Chapter 8

Aunt Raya grabbed Fraser’s wrist quickly.

“My son, stop it. Don’t speak words you’ll regret later.”

Fraser shrugged her off, “I’m not joking. I know exactly what I’m doing,” he said.

He looked straight at me, "Little kitten, just wait — I’m going to spoil you.”

His words sliced through my chest like cold glass.

How could he speak about Leo like he meant nothing? Like our bond meant nothing?

I stood frozen in my seat. My fingers clenched into the fabric of my skirt.

Just as Clara rose in fury, Grandpa Elias raised a hand.

“Fraser, come with me. Now.”

The men—my father, Uncle Wesley, and Grandpa—left the room, heading to the study.

Fraser glanced at me before following, his expression unreadable.

I sat there, a weight pressing on my chest. I couldn’t breathe properly. My throat felt tight, like I was swallowing glass.

They were talking about me like I was livestock. Something to be moved, repurposed, passed down.

Not someone who had loved. Not someone still grieving.

Leo hadn’t even been buried for a full moon cycle.

---

Half an hour later, they returned.

Grandpa stepped forward and spoke in a voice heavy with finality.

“We’ve arranged Violet and Fraser’s wedding. It will be held tomorrow night.”

My heart dropped.

I rose to my feet without realizing it.

“No! That’s not possible. I don’t want to get married again.”

I don't want another loveless marriage. Marrying Leo has already brought me so much pain. I don't think I can go through marriage again.

Tears sprang to my eyes.

“Violet!” my mother called softly, trying to calm me. But I couldn’t stop. The words poured out of me.

“You know I loved Leo. You know I did. I can’t just forget him like that. I won’t.”

Clara came to my side, placing a hand on my shoulder.

“She’s right, Dad. You can’t force her.”

But Wesley's face hardened.

“This isn’t about feelings. We need an Alpha now. There’s no time to wait.”

My lips trembled. I let out a bitter laugh.

“Oh. So this isn’t about me at all. It’s about the title. The politics.”

Karson, my father, stepped forward.

“You made a promise to this pack. You said you’d live for it after Leo was gone. Now is your chance to prove it. You need a partner, Violet. Fraser is the best choice.”

No. He isn’t.

I wanted to scream that.

But everyone in the room—the elders, the uncles, the cousins—they all nodded. Agreeing. Approving. Only Clara stayed silent beside me.

No, I have to find a way to escape this wedding. I need to fight for myself this time!

 *****

The next day

I tried to speak with Fraser but did not get a chance.

At night,

Everyone got ready for the wedding.

"We need to keep the wedding news hidden from our rivals. We don't know when they will attack us."

They arranged the wedding in a village near the southern side. It was a private location with strict security. So no one could attack during the wedding.

My mother-in-law did not want to attend the wedding, so she stayed at home.

With tears in my eyes, I walked out of the pack house wearing a bridal gown.

My father suggested that Fraser and I ride in the same car where they would take their cars.

Fraser opened the car door for me with a wicked smirk.

“Come on, don’t make that sour face. As long as I’m with you, I won’t let any wolf lay a finger on you. Isn’t that a good thing?”

Of course not!

I’ve heard all about his wild nights — partying, flirting, sleeping with countless women. I really don’t want to marry a man like that.

I looked at him in that smug black suit, every inch the arrogant Alpha he was so proud to be. That title — Alpha — was the only reason my family picked him, as if power could ever make up for the kind of man he really was.

I shook my head while standing near the car. “Fraser, please. Don’t do this. Don’t marry me. Call it off—please.”

He noticed my sad look and let out a laugh. "It's not only my decision. Everyone wants this wedding to happen.”

I broke from inside after hearing him. He looked away from me and said,

“I’ll go in another car, little kitten. See you later.” he said, and walked away.

The cars left one by one. Everyone thought I was in Fraser’s vehicle.

I stayed behind for a few seconds, unable to move.

Then the driver opened the door. “Luna.”

I nodded and got into my car and leaned into the back seat.

My eyes welled up with tears. My chest hurt. My ring finger ached even though the ring was gone.

Hours had passed, and it was midnight.

I had no idea when I fell asleep while crying. So when the car hit something, my sleep was disrupted.

I looked at the road and noticed the other cars were far ahead of mine. 

"What's going on?"

However, the driver ignored my question. Instead, he turned the car in the other direction, entering the forest.

I sat up quickly and asked, "Where are you going? Why are you driving into the forest?"

The driver accelerated the car, ignoring my questions.

I realized that the driver had backstabbed us and worked for one of our rivals.

Suddenly, the car shook violently and came to a halt in the middle of the forest, emitting a loud screech.

"Why did you do that?" I asked, thinking that he had come to reality.

The driver turned to me with fear in his eyes.

"We are under attack.”

"What!"

I was at a loss after hearing him.

Attack?

"I apologize, Luna. He would have killed me if I had not obeyed him."

Saying this, he got out of the car and fled, leaving me in the middle of the forest.

Who would have killed him? Who was the driver talking about?

With shaky hands, I opened the car door to get out and tried to save my life from the conspiracy.

But as soon as I stepped out, I was shocked.

There were so many wolves gathered around my car. They appeared aggressive, showing me their sharp teeth as if they were ready to attack me at any moment.

I froze in terror.

Despite their distance, I knew that they would attack me and kill me if I took one more step.

Out of nowhere, I heard something crunching behind me.

My heart started to pound in fear.

Who was behind me? Who had not shifted yet to kill me?

Was I going to die tonight?

My heart skipped a beat when I felt someone standing behind me.

Before I could gather my confidence and turn around, a black cloth came into my vision.

Someone wrapped it around my eyes in an attempt to obstruct my vision.

The person was a man. I could sense his strong cologne. But I could not detect his scent, as if he had hidden it before approaching me.

His hands brushed against my cheeks as he blindfolded me, sending shivers down my spine.

Who was he?

He leaned down to my neck and placed his lips near my right ear.

I gasped in terror when I felt his breath on my neck. I had no idea what he wanted from me.

Then I heard his cold, deep Alpha voice, which chilled me to the bone.

"Your husband died just a month ago, and now you are getting married again? Are you really that eager to be touched?"

“Who are you?” I whispered, my voice shaking.

He leaned closer, so close I could feel the heat of his breath. “You don’t recognize me, Violet?”

My heart skipped. That voice… it was familiar.