Chapter 1

Kael Arnett and I had agreed long ago to hold our mating ceremony on the frozen plains of Beloria.

The place held a special meaning for both of us. However, compared to Lilith Foster, even that seemed to mean nothing to him.

Lilith's pack lived by the ocean, so Kael changed the venue to the beach.

Pain pulsed through my chest, but I didn't dare make a sound. Even Kael's Beta, Serrick Levine, seemed hesitant about the decision.

"No matter how you look at it, the mating ceremony is supposed to be about both of you. You should at least tell Akalia so she has time to prepare," he said.

Kael was focused on choosing an outfit that matched the blue-striped tie Lilith had given him.

Without looking back, he said, "What's there to prepare for? The frozen plains are freezing, and the beach will be much more comfortable. Akalia's health has never been great, so I'm doing this for her."

Serrick was unconvinced.

"This is one of the most important days of her life. Don't you think changing the venue without even discussing it with her is disrespectful?"

Kael waved away his concern.

"Akalia loves me. She took a knife meant for me during my trial to become Alpha. If she was willing to do that, why would she care about a simple change of venue? Of course, she'll agree."

Ryan Gerber, who stood nearby, gave him a knowing grin.

"We all know you're really doing this for Lilith. She's sweet, she's sexy, and you can never tell her no. Honestly, I always thought you'd choose Lilith as your mate. Akalia doesn't hold a candle to her."

Kael frowned, his expression turning stern.

"Don't let me hear you say that again. If Akalia finds out about this and gets upset, you'll have me to answer to."

Ryan raised his hands in surrender.

"Fine, fine. I'll drop it. Akalia worships the ground you walk on, anyway. Whatever's going on between you two is none of our business."

Just then, Kael's phone rang, and Lilith's name appeared on the screen.

The men immediately exchanged knowing looks.

Kael answered, and Lilith's delighted, coy voice came through the phone.

"Kael, I got the blue moonstone necklace! I've wanted it for three years, and now it's finally mine! I heard there are only five of them in the entire kingdom. How did you manage to get one?"

A smile tugged at Kael's lips, though he deliberately kept his tone casual.

"I started looking for it as soon as I found out you wanted it," he said.

"But… Isn't it expensive?"

"It was over two million dollars, but if it makes you happy, it was worth it."

Lilith sounded deeply moved.

"Kael, you're so kind. I'll find the perfect dress to match it for your mating ceremony!"

After Kael ended the call, his friends immediately began teasing him.

"Lilith is really going all out. It sounds like she's planning to steal Akalia's spotlight!"

"What if the guests mistake her for the Luna? Kael, which one of them are you actually holding the ceremony with?"

Kael merely shrugged.

"Akalia and I have been together for years. I know she doesn't care about things like that, so it doesn't matter what she wears. Lilith's different. She'd wanted that necklace for a long time, so it means more to her."

Standing outside the door, I felt the ache in my heart gradually fade into numbness.

The necklace I had chosen was one the sales associate paired with my gown during a fitting. She had shown me several options, so I asked Kael which one he liked best.

Without even looking up, he said they all looked fine.

Still hoping to make the moment special, I asked what color tie he planned to wear for the ceremony. I wanted to choose a necklace that complemented it so that we would match. It felt more romantic that way, as though we were truly celebrating the occasion together.

Instead, Kael's expression darkened, and he replied impatiently, "Just pick one. No one's going to care, anyway."

My gown and necklace together cost 20,000 dollars, not even a fraction of what he had spent on Lilith's necklace.

As it turned out, Kael wasn't incapable of being romantic.

He simply didn't want to be romantic with me.