Chapter 2

The priest waited for me to step aside before lifting the crown again.

"Mia Vale, step forward and kneel."

Mia gathered her skirts and knelt. The priest placed the golden vine crown on her head.

The vines settled quietly against her hair without resistance.

"It has accepted its new owner."

Lucas's second-in-command, Garrett, immediately began to clap.

Several of Garrett's men joined in, cheering, "We have a Luna!"

They crowded the front of the altar. The pack members behind them, seeing the Alpha's people clapping, raised their hands one by one.

I searched through the crowd.

Not a single person who would speak for me.

The cheering grew louder.

Only then did Mia lift her head, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks.

Helen pushed through the crowd and swept her into a tight embrace.

Lucas took Mia's hand and helped her to her feet, waiting for the noise to die down before he spoke.

"Tonight's events were sudden, but I believe Nora will understand my decision."

He turned to me.

"She just willingly removed her scent from the crown, proving that she accepts Mia as Luna. She remains the pack's most dependable warrior."

My palms were still aching. The skin rubbed raw by the golden vines had split open, tiny threads of blood seeping through.

Before I could speak, Garrett picked up where Lucas left off.

"Nora has always put the pack before herself. Of course she wouldn't hurt her own sister over a title."

His men chimed in with smiles. "The Moon Goddess has already recognized Mia. Nora, you should be happy for her."

I wanted to argue, but Garrett's words about "hurting her own sister" were designed to silence me.

The moment I spoke up, they would turn it against me.

The priest continued the ceremony, having Lucas and Mia exchange vows before the Moon Goddess statue.

Lucas took Mia's hand and promised to share the Alpha's glory with her, to let her receive the pack's loyalty.

Three years ago, when we first sensed the mate bond, he had held me in this same spot and said, "When I become Alpha, I'll make sure you wear a moon crown you wove yourself."

I waited three years.

And he did hold a wedding at the Moon Goddess altar. But he took the crown I had woven and placed it on Mia's head.

The priest finished the final blessing and motioned for the family to step forward with their congratulations.

Helen immediately grabbed my wrist and pressed a glass of red wine into my hand.

"Go congratulate your sister."

I didn't move.

She lowered her voice. "You gave up the crown yourself. Who are you making faces at now? Don't let everyone think you're a sore loser."

"I gave it up?"

I shook off her hand and was about to leave when Garrett stepped sideways to block my path.

"The ceremony isn't over. If her own sister refuses to offer a blessing, how will the pack see her?"

I turned the other way, but Lucas signaled the guard captain to block me.

"Nora, Mia is fragile. She can't handle you causing a scene. Let the ceremony end quickly. It's better for everyone."

They flanked me on either side, like guards escorting a prisoner.

I had no choice. I gripped the wine glass and walked toward Mia.

But the moment I got close, Lucas lunged forward and shielded her completely behind him.

He stared at the wine in my hand, his shoulders rigid, as if ready to tackle me at any second.

He was afraid I would hurt Mia.

How ridiculous.

For years, I was the one who threw myself in front of Mia, taking claws meant for her. Lucas had seen the scars on my back. And now he was protecting her from me.

I laughed until tears fell, then tipped my head back and drained the glass.

The sharp liquid burned down my throat and churned in my stomach.

"Congratulations to you both."

Then I turned and walked away from the altar.

Mia asked Lucas in a small voice, "Is Nora still mad at me?"

After a few seconds, Lucas said, "She's always been stubborn. She'll get over it."

A second round of cheers erupted behind them.