Chapter 1

For eight years as Luna, I swallowed my pride, doing everything I could to please Alpha James and his parents.

All I wanted was to save our bond.

Yet he refused to Mark me.

I thought carrying his pup would finally make him settle down.

Instead, at the very mate ceremony he promised would make things right, he pulled Lily into his arms—she was wearing a wedding dress—and kissed her like his life depended on it.

I bit my bottom lip until I tasted blood, my heart twisting in agony.

Right then, I was done enduring it. Why was I always the one who had to sacrifice?

Because of what I said, Lily’s face turned paper-white.

She swayed, collapsing directly into Alpha James’s arms.

"Jamie… it hurts so much. Is my anxiety coming back?"

James’s expression morphed into pure panic. He scooped Lily up and sprinted out of the hall, throwing venomous words over his shoulder:

"Emily Carter, you jealous bitch! If anything happens to Lily, I’ll make you pay!"

James’s father, Elder Alpha Robert, his mother, Elder Luna Margaret, and my own father, Beta David, couldn't stop him.

Cameras flashed relentlessly. The officiant stood frozen beside me in utter embarrassment.

Beta David stepped forward and slapped me hard across the face. "Useless disappointment! You can't even keep your own Alpha under control!"

With that, he told me to figure it out myself and stormed off.

Elder Luna Margaret glared at me, her eyes arctic.

"Emmy, I’m not scolding you without reason, but why throw a tantrum in front of everyone? You ran Jamie off, and now the entire pack is laughing at us!"

To her, marrying an Alpha meant swallowing every ounce of pain and keeping your mouth shut.

You never humiliated your Alpha in public.

How laughable.

No matter how broken I felt inside, I had never once thought of betraying the pack. I just couldn't understand why, after giving everything I had, I couldn't even earn basic respect.

The guests dispersed. Clutching the heavy skirt of my wedding dress, I stepped outside and watched the cars drive away one by one.

Lightning ripped through the sky, followed by a violent downpour.

Behind me lay an empty, ruined reception.

Only after the pack elders drove off did Beta David’s car pull up in front of me.

The rear window rolled down, revealing his grim scowl. The ache in my chest surged instantly.

Swallowing the burning lump in my throat, I choked out, "Dad."

Just as I reached for the handle, the distinct click of the door locking echoed through the rain.

I froze in shock.

Beta David warned me furiously, "Emily Carter, your mother gave her life to secure this match. Go reflect on your behavior and find a way to win Jamie back."

"You're carrying an Alpha's pup. Lily will never beat you on that front."

I stared at him in disbelief. "Dad, what are you saying?"

He didn't answer. He signaled his driver.

The window rolled up, and the car sped into the night.

Muddy water splashed across the hem of my white gown. Watching the taillights vanish, my tears finally spilled over.

The venue was in the middle of our pack's remote territory.

There was no cell signal, and not a single cab in sight.

I borrowed an umbrella from a server, unable to miss the pity in her eyes.

Holding the umbrella, lifting my soaked dress, I stumbled down the winding mountain road in high heels.

The driving rain soaked me to the bone. Every step was agonizing.

My heels were rubbed raw, bleeding into my shoes.

Halfway down the mountain, my phone finally caught a signal. A dozen missed calls popped up.

All from Alpha James.

Along with a text demanding why I couldn't just accept Lily, claiming he only saw her as a little sister.

It was pathetic.

James and I grew up together. Lily was just an ordinary wolf in the pack, bullied constantly back at the pack academy. I felt sorry for her and stood up for her a few times.

When I was eighteen, James came over to my house.

During a sudden rogue attack, my mother, Grace Carter, used the last ounce of her strength to shield James, suffering fatal wounds in the process.

Her dying words were, "Jamie, take care of Emmy."

We were betrothed, and he swore he would cherish me.

Later, Lily used the excuse of thanking me for my past kindness to worm her way between James and me.

Until she completely stole his heart.

The man who once promised to protect me found someone else he wanted to protect far more.