Chapter 1: The Celebration Before the Storm

Today is our wedding anniversary.

As the Luna of the Moonridge Pack, joy hums through my veins while I stroll through the territory. The grounds are alive with excitement. Warriors, healers, omegas, everyone is working together to prepare for the grand banquet. Laughter ripples through the air like music, and decorations sway in the wind.

Inside the banquet hall, the smell of roasted meat and baked apples teases my senses. The long tables glisten under the lights, covered with silverware and floral arrangements. My heart swells with gratitude.

I smile.

A warm hand wraps around my waist.

I don’t need to turn around—I already know it’s Cole Thornton. His familiar Versace scent surrounds me, and when his lips brush against my shoulder, I melt a little inside.

“Oh, my love,” I whisper, turning to meet his gaze. I get lost, like always, in the mossy green of his eyes and the way his blond locks fall effortlessly against his forehead.

“You excited?” he asks, his hands still resting at my waist.

A smile plays on my lips as I blush under his gaze. “I am,” I say softly, stepping closer to him. “I’m thankful. For you. For everything.”

“This day… it means a lot to me too,” I continue, my voice barely above a breath. “I never imagined I could feel this accepted. Loved.”

His smile, the one that always makes my heart skip blooms across his face.

He accepted me completely, even when others whispered about my inability to conceive. And his father had welcomed me into the Moonridge Pack like I was born into it. No pity. Just love.

“Are you even still listening?” Cole chuckles, his voice deep, familiar, and unfairly attractive.

“I am,” I reply with a quiet laugh, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

“You look beautiful today,” he murmurs, eyes flicking down, “but I can’t even imagine how stunning you’ll look tonight.”

Heat rushes to my cheeks as he takes my hand and leads me to a quiet corner.

I laugh, caught up in the moment. “You’re more like...”

Cole cuts me off, glancing down at his phone. His smile fades for a second, and then he quickly sets it aside, turning his full attention back to me.

“Is that something important—?”

“No. No, Alaina. You’re more important. Always.”

His hand cups my neck, and before I can speak, he kisses me.

It’s soft at first. Then deeper. His kiss always has a way of silencing the world. I kiss him back, tasting affection, promises, and everything we’ve survived.

A cough interrupts us.

Startled, I pull back, smoothing my dress and turning to see Grace, one of the maids, standing a few feet away with a sheepish smile.

“Forgive me, Luna and Alpha, but I believe it’s time to help you prepare for tonight…”

Her tone is apologetic, but her sense of duty shines through. I can’t help but smile.

“Of course, Grace,” I say, glancing at Cole, who lets out a small gasp in mock protest. I laugh, leaning in to kiss his cheek. “I’ll see you soon.”

His groan of disappointment follows me as I walk away with Grace toward the dressing room.

---

Grace works magic on my hair while I apply a bold red lipstick. I wear a striking crimson gown that hugs my figure and drapes like silk over my curves.

When I walk into the banquet hall again, the room hushes.

All eyes turn.

The feast is a dream. Gold-framed mirrors reflect chandeliers overhead, while trays of food glisten under warm lights. Wolves in formal attire bow slightly as I pass. I hear murmurs of admiration, and I hold my head high.

“You’re glowing,” Cole whispers, appearing by my side, taking my hand. His gaze is reverent.

I feel Edith, my wolf, purr with approval inside me.

Recce, our Beta, approaches with a microphone, his eyes warm.

“To all of you,” I begin, my voice steady though my hands tremble slightly, “I’m eternally grateful. You've made this day unforgettable.”

Applause echoes.

“This evening,” Cole says as he joins me at the center, “is the highlight of my life.”

The words make me flush, even now.

The room quiets, waiting.

“So tonight, we begin with—”

“Excuse me, Luna, Alpha,” Recce interrupts, stepping forward with a hint of urgency in his voice. “The banquet video isn’t working.”

“Oh? I can take a look—” I offer, but Recce cuts in.

“We’ve tried everything,” he says, shaking his head.

Cole leans toward me, whispering, “Is there any alternative?”

“There is,” a voice responds before I can speak.

I turn, and my heart lifts.

Freya, my closest friend, stands near the front, clad in a shimmering cerulean dress that makes her ocean-blue eyes pop.

“Freya!” I exclaim, hurrying toward her. “You made it.”

“I got footage of you and Cole. I thought it might come in handy… if you want to use it,” she whispers.

My chest swells with gratitude. “I’d love that. Thank you.”

Cole gives her a polite nod. “That would be helpful.”

Freya hands me her phone. “Just connect it to the projector.”

“You’re a lifesaver,” I say, tapping quickly through the options. I trust her. She said the right video was ready. I don’t even double-check.

With Cole’s hand resting on my lower back, I turn to the crowd.

“Apologies for the delay. We’ll begin our celebration with a short video, and then… we’ll cut our cake together.”

Nicolas, our Gamma, brings in the cake, a two-tiered beauty covered in strawberries and delicate white frosting.

Applause breaks out as we stand before the crowd, each of us holding a knife.

But then, something shifts.

The whispers start small. Then louder. Confused. Alarmed.

“What’s going on?” I ask Cole, but he doesn’t answer.

I glance at the crowd.

Their faces are stunned. Shocked. Eyes fixed on the screen behind us.

I turn to look.

At first, I don’t understand.

Then I do.

Naked. Intimate. Explicit.

Photos of Cole and Freya flood the screen, one after the other. Tangled in sheets. His mouth on her neck. Her smile in his arms.

The floor tilts beneath me.

My breath catches in my throat, and I feel Edith howl in rage.

As if that weren’t enough, the next image sears into me...

A pregnancy test.

Positive.

The room erupts.

“Isn’t that the Luna’s best friend?”

“Oh goddess…”

“What is happening?”

I can’t breathe.

I turn toward them. Freya. Cole.

Both frozen.

“I swear, Alaina,” Cole stammers, hands in his hair. “I had no idea. I don’t know how...”

“I didn’t mean to,” Freya blurts, rushing forward. “I must have chosen the wrong video!”

Her voice quivers, but her eyes don’t meet mine.

And just like that, my world cracks open.