A Werewolf's True Mate

I stood on the ceremonial stone altar, my white dress flowing in the gentle forest breeze as I recited the sacred binding vows before the pack. But the space beside mine remained empty—my intended mate hadn't stepped forward.

The gathered werewolves below whispered among themselves, their enhanced hearing making every murmur audible to my sensitive ears.

"Another humiliation," I thought bitterly, my wolf stirring restlessly beneath my skin.

Sure enough, Axel lingered at the edge of the clearing, toying with the silver binding bracelet meant for my wrist. He turned to my stepsister Diana with a smirk that showed the edge of his canines.

"Diana, didn't you mention how tedious these mating ceremonies are? Two wolves recite ancient vows, exchange bracelets, and it's done."

"Today I'll show you a ceremony with just one wolf. Interesting, don't you think?"

Her half-brother Derek, another beta of Axel's pack, immediately grabbed the ceremonial horn and announced loudly: "The mating ceremony is paused!"

Her childhood friend Kai shouted from the sidelines: "Diana! Watch this!"

My instincts flared a split second too late. The ceremonial water basin above my tipped, and despite my supernatural reflexes, she couldn't dodge completely. The blessed water—meant to symbolize purity between mates—soaked her hair and dress, the scent-masking herbs in it stinging my nose.

Diana's laughter rang through the clearing, the sound making my wolf growl inside her.

Axel approached with an air of casual dominance, pretending concern though his amber eyes gleamed with mischief.

"What's wrong, Luna? Displeased?"

He playfully shoved Derek. "You're making such a scene. Don't you remember Luna is supposed to be the mate today!"

For a moment, I thought he'd recognized his cruelty, but then he held out the silver binding bracelet along with its box.

"Didn't you want to be mated and find your place in the pack? I'm fulfilling your wish. I even called the alpha officiant and gathered witnesses for you."

He sneered at my cold stare.

"That look won't change anything. I'm just helping fulfill your wish—I never said I wanted you as my mate."

He added thoughtfully, "Keep the bracelet, don't lose it. Otherwise, your true mate won't have anything to bind you with."

"Oh wait," he chuckled darkly. "I forgot you don't even have a mate at this ceremony."

"That's right," Derek joined in, mockery thick in his voice. "But Luna is fully dressed for mating! Look at her ceremonial gown!"

Everyone's attention shifted to me soaked white dress, the fabric clinging embarrassingly to my form.

In the past, I might have lowered my eyes submissively, my wolf whimpering as I begged Axel not to humiliate me before the pack.

But something had changed. I merely wiped the herb-infused water from my face, keeping my composure as I fought to control my trembling hands.

"Thank you for beginning the ceremony with me," I said quietly. "I was nervous at first, but this has steadied me. The actual mating will go much smoother now."

Axel's expression froze before he burst into harsh laughter.

"Are you truly this naive or just pretending? You still believe I'd take you as my mate?"

"Can't you see? This was all to amuse Diana!"

"She-wolves who chase unwilling males only debase themselves in the pack hierarchy!"

His words cut deep, not even attempting to hide his contempt. Diana and the others laughed along with him.

My heart felt like it was being crushed by powerful jaws.

I'd known for days that Axel, Derek, and Kai had planned this humiliation. Axel had called me after the full moon.

"Luna, didn't you want to be mated and have your place in the pack? The ritual grounds are the ones you selected. I'll meet you there."

My heart had raced despite itself. He knew she desperately wanted to be mated.

After my mother died, my grandmother and I had relied on each other. Now my grandmother was gravely ill, her greatest wish to see me properly mated and secure within the pack hierarchy before she passed to the ancestral plains.

I had reserved the sacred ritual grounds months ago, begging Axel to complete the mating ceremony with me—even if just for show—to give my grandmother peace.

His call had left my hopeful yet confused.

Later, passing her brother's den, I'd overheard their scheming voices planning this farce in detail. The three wolves who once protected me had changed their allegiance entirely.