Chapter 1

Jessica's POV

Every girl's 19th birthday is supposed to be magical the day the moon goddess finally reveals their mate.

But not mine.

Not when I carry a curse that makes me an outcast... even in my own pack.

I stood in front of the cake, my fingers trembling as the flames from the candles flickered before me. The maids gathered around, forcing smiles on their faces but I could hear the whispers beneath their breath.

Cursed wolf,Lunar Shadow.

She shouldn't even be here.

Their voices sliced through me like tiny blades, but I kept my head down.

I had learned long ago the only way to survive in an Ashmoon Pack was to pretend I didn't hear them.

Ryan stood beside me, his hazel eyes locked on mine. His presence was the only thing holding me together.

"Make a wish, Jess." His deep voice was gentle, just for me.

My heart squeezed.

I already knew what I wanted.

Let him be my mate. Please... let him be mine.

I closed my eyes, blowing out the candles.

The room fell into an awkward silence like everyone was waiting... hoping the moon goddess would strike me down right here for daring to make a wish.

A scoff broke through the quiet.

Her. Again. Isabella.

I didn't need to turn around to know she was standing there with that wicked smile stretched across her perfect face.

"Happy Birthday, Jessica," she purred, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. "I hope you wished for something... possible."

Her friends giggled behind her.

I clenched my fists under the table, swallowing the anger rising in my throat.

Not today. Not when Ryan was here.

Ryan's warm hand brushed against mine under the table a silent promise.

I'm here. I've got you.

I wanted to believe him. Gods, I wanted to believe him so badly.

But the moon goddess hadn't made her decision yet.

If she bound me to another wolf... everything would fall apart.

Ryan would never break the sacred bond no matter how much he loved me.

The door creaked open.

"Alpha Ryan."

Arnon, the Beta, stepped in his cold eyes flicking straight to me like I was dirt beneath his feet.

"It's your brother," Arnon said, his voice sharp. "He's back."

My breath caught in my throat.

Darius. The room seemed to tilt beneath my feet.

I hadn't seen him in two years, not since the night his father died... because of me.

His last words to me echoed in my head like a curse.

You're a plague, Jessica. You killed my father. You'll kill us all.

Ryan's hand tightened around mine, but I barely felt it.

Darius was back.

And he would never let me forget what I'd done.

Later that evening, the full moon hung heavy in the sky, casting silver light over the pack mansion.

Ryan walked beside me, his warm hand wrapped protectively around my waist. He kept whispering promises in my ear telling me not to worry, that everything would be fine.

But the knot in my chest wouldn't loosen.

Every step we took toward the mating ceremony felt like walking toward my own execution.

I glanced down at my hands, the faint shimmer of my curse flickering beneath my skin.

It was always stronger during the full moon.

If anyone touched me now... I could drain their wolf energy without even trying.

I was a walking weapon, a ticking time bomb.

Ryan was the only one who had ever been immune to it.

Another sign that we were meant to be...

Right? "You still don't believe me, do you?" Ryan's voice broke through my thoughts.

I looked up at him.

"Believe what?" "That you're mine." His fingers brushed against my cheek, sending warmth through my frozen heart. "No matter what the moon goddess says tonight... I'll choose you."

My throat tightened.

"But what if she chooses someone else?"

His eyes darkened. "Then I'll reject her choice."

I wanted to believe him.

I really did. But the moon goddess had never been kind to me.

The ceremony started at midnight.

The entire pack gathered in the clearing, watching as the moon rose higher. The energy in the air crackled wolves shifting under the goddess's power.

I stood at the edge, my heart in my throat, waiting.

Praying. Ryan stood beside me... but so did Darius.

His dark eyes locked onto mine, burning with hatred.

He hadn't said a word to me since he arrived but he didn't need to.

I could feel the loathing radiating off him like poison.

The Seer stepped forward, her silver eyes glowing beneath her hood.

"Tonight, the moon goddess reveals the mate bond... bound by fate, written in blood."

She turned to me first.

"Jessica Mitland." My heart stopped.

The Seer's glowing eyes flicked between the two brothers.

"Your mate... has been chosen."

I held my breath, clutching Ryan's hand tighter.

Please. Please, let it be him.

But the Seer's voice sliced through the night like a blade.

"Alpha Darius Deenwood."

My entire world collapsed.

I stumbled back, shaking my head.

No. No, no, no.

It couldn't be him. Not Darius. Not the wolf who hated me.

Ryan's grip on my hand tightened, his body going rigid beside me.

Darius stepped forward, his dark eyes gleaming in the moonlight.

"I claim her." His voice was cold like he was spitting out something foul.

Tears burned behind my eyes.

I waited for him to reject me to throw me away like trash.

But he didn't. He held out his hand.

"Come, mate." I stared at him frozen, shaking... breaking.

"I don't want you." The words slipped out before I could stop them.

Gasps echoed through the crowd.

Darius's eyes flicked with something sharp, something dangerous.

"I didn't ask if you wanted me."

Ryan's wolf growled beside me, but Darius didn't even flinch.

He leaned closer, his breath hot against my ear.

"You don't get to choose, Jessica."

I slapped his hand away...

And chose Ryan. In front of everyone.

I thought I had won that night.

But I didn't know the war had just begun.