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Elowen has waited her whole life for this.... to be mated to Kaelen, the Alpha heir of Blackthorn Manor. Her heart is full, her hopes high, and the entire pack buzzes in anticipation of the bonding ceremony that promises to unite them as Luna and Alpha. She's always believed in Kaelen's love, despite the whispers behind her back about her humble origins and questionable lineage. But Kaelen harbors a secret...a forbidden liaison with Helena, a seductive pack maid. Their impulsive encounter in the royal chamber awakens something primal in him... something selfish. Torn between duty and desire, Kaelen chooses lust over love. On the day Elowen dreams will change her life forever, it does.... but not the way she imagined. Before the sacred vows, Kaelen shocks the entire pack by publicly declaring Helena as his Luna. The betrayal is brutal. The shame? Unbearable. Under Alpha Lucius's cold command, Elowen is exiled... discarded like a pawn. Alone, pregnant, and humiliated, she returns to the pack she abandoned for love... only to be mocked and mistreated by her own blood.
Chapter 1 My Alpha
Elowen 's POV
I thought today would be the best day of my life because I became his. The day I stood before my pack, before the moon, and swore myself to him. Still, as I got out of bed, something inside me shook. Not out of fear. But from a feeling I couldn't put my finger on.
As I walked barefoot across the cool marble floor, the air touched my skin as I made my way to the tall mirror in the corner of my room. My reflection stared back-pale, glowing, haunting. A bride. A Lunar New Year. A woman who had given up everything for love.
I whispered his name, "Kaelen ." It felt like a prayer coming out of my mouth. It tasted like honey, like desire, like the fire he once lit inside me. It felt like saying his name would slow down my heartbeat. It didn't.
A knock interrupted my dream.
I opened the door to find Helena, my loyal maid, her face calm but her eyes holding a touch of worry.
"My Lady," she greeted softly. "It's time for your bath. We must begin preparations."
I nodded, even as my heart fluttered with nerves. "Of course. Let's begin."
This was the day I had dreamed of, every moment since the day Kaelen whispered he would make me his. I had left my family, abandoned my birth pack, and crossed illegal lines just to be with him. They called me a fool. Maybe I was. But I would have done it again.
The bath was warm, scented with crushed rose petals and lavender. I sank into it slowly, letting Helena's hands wash away the remains of sleep and doubt. Outside, I could hear the faraway screams and shouts of the wolves gathered in the fields. The wedding was coming.
I closed my eyes, picturing him. Kaelen . My Alpha. My mate.
"How is he?" I asked, my words barely above the water's surface. "Did you see him today?"
Helena laughed softly, smoothing soap down my back. "He will see you soon enough, my Lady. Be patient. He will fall all over himself when he sees you like this."
I smiled weakly. Still, my chest clenched with each passing second. I didn't just want to be beautiful-I wanted him to look at me like he used to, like I was his moon, his reason, his crazy.
The makeup artist arrived soon after. She was quiet but focused, her hands changing me with brushes and dusted shadows. My eyes looked bigger, sharper. My lips smeared with a rose-petal red.
"My goddess," Helena gasped when she caught sight of me. "You look like a vision."
"I feel like one," I whispered, faking a smile. But inside, I felt hollow. Why?
"Bring the gown," I said, getting to my feet.
The dress had been picked moons ago. Hand-sewn with silver thread and knitted lace, it shone like moonlight on water. Helena brought it from the closet with care, holding it as though it might dissolve in her hands.
I stepped into the gown slowly, letting the cloth embrace my skin. Then came the corset-tight, merciless.
"Breathe, my Lady," Helena urged softly.
"I'm trying," I managed, though the lace crushed my ribs. "For Kaelen , I will."
Once fully dressed, I turned to the glass once more. The girl looking back wasn't me. She was stronger. Braver. She was a woman about to take her fate.
"We should go," Helena said, brushing a hand over my hair. "Unless you wish for something more?"
"No," I whispered. "Let's go before my heart beats out of my chest."
The weight of the dress was heavy, but I bore it. With Helena and the makeup wolf at my sides, we walked slowly down the long hallway, out into the open field. The screams got louder as the pack caught sight of me.
They cheered. They howled my name. But where was he?
My eyes scanned the crowd furiously as I took my seat at the front of the stage. The chair beside mine sat empty.
I snapped my fingers, and a nearby guard approached, bending low. "My Lady," he greeted, feeling my stress.
"Where is Kaelen ?" I asked. "Why is he not beside me?"
The guard's eyes flickered. "My lord will join us soon. He sends his word." I inhaled sharply, trying to calm the storm rising in my chest.
"You may go," I said, waving him off. Then turned to Helena. "Something's wrong. I can feel it."
"He'll be here," she said gently, putting a relaxing hand on my shoulder. "Don't let your thoughts run wild."
But they already had. He should've been here. He should've been the first to arrive. That's who Kaelen was-fierce, precise, proud. What could be holding him back?
A young fighter took the stage, microphone in hand. "Wolves of Moonshadow Hollow," he began, "today, we witness a bond that will tie blood, power, and destiny."
The crowd erupted in howls and chants. I forced a smile.
"My lord is on his way," the speaker continued with a grin. "No doubt perfecting his look for the Luna who has stolen all our hearts."
The joke drew laughs, even from me. Maybe he was just being careful. Maybe nothing was wrong.
Then...
"Ah, here he comes!" "All hail the Alpha!" the speaker roared. "Long live the Alpha!" the dogs repeated.
And there he was.
Kaelen stepped into view, dressed in black and silver, his dark hair slicked back, eyes focused... but not on me. Never on me.
I stood immediately, smiling, heart pumping. "What kept you?" I asked as he reached me, putting my arms around him. "I've been waiting."
"I'm here now," he answered simply, his tone unclear.
His arms didn't return the hug. His lips didn't find my face. No warmth. No kiss. Only distance.
I stepped back, searching his eyes. "Kaelen ... are you alright?"
"I'm fine." He sat down beside me without another word.
I felt like I had been hit.
The announcer looked between us, a little nervous. "Shall we begin the bonding rites?"
"Yes!" the crowd answered.
Except me.
My mouth wouldn't move. My heart was screaming.
Kaelen stood again, walking to the center of the stage. He didn't reach for my hand. He didn't look at me.
"Wolves of Moonshadow Hollow," he said quietly. "I thank you all for your presence."
Then, he turned.
His eyes met mine for the first time that day-and I saw it. Emptiness. "There is... something I must say," he continued. "Before we proceed."
Silence.
My lungs forgot how to work. Every heartbeat felt like thunder crashing in my ears.
"I cannot go forward with this ceremony." The words cut through me like silver. I didn't move.
"I owe you the truth, Elowen," he went on. "And all of you here. My heart-" He stopped. Looked away. Then back.
"My heart no longer belongs to her."
Gasps echoed. Helena clutched her chest. I froze.
Not even the wind dared to move.
I rose to my feet, shaking. "Kaelen ... what are you saying?"
"I'm saying this bond can no longer take place," he said, louder now. "Because I have chosen someone else."
Everything shattered.
The cheers turned to chaos. Voices shouted. Wolves stirred.
I couldn't move. Couldn't blink. The world spun.
"Who?" I whispered, but my voice was lost in the madness.
Kaelen stepped down from the stage.
And a figure stepped forward from the crowd... a she-wolf dressed in red.
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