Chapter 1

"Thank the goddess, I finally found you!” Zora's husband exclaimed, his eyes locked on a red-haired woman entering the packed hall.

Zora, standing right beside him, froze. Found who? No one had gone missing, at least not to her knowledge.

Confused, she followed his gaze. The only person of note was a red-haired woman grinning from ear to ear beside an elderly Alpha, her father, Alpha David. The woman’s face beamed with excitement as she flashed a radiant smile in her husband’s direction.

Today was their second wedding anniversary.

“Who is this stunning woman? Why was her husband looking at her like that?”

A wave of irritation and jealousy surged through Zora as she watched the woman, still smiling, make her way toward them.

“Mate,” the woman whispered.

A cold gust swept through the hall. Everyone turned to look at her then shifted their gaze to the Alpha Dane and Luna Zora.

Colour drained from Zora’s face as her heart pounded violently in her chest. Is the moon goddess playing some kind of cruel joke? Of all days, why today? Why would Dane’s mate appear now on their wedding anniversary of all fucking days?

No. This couldn’t be happening.

Zora forced a faint smile, clinging to the hope that Dane would reject the woman.

“He’ll reject her,” she muttered to herself, a smug smile curling on her lips.

She narrowed her eyes, watching Alicia walk directly toward them.

As she approached them, her eyes swept Alpha Dane from head to toe. 

“We meet again,” Alicia said, her voice bright with excitement as she seductively extended her hand toward Alpha Dane.

We meet again!

The words echoed in Zora’s mind, sending a shockwave through her chest. Her heart quivered. They’ve met before?

Where? When? Why hadn’t Dane told her?

Could this be why he's been acting strange lately?

Have they... been sleeping together?

No, that’s impossible. She would have known. The mark that bonded them would’ve told her.

“Dane would never do such a thing. He loves me. And I love him... “she muttered, trying to silence the spiral of doubt threatening to consume her.

Zora moved quickly, stepping between them before Dane could react to the mate pull. She grasped Alicia’s hand herself, welcoming her with a smile that never reached her eyes.

“You’re welcome to celebrate our second wedding anniversary with us. Please, find a seat with the other guests.”

Her voice was calm, but the words were intentional, a reminder that Dane was taken by her.

Alicia’s eyes flickered. She’d sensed the challenge.

Her expression shifted subtly, she pressed a fingernail into her palm, hard. A bead of blood began to drip down her hand.

“Why did you do this to me?” she said softly, voice trembling with well-rehearsed hurt. Tears welled in her eyes, making her look like the victim.

She held up her bleeding hand for everyone to see. The whispers began almost instantly.

Zora’s heart pounded in her chest. 

“What? I didn’t do anything!” she said, her voice trembling. Her eyes immediately sought her husband’s, silently begging him to believe her.

“Luna Zora,” Mia spoke, stepping forward with her words laced with judgment. “You’re better than this. You can’t harm her just because she’s your husband’s mate. She didn’t choose the moon goddess’s bond. Look at her hand—bleeding from nothing but a handshake.”

I forgot to mention, Alicia never went out without a helper. That day, it was Mia, handpicked and trained for moments like this.

Mia’s real job? Stir up chaos the moment Alicia gave the signal.

“Shut your mouth!” a voice barked from the crowd. 

A loyal pack member stepped forward, her eyes blazing. “Our Luna would never do anything like that! Maybe she was already injured before arriving!”

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the hall.

“Enough!” Alpha Dane’s voice boomed. His eyes glinted red with barely restrained fury as he looked between Zora and Alicia.

“Do not cause an uproar during this event,” he commanded coldly.

His gaze settled on Zora again. His normally warm green eyes had turned bloodshot. Angry.

“I didn’t push her,” Zora said quietly, shaking her head in disbelief.

Alpha Dane looked around the hall, he saw every pair of eyes on him. His expression shifted quickly. A fake smile stretched across his lips as he stepped toward her, closing the distance between them.

He knew he’d been too harsh. 

He gently reached for her arm, voice lower this time. “Just breathe… calm down,” he murmured, dragging his hand through his hair as if trying to settle himself too.

An awkward silence settled between them as Zora did what he told her—calm her breath, even if her heart was still racing.

“Are not just meeting her? Why haven’t you rejected her already?” Her voice was low, but laced with pain and betrayal.

They’d even promised each other that if their destined mates ever appeared, they’d reject them—no hesitation, no drama.

For years, it hadn’t been an issue.

Until today. Their second wedding anniversary. And Alicia

Alpha Dane’s eyes flared red for a moment. He hated the question, but he swallowed the heat rising in his chest. He couldn’t lash out. Never! He had never yelled at her. He painted Zora as a perfect woman; yelling at her would cause an uproar. 

He exhaled slowly, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from Zora’s forehead.

“You’re mine. Forever,” he said softly.

“There’s nothing to worry about.”

Then, his tone shifted cooler, as he stared at Alicia.

“As for the mate… she’s the daughter of a powerful Alpha. I have to respect that. I can’t let her be humiliated in front of everyone because of what you just did. I will respect her by rejecting her secretly.”

Zora flinched as if she was being slapped.

Her eyes reddened not from rage, but from heartbreak. 

He didn’t believe her. Or worse… he chose not to.

Still, she said nothing. She wouldn’t beg for trust.

She just wanted the woman gone.

“You’re rejecting her today, right?” Zora asked, her voice tight with frustration.

“Yes, I’ll do it today,” Dane replied, his tone forced. “But I need you to go back to the pack house. Let me handle this awkward situation.”

“What needs to be settled in an awkward situation? I did nothing to her. The lady is probably just trying to get your attention,” Zora said, swallowing hard, trying to keep her composure.

“I didn't meet her today, she gave me no attention the day I met her, why would she today of all days? Zora, go back to the pack house,” he whispered 

His word pierced through her heart like a dagger, he didn't meet her today? Zora wasn't finding it cool any longer, the rage burning in her was preparing to consume her. 

“Why should I leave my own party? Where will you be if I should leave where would you be? Have you forgotten we have important rituals to do tonight? I can't leave, settle whatever needs to be settled and let's head back together.” Zora’s voice was etched with bitterness.

“Don’t make a scene, Zora. People are listening.” His voice dropped, taking on a more commanding edge. 

“I can’t just abandon the Alphas and important guests who came to celebrate. Go back to the pack house, and I’ll meet you there soon.”

Zora’s frustration reached a boiling point. “Why should I leave because of her? Don’t you see, we are the most important people here! Who the hell are you respecting more than your own wife?” she spat.

Glenda’s voice rang out, sharp and uninvited. “Who the hell is she that she would leave her occasion because of? If someone must leave today, it has to be that lady, not Zora.”

Zora hadn’t noticed her mother-in-law had been listening. Glenda approached, her brows furrowed.

Alpha Dane clenched his fists, his jaw tight, as his Glenda drew closer. He knew how stubborn his mother could be. 

“She has to, Mother. she has embarrassed herself enough, I will wait to undo the mess she made. Accompany her out. Zora! Go back to the pack house.” the Alpha command rolled off his tongue.

Zora’s heart sank as Glenda nodded, obeying the command. The two women had no choice but to obey.

“Come back soon for the ritual. Today’s the last day,” Glenda managed to say, her tone curt as she followed Zora toward the exit.