Chapter 1: The rejection.

Elena's POV

“You look beautiful,” Melissa said as she finished doing my makeup, admiring the perfect job she had done on my face.

“Lucan's jaw is going to drop when he sees you,” she teased and I smiled.

I was beyond excited today. It was my wedding!

Today I'm getting married to my childhood sweetheart, crush and mate.

“You're blushing already, you haven't even seen him yet, I wonder what you are to do when he touches you.” Melissa teased again.

“Melli....Stop!”

“Okay, fine,” she giggled.

"But don't tell me you've not been thinking about what's going to happen tonight after the wedding....I know you've been waiting for this your entire life," She continued teasing me and it got my cheeks turning bright red like overripe tomatoes.

"You know what, I think it's time you leave, I need some alone time," I shot back at her in a serious tone, trying to hide my blush.

"You sure do, make sure you call me tomorrow and let me know how it went, okay? She said as she headed towards the door.

"Yes ma'am," I replied and she slammed it shut.

Next thing I know, it creaked open again, and Melissa poked her head into the room.

"I want every single detail,"

"Get lost!!"

She shut the door, hopefully for good this time. Her mischievous laughter filled the hallway.

Such a bitch.

For a moment, I felt a little bit sad that I would have to leave my family, my pack, and most especially.....my best friend.

Melissa was an orphan, my father picked her up during a fight between packs. Her parents died in the fight, ever since then she's been staying with our pack and we're more like sisters rather than best friends.

We are the same age but Melissa hasn't found her mate yet, I pray she finds hers soon because the feeling of a mate bond was far too exciting for any werewolf not to experience, like I'm feeling for Lucan right now. I could see my wolf—lia, howling excitedly inside me.

The door creaked open, and my mother, Luna Sephrina walked in.

“It's time sweetheart, everyone is waiting.”

“Mum,” I stood up from the chair, My fingers trembled slightly as I smoothed the front of my dress. It’s not white, like a human bride would wear. It’s deep silver, the color of power and the Moon Goddess’s blessing. Every stitch was hand-woven by the seamstress in our pack. 

“My princess, you look so beautiful.”

“Thanks Mom,” I replied.

“Time flies so fast, I could still remember carrying you in my arms and now look, you're already getting married, it's all so fast.” She said, taking my hands in hers, her tone a little bit sad.

Gosh, she's gonna make me cry!

“Hey, don't cry,” She said, noticing the tears welling up in my eyes. “You will ruin your make-up if you do, let's go, your Dad is waiting.”

“Yeah”, I said, sniffing back my tears. I took one final look at my reflection in the mirror to make sure my makeup was still intact.

My mom held my hand as we walked out of my room towards the aisle, where my father stood waiting.

The moon is full tonight, bright and heavy in the sky like it’s watching and it's excited about today's event.

All eyes were on me as my mom and I stepped into the beautifully decorated garden used for today's event.

The crowd hummed with quiet excitement. Fifteen packs. Every Alpha, Beta, Luna and Elder was present. No one in Roseville dared to miss our wedding. 

Mum let go of my hands when we reached the aisle and went to her seat. I stepped forward, my heart pounding. My father, Alpha Cade, was already waiting. He linked his arm with mine, his grip strong and tilted his head to face me.

 “Ready?” 

I nod even though I feel a little bit anxious.

The walk to the altar felt longer than it should. I could feel all eyes on me. As we proceeded, I shifted my gaze to the right to meet Ambrose, my twin brother. He is 15 minutes older than me. He gave me a reassuring smile.

I can see Lucan standing tall in front of the stone altar, flanked by the elders of Roseville and esteemed members of the lunar council. He looks every bit the Alpha—confident, proud, dashing, just perfect.

He's the kind alpha every female would wish to get mated to and honestly I consider myself very lucky to have him as mine.

I had sacrificed twenty two years of my life for him. Stayed pure, even when I became legal, I wasn't allowed to flirt around or have boyfriends like Melissa and my other friends did. Damn…I wasn't even allowed to talk to a guy for too long.

I would have been home schooled if it wasn't for mum's intervention. My father was hellbent on keeping me a virgin. 

But at least it was worth the wait. 

Our eyes meet for a brief second.

I smiled shyly at him but he didn't smile back.

But I tell myself he’s just nervous, though I've noticed some changes in his behavior recently, like some kind of dark aura that hadn't been there before. 

Lucan and I weren't exactly as close as a normal couple should be before marriage. I was betrothed to him since the day I was born and he was three years old. His father, now late, had sent him abroad, to the Netherlands to learn more about werewolf magic and Rules.

I could only steal glances on a few occasions when he returned for holidays or visited our pack with his father, until a few weeks ago, he returned for his father's funeral and had to take over his pack as the new Alpha.

He needed a Luna to rule by his side, hence the reason for the rush with our wedding. To be honest, I would have really loved for us to have dated, even if it's just for a few months, to get to know him better.

When I reached the altar, I bowed slightly as per the custom. He does the same. I kept my gaze down, too shy to meet his.

Everywhere fell silent.

 The High Priestess steps forward, her silver robes fluttering in the breeze.

“We are all gathered here today for the sacred union of our son and daughter,” she began.

“Elena Rivers,” she continued, her voice loud and clear. “Marked by the Moon Goddess herself. Do you offer your bond freely and take him as your mate”

“I do,” I say, my voice steady.

“Lucan Woods,” she turns to him. “Alpha of Blackstone Pack. Do you accept this bond, with the blessing of the moon?”

Lucan remained quiet.

Too quiet.

I could feel my heart beating almost too loud with every second of the silence.

“Something seems off with him,” Lia complained.

“But what could go wrong,” I replied, already feeling disturbed.

“Lucan Woods, do you accept this bond?” The Moon priestess repeated louder this time.

Then, before anyone could say a word, he turned, left the altar, walked into the crowd and stopped right in front of Melissa.

He walks straight to her. Melissa looks panicked, She glances at me, her eyes wide, lips parting like she wants to explain, but she says nothing. For a split second, just one, something else flickers across her face. Not fear. Something quieter than fear, more like relief. The kind of expression that says, "Thanks Moon Goddess, the wait is finally over." Then it's gone, so fast I almost convince myself I imagined it.

Then the worst happened.

Lucan leans in and sinks his teeth into her neck!

Gasps ripple through the crowd. I stood frozen, my heartbeat thunderous in my ears.

He just marked her.

Not me.

“I Lucan Woods, Alpha of Blackstone pack, here by accept Melissa Jadis as my mate and Luna,” he declared, lifting Melissa bridal style and walking out of the garden.

His mother, Luna Amira followed behind not uttering a word.

I couldn’t move.

I couldn’t even breathe.

My parents and my brother rushed to my side, but I stepped back, my body felt numb. My wolf had gone quite in shock.

I couldn't say anything, couldn't even shed tears... they all dried.

Then I do the only thing I can—RUN.