Her Chosen Mate

Jessica's POV

Every girl's 19th birthday is supposed to be magical the day the moon goddess finally reveals their mate.

But not mine.

Not when I carry a curse that makes me an outcast... even in my own pack.

I stood in front of the cake, my fingers trembling as the flames from the candles flickered before me. The maids gathered around, forcing smiles on their faces but I could hear the whispers beneath their breath.

Cursed wolf,Lunar Shadow.

She shouldn't even be here.

Their voices sliced through me like tiny blades, but I kept my head down.

I had learned long ago the only way to survive in an Ashmoon Pack was to pretend I didn't hear them.

Ryan stood beside me, his hazel eyes locked on mine. His presence was the only thing holding me together.

"Make a wish, Jess." His deep voice was gentle, just for me.

My heart squeezed.

I already knew what I wanted.

Let him be my mate. Please... let him be mine.

I closed my eyes, blowing out the candles.

The room fell into an awkward silence like everyone was waiting... hoping the moon goddess would strike me down right here for daring to make a wish.

A scoff broke through the quiet.

Her. Again. Isabella.

I didn't need to turn around to know she was standing there with that wicked smile stretched across her perfect face.

"Happy Birthday, Jessica," she purred, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. "I hope you wished for something... possible."

Her friends giggled behind her.

I clenched my fists under the table, swallowing the anger rising in my throat.

Not today. Not when Ryan was here.

Ryan's warm hand brushed against mine under the table a silent promise.

I'm here. I've got you.

I wanted to believe him. Gods, I wanted to believe him so badly.

But the moon goddess hadn't made her decision yet.

If she bound me to another wolf... everything would fall apart.

Ryan would never break the sacred bond no matter how much he loved me.

The door creaked open.

"Alpha Ryan."

Arnon, the Beta, stepped in his cold eyes flicking straight to me like I was dirt beneath his feet.

"It's your brother," Arnon said, his voice sharp. "He's back."

My breath caught in my throat.

Darius. The room seemed to tilt beneath my feet.

I hadn't seen him in two years, not since the night his father died... because of me.

His last words to me echoed in my head like a curse.

You're a plague, Jessica. You killed my father. You'll kill us all.

Ryan's hand tightened around mine, but I barely felt it.

Darius was back.

And he would never let me forget what I'd done.

Later that evening, the full moon hung heavy in the sky, casting silver light over the pack mansion.

Ryan walked beside me, his warm hand wrapped protectively around my waist. He kept whispering promises in my ear telling me not to worry, that everything would be fine.

But the knot in my chest wouldn't loosen.

Every step we took toward the mating ceremony felt like walking toward my own execution.

I glanced down at my hands, the faint shimmer of my curse flickering beneath my skin.

It was always stronger during the full moon.

If anyone touched me now... I could drain their wolf energy without even trying.

I was a walking weapon, a ticking time bomb.