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Tanya’s Pov

“Are you ready yet, Tanya?” My stepmother asked , staring at me through the mirror.

The golden dress clinging to my body shimmered beneath the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling of the huge bedroom.

A lop-sided grin teased the corners of my lips as I assessed my outfit, my fingers trailing the pearls embroidered in the dress.

“Ah, the dress is…splendid. I lack words, my dear,” she added, her eyes roaming over me. I wasn't sure if she was truly mesmerized or not.

“Thank you,” I said, the grin at the corners of my lips still evident. “The dress was just perfect! My designer definitely killed it, bringing my imagination to life.”

I'm sure Leon wouldn't be able to take his eyes off me throughout the night!

My heart fluttered at the thought.

“You will make a beautiful bride. Now, I will leave you to finish up. Don’t be late.” My step-mother admonished sternly, glancing at the two maids at my feet as they bowed in obedience.

“Well, it's my day isn't it?” I said, pecking her with a wide grin plastered on my face. “I will be there soon.”

Before she exited the room, she blew me a kiss and locked the door behind her softly.

Finally, the day has come! The day I will be crowned as the Luna of the Crystal Blood Pack alongside my Alpha, Leon Ashton–my destined mate.

One of the maids added the final touch– a golden hue pin holding my long brown hair behind.

“We are done, my lady.” The senior maid, Angela, announced with a genuine wide smile on her lips. Angela had been our maid for a long time, even before my mother passed away, watching me grow up and now getting married.

“Thank you, Angela. I will take it from here.” I said softly returning the smile as I give her hand a gentle squeeze.

I quietly exited the room and started towards the corridors leading to where my Alpha-to-be was supposed to be at.

By tradition, Leon and I weren’t supposed to see each other until our oaths were taken before the packs. I was marrying into the Crystal Blood Pack, renouncing my title as the Princess-in-waiting of the Riverside Moon pack.

But damn the culture. I was dying to see my Alpha already even if it's just a kiss before we part ways again until the coronation ceremony.

I giggled like a swoony, mischievous teenager on a mission as I tip-toed through the dark-lit hallway leading to Leon's Chambers.

As I approached the door, I quickly glanced behind my shoulders, ensuring I wasn't followed.

Satisfied, I reached for the door knob but a sound momentarily halted me in my tracks.

A low moan–a woman’s, steady and unmistakable’ came  from Leon's chambers.

It wasn’t mine.

My breath stalled.

Everyone is banned from the Alpha's chambers except me, so who the fuck was in there with Leon?!

There was only one way to find out.

Swallowing a lump down my throat, my heart pounding violently against my chest like a galloping of a thousand horses as I pushed the door open.

The door swung open easily, unlocked, as though whoever was inside had not bothered to consider the consequences.

The first thing I noticed was the bed. White sheets rumpled against two figures embracing each other.

My world shattered as my eyes scanned the room, tears burning behind my eyes.

Leon was cheating on me in our matrimonial bed!

Leon's wedding shirt lay discarded over the armchair. A woman was on top of him, her hair disheveled and her dress slipped down to her waistline.

My heart slammed violently beneath my ribs, drowning out the loud gasps coming from  Leon

and the woman on the bed.

“Tanya!” Leon yelled in shock, his face draining of color so fast it was almost fascinating. But my eyes were locked on the back of the woman beside him.

She slowly turned around and instantly, I felt a cold shiver trickling down my spine as the realization dawned on me.

Theresa!

As if that wasn't enough. He was cheating on me with my stepsister!

Time faltered.

“Why?” Was the only word that barely croaked out of my trembling lips as I staggered backwards in utter shock at the sheer betrayal staring at me.

“I can explain, Tan-”

“Explain what?!” I shrieked in rage, my lungs aching. “How you've been cheating on me , defying our matrimonial bed with my stepsister?!”

Theresa bowed her head in shame as she crawled to the edge of the bed, hastily dragging her dress upwards.

I squinted at them, biting my lips aggressively almost drawing blood.

It was as if she was trying to hide something because Leon looked at her quietly, his eyes frantic.

I waltzed towards them, my spine bristling with barely contained rage.

“What more are you hiding from me, Leon?” I demanded, standing over the bed, my hands impatiently hooked to my waist as my eyes bored through every inch of them like lasers.

But my wolf sensed something that made me pause and looked at Theresa.

“I'm not hiding anything else, Tanya. I'm sorry about-” Leon started to say as if trying to stop me.

Before Leon could finish his sentence, I rounded the bed to the other side where Theresa was and grabbed her wrist.

“Tanya, stop!” Leon tried to reach for my hand but I swatted his hand just in time for the light to catch the butterfly mark on Theresa’s wrist.

My heart dropped.

The mate mark.

A sacred symbol meant only for an Alpha and his Luna— to rule as one.

The room tilted as vomit swirled in the pit of my stomach, making me want to wretch.

I jerked my hand away from her wrist as if it was burning.

Indeed it was. Because instantly, a sharp pain seared through my heart as I felt the bond between me and Leon weaken.

Oh, no.

“You marked her.” I spat, the words tasting acidic on my tongue as I pointed at Leon.

Leon bit his bottom lip, sighing as he ran a frantic hand through his black hair.

Regret and embarrassment formed at the lines of his face. He wasn't sorry. He was just embarrassed that he's been caught!

That prick!

“Tanya, Look-” He started, walking towards her.

“Don't come any closer!” I warned, holding a firm hand to stop him.

My name suddenly felt wrong on his lips. As if he was calling to a stranger. As if I could hardly recognize him.

What the hell was happening?!

Today was supposed to be the happiest day of my life!

Temper kicked up a brooding storm in me as I curled my hands into tight fists at my sides. I tried to still my quickened heartbeats.

I looked at Theresa, my stepsister and noticed something strange.

My gaze followed the way her hand slid instinctively to her stomach.

Protective.

Possessive. 

My wolf wailed inside me.

“No,” I whispered, shaking my head.

This couldn’t be happening.