1

I stared at my reflection in the full-length mirror, the white dress clinging to my curves like it was meant to be a promise of forever. The fabric was soft against my skin, silky and cool, but my stomach twisted with this nagging doubt that I couldn't shake. Damien had been so distant lately. His texts were short and cold, like "Busy at work" or "See you later." But tonight was our engagement party. It had to fix everything, right? We'd announce it to everyone, make it official, and that spark we had at the beginning would come roaring back. I smoothed down the skirt, feeling the hem brush my thighs, and took a deep breath. The air in my bedroom smelled like vanilla from the candle Jessica had lit earlier, trying to "set the mood" for getting ready.

Jessica bounced into the room, her curly hair flying everywhere, holding two shot glasses filled with something clear and probably way too strong. "Elena, oh my god, you look smoking hot! That dress is gonna make Damien drop to his knees." She thrust one glass at me, her eyes sparkling with that bubbly energy she always had. Jessica was my roommate, the kind of girl who could turn any bad day into a party. We'd been friends since freshman year, sharing everything from late-night study sessions to heartbreak stories over ice cream.

I took the shot, the vodka burning down my throat like fire, making my eyes water. "Thanks, Jess. I just... I feel like something's off. Damien's been weird." I shrugged, trying to play it cool, but inside, my thoughts were racing. What if he didn't want this anymore? What if I was just the safe choice, the girl who stuck around while he chased whatever excitement he craved?

Lori leaned against the doorframe, her black hair straight and sharp, matching her goth vibe perfectly. She rolled her eyes, arms crossed over her chest. "Weird? Girl, he's always weird. Remember last month when he bailed on your birthday dinner for some 'pack meeting' or whatever he calls his boys' nights? You're too good for that beta behavior." Lori was the skeptic in our trio, always calling it like she saw it. She didn't sugarcoat anything, and right now, her words hit a little too close to home.

I laughed it off, but the word "beta" stuck in my mind. Damien's friends threw around terms like that sometimes. Alpha this, Beta that. Like they were in some secret club. I figured it was just guy talk, maybe from video games or frat stuff. But Damien had this commanding presence sometimes, like he could lead a room without trying. Not like an alpha wolf or anything crazy; that was just my imagination running wild from all those romance novels I read late at night. "Come on, Lori. It's not that bad. Tonight's gonna be perfect. He'll see me in this dress and remember why he proposed."

Proposed. The word sent a flutter through my chest. It had been spontaneous, under the stars at that lakeside cabin last summer. Damien had pulled out the ring, his eyes intense, whispering, "You're my mate, Elena. The one." Mate, that word again. He'd said it like it meant more than just girlfriend or fiancée, like it was fate or something deeper. I'd melted right there, saying yes without a second thought. But now, months later, that fire felt like it was flickering out.

Jessica clinked her empty glass against mine. "Screw the doubts! Let's do another shot for liquid courage. You're gonna own that party." She poured more vodka, and we tossed them back together. The burn spread through me, warming my cheeks and loosening the knot in my gut. I glanced at the clock, 7:30 PM. The party started at 8, at Damien's family's mansion on the edge of town. His parents were loaded, old money from some business empire, and they loved throwing these over-the-top events. Tonight was supposed to be our night, with toasts and dancing and everyone cheering for us.

I slipped on my heels, the straps digging into my ankles just a bit, but they made my legs look killer. "Okay, I'm ready. Let's go before I chicken out." We piled into Jessica's beat-up Jeep, Lori shotgun and me in the back, the wind whipping through the open windows as we drove. The night air was crisp, carrying the scent of pine from the woods surrounding the campus. Our college town was small, nestled in the mountains, where everyone knew everyone else's business. That's how I met Damien, freshman orientation, him flashing that cocky smile across the room. He was popular, captain of the lacrosse team, with that sharp jawline and dark hair that always fell just right. I was the quiet art major, more at home in the studio than at parties, but he pulled me out of my shell.

As we pulled up to the mansion, the bass from the music thumped through the car windows. Lights strung across the massive front yard flickered like stars, and cars lined the driveway, fancy ones, the kind Damien's crowd drove. My heart pounded harder now, a mix of excitement and nerves. "This is it," I whispered to myself, stepping out and feeling the gravel crunch under my heels.

Inside, the place was packed. Bodies swayed to the beat, red solo cups in hand, laughter echoing off the high ceilings. The air smelled like perfume, sweat, and spilled beer, classic party haze. I scanned the room for Damien, my eyes darting through the crowd. There he was, by the bar, looking sharp in a black button-up that hugged his broad shoulders. But he wasn't alone. Lisa was there, too close, her hand on his arm as she laughed at something he said. Lisa, my supposed best friend from high school, with her platinum blonde hair cascading down her back and that sultry red dress that screamed trouble.

My stomach dropped. Why was she so touchy? I pushed through the crowd, the music pulsing in my ears, making my head spin a little from the shots. "Hey, babe," I said, slipping my arm around Damien's waist. He turned, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. "Elena, you made it. Looking good."

Looking good? That's all? I forced a grin, leaning in for a kiss, but he turned his head at the last second, my lips brushing his cheek instead. The stubble scratched my skin, and a chill ran down my spine. "Yeah, Jess and Lori dragged me here early. Where's the ring announcement? Everyone's waiting."

He shrugged, sipping his drink. "Soon. Just enjoying the vibe first." Lisa smirked over his shoulder, her eyes locking on mine like she knew something I didn't. She'd always been flirty with him, but I trusted her. Or at least, I thought I did. "Elena, that dress is fire," she said, her voice sweet but laced with something sharp. "Damien was just telling me how excited he is for tonight."

Was he? Because he didn't look excited. I grabbed a drink from the bar, the cool glass grounding me as I took a swig. The alcohol hit fast, mixing with the doubt bubbling up. Internal thoughts screamed at me: Why is he avoiding my eyes? Why is Lisa always around, like a shadow I can't shake?

The party ramped up. Jessica pulled me onto the dance floor, her hips swaying as she whooped and hollered. "Come on, girl! Shake off those nerves!" I tried, moving to the rhythm, the lights flashing across my skin, making me feel alive for a moment. Sweat beaded on my forehead, and the bass vibrated through my chest. Lori joined us, her dark makeup smudged a bit from the heat, but she danced like she didn't care who watched.

But my eyes kept drifting back to Damien. He and Lisa had moved to a corner, heads close, whispering. His hand brushed her thigh, wait, did it? Or was that the lights playing tricks? I shook my head, blaming the vodka. No, he wouldn't. Not tonight. Not with me here, in this dress, ready to commit to him forever.

Hours blurred by. More drinks, more dancing, my feet aching in those heels. I cornered Damien again near the kitchen, away from the noise. "Babe, can we talk? About us?" My voice shook a little, the words tumbling out.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Elena, not now. The party's just getting started." His phone buzzed, and he glanced at it, a small smile tugging at his lips. Who was texting him?

Frustration boiled up. "Is it Lisa? You've been with her all night."

His eyes flashed, something dark, almost animalistic. "Jealous much? She's just a friend. Stop being so clingy." Clingy? After everything? I stepped back, hurt stabbing my chest like a knife.

I stormed off to the bathroom, locking the door behind me. The mirror showed my makeup running a bit, eyes red from holding back tears. "Get it together," I muttered, splashing water on my face. The cold shock woke me up. Maybe I was overreacting. Maybe tonight would still turn around.

Back in the hall, the party thumped on. I wandered toward the backyard, needing air. The sliding doors opened to the cool night, the moon full and bright overhead, casting silver light on the grass. That's when I heard it, voices, low and heated, from around the corner of the house.

"...can't keep doing this, Damien. What about Elena?" It was Lisa, her tone whiny.

"Shh, she'll find out soon enough. You're the one I want, my real mate." Damien's voice, rough and sure.

My heart stopped. Mate? He said that to me. I peeked around the edge, hidden in the shadows. There they were, pressed against the wall, Damien's hands on her waist, pulling her close, their lips crashing together in a kiss that looked way too practiced.

What the fuck? The world tilted, my breath catching in my throat. Betrayal hit like a punch, hot tears blurring my vision. But before I could scream or run, a low growl echoed from the woods nearby, deep, primal, like a wolf on the hunt. And then, eyes glowing in the dark, a figure stepped out, staring right at me.

Who the hell was that?