Chapter 1

Aria’s pov

I had never believed silence could scream so loudly. Yet tonight, as I stood draped in my ceremonial silk, under the moon’s gaze, surrounded by wolves I barely knew, it roared in my chest, louder than any howl ever could.

The mating chamber was colder than I expected. Maybe it was the stone floors, or because Alpha Kade Thornveil wouldn’t meet my eyes no matter how long I stare.

The eldest elder moved forward, handing him the ceremonial blade, and finally, a smile escaped his lips as our eyes met. I felt a surge of relief rushed through my mind as I smiled back at him.

“He must have been nervous” I told myself, trying to believe he wanted the marriage as much as I did.

He stepped forward, towering, a god carved in flesh and shadow, and pressed the blade to his palm. The blood that welled from his skin symbolizes a vow and promise that truly, he accepts me as his mate and Luna of the pack.

“Aria Wynter,” the elder announced, “do you accept the bond of Alpha Kade Thornveil, to stand beside him as his mate and Luna of the Blood Fang Pack under the eye of the Moon Goddess?”

My heart thundered in my chest heavily, what reason do I possibly have to reject the bond imposed by my foster parents and ordained by the goddess herself?

I nodded softly. “I do”

Immediately the words left my mouth, the crowd erupted into cheers and Kade’s smile turned into a laugh. My eyes stayed on him, but his weren’t on me. I followed his gaze and in the middle of the crowd, stood Claire, Kade’s first love and ex lover laughing back at him like this was her ceremony.

She wore a shimmering white dress that clung to her body like she wanted every eye on her and she succeeded because Kade couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her. She blushed softly, giggling as her icy blue eyes locked onto Kade like she had every right to be here.

Next, Kade and I were escorted into the mating chamber. I sat at the edge of the bed, the ceremonial veil hanging limo in my hair, my hands crossed and fury boiling in my chest. The room smelled sickly sweet and it made my stomach churn.

“Why is she here?” I asked sharply, my eyes locked on him as he shut the curtains like I wasn’t even in the room.

He moved towards me, gently untucking the ceremonial veil from my hair. I swallowed hard, repeating myself with the intention to sound harsh. “I said…. Why the hell is she….”

Kade didn’t let me finish my sentence, instead he pushed me to the bed and the remaining words died in my throat. He leaned in, and pressed his teeth against the curve of my neck. He took the handkerchief on the bed and placed it on the mark he had just placed on my neck.

The sting from his bite was sharp, but the emptiness that followed was worse. There was no rush of heat, no spark of the mate bond, no shift in my wolf and above all no answer to my question.

“Try to mind your business if you plan to stay here for long.” He said and walked out of the room, his broad shoulders stiff with tension.

“Kade…” I whispered, but he was already gone.

I overheard loud cheers outside the mating chamber, with the elders and crowd celebrating while I sat on the edge of the bed, neck burning and heart hollow. Since the mating rights have been completed, the elders gave their blessing marking the end of the ceremony. Kade returned to the mating chamber, still as ice cold as ever. He walked to the far side of the room, stripping his ceremonial robe like he couldn’t get rid of it fast enough.

I just sat there, staring at him, my neck still throbbing with pain.

“Are you heading somewhere?” I managed to ask just as he was heading towards the door again, but just like earlier, I got no response from him.

Hours turned into days, five to be exact. Five long night of cold silence and loneliness, but I knew where he was, everyone in the pack house knew. The guards and maids whispered behind me and immediately went mute once they see me approaching them. The walls of the pack house isn’t left out, they’ve all heard the laughter and sound coming from the guest room.

I was Luna, but I had never felt more helpless. I tried to convince myself that she didn’t matter, but the unbearable pain that came with each fun they had together told me everything I needed to know. I don’t remember putting on my robe properly or brushing my hair. I only felt the cold marble and my heart pounding like a war drum. My wolf stirred weakly inside me, but she didn’t speak.

When I reached the door at the far end of the east wing, I balled my fist and slammed it against the door without hesitation.

“Alpha Kade! Open this door, Now!”

My voice echoed down the corridor and I hit the door the second time, but before I could strike again, two guards appeared from the corner like shadows. One grabbed my wrist and the other my shoulder.

“You’re not allowed here. The Alpha gave strict orders—”

I freed myself from their grip forcefully and took a few steps back, pointing my fingers at them. “I am the Luna!” I shouted. “How dare you lay your filthy hands on me!”

“Luna or not, he said no disturbances” they argued, slowly moving close to me. I lunged forward and threw my weight against the door, fury fueling every inch of me.

As if sharing my pain, the door flew open, but the guards quickly grabbed me, stopping me from barging in.

Claire walked out and leaned lazily on the doorframe like she’d been expecting me. Her nightgown was sheer, her skin glowing in the soft candlelight, and not a single strand of her silver-blonde hair was out of place.

“Well, this is a surprise,” she said, arms folded beneath her chest. “Shouldn’t you be resting after your grand little ceremony?”

Before I could answer, Kade appeared shirtless. Hair tousled, eyes tired but… smug. The sight of him behind her nearly made me drop to my knees.

The guards immediately let go of me, bowed and stepped aside, giving him space like he was some god and I was the mad one screaming in his temple.

I stepped forward. “Five days, Kade. Five days since you left me alone in that room. Why? Why are you doing this?”

Claire scoffed, folding her hands like she was enjoying herself.

“Say something!” I cried, my voice cracking.

I ran to him, grabbing his hand, gripping it tightly like it could anchor the chaos inside me.

“Every night hurts, Kade. My heart hurts, my head hurts and my soul aches for you, Kade. Don’t you feel it too? I don’t know what’s happening to me, please… just come back to me.”

He looked at me like I was dirt under his feet. Then, slowly, he pulled his hand free and placed it on Claire’s waist, drawing her closer until she rested against his chest like she belonged there.

“I never asked for you,” he said flatly. “Weren’t you told? Your father and mine, the late Alpha, had business dealings. You were just part of the transaction. Unfortunately for you, the moon goddess decided to make us mate, but that doesn’t proclaim my love for you.”

My knees buckled slightly, but I forced myself to stand.

“Then why mark me?” I yelled. “Why let the ceremony go through if you were never going to honor it?”

Claire laughed, the sound sharp and cruel.

“You poor thing,” she said, stepping forward, head tilted mockingly. “The pain you feel and that ache in your chest is not the mate bond. That’s just you being delusional.” She said, tucking the hair strand on my face back.

I blinked, confused. “What…?”

Kade’s eyes narrowed and without a word, he reached into his mouth and pulled out a prosthetic silver-tipped tooth.

My world tilted and I blinked, hoping my eyes were playing tricks.

“I never used my real fangs,” he said. “You were marked just for show. Now that you know, I hope I don’t have to explain this for you in an unpleasant way. Guards!”

He didn’t wait for my reaction. He turned around, arm still wrapped around Claire, and shut the door in my face.

The slam echoed through me and I collapsed right there on the floor, breath caught in my throat, heart splitting open like someone had driven claws through it.

Is that why I couldn’t mindlink him?

Why I never smelled his scent the way bonded mates do?

But then why did it hurt so much? Was I losing my mind?

I tried banging on the door again, unable to accept defeat, but before I could, the guards rushed back, grabbing me once more. This time, they were gentler, and almost sympathetic. They didn’t speak, but the pity in their eyes said enough.

I didn’t fight them, I simply let them drag me back to my room.