The Announcement

Jenn’s POV

Alpha Wade announced his new fated over breakfast, and the pack watched me die on my feet. My chosen mate – the man who claimed my heart and my bond – smiled at a criminal and called her his destiny.

If I hadn’t been sitting, I might have collapsed.

The dining hall fell so silent that even the chilly breeze seemed to pause. The scent of eggs and spiced broth turned my stomach. Everyone froze, as all eyes in the hall turned to stare at him, then me.

But all I saw was Wade – my husband and Alpha – unable to meet my eyes.

He stood at the head of the long dining table, fingers tight around the chair he hadn’t dared sit in. His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. “Jenn… I know this might appear unusual. But this is the best I can do for myself, and her.”

I didn’t move. Couldn’t. “Say it again,” I whispered, my voice steady only because the Luna in me refused to crack. “Repeat what you just said.”

Wade flinched. The Alpha – my Alpha – flinched.

“I found my fated,” he murmured, the words sounding like they hurt to speak. “I don’t know how. But I found her.”

My heart broke, but I forced the words out. “And who is she?”

Before he could answer, every head in the hall jerked toward the large double entrance doors to the dining hall.

And she walked in.

Morgan Wilton.

If I was dying before, this time I felt like a living corpse. My heart shattered to a million pieces. This was her? His fated mate? I clenched my fist, steeling my already fraying nerves.

Her hands were still red‑marked from the silver cuffs she’d worn just days ago. Cuffs Wade himself had locked after she attacked him during a border breach. An enemy spy. A threat. A criminal.

And now… his fated.

She looked nothing like a prisoner today. Her chin was lifted, eyes bright with a dangerous fire. And she moved with a confidence that felt a lot like mockery.

“Good morning,” she said with a smirk, coming to stand beside Wade. “You started without me.”

I gasped. When did their relationship evolve to this level?

My pulse was hammered. “You shouldn’t be out of the cells,” I said before I could stop myself. “What are you doing here?”

Morgan smirked. “Alpha Wade disagreed. He invited me to dinner. You can ask him that question yourself.”

I turned to my husband – the man I trusted, the man who once swore on his life that nothing could tear us apart. He stepped towards her, instinctively shielding her from the hostility that was probably radiating from me.

That hurt more than his announcement.

He raised his hands. “Jenn, please remain calm. This situation is… complicated.”

I let out a humorless laugh. “Complicated,” I echoed. “She attacked you, Wade. You imprisoned her. And now she’s in our dining hall claiming a place at your side. Wade, in case you haven’t noticed, she’s our prisoner.”

Morgan shrugged. “The Goddess is indeed mysterious.” She glanced at him, bold and unafraid. “Isn’t she?”

Wade’s jaw clenched, but he answered anyway. “Yes, you’re right. If she paired me with my enemy’s daughter, then she must have her reason for it. I can’t fight the bond. I can’t fight my destiny”

I rose to my feet and stepped forward, refusing to be small. “Your destiny?” I almost laughed. “Are you mocking me? You can bring her into the pack if you must,” I said. “But she will not live in this house. She cannot. I will not accept it.”

Gasps filled the room, but I didn’t care. Luna or not, wife or not, I had earned my place here with blood and loyalty.

Wade looked torn in half – his wolf pacing behind his eyes, his shoulders trembling with restraint. “Jenn…” He lowered his voice, almost pleading. “Please understand. I didn’t ask for this.”

“Neither did I,” I whispered.

Morgan crossed her arms and sneered. “You can’t forbid the fated bond.”

“I can forbid you from entering my home,” I snapped. “And I am.”

Wade squeezed his eyes shut like the tension physically hurt him. He loved me. I knew that. I felt it in the bond we still shared. But fate had lodged a knife in his chest and twisted. “All she needs is a roof over her head and a place where she can be comfortable.” Wade’s eyes pierced mine pleadingly.

“No.” The words came as a shock to both Wade and everyone around us. I had no idea why he decided to make this conversation public, but I couldn’t soften the blow any more than I could quench the uneasiness in my heart.

“Jenn, what do you mean no? My wolf…”

“Your wolf will be just fine,” I said matter-of-factly. “We’ll find a good pack for her since you now feel like you owe her something after she almost killed you, but she will not stay here. You have to reject her. That’s the best you can do for yourself.”

“Jenn,” Wade said in his serious Alpha voice, stepping back to the girl’s side protectively even if it was evident that she didn’t need his protection. “Think about this. I wouldn’t ask this if it wasn’t the only choice I have. I am the leader of our pack and my wolf is going crazy for our mate. We can’t risk…”

“I can’t risk your life, Wade.” I said, cutting him off. Somewhere along the line, I’d forgotten to address him with his Alpha title as I always did when we were in the presence of company, but that didn’t matter. “This woman is our enemy. She tried to kill you! I’m sure rejecting your fated won’t be easy, but it’s what you must do. We have no idea what other tricks she has up her sleeve.”

Wade’s face twitched, his eyes darkening as he mulled over my words. I was right, he knew it in the depths of his heart.

Stepping closer, I took his hand. “Think about what’s best for the pack. This woman isn’t. She may be your fated mate, but she’s also the daughter of your enemy.”

Wade nodded, his eyes dropped as he turned to face Morgan behind him, “Morgan”, he began. “I am sorry but I would have to reject you, I Alpha Wade Blackstrand of the Moonlit Pack rejects you Morgan…”

Morgan stepped forward, grabbing his arm and turning him to face her. “You can’t reject me.” she hissed. “You won’t do that. This woman is just your chosen mate, I am your fated and rejecting me will affect my wolf and yours. Do you want that?”

Seeing that Wade still looked torn, she continued. “I can help you with intel about my father. Think about it, I will be a great asset to you and your pack.” Turning to me, she smirked as if this was a challenge and she knew she was winning.

Well, she wasn’t far from the truth. Wade was already leaning towards her. I could feel his hesitation thrumming in our bond. I knew immediately that I needed to do something.

“You chose me, Wade.” I said. “Think of what you said to me five years ago. The promise you made me.”

“STOP,” Wade growled loudly, his eyes glistening light blue, showing his wolf was at the surface, “you are torturing her.”