Chapter 1

On the day of my bonding ceremony with Gideon Gray, I waited in the grand hall for 12 hours in my pristine white wedding gown.

However, Gideon still had not arrived.

I called 78 times, but no one answered. The guests in the hall grew restless and began whispering among themselves. Some even left early.

A maid asked me, "Should we go to Gideon's house?"

I looked at the sun setting outside the window and shook my head. "Forget it. Gideon isn't coming."

Just then, someone pushed the door open. I recognized him as Gideon's Beta.

He strode up to me and said, "Our Alpha heir says this is a lesson for you. Stop bullying Selene. Once you apologize to Selene and she forgives you, he'll proceed with the ceremony. Also..."

He walked over to Selene Shaw and respectfully presented a small box. "The Alpha heir knows you like that necklace, so he had someone custom-make an identical one for you. It's even more beautiful than the original one."

After setting down the necklace, he left without looking back. As the door slammed shut, the maid said indignantly, "Gideon went too far this time. He humiliated the entire pack just for Selene's sake.

"You're not even married yet, and he's already asserting dominance over you. What if he mistreats you later?"

The butler, Henry Cross, wiped the sweat from his forehead anxiously. "Our pack's Alpha hasn't returned yet. No one here dares offend Gideon, but we can't let you be treated this way either."

While they were talking, Selene's eyes reddened, and she began sobbing loudly. "I'm sorry, Keira. I really didn't know Gideon would skip your bonding ceremony just to stand up for me. This is all my fault."

My brother, Kyle Shaw, who had not said a word until now, immediately rushed forward to comfort her when he saw Selene crying.

"This isn't your fault. If anyone's to blame, it's Keira for being so petty. She's about to become a future Luna, but she can't even part with a necklace.

"Gideon cares about you and is worried you'll get sick from being upset, so he's standing up for you. This is actually good. It's a chance to temper Keira's attitude before she marries into his family and embarrasses ours."

Selene continued crying until her makeup ran down her face. "This is all my fault. Of all things I could like, I had to like something that belongs to Keira. I know I'm just a lowly Omega. I don't deserve that necklace at all. Keira was right not to give it to me.

"I'm just an orphan who was taken in. What right do I have to ask for Keira's things?"

Kyle panicked and pulled her into his arms. "What are you saying? I've always treated you like my own sister. Don't worry. Once I inherit the Alpha position, I'll give you the highest rank. Then, no one will dare look down on you."

A beat later, Kyle glared at me fiercely. "When that time comes, Keira will no longer have a place here. After all, she'll be the future Luna of another pack by then. My pack will have nothing to do with her."

Selene interrupted Kyle, saying, "Don't say that. Keira has a bad temper. What if she causes trouble at Gideon's place and has nowhere to go? She'll be without a family!"

As she spoke, she shot me a malicious look at an angle Kyle could not see.

Kyle became even angrier. "That would be her own fault. She let her mate despise her over a necklace. Even if she gets kicked out in the future, I won't pity her one bit."

I looked at Kyle, and my heart was filled with sorrow. He used to be the brother who loved me most. However, ever since Selene arrived, he gave all the love he once had for me to her without reservation.

In Kyle's eyes, Selene was a delicate and pitiful Omega. Whenever she cried, it meant I had bullied her. He would demand that I apologize to her without asking any questions.