cross clearly has better things to do. We won't waste anyone else's time."

I turned and walked back to the altar. I didn't look back.

Marcus hurried after me. He forced a sickening smile.

"Luna, we all know the bond you share with the Alpha. He loves you. It’s just... sometimes, powerful Alphas need a little... thrill..."