Chapter 1

Lorraine's Pov

The day had come. The day I had heavily anticipated for years. There were many dragonflies in my belly and lots of jumbled nerves. I paced around my room, thinking of whether he was going to show up. He hadn't replied to my last letter, which was a lot to take in.

"Perhaps he wants to surprise you?" My subconscious whispered.

I facepalmed myself, knowing Callum knew I was not too fond of surprises. I decided to get dressed and hope for the best.

Callum's favorite color was red, and it seemed like a befitting color to wear.

Alpha Callum was the definition of sweet and fiery hot. He was perfect, the kind of man who knew how to push a lady's button, and he was mine alone.

I giggled at my thoughts, applying the final touches of my makeup and wearing the necklace that Callum had gifted me.

He made with tourmaline crystals, which he had hunted by himself, and he had given the order to the best jeweler in the city.

I heard the trumpet sound, indicating the arrival of some important guests.

Was it Callum?

My heartbeat sped up in anticipation and delight.

I stepped out of my room and walked down the corridor to appear on a wide-span balcony overlooking the outdoor ballroom.

Everything was just the way I wanted.

The lights were dazzling, and the music was just right.

Everything was terrific, but just one thing was left to complete my perfect day.

Callum.

The announcer looked up, and I nodded twice at him to signify my entry.

"Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Miss Lorraine Slater of the Silver tribe," He thundered.

I walked gently down the stairs, gripping the stairwells and my eyes roaming around to see whether he had arrived.

My heart fell with a twinge of disappointment.

The waiter served me wine, and I moved around to welcome the guests to my party, all the while searching for Callum with my eyes.

"He isn't going to come," a part of me said in defeat.

I sighed and continued greeting my guests. Many of them complimented my unusual style of color, congratulating me yet sympathizing with me.

I could only smile. A night before my eighteenth birthday, I was supposed to get my wolf, but no wolf arrived.

I had spent the whole day crying, but Callum had reassured me that he would always be by my side–Wolf or not.

A loud commotion ensued, causing me to wonder what had caused it.

Could it be Callum?

A slow smile graced my lips.

"Announcing the grand Alpha, The great Callum, and his mate and the future Luna of the pack, Lana," the announcer said.

I must have heard wrong. My heart rate suddenly increased as I looked towards the entrance to see Callum in a cream-sequined suit with his arm wrapped around a strange woman's waist.

She was familiar, too familiar.

I looked in disbelief, and sheer betrayal as murmurs began to go round the room.

"Luna? I thought the great alpha said his mate wasn't here in our pack," someone murmured

"Well, that's a big surprise his mate was right under his nose," Others said.

I had assumed that I was Callum's mate. My heart convinced me our love would be celebrated on this special day.

Our secret romance had flourished, and I had nurtured the hope that today would mark the culmination of our love story.

But what was going on right now? Was this a prank or perhaps a significant PR?

I looked towards them again.

He had taken glasses of wine for himself and Lana and was preparing to announce because he was clinking the glasses, perhaps to voice out my worst fears.

"Ladies and gentlemen…"

His deep voice reverberated around the hall.

I glanced at him and then at Lana, wondering whether I was dreaming or this was happening.

"I present to you the future Luna of your pack and my fiance, Lana."

Instantly, I felt myself breaking down. There was a sharp pain in my chest that made it difficult for me to breathe.

Anna, my best friend, came to stand at my side as she comforted me, but it wasn't helping. I wanted to speak to Callum.

I struggled to get to the front of the crowd and ignored the painful chattering of the group.

He can't do this to me. He promised me forever. Why was Callum turning away from me when I did nothing?

Lana? An omega?

Why would Callum consider another woman and bring her in as his mate?

A mix of betrayal, intense sadness, and anger spread through me.

I struggled to keep down the bile rising in my throat or the tears threatening to spill from my eyes.

I was going to get married.

I would be Luna, and we would live happily with our five pups.

What was going on?