Chapter 3

Banging my head against the pillow, I screamed.

She must think I’m lying too. Why does everyone look at me like I'm making it up?

I pushed myself up, chest tight, breath uneven. Sitting here wasn’t helping. Crying wasn’t helping either.

If no one believed me, I’d figure it out myself.

Grabbing my shoes, I headed straight for the pack library.

Stupid, defective mate bond.

If there was something wrong: anything at all, I would find it.

The library was quiet, the familiar scent of old paper and ink wrapping around me.

At the front desk, Mr. Jones sat hunched over a thick book.

“Mr. Jones,” I said.

He looked up slowly, sliding a pencil between pages. “Yes, child?”

“I need the catalogue.”

“What are you looking for?”

“Books on mate bonds,” I whispered.

He nodded, handing me the catalogue. “Section 3C. But double-check.”

I scanned the page. “They’re at 3C."

"Good.”

As I handed the catalogue back, it struck me how normal he was acting. No suspicion. No judgment. Maybe recluse wasn’t the right word, he just knew how to mind his business.

An underrated trait.

A few wolves wandered nearby, but I barely noticed them. I moved straight to the shelves, scanning for anything on delayed bonds, one-sided bonds, or defects.

Finally, I pulled a promising book… and froze.

Thelma. The she-wolf that was by my right at the Moon Calling.

She slid a book back onto the shelf beside me.

The Dynamics of Mate Connections.

Our eyes met. Her face drained of color, and she hurried away, almost running.

Was that how the pack saw me now?

I memorized the book’s location for later and took a table, flipping it open to skim the contents: history, rituals, the Moon Calling, bond strengthening, life after mating.

Everything that was supposed to go right.

I turned to the section on the Moon Calling. Maybe an exception had been missed.

Page after page passed.

Nothing.

No mention of one-sided bonds, defects, or explanations.

Frustrated, I slammed the book shut. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

I headed home, and soon after, Collins returned.

“Collins,” I said.

“Christy.” His eyes widened.

I hesitated, then said, “Luna Evelyn invited us to dinner.”

“To dinner?” His eyes widened. “Why? What happened?”

The look on his face did it. I laughed, once, then harder, until it spilled out of me completely.

“Christy,” he said, horrified, “this isn’t funny. That sounds like an interrogation. Do Mum and Dad know?”

“Not yet. I’ll tell them when they get back.” I wiped at my eyes. “She invited me this morning. I was shocked too. I just didn’t… dramatize it like you.”

He straightened, the humor slipping away. “So everyone’s going?”

“Yes. All of the Haven family.” I paused. “In her words—attendance is mandatory.”

He winced. “Oh. Great.” Then his shoulders squared. “Well, I’m charming. She won’t find anything to nitpick about me.”

He turned toward his room. “I’m ironing my shirt.”

“You do that, little bro.”

He stopped and glanced back. “I’m taller than you, Christy. Little isn’t accurate.”

I smiled despite myself.

Dad came back first. I waited until the house settled before speaking.

“Luna Evelyn invited us to dinner, Dad.”

“When?”

“Tonight. Six pm, at the packhouse.”

He paused. “Your mother doesn’t know yet, does she?”

I shook my head.

“Alright. I’ll tell her.”

Soon after, Mom arrived. A few minutes later, she found me.

“Christy, have you chosen what to wear?”

“Not really. What do you think is okay?”

She smiled softly. “Come on, then.”

She chose a sky-blue dress, earrings, and a small necklace. “It’s just a dinner,” I said quietly.

“No. It’s not. But it will be fine. We’re here with you.”

Dressed, I looked in the mirror. The girl staring back felt steadier, softer, like she was borrowing strength.

A knock sounded.

“Yeah?”

Mom stepped in. “My beautiful Christy.”

Heat crept into my cheeks. “You look lovely too, Mom.”

She’d chosen a navy-blue gown, elegant and calm.

Dad appeared. “She’s right. You look beautiful. Both of you.”

He smiled. “My precious jewels.” Black shirt, blue trousers, casual and comforting.

Collins bounded in last, adjusting a blue jacket. My wolf stirred, pleased, a quiet warmth spreading through me.

For a moment, the rest of the pack didn’t exist.

“Ready?” Dad asked. I nodded. We left together.

The packhouse was alive with movement, voices echoing softly off polished stone. Wolves passed in every direction, some whispering as they caught sight of us.

Tonight, it felt like a courtroom. Quiet luxury surrounded us—soft lighting, celestial carvings, symbols of the Moon watching from every angle.

A staff member approached. “The Haven family?"

“Yes,” Dad answered. “This way.”

We were led forward, her gaze lingering on me just a second longer than necessary. My skin prickled.

We sat. Covered trays arrived: appetizers, main dishes, wine, and desserts. I pressed my hands in my lap to keep from shaking.

They arrived soon after. Alpha Bradley entered first, tall, quiet, his presence heavy enough to still the room.

Alec followed. He didn’t look at me once.

Luna Evelyn came last, walking beside the Alpha. She was effortless, commanding the room without trying. Polite. Cold.

Small talk began. She asked my parents about work, training, schooling, grades, hobbies—even friends. Every answer came from my parents. She never addressed me directly.

I shrank under her assessment. Alec remained silent, detached.

“All this conversation must have made everyone hungry,” she said at last.

“Please, help yourselves.”

I lifted my fork mechanically. The food smelled rich, but my stomach twisted.

“Thank you, Luna, for inviting us. The meal is wonderful,” Mom said softly.

“You’re welcome,” Luna said, placing her cutlery down deliberately.

“As the Luna of Celestial Moon, it is my duty to ensure this pack thrives for generations.” Her eyes shifted to me.

My chest tightened.

“As a mother, hearing my son’s name attached to an unfamiliar she-wolf is deeply unsettling.”

My wolf stirred, uneasy.

“My son will be the Alpha of this pack. A claim of a fated mate to him is not a harmless mistake. It is an insult.”

Her voice hardened. “It is a disgrace to Celestial Moon.”

She turned to my parents. “We invited you to explain your daughter’s behavior.”

My father bowed his head. Mom paled, hand tightening around her napkin.

I looked at Alec. He sat down, expression unreadable, unmoved.

“Alpha,” my father said tightly. Alpha Bradley lifted his gaze. “Luna,” he added quietly.

“Christy felt something. We have spoken with the Shaman. He is investigating. We ask for patience.”

Hope flickered in my chest. Luna’s mouth pressed into a thin line.

“I have spoken to the Shaman. I also witnessed the Moon Calling. There is no bond.”

My wolf whimpered.

“Your daughter has made a mockery of the mate bond. Every day this lie persists, she brings shame to herself and this pack.”

“She will apologize publicly at the next full moon and atone for her actions.”

I couldn’t breathe.

“But Alec is my mate,” I said, voice thin, desperate.

Alec snapped. “You are delusional. Do not attach yourself to me.”

The world tilted. Something inside me cracked; sharp, loud, final.

“My wolf—” I tried, but my throat closed.

“Quiet!” Luna shouted. “It is Alpha Alec to you.”

“Please, Luna” my mother whispered.

“Enough,” Alpha Bradley said. His deep voice cut through the room.

“You have until the next full moon. Prove your claim. If you fail, you will apologize publicly—or be exiled.”

The word echoed. Exiled.

“Dinner is over,” Alpha Bradley said.

“Leave.”

No one spoke. Legs weak, my wolf curled inside me, broken and trembling.

I couldn’t look back. I didn’t dare.