Chapter 1: The Bond and The Betrayal

Arielle clutched the sealed parchment tightly to her chest feeling an exhilarating wave of joy. It was official—after months of heated arguments and whispering accusations, the Council had finally given her a letter confirming their approval of her union with Arnold Ashford.

They needed the council’s approval because the circumstances around their bond were complicated. Since the age of twelve Arielle had lived under the care of Alpha Xander, the temporal ruler of Moon Titan Pack, after the brutal death of her parents in a battle against the Vampires.

Arnold, Xander's only son and Arielle's intended mate, had been raised alongside her. Though they were not related by blood, their closeness sparked rumours and disapproval. Many wolves in the pack viewed their bond as taboo, calling it incest, others called it fate. But the council, after much deliberation, finally gave their approval.

She was now officially permitted to marry Arnold, and the whispers would finally be silenced.

Arielle's cheeks lift, as her whole face lights up with joy. She smiled so hard, she couldn't wait to give Arnold the good news, as she took a shortcut through the Ashen Woods to get to the Ashfords’ mansion quickly.

Halfway through the woods, the wind changed, the trees began to rustle around her, then a low laughter, followed by slow, deliberate footsteps.

Three wolves in human form stepped out from the shadows, their eyes gleaming with trouble, and the devious smugness on their faces portrayed their ill intent.

Arielle froze

"Well, well, well, look what the Goddess sent us.” the man in the middle sneered, his tone filled with lust.

"What’s a beautiful thing like you doing out here alone sweetheart? Don't tell me you were looking for me.”

They all chuckled darkly, at his dry joke.

"Hmm, she's such a cute little scared wolf. Poor thing.” The second man snickered, his eyes trailing down her body, baring his yellow teeth.

Arielle didn't flinch though her wolf—Aria growled within her. "Back off!” She said her voice was firm.

The leader stepped closer, smirking. "Feisty. I like when they fight back.”

"Touch me and I swear you'll regret it,” Arielle warned, stepping back instinctively, as her wolf stirred inside her, growling low, but she knew she was no match for all three of them.

They started to circle her.

Then a sudden growl ripped through the silence.

Before anyone could react, a massive figure with black fur and red eyes slammed into the leader, sending him crashing into a tree so hard it cracked. A second figure followed—smaller, but broader.

"Touch her again,” the voice deep, commanding, laced with fury, “and I'll tear your spine out.”

The three wolves froze in fear, everyone knew that voice, even the wolves knew better than to challenge him, the Aura around him was filled with raw power.

Alpha Ethan Blackthorn.

The cursed Alpha of Shadow Fang Pack.

With fearful glances, the wolves fled into the woods, yelping like cowards. Ethan’s beta, a brave sharp-eyed warrior named Leo, chased them, disappearing into the woods.

Ethan turned to Arielle, concern overtaking his furious gaze. "Are you okay?” he asked, stepping closer toward her. “Did they hurt you?”

"I—I'm fine” she stammered, her body trembling.

He stepped closer, pressing her against a tree, then—an electric pull, a connection almost too painful to bear. Her wolf—Aria howled in recognition. A bond fated and undeniable flared between them.

Ethan’s eyes, burning crimson under the moon light, locked onto hers.

Ethan had lived his whole life believing the mate bond would never come for him, because the curse had numbed that part of him.

So when the faint pull toward Arielle stirred inside him, strong and undeniable, it felt almost unreal.

For the first time, he sensed the bond he had thought was forever lost… and a quiet, disbelieving relief spread through him.

"I never thought I’d feel this…”

"You feel it, don't you?” His voice, low and raw. "You are mine, let me mark you, and no one will ever dare touch you again.”

Every cell in Arielle's body trembled with visceral longing, her lips parted, trembling with a yes she didn't want to speak.

But then she remembered the letter in her fists. Arnold’s name in her heart. Her choice.

She shoved Ethan back a step, her eyes wet. "No,” she snapped. "I already have a mate,” she said while stepping back. "And I love him.”

Ethan's jaw tightened "Fate doesn’t lie, I know you felt the bond the moment I touched you. Let me protect you.”

"I’m sorry, Alpha Ethan… but I reject this bond,” she said evenly. “Still, you have my gratitude for saving my life.”

She turned and ran.

Behind her, Ethan clenched his fists, his veins glowing with rage. His red eyes darkened as his beast stirred up beneath his skin. The pain of her rejection was like a sharp blade that pierced through his chest.

His wolf Authur howled grievously inside him, and the rejection triggered a surge in his curse. He gripped the red sacred thread around his wrist tightly, preventing the beast within him from breaking free.

In silence, the wind carried the echo of his wolf’s suffering across the wood.

Beta Leo returned moments later, breathing heavily from the chase. "Alpha…” Leo began cautiously, his voice breaking as he tried to catch his breath. "They got away, they vanished into the woods just like cowards. But… are you okay?” He said, his voice laced with concern.

Ethan didn't say a word, he just stood there staring after the girl whose rejection made his soul bleed.

Leo exhaled, softening his gaze, he had known Ethan for years now and he didn't need words to understand what had just happened.

"So….she is the one,” Leo murmured to himself. "The fated mate. And she rejected you.” Then he let out a sigh.

Ethan's eyes, still brimming with fury, met his Beta’s for only a few seconds before turning back toward the route Arielle had vanished into.

That look said everything

Leo didn’t dare to speak a word again. He simply nodded once and followed his Alpha silently from behind as they walked into the shadows of the woods.

Meanwhile, Arielle didn’t stop running, her legs fueled by something she couldn’t name—fear, guilt, confusion.

She burst through the gates of Ashford Mansion, her heart pounding with excitement, but her mind raced with Ethan's voice still echoing.

As she stepped into the house, it was quiet. Too quiet. She started feeling eerie, but she didn't think too much and brushed off the feeling and made her way up the stairs.

She took the stairs two at a time, holding the letter tightly in her sweaty palms, as she walked the hall heading to Arnold's room.

Her heart still burned from the run, but a smile resurfaced across her face. Arnold would finally hear the news.”

Just as she turned the corner, she almost bumped into a familiar figure.

"Miss Arielle,” the soft voice whispered.

It was Marian—the maid who had been working in the Ashford Mansion for years now. She is an older woman with kind, tired eyes and a lower-pitched voice.

"Oh…Miran,” Arielle tried to steady her voice, "Sorry for bumping into you, I was just going to see him.”

Miran interrupted gently, stepping in her path. Her eyes looked at Arielle’s face with a quiet sadness.

"Please, child…maybe now isn’t the best time,” Miran said calmly.

Arielle's brows furrowed together. “Why? I have something to show him—The council has given me a letter of their approval. So I need to show him.” She said with excitement.

Marian sighed, "Okay then go on child.” she said, stepping out of the way.

As Arielle moved past her, a strange sound echoed faintly from the hallway— a low, feminine moan drifting through the wooden door of Arnold's bedroom.

“Yeah… fuckk...”

She paused for a moment.

Her heart thudded violently, and for a moment, she thought she might be wrong, it could be something else.

But she had to know, so she moved closer, and then the moans and grunts coming from Arnold’s bedroom became louder and clearer and the voices were unmistakably familiar, sending chills down her spine.

"Mmmm… Ahhh.”

She approached the bedroom door, her hand hovered on the doorknob, every beat of her heart begging her not to turn it. She froze at the devastating sight before her.

Arnold’s shirt had been tossed carelessly to the floor, the sheets lay tangled beneath them and his fingers tangled in Aurora’s hair as she clung to him, her arms lopped around his neck, drawing him closer. Their faces far too close—too intimate to be mistaken.

Arielle’s breath caught in her throat, her nails digging into her palms as the sight pierced her like a blade.

The letter from the council slipped from her hand and hit the floor which made a soft thud sound.

"Arnold?” The name tore from her throat, a broken plea, not a word.

He turned, his eyes widening in shock as he saw her.

Arielle fell on her knees, the weight of betrayal crushing her chest, as tears streamed down her face, silently but endless.

And Arnold only stared.