Chapter 1

Faye's Pov

Our pack is struggling and what better way to save it than a marriage alliance. The Alpha's daughter is married off to another Alpha in hopes of building ties. The daughter, in this case, is me. 

I remember when my father told me about the marriage alliance. I screamed in his face and slammed the door. I hated him for trying to marry me off to a man I didn't know. I swore at him for trying to enslave me to a powerful pack in the name of marriage but that was until I realized who I was getting married to — Alpha Damon of the Crescent Moon Pack. The man who saved my life 5 years ago.

All of a sudden, I didn't feel skeptical about the wedding. I was sure Damon would treat me well seeing he saved my life before. That's why I'm staying here, staring at my reflection in the mirror.

My golden hair was pinned up in a delicate style, revealing my smooth, slender neck adorned with diamonds. I was wearing the pack's traditional wedding dress, a torquise-blue gown that fell to the floor in a swirling heap and my hands were clasped on my lap. 

I chose to marry Damon and I wasn't regretting my decision. Not when I knew he was a caring man. 

My grey eyes shifted from the mirror to the woman who'd entered my bedroom. The hairs at the back of my neck stood on their ends upon her arrival. I always felt sick whenever she showed up.

“Don't fold your arms on your lap and stand up or you'll wrinkle the dress.” Scarlet, my step-mother, scolded with a low hiss.

The wedding dress was heavy but I struggled to stand. I didn't dare say ‘no’ to her command. I don't believe I'd ever say ‘NO’ to her ever. I couldn't even tell dad ‘NO’ when he brought her and son, Stephen, a few weeks after mom died. I couldn't even tell Scarlet ‘NO’ when she called servants to pull down mom's picture and burn it. Before she died, mom said I was a fighter. If only she knew how much of a coward I was.

Outside, the bells began to toll in the distance. It was time. 

Scarlet adjusted the veil over my head while throwing cold glares at me. “I’m so glad you'll be out of our lives. What better way to get rid of you than to sell you off to another pack?” 

Part of me wanted to retort. Part of me wanted to tell dad what she just said to me amongst the other cruel remarks and beatings she'd given me but I never do. I'm not that brave.

“It's time.” Father’s voice cut through the air.

The veil slips over my face, softening my vision into a blur. 

Somewhere beyond these walls, my future husband was waiting for me. I wonder if he'll notice I'm the one he saved. After all, it's been five years and I doubt he got a good look at my face when he fought those Rogues off to save me. But part of me prayed he would recognize me and take me away from here.

The gown felt heavy as I walked down the hall. Was this truly the best way to find happiness? Maybe it would all work out. It was mom's desire to see our pack prosper no matter what. She died believing and for that I'm willing to respect her wishes even if it meant getting married. It wasn't my plan but I was glad the man I was marrying was Alpha Damon. 

I stopped at the double doors at the end of the hallway and nodded to the guards on standby. They nodded back in greeting before throwing the doors open.

The sound of shuffling feets echoed around the hall as everyone rose to their feet. The musicians began playing and the sound soon filled the hall but I heard nothing but my racing heart. Everyone was probably whispering about me. They always did. 

“I'm glad she's the one the Alpha chose. I wasn't willing to sacrifice my daughter.” 

“Poor thing. She won't survive this marriage.”

“She'll die like her miserable mother.”

I flinched at the word “die” as I reached the altar. I wished they'd stop whispering. I wished Damon would get here sooner and get me out.

The pack priest gave me a light nudge and gestured to the Mating Circle. I nodded slowly and followed his instructions. Then after tying the mating rope to my pinkie, we waited for Damon to arrive. 

What started as five minutes soon turned into twenty minutes. People started leaving the wedding hall. I'd never panicked so hard in my life.

“W - Why are they leaving?” I stuttered terribly as I asked the priest.

The old man shrugged. “It seems the groom is running late.”

“He'll show up. He'll come!” I don't know who I was convincing, myself or him, but I had to say something.

I heard Scarlet's laugh in the background and ignored her. She could laugh for all I care but Damon was going to come here. He would.

I clasped my gloved hands together and prayed. I stopped believing in the Moon Goddess the day mom died but right now, I rekindled that belief.

I prayed to the Moon Goddess to bring Damon here safely. I prayed she'd protect him. 

I knew she didn't because five hours passed and Damon didn't show up. 

The pack priest regarded me with a pitiful look before he announced to the few people in the hall. “The groom didn't show up and for that reason, this wedding is rendered null and void. Please, return to your homes safely. Goodnight.”

My knees wobbled and I slumped to the floor.

“Why?” Tears filled my eyes.

“There she is!” My spine stiffened when I heard that sultry voice.

I didn't get the chance to react fast enough because he snatched the veil off my hair and tossed it aside.

“Even your husband couldn't bother to show up to his own wedding. That says everything, doesn't it?” Stephen grabbed my chin. “You're useless through and through.”

“No,” I struggled against my stepbrother’s grip.

“No?” Scarlet stepped forward. “Damon didn't even show up for the vows. Guess even he knew it wasn't worth it. I told you this would happen, Mathias,” she told father. “This one is useless to us.”

Father's stare darkened as he cursed at me. I was used to his constant rebukes but not this. “Damon didn't show up because he knew you weren't worth showing up for.” 

“Even he couldn't be bothered. How pathetic!” Stephen laughed as he shoved me. I fell backwards, grazing my elbows on the cold, tile floor.

My eyes filled with tears as I struggled to sit up but even my father didn't want to look at me. 

He pushed me back to the floor and looked me dead in the eye before saying those cruel words. “Youve brought humiliation to us.”

I tried to tell him it wasn't my fault but he wasn't finished. He fisted my hair and said. “It would've been better if you had died that day with your mother.” 

Then he released me with a sigh and walked away. Scarlet and Stephen, each threw glares at me before leaving too. The crowd thinned till it was just me. 

I choked on a sob as I fisted my gown. “You're useless, Faye! You're useless!”

Damon didn't want me, father hated me and so did everyone else. Maybe he was right. Maybe I should've died in that war with mom. Maybe I shouldn't have survived.

Something glistened in the distance and I blinked back tears. I slowly reached for it and my eyes returned. I was staring at mom's ring. Stephen must've wrenched it off my head because I pinned it to my veil. 

I looked at the inscription on the inside of the ring and felt my heart stop. “DON’T STOP FIGHTING” that's what it said. Those were the exact same words mother had whispered to me when she slipped that ring into my finger. She told me to keep fighting before she died in my arms. 

“Mom…” I kissed the ring and put it back on.

With new found courage, I wiped my cheeks and rose to my feet. “I won't stop fighting, mom. I'll show everyone I'm not useless. I'll show all of them that I am not useless.”