Marked for Neither

The sacred light of the Moon Goddess altar bathed me in silver as I stood there, the pack's recognized Luna. My gown shimmered with moonstones, and I waited for Alpha Joshua Ford to complete the marking.

"Joshua, do you swear to take Nicole as your mate, to stand by her side for all your days?" The priest's voice was solemn and reverent.

Joshua opened his mouth to answer, but then his gaze snapped to his phone. His face went pale in an instant.

It was the pack's emergency signal, something only sent when life itself hung in the balance.

I glimpsed the message.

[Poisoned by wolfsbane... someone save me...]

Along with the message was a photo of Sabrina Carter, looking pale and helpless.

"Sabrina..." Joshua's voice shook, eyes wide with panic and desperation.

He suddenly released the ring he had meant to place on my finger. It spun through the air in a blinding arc before clattering heavily to the floor.

Without another word, he transformed into a wolf and bolted out, as if some unspeakable danger were chasing him.

"Joshua!" I reached out, but my fingers closed on nothing but air.

Beside me, my Beta and childhood friend, Charlie Spencer, slowly released my hand. His voice was soft as he tried to comfort me, "Nicole, you're strong. You've always handled things on your own. But Sabrina's an orphan. She's in mortal danger, and she needs us more than anyone."

Then, he let go and followed after Joshua, leaving me standing alone at the altar. I was exposed to the stares of everyone. Some astonished, some mocking.

From below the altar, the murmurs of the pack swelled around me like a rising tide.

"What happened? Did Alpha Joshua just abandon his fated mate at their marking ceremony?"

"It looks like Sabrina is in mortal danger, so both Alpha Joshua and Beta Charlie went to save her."

"Does Sabrina mean more to them than the Luna?"

-

The words, dripping with doubt and ridicule, pierced my heart like needles.

I forced myself to stay composed, doing my best to handle the aftermath of the marking ceremony.

By the time I dragged myself back to my room, I saw that Sabrina had just posted a new update.

In the photo, she wore the Luna ring Joshua had made for me, and the protective moonstone necklace Charlie had crafted was draped around her neck. Her smile was radiant.

Meanwhile, Joshua and Charlie knelt by her bed, tending to her with care.

Tears spilled down my cheeks as I stared at the photo.

I thought back to when I was first taken in by the old Alpha and Beta as a child.

Joshua and Charlie had held my small hands, telling me I was their little sister. They promised they would take care of me. Joshua had even sworn that when he grew up, I would be his mate.

By the Moon Goddess's grace, I was his fated mate.

Just a short while ago, we had celebrated a wedding the way humans do. Charlie had personally designed my gown, promising I would be the most beautiful bride.

And now, they had both forsaken me for Sabrina.

My hands shook as I called Joshua.

On the other end, his voice was icy and sharp with accusation.

"You knew Sabrina was poisoned and still kept it from me just so you could finish the marking ceremony? Nicole, you so selfish! Our marking ceremony is postponed! We'll hold it once Sabrina has recovered."

Poisoned? I had no idea...

I opened my mouth to explain, but the line went dead before I could speak.

Not long after Joshua's call ended, Charlie's number popped up.

"Nicole, I know this hurts, but Sabrina really needs that necklace right now. I gave it to her. I hope you can understand."

I gripped the phone tighter, my voice trembling. "Charlie, didn't you say it was for me?"

"Nicole, how can you be so childish?" Charlie snapped, impatience sharp in his tone. "Sabrina's life is in danger, and you're worried about a necklace?"

I froze. It felt like an invisible hand was squeezing my heart, every breath painful and shallow.

Dragging my exhausted body forward, I made my way to the witch's shop.

The witch asked, "Nicole, are you sure you want to buy this potion? Once consumed, it will gradually sever your bond with your fated mate over three days. After that, the bond will be gone forever. It can't be restored."

I took a deep, steadying breath and nodded firmly.

"I'm sure!"