Chapter 2

“My father chose his title.

My mother chose silence.

And I was thrown into the arms of a monster.” —Avelyn.

AVELYN

Pain pounded inside my head. My vision blurred. I tried to steady myself, but my legs gave out.

I crashed face–first to the ground.

The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth. I knew I was injured.

When I looked up through the blinding tears, I saw my parents and a man… Tarek.

“Dad, please you can't do this.” I knelt down and clasped my hands together ignoring the man totally.

It's courtesy to always bow to an Alpha but I wasn't in the right state of mind to do that.

“Dad please, I'm begging you…” I started creeping forward but my mom stood up abruptly.

"What are you doing Avelyn? This is the best decision your father could make. You should be grateful.” Mom argued with a shaky voice.

Best choice?

Is getting married to a monster the best choice?

Someone whom I barely know and I've always heard bad rumors about?

I looked up at him and my heart pounded against my chest when I saw him staring down at me with a bored expression.

His gaze was cold and empty. As if I were just another object handed over.

“Avelyn enough of this. Go inside.” I stood up from the floor and ran to my dad who brushed my hands off of his clothes the moment I tried to hold him.

“I'm not getting married to anyone.” I muttered and my dad glanced at me.

“You can't just hover around after disgracing this family today! You should be grateful someone still wants you,” Dad hollered, shoving me hard.

“Dad, it wasn't my fault. I'm not the moon goddess. I didn't curse the mate bond,” I managed to say through clenched teeth.

“Nonsense!” He snapped, “you're getting married off to Alpha Tarek tomorrow.”

My chest tightened painfully. I shut my eyes and pressed a hand against it as if that would calm the ache.

“Sorry, Alpha. We’ll have her ready by morning,” my dad said with a proud smile. Alpha Tarek didn’t say a word. He just nodded and walked out of the room with my father beside him.

My mom didn’t even look at me.

I swallowed hard, turned around, and dragged my feet upstairs to my room.

As I shut the door behind me, my phone lit up…Missed calls from Gwen.

---

“Welcome, everyone,” a man’s voice echoed through the microphone outside.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, tears clinging to the corners of my eyes. My fingers trembled as I wiped them away.

This can’t be the end of the world for me. Not yet.

I pushed open the window and peeked outside. Not too many people were gathered, but enough to witness my shame.

I spotted Gwen standing nervously to one side. Her hands were clenched in front of her.

My fingers trembled as I adjusted the veil. It didn’t sit right. Nothing felt right.

A knock came at the door.

“Avelyn,” a soft voice whispered. “It’s time.”

I didn’t respond. Just turned around slowly, one breath at a time, and walked to the door like I was walking toward my funeral.

The door opened. Gwen stood at a corner, her eyes red and wet with tears.

She tried to speak, but her throat caught. Her bottom lip trembled.

“Don’t…” I whispered.

She nodded and stepped aside, pressing a tissue to her face.

I walked out.

The sun was hot, but I felt cold.

Everyone stood in silence as I walked down the short aisle they’d decorated with cheap ribbons and dusty white flowers.

My feet moved on their own. I didn’t remember taking steps. Just that I stood beside Alpha Tarek now.

His eyes never met mine.

He stood tall and emotionless, like this was just another deal. Another transaction.

I glanced at my father, his eyes proud. My mother stood beside him like a ghost.

The officiator cleared his throat and began to speak. But I didn't listen.

Until—

“Avelyn, do you take Alpha Tarek as your mate and husband, to stand by him until death?”

My heart was no longer beating. I was sure of it.

My throat tightened, but I managed to whisper, “I do.”

The crowd exhaled softly.

Then the man turned to Tarek. “Alpha Tarek, do you take Avelyn—”

“I do,” Tarek interrupted sharply with a cold voice like he was bored of the whole thing.

Not even a single glance at me.

The officiator nodded. “You may now seal the bond.”

Tarek leaned in, kissed my cheek stiffly, and then turned to my father.

“Let’s speak.”

They both stepped away to the side, exchanging low words I couldn’t hear.

I stood there, alone, in my white dress, watching them.

After a few seconds, Tarek nodded, said nothing more, and walked away.

My father returned and gently grabbed my arm. “Go with him. This is your home now.”

I didn’t answer, I didn't even nod. I was too numb to do anything.

A man in a black suit came forward and motioned for me to follow.

Tarek’s convoy was already waiting. Sleek black SUVs lined the road like a royal guard.

I climbed into the backseat of the one he entered.

The door shut behind me.

No goodbye from my mother.

No hug from my father.

Just a wave from Gwen.

Just the roar of the engine as we drove away.

2 Weeks later—

I hadn't seen Tarek much since that day.

He hadn’t touched me, not once.

He didn’t sleep beside me. Didn’t ask how I was adjusting. Didn’t even glance at me during dinners.

And I didn't try either. Because I didn’t want his touch. Not when it would burn like betrayal.

But today… I needed air so I took a stroll around the pack house.

“…I married her thinking Rhett would react,” Tarek’s voice snapped. “But he didn’t. Not even a word.”

“He moved on, Alpha,” someone replied. “Maybe she wasn’t that important.”

“No. She meant something to him. That’s the only reason I agreed to this sham not even because of her dad.”

What the hell was he talking about? I meant something to Alpha Rhett?

That can't be possible.

This… this wasn’t about me at all. It had nothing to do with me.

I was only here just as a tool to make Aloha Rhett react.

I stepped back slowly, praying they wouldn’t sense me. My heart pounded louder than my footsteps.

I turned and walked away, not stopping until I reached the other side of the house.

I couldn't tell if this was happiness I'm feeling but whatever this feeling is, it's good.

This means I would leave this hell soon.

But something else was weighing me down.

Heavier than whatever I just heard. It had been bothering me for days now, my body felt off.

I had been nauseous and light-headed. My mood had been swinging and my sense of smell had changed.

I chalked it up to stress.

But now, I wasn’t sure anymore.

I made my way to the pack hospital.

I didn’t ask permission. I didn’t tell anyone. I just walked in and quietly waited for someone to call me.

The doctor took me in, asked a few questions, and did a couple of tests.

Minutes passed but I sat patiently and waited for her.

Then she returned, holding a file.

Her eyes looked cautious.

“Luna Avelyn…” she said softly, “you’re pregnant.”

My throat dried instantly. “What?”

“You’re sixteen days pregnant.”

I blinked fast.

Sixteen days?

The wedding was exactly fourteen days ago.

And before that…

My breath caught in my throat as I remembered.

The one night.

The night before my birthday.

I’m pregnant and it’s not Tarek’s!