Chapter 2

Kate’s P.O.V.

A week later, I learned just how quickly the future could be replaced!

The pack ground was decorated in white and gold, the exact colors Jace once said would suit our wedding.

Soft lanterns swayed in the night breeze, golden lights glowing like a dream. The air was filled with laughter and music from the live orchestra.

Everything looked exactly as I had imagined.

Same venue. Same decorations. Same groom.

Only the bride was changed.

Jace kept all the ideas I had for our wedding and prepared the venue for Jennifer, a cruel reminder of how easily he had replaced me.

I stood near the far edge of the gathering, my heart clenching every time I noticed a familiar detail. As a pack member, my attendance wasn’t optional. As Jace’s almost-Luna... it was inconvenient.

Fitting!

If this were my patient, I would call it a rapid deterioration.

Cause: fate

Prognosis: irreversible.

My fingers tightened around the soft fabric of my dress. It wasn’t anything special, just a simple, royal blue gown. That was the only formal dress I owned, the last gift from Mom before she died protecting this pack.

I smoothed the fabric unconsciously, repeating the same instructions I had forced into my mind all week:

“Don’t think.

Don’t look at the stage.

Don’t look at Jace.”

However, fate wasn’t done testing me.

A sweet voice echoed, poison wrapped in honey.

“Kate!”

Taking a deep breath, I faced her slowly. Jennifer was standing a few steps away, draped in a white silk gown like she owned the world.

Her gaze swept over me, lingering just a second too long.

“I was wondering if you would come.”

I tilted my head slightly.

“Pack events are mandatory. I didn’t realize attendance required an invitation.”

Jennifer’s eyes were cold, but she smiled sweetly.

“Oh, I am glad you are here. It wouldn’t feel complete otherwise.”

Of course, it wouldn’t!

To her, I wasn’t just another guest. Jennifer knew I was her mate’s ex-fiancé, the woman she replaced.

And no matter how fragile she acted to gain Jace’s attention, she couldn’t erase that!

I replied with a polite smile, concluding the conversation.

“That’s… thoughtful.”

But Jennifer didn’t leave. Her gaze dropped to my dress and stayed there, observing it keenly.

Something sharp flickered beneath her calm expression.

“This dress,” she said slowly. “It looks… familiar.”

Her lips curved slightly.

“Well… I am quite certain, it’s familiar.”

Here we go!

I exhaled quietly.

“Jennifer...”

She ignored me completely and continued,

“This was a gift from Jace!”

Ah!

Why not add theft to tonight’s list of accusations?

I answered simply.

“No, it wasn’t.”

“No?”

Jennifer took a step closer. A flicker of irritation crossed her otherwise calm exterior as she asked.

“So, you are saying I am wrong?”

“No, I am saying,” I replied evenly, “that this dress belongs to my mother. She made it years ago.”

Whispers followed my response as a few people nearby started watching now, their gazes curious and hungry for drama.

Jennifer’s smile tightened.

“You should be careful with your words, Kate. Lying doesn’t suit you.”

There was something in her soft tone that made me feel cautious. I spoke carefully.

“I am not lying, Jennifer.”

She pursed her lips, scanning me from head to toe. Then her gaze hardened, all sweetness vanishing in a split second.

“Take it off!”

For a second, I thought I had misheard her.

“What?”

“Take. It. Off.”

Her voice rose just enough to draw attention. The music dimmed as the air grew heavy with tension.

My fingers curled at my sides.

“That’s not going to happen.”

Jennifer’s gaze turned cold.

“You are wearing something that doesn’t belong to you, Kate. The least you can do is to return and apologize.”

“Apologize?”

My eyes widened in disbelief.

“But why? I haven’t done anything wrong.”

A flicker of iciness flashed across her eyes. Jennifer smiled venomously.

“Guards!”

The order from the future Luna alerted the guards on duty. Two warriors stepped forward at once.

“Yes, Luna.”

“Hold her!”

Jennifer ordered coldly.

“She has stolen my dress!”

“No!”

My pulse kicked sharply against my ribs as the guards obeyed in a jiffy. I warned, stepping back instinctively.

“Don’t!”

But they didn’t stop. The guards grabbed my arms, their grip unyielding. I struggled against their hold.

“Let me go!”

Jennifer was unfazed, her attention fixed on the dress.

“Remove the dress!”

She said, her voice composed.

“Carefully! I don’t want it damaged. It’s Jace’s gift for me.”

A tornado of fire surged through me, sharp and humiliating. I gasped.

“This is insane. You can’t just…”

“Can’t?” She echoed softly. “Or won’t?”

Her cold gaze met mine.

“You aren’t in the position to refuse me, Kate.”

My breath hitched as the guards forced me on my knees.

“No!”

I twisted against their grip. One of them reached for the neckline of my dress.

My heart pounded wildly.

“Don’t touch me!”

I jerked back, but they didn’t even budge, pulling my dress amidst the struggle. The fabric strained under a sudden movement… and a soft tearing sound followed, making my heart thump.

No!

Not like this!

However, Jennifer didn’t hesitate. She ordered again.

“What are you waiting for? Do it!”

The other guard snatched the fabric, and this time, my shoulder was torn, exposing my bare skin. The cool air brushed my skin, making me feel so powerless that tears burned my eyes.

The warriors were using more force to strip me naked in front of the entire pack when a cold, commanding voice echoed through the pack ground like a blade.

“Enough!”

The power of that Alpha command forced the guards to stop.

“Leave her!”

Silence settled in the surroundings, thick and heavy. I covered my body with my trembling hands as the guards released me, my blurry eyes searching for that savior…