Chapter 3

When the celebration started that night, Ayla appeared in my gown, the moonstone crown on her head shining brilliantly.

She looked like a proud princess, surrounded by admirers.

Meanwhile, I stood in a corner in a gown I'd scrambled to find at the last minute, my crown dull and shabby. Nobody paid me any attention.

Every so often, I caught someone looking at me with a smirk and heard them whisper.

"Who's that? Her moonstone's that dim and she still shows her face? If my wolf were that weak, I'd be too ashamed to go out."

"Seriously. How is she any different from those wolfless losers?"

As the mockery grew louder, a tall figure suddenly came toward me. It was Raphael.

He stood beside me, blocking out the hostile stares, and spoke gently:

"Elena, your parents told me about the moonstone. Your sister's not well. Letting her have it this once is no big deal.

"Don't worry. Later, I'll have an even better crown made to make it up to you."

I looked into his loving eyes, and my heart warmed. I nodded quietly.

Raphael looked at me as if there was something else he wanted to say. He hesitated, then seemed to make up his mind. "Elena, about the marriage alliance..."

Just then, someone from the Rossi family called to him from nearby. It sounded urgent. Raphael glanced at me, then hurried off.

As the banquet wound down, an elder of the Rossi family and my father stood up and said they had happy news to announce.

I held my breath.

Raphael had told me he'd ask my father for my hand today. I'd been waiting for this moment for so long. I'd even pictured myself smiling as I walked over to stand beside him.

But the elder's next words stunned me.

"I hereby announce a marriage alliance between the Rossi and Ainsley families. Our future Alpha, Raphael, will take Ayla as our Luna!"

I shot to my feet. Across the long table, Ayla stepped up beside Raphael, blushing, and he took her hand firmly with a tender smile.

I stared at Raphael in disbelief, his promise still echoing in my head. He'd said he would propose to me in front of the whole pack and let me stand proudly at his side.

But now, the one standing beside him was Ayla...

The hall erupted. Applause and congratulations blended into a roar that left my mind blank.

I stood rooted to the spot, watching the two of them on the stage. Before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face.

Every sweet memory we'd shared shattered in that moment.

I couldn't take it anymore. I turned and ran out.

Raphael saw me leave and hurried after me.

"Elena!"

Raphael caught my wrist and stepped in front of me, panic written all over his face. "I'm sorry. I know I should have talked to you first.

"But I didn't know how to tell you. Ayla came to me in tears yesterday and said her one wish was to be my bride, just this once. You know she's sick. The healer says it's serious...

"I really couldn't say no. Elena, could you..." He sounded torn. "Try to understand, just this once? I promise it won't happen again!

"Don't worry. I won't mark her. You're the only mate I've chosen. This is just to grant Ayla's wish."

I looked at Raphael's anxious face, and suddenly it all seemed absurd. I used to think that even if my parents always took Ayla's side, at least I'd still have him.

But now Ayla had taken the one person who put me first...

Past a certain point, the pain turned to numbness. I looked at Raphael and nodded. "Okay," I said softly. "I understand."

Raphael's face lit up, and he pulled me into a hug. "I knew it. Elena, you're the kindest person there is!"

I forced a smile. It's the last time anyway.

It was late at night when I got back to the estate. Ayla was waiting at the door, looking smug.

"Elena, Mom and Dad just said they'll hold the mating ceremony for me and Raphael next week. You'll be happy for us, won't you?

"Poor you. So what if he dated you for three years? All it took was a few of my tears and he dumped you without a second thought.

"If I were you, I'd take the hint and get as far away as possible instead of hanging around being an eyesore!"

I watched her walk off with her nose in the air and said nothing. I went back to my room and took out the invitation that had been sitting at the bottom of my drawer.

Ayla was right about one thing. I should have left a long time ago.

I called the number on the invitation. A low voice answered almost at once. "Ms. Ainsley, I'm glad to hear from you. Have you come to a decision about our invitation?"

I thought about the crowns they'd switched and everything that had happened at the banquet, and said firmly, "Yes. I've made up my mind. I accept the Greyhaven pack's invitation."

"Very good. In three days, our people will come for you."