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Chapter 4

Katrina's POV

They continued, their mocking tones relentless. "Fear not, my dear. I shall keep you company once you've descended into madness, just like the rest of us," they sneered, reveling in their torment.

I will never succumb to your fate!" I screamed, desperately covering my ears in a futile attempt to drown out their malicious words.

Suddenly, a blinding light enveloped my senses, and as I cautiously opened my eyes, I beheld a dazzling sight—a wedding unfolding before me.

The scene shimmered with vibrant colors, as if I had stepped into Cinderella's enchanted ball. It was my wedding day, once again, meticulously themed to capture the magic of that timeless tale.

Yet, to my dismay, I realized that I existed in a realm of invisibility, unseen by all.

I watched in bittersweet nostalgia as the image of my former self stood with grace at the altar, accompanied by a radiant Domnic, whose love for me once overflowed.

But as he turned away, a flicker of weariness crossed his eyes, as if the burden of pretense had become too heavy to bear.

To my surprise, Domnic walked away, moving towards Hudson, whose countenance was marked by a rare distress I had never witnessed before.

The intensity in Domnic's gaze indicated that their conversation pertained to me.

As the festivities continued, my attention shifted to Alicia, who stealthily composed a text message to Domnic. Curiosity got the better of me, and I approached to catch a glimpse of her screen.

To my dismay, I discovered a broken-hearted emoji, followed by Domnic's request to meet her at their secret rendezvous.

It became painfully clear that Domnic had harbored feelings for Alicia long before our marriage, leaving me torn between heartbreak and a maddening confusion.

Driven by an overwhelming mix of emotions, I trailed Domnic outside, my steps guided towards the backyard treehouse, a haven that my father had built for the three of us.

I observed in silence as Domnic ascended the ladder, and without hesitation, I followed closely behind.

"Domnic," Alicia's voice trembled with distress as she rushed into his embrace, seeking solace within his arms. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"No, I'm not okay. Do you have any idea how uncomfortable this is for me? That should be me next to you out there. I'm your fated mate.

Why did you have to lie to her? Can't she tell the difference between a childhood crush and the touch of an actual mate?" she rambled, her words filled with pain.

"So, she truly is his destined mate," I murmured to myself.

"You know the real reason I'm doing all this. You know she's the destined Luna of the Crescent Moon Pack, and I'm the Alpha as I am the first child. But I don't possess the powers of the Alpha—Hudson does.

If I were to go through the mating ritual with you instead, there's a possibility that Kitty would become Hudson's mate and unlock her Luna powers.

What then?" His words shook me to the core. Hudson was my real mate? And he's the true Alpha of the pack? Does he know this?

"So, what's the plan? Are you just going to mate with your fake mate?". "And then what happens to me?" Alicia asked.

"You know your father transferred his companies and assets to Katrina's name because she is the elder," he began.

"Yeah..."

"If I am able to establish a strong relationship with the humans as the Alpha of the pack, I would become the most feared and respected Alpha in the clan.

No Alpha, not even Hudson, would dare disrespect me in any way," he explained.

"And how do you plan to achieve all of that?"

Suddenly, they both looked in my direction, their faces filled with shock. I could read from their expressions that they seemed to have just seen a ghost, and they were staring right at me.

But how could they see me? I thought I was merely observing my past. How did I end up becoming a part of my own past again?

"C-can you see me?" I suddenly asked.

"H-Hudson," Alicia's voice cracked.

"Hudson?" I turned around and saw Hudson standing there, looking at both of them in disbelief.

"How could you, Dominic? You aren't just ruining Kitty's life with this. You are ruining all of our lives.

Do you have any idea how devastating it is for a wolf to long for their mate but be denied their love?

All you care about is wealth and power. Where is your conscience, man?" He yelled, his voice filled with anger and disappointment.

"Don't talk to me in that manner, Hudson. We made a deal. You swore on our late mother's remains that you wouldn't reveal to anyone that you are the fated Alpha, and that you would always respect me and my decisions as the Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack.

You've always been true to your word, so I hope you do the same this time," his words pierced my heart like an arrow.

Hudson had known the truth all along but chose to stand by his brother's side. That was the epitome of brotherly love, something Dominic couldn't possibly understand. His selfishness blinded him.

I couldn't believe that I had spent five whole years hating my fated mate, only to discover that he wasn't the one in the wrong all along.

"No, not this time. Dominic, Katrina is my mate, and I won't let either of you harm her in any way," Hudson declared with determination.

"But you can't do anything now... I've already completed the ritual with her, and she is madly in love with me.

Do you think she's going to believe a stranger over her true love?" Dominic sneered, and unfortunately, he was right. Even if Hudson had come to me and sworn on the moon goddess, I still wouldn't have believed him.

"I'll find a way," Hudson suddenly said, his voice filled with determination, before storming out of the treehouse.

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