Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride

I wake up with a jolt, my heart pounding in my chest. Today is the day, my eighteenth birthday. But it’s not just any birthday. Today, I got my wolf and I can finally sense my mate. The moment my eyes flutter open I feel it, this deep pull undeniable pull. My heart skips a beat as I realize who it’s leading me to.

“It’s him” a voice whispers in my mind, her voice trembling with excitement. Ethan is our mate, Amelia!

I froze. “Are you my wolf?”

“Yes silly, who else do you think can sense our mate?” My wolf giggle “My name is Snow, nice to meet you.”

A surge of joy rushes through me, filling every part of my being. I finally got my wolf and she seems spunky too. Also best of all, Ethan is my mate. For two years, I’ve been with Ethan, loving him, dreaming of this moment and now it’s real. I can hardly believe it, because not everyone gets to be mated to their partner of whom they chose. I am glad the moon goddess, granted my wish to be Ethan mate and what better time for it to happen, just four days before is coronation to becoming Alpha.

I leap out of bed, hands shaking as I get ready to go Ethan. My heart races as I rush to the ball room, I knew he’d be in the ball room, helping organize he coronation ball. We’ve been working on it hard together. The decorations, the lights, everything is falling into place for the big event in four days. But nothing compares to the excitement bubbling inside me.

I burst through the doors, spotting Ethan across the room, organizing some final touches. His minty scent hit me, full force, I can’t get enough of it. He’s here, just like I knew he would be. My mate, my future. I can hardly contain my happiness as I make my way toward him.

“Ethan!” I call out, practically glowing with excitement. He turns to me, and for a brief moment, I see something flicker in his eyes. But it’s gone before I can grasp it.

“Amelia,” he said, his tone steady, too steady. It’s like a bucket of cold water dumped on my joy. What’s worst there’s no excitement on his face. Surly he and his wolf can sense, I’m his mate. Where is the joy one his face? Something is wrong, I slow my steps, my heart pounding for a different reason now.

“I have something to tell you,” he continue, his voice tight. My heart sink as Snow goes silent, sensing the shift.

“Ethan I got my wolf, and I-I felt it this morning, I know you’re my mate,” I blurt out, hoping aginst hope that this will change whatever is in his eyes. I know everyone in the room were paying attention to us, despite looking as if they’re working but I didn’t care.

Ethan expression hardens. “I know Amelia. I felt it too.”

My world cashes around me. “Then why… Why do you look like that? What’s wrong?”

He sighs, running a hand through his hair. “This isn’t easy to say, but we can’t be together.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. “What are you talking about? We’re mates. Ethan! We’re supposed to be together!”

“He’s a fool,” Snow growls in the back of my mind, but there’s a note of fear there too. He can’t do this. He wouldn’t.

But Ethan’s next words shatter all my hopes. “I have to put the pack first, Amelia. My duty as Alpha is more important than anything else. I can’t let my feelings get in the way of that. I have to focus on whats’s best for the pack.”

I swallow, I want to scream at him, to make him see that we could have both. That we could still be together. But I can’t it’s like he already made up his mind and nothing I say is going to change it. My hands clench into fist, nails digging into my palms. “And what about, what we had? Are you just going to throw that away?” My voice tremble.

“He’s no mate of ours. We’re better off without him.” Snow snarls, her voice a fierce echo in my mind. “If he can’t see what we’re worth, then he doesn’t deserve us.”

He looks away and for a brief moment I think I see a flivker of guilt in his eyes. But it’d gone as quickly as it came, replaced by that infuriating calmness. “I have to think about the future, the pack need a strong leader. I need to focus.”

I shake my head, refusing to believe what I’m hearing. “But we can be together. We can make this work. An Alpha needs is Luna to be strong. I can be your Luna-“

“No,” he cuts me off, his voice cold now. Stepping back, creating a huge gap between us. “I, Ethan Blackwood, rejected, Amelia Grey of the Ssilvermoon Pack, as my mate and Luna.” His voice loud enough for everyone to hear.

The world tilt beneath me, my breath catching in my throat. “No!” Snow howls her pain echoing through me. “He can’t do this! We’re his mate!”

I fell to my knees gasping for air as our mate bond snap, beads of sweats rolled down my forehead. I feel hurt, empty. My eyes burn as tears threaten to escape and I can feel everyone eyes on me. I won’t give him or them the satisfaction of seeing me cry.

“I’m sorry Amelia, you’re not strong enough to be my mate. I need a stronger Luna by my side. I hope you under, maybe someday you’ll find someone a chosen mate.”

I look up glaring at him. I can’t listen to this anymore. The hurt, the anger, it’s all bubbling up inside me threatening to spill over without another word. I got up, turn and walk away, my vision blurring as I leave him behind. I can’t let him see the broken pieces of my heart.

“He’s lost us,” Snow whispers, her voice tinge with sorrow. “But we’ll find our strength again, Amelia. We will,”

But as I leave the auditorium, the weight of his rejected presses down on me, and I know nothing will never be the same again.