Chapter 1: The Wedding

Being cast aside by the entire pack and my husband after dedicating my life to this pack wasn’t in any of my plans. All just because of the real mate’s arrival.

She took everything I worked hard for in the palm of her hands. My reputation, the entire pack, and my husband.

Now, I’ve planned to sever everything, yet how did it come to this?

“I want you to suffer as I did, to feel the pain as if they were your own; every agonizing second of it.” I smirk as my throat stings, coughing up more blood. Tears streamed down my husband’s bloodshot eyes, a satisfaction I never expected I’d feel at my dying moments.

“N-no! I’m sorry, please . . . Please I’ll be good, okay? I’ll chabge.” he held me close to his trembling chest, his sobs reverberating through the air — the last I breathed in before I gave in to death’s arms.

Or so I thought.

“Do you really want him to feel the same pain you endured?” The blinding light asked. It was no doubt, The Goddess.

“Yes.” I answered before I felt myself waking up.

Three Months Ago

“You are invited to George and Milly’s union.” I read the invitation once again. A rushed wedding from our Gamma, instantly marrying her mate after finding her on one of the nearby packs three days ago.

To which, I was unfortunately invited. Ugh, great.

Alone on a special table designed to where the Alpha and Luna should be sitting side-by-side as the entire reception was overflowed with chatters of the bride, I sighed, sipped on the wine in my hand before raising the glass up to my face, the girl on the glass’ reflection stared back at me, its auburn eyes glowering. My auburn eyes.

It didn’t take long before my gaze was pulled away as the wine glass fell down from my grip, down the shining marble floors before it shattered loudly into pieces as someone pushed me to the side, leaving me staggering for balance.

What a way to induce some bad luck on this wedding, Morana.

“Oh Goddess, Luna! I am so sorry. Please forgive such a grave mistake!” I look down at the Omega on my feet, now begging for me to spare her life.

I raised my gaze unto the crowd, eyes, both from strangers and my very own pack members, glowered down at me, waiting to see how I would react.

Alright then, you wanna see someone kind? You get to see someone kind.

I’ve been living my life trying to appease everyone in this pack. I’ve done it so much it’s already been an integral part of me: being a people pleaser. I’m doing this to stay beside Logan, to always be the Luna they wanted me to be. Someone perfect with no flaws in sight.

I would do it even more if that’s what it takes to stay where I am now.

I smiled down at the sobbing woman, pulling her up to my level. “It’s alright. Stop apologizing.” I muttered and her eyes were wide as she picked up her tray on the floor.

She stammered a few more apologies and was about to walk away before I stopped her halfway.

“Make another mistake with all these other invited packs around and it will be your last carrying a tray around with those hands.” I subtly whispered, not taking away my gaze towards the large crowd.

She swallowed her fear before nodding quietly and walked away. I sucked in a deep breath before flashing a warm smile to everyone in the room.

“Everyone, please, pardon the commotion and enjoy Milly and George’s wonderful day!” I exclaimed, quietly looking around.

Someone important should be here, sitting beside me, and yet is nowhere to be found. I gnaw on the insides of my cheeks, trying to spot him from the masses. I use my senses.

“You,” I called one of the Omegas taking dirty dishes back to the kitchen. She halted and bowed her head after hearing herself being called. “Where is your Alpha?” I asked, or rather demanded.

The teacups on her tray rattled from her nervousness. I rolled my eyes. “I do not — I do not know, Luna.” She replied. I sigh, rubbing my aching temples.

She’s overreacting for someone who’s simply being asked a question. “Find him.” I ordered and she instantly nodded her head, walking off.

Where is he? He should already be beside me as we’re a minute away from making a speech. We talked about this last night.

Gamma George was already marching towards me, a large smile etched on his face.

Here we go.

“Luna, it’s so good to see you here in my humble wedding. You look marvelous again in this—um . . . your usual get up.” He eyed me from head to toe, seemingly unable to form words to explain my appearance yet is trying his best to be nice about it.

Leather boots, leather corsets, armored sleeves, and braided hair as though we’re heading for war. I have always dressed up differently, which in turn has provided me with both comfort and convenience, and unfortunately, criticism. For a Luna should always be lady-like — elegant.

And I was by far, the exact opposite of how their ideal Luna should look.

I roll my eyes at him, “Congratulations, Gamma. I’m so glad to see you finally getting tied, yet you still got those insecure comments in you. Perhaps you were rejected by the blacksmith again in your request to have well-designed armor like mine?” I retorted, which he replied with a lighthearted chuckle.

He’s used to the nasty tongue his Luna has, thankfully.

“Shouldn’t you be on the stage, as the very groom yourself, announcing our supposed speech?” I raised a brow and he straightened, as though forgetting about his entire purpose of being in this party.

“Right, of course! I hope you didn’t bring any script! I’d be disappointed. Where’s the Alpha?” he asked, fixing the white rose on his suit’s pocket before looking back up at me. I flashed him a smile. “Oh, he’s just wandering around. I’ll go get him.” I replied, avoiding his eyes.

“Got it, you’ll be on queue.” he winked before heading towards his bride. I looked around, biting the thumb nail as anxiety rose inside me.

Where is he?

I waited for a couple more minutes before I noticed George kissing his newly-wedded wife mumbling something before he unhinged his limbs away from her body for once.

He took a glance at me, signaling that it’s my turn — it’s me and the Alpha’s turn to give a speech.

I look around once more, annoyed. One more minute passed before I decided to give up. Wherever he was, he’s surely getting some beatings later for wandering around too much.

“Now, to hear the final speech of the night, coming from the rulers of Dark Moon Pack, Alpha Logan and Luna Morana!” Everyone applauded, or maybe most of them.

Some eyed me up and down.

“She is not even wearing a dress to a wedding! Disgraceful.”

“Look at those leather boots, what is she, a garden gnome trying to act as a warrior?”

“Good Goddess, is that blood on her sleeves. How barbaric!”

I roll my eyes as it took a couple of seconds for those murmurs to subside before they finally realized the real missing feature I should be having by my side right now, not the jewelries, nor the fact I didn’t wear any heels, or that my armor is stained with wine,

but the fact that George announced the Alpha should be walking beside me and yet is nowhere to be found.

Where in the goddamn hell is he?

“Who knew, we’re in a wedding, the Luna, like a bride walking down the aisle, obviously the groom would leave her. What a pity.”

I bit back the urge to slap the mouth of the person who said that before walking in a faster pace towards the stage. It did seem as though I was walking on an aisle as the crowd parted to let me through.

I sighed, looking up at George who stepped back from the microphone and flashed towards me a warm smile. I walked around the stage and to the stairs on the side.

The platform was well designed and packed wIth decorations from its backdrop to the floor. Balloons lined up the edges, adored with the prettiest flowers.

Despite this wedding being rushed, there’s no doubt that any guest examining the place wouldn’t think so.  Everything looks thoroughly planned.

I gathered my senses before stepping up the stairs. Even from this angle, I can still hear the murmurs from those who have the guts to talk about their Luna, yet I can’t be sure whether it came from the mouths of the pack members or the outsiders invited to this wedding.

Who knew, it could be from both sides. Afterall, a Luna wearing armor rumored to be stained with blood but actually wine, in a pretty wedding, is something worth talking about.

I smiled at everyone when suddenly, an ominous feeling wrapped around my senses. It’s not anxiety from all the eyes glowering over my every movements nor the fact that I actually didn’t prepare a speech in hopes that the Alpha would be the one talking and I’ll simply stand by his side,

No, it’s a dark, itchy feeling in my chest malicious enough to crawl up my throat. The horrible feeling isn’t radiating from the crowd, but in the walls, behind the assembled stage.

Before I knew it, I staggered back, stepping on the hanging fabric covering the stage as a background. I inhaled and exhaled, trying to fill back the air in my lungs.

My gaze stayed down at my feet as gasps covered the reception room.

What, they haven’t seen a person having a panic attack before? I bite my lip before looking down at Gamma George now below the stage.

“George, I’ll excuse myse—what . . .” I looked at the crowd and their eyes were not fixed on me, the person that seemed to need the attention — perhaps medical attention — but rather, they were staring on the ruined stage.

What are they looking at . . .

I turn to the stage, the situations behind it were now revealed. The speakers on the side that’s been blasting the music for the audience, the unused chairs stacked tight and hidden, and another bewildering sight to see,

Alpha Logan, my husband, kissing a girl, eyes closed as they were deep in lust with each other. Logan was pulling her sleeves down, trying to touch even more skin.

They were so into it that they did not notice the spotlight placed on the two of them as they continued kissing. The panic attack I had seemed to have subsided by the sight.

I turn to the audience and sadly enough, they also turned to me. Some with a worried look on their faces, some with smirking lips. And for once, I was too numb to even wish I could slap the faces of those brave enough to smirk at my situation right now.

George looked at me, speechless and still shocked. The maid I ordered to call Alpha Logan over arrived panting, carrying a look of fear in her eyes. Ha, of course she knew the person I was looking for was sucking someone else’s face off.

I turn back to the two, still lost in the world only each other’s lips can give before marching over to them. A growl so loud slipped past my lips and with bloodshot eyes, I pulled them apart.

The spotlight was on the stage, on us. The crowd was waiting as to what scene will happen next, as though we’re spectacle — a movie worth watching, providing good-quality drama.

The girl fell on the floor, finally grasping the situation she’s in. Her eyes were wide and she turned to her elbow, blood trickled on it as she scratched herself from falling.

“Who-who are you and how dare you seduce my mate!” I shouted. She only responded with a whimper, staying seated on the ground.

I turn towards Logan, his eyes were drowsy and I instantly shook his shoulders.

“Logan! Logan, wake up!” I yelled at him. His eyes were unsteady, bloodshot and almost red. He looked at me before his gaze landed on the girl behind me. His eyes watched over to her wound and before I knew it, I felt a stinging sensation on my face and I staggered as his palm connected with my skin.

And for the first time, it wasn’t because he was going to kiss me that he touched my skin. No, it wasn’t that. Because for the very first time it was intended to hurt me.

I stepped back and watched him rush over to her, carrying her up in bridal style.

“No one can touch my mate!” He loudly commanded the entire room, hugging the girl tightly as though he’s more than willing to protect her with the cost of his life — with the cost of everyone’s. I could hear the gasps, the glasses, and the walls of the room clattering from the immense power his voice and his commands carry.

Yet out of all the other things in the room, the loudest clatter I could hear was my shattering heart.