Chapter 3: The Wedding & The Revelation

Serena's POV

The reception hall was obscenely grand. Crystal chandeliers dripping light, long tables overflowing with food and wine freely. Wolves from every pack mingled, laughing and celebrating.

And I wanted to burn it all down.

Because across the room, walking through the entrance like they owned the place, were Dominic and Vivian.

My murderers.

Dominic looked the same. Handsome in that effortless way alphas always managed. Tall, broad-shouldered, with those hazel eyes that once made my heart race. Now they just made my stomach turn.

And Vivian. She clung to his arm like a parasite, dressed in a gown that was entirely too revealing for someone who wasn't the bride. Her blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders and that smug smile on her face made my claws itch.

"Breathe," I muttered to myself. "Don't shift. Don't kill. Not yet."

"Something wrong?" Kael's voice rumbled beside me.

I turned to find him watching me with those calculating golden eyes. He'd been doing that all evening. Watching. Analyzing. Like I was a puzzle he was determined to solve.

"Nothing," I said smoothly. "Just admiring our guests."

"Liar."

I shot him a look.

"You keep saying that."

"Because you keep lying." He stepped closer and his presence was overwhelming. "I can smell your rage from here, Serena. So tell me... what did Alpha Dominic do to you?"

Everything.

But I couldn't say that. Not without revealing who I really was. Or who I used to be.

"We have... history," I said carefully.

Kael's lips curled into something dark and amused.

"How fascinating."

Before I could respond, Dominic spotted us. His eyes widened slightly when they landed on me and for a moment, he just stared.

Good. Stare all you want. You'll never recognize me.

He approached with Vivian in tow and both of them bowed respectfully.

"Supreme Alpha," Dominic said. "Congratulations on your union."

"Alpha Dominic." Kael's tone was polite but cold. "I'm glad you could make it. And this must be your mate."

Vivian smiled sweetly.

"Vivian of the East Pack. It's an honor to meet you, Supreme Alpha."

Kael nodded but his attention shifted to me.

"And of course, you remember my Luna. Serena Hayden."

Dominic's gaze met mine and there was nothing. No recognition. No spark. Just polite indifference.

"Lady Serena," he said with a small bow. "Congratulations."

I smiled. It felt like glass cutting my lips.

"Thank you, Alpha Dominic. Though I believe congratulations are in order for you as well. I heard you recently... what's the word... upgraded?"

Vivian's smile faltered.

"Upgraded?" Dominic repeated.

"Your mate," I said sweetly. "I heard your previous one had a terrible accident. Fell off a cliff, didn't she?"

The color drained from Dominic's face.

Vivian's eyes widened.

"How did you..." Dominic started.

"News travels fast," I said, taking a sip of wine. "Tragic, really. Losing your mate so suddenly. And on the Grand Moon Night, no less."

Kael's hand settled on my waist, possessive and firm. I could feel his attention locked on me now.

"You seem very informed about the East Pack's affairs," Kael murmured.

"I like to stay informed," I replied.

Dominic cleared his throat.

"It was... unfortunate. But the Moon Goddess works in mysterious ways."

"Mysterious," I repeated, my smile sharpening. "That's one word for it."

Vivian shifted uncomfortably.

"We should go find our seats," she said quickly.

"Of course." I raised my glass. "Enjoy the celebration. Try not to let anyone fall off any cliffs tonight."

Dominic paled. Vivian grabbed his arm and practically dragged him away.

The moment they were gone, Kael spun me to face him.

"What was that?" he demanded.

"What was what?"

"Don't play games with me, Serena." His eyes flashed gold. "You just accused them of murder without saying the words."

"I did no such thing."

"You did." He leaned closer, his breath hot against my ear. "And the way you looked at them... like you wanted to rip their throats out."

I met his gaze steadily.

"Maybe I did."

Something dangerous flickered in his eyes. Not anger. Something worse.

Interest.

"Who are you?" he whispered.

"Your wife," I said. "Your Luna. Isn't that enough?"

"No." His grip on my waist tightened. "Because the Serena Hayden I agreed to marry was a power-hungry, manipulative woman who only wanted my throne. But you..." His thumb traced my jawline. "You're different. You move differently. Speak differently. Even your scent is different."

My heart hammered.

"People change."

"Not overnight." His eyes searched mine. "So I'll ask again. Who are you?"

Before I could answer, a commotion erupted near the entrance.

Three women swept into the hall and every head turned.

The first was tall and elegant with blonde hair and ice-blue eyes. She moved like a predator, graceful and deadly.

The second was shorter, curvier, with fiery red hair and a smile that promised trouble.

The third was willowy and ethereal with long black hair and violet eyes that seemed to see everything.

"Oh no," I muttered.

"Ah." Kael's smile was sharp. "My mistresses."

The three women approached and I felt every eye in the room watching us.

"Kael," the blonde one purred. "You didn't tell us you were getting married today."

"Elara." Kael's tone was neutral. "Ladies. Meet my Luna, Serena."

Elara's ice-blue eyes raked over me.

"Charming," she said, though her smile said otherwise.

The redhead laughed.

"She's tiny. Are you sure she can handle being Luna, Kael?"

"Morgana," Kael warned.

The third woman, the one with violet eyes, said nothing. She just stared at me with an expression I couldn't read.

"Isla," Kael said. "Say hello."

"Hello," Isla whispered.

The tension was suffocating. Three mistresses. Three women who clearly didn't want me here. And a husband who was watching me like I was the most interesting thing in the room.

Perfect.

"Well," I said brightly, "nice meeting you."

Elara's smile was ice.

"Enjoy your throne while it lasts, little Luna. Women like you never keep Kael's attention for long."

"Women like me?" I repeated.

"Weak." She stepped closer. "Desperate. Replaceable."

My wolf snarled but I kept my face calm.

"Funny," I said softly. "I was going to say the same about mistresses."

Morgana's eyes flashed.

Isla's lips twitched.

Elara's smile turned venomous.

"Careful, girl. You're in dangerous territory."

"I'm always in dangerous territory." I stepped forward, meeting her gaze head-on. "It's where I do my best work."

Kael's hand wrapped around my wrist, pulling me back.

"Ladies," he said smoothly, "why don't you enjoy the celebration? I need a moment with my wife."

The three women exchanged glances before walking away.

The moment they were gone, Kael dragged me out of the hall and into a side corridor.

"What are you doing?" I demanded.

"What are you doing?" He backed me against the wall, caging me in with his arms. "Antagonizing my mistresses? Taunting visiting alphas? You're playing a dangerous game, Serena."

"Maybe I like danger," I shot back.

His eyes darkened.

"You don't know what you're getting into."

"Then enlighten me."

He stared at me for a long moment and then his hand cupped my jaw, tilting my face up.

"The Serena I know would've cowered," he murmured. "She would've begged for my approval. But you... you look at me like you're ready to fight."

"Maybe I am."

"Good." His thumb brushed my lower lip and heat pooled in my stomach. "I was getting bored of obedience."

And then he kissed me.

It wasn't gentle. It was claiming. Demanding. His mouth crashed against mine like he was trying to devour me and my body responded before my brain could catch up.

I kissed him back just as fiercely, my hands fisting in his shirt.

He groaned, pressing me harder against the wall. His hands slid down to my hips, gripping tight and I felt every inch of him against me.

This was wrong. I didn't even know him. But Moon Goddess, it felt good.

He pulled back suddenly, breathing hard. His golden eyes were molten.

"I don't know who you are," he said roughly. "But I'm going to find out."

And then he walked away, leaving me breathless and confused against the wall.

I touched my lips, still tingling from the kiss.

What the hell just happened?

I took a shaky breath and straightened my gown. I needed to get back to the reception. Needed to keep up appearances.

But as I turned the corner, I nearly ran into someone.

Dominic.

He stood there, alone, staring at me with wide eyes.

"You," he whispered. "I know you."

My blood ran cold.

"I'm Serena Hayden—"

"No." He stepped closer. "Your voice. The way you move. It's..."

"Impossible?" I finished.

His face went white.

"Serena? My Serena? But you... you died. I saw you fall."

I smiled.

"I did die, Dominic. And then the Moon Goddess gave me a gift. She gave me a second chance." I stepped closer, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "And I'm going to use it to destroy you."

"You can't—"

"Watch me."

His hand shot out, grabbing my wrist.

"If you expose us, I'll—"

"You'll what?" A deep voice cut through the air.

Kael stood at the end of the corridor with his eyes blazing gold.

"Touch my wife again," he said softly, "and I'll rip your hand off."

Dominic released me immediately.

Kael moved between us, his presence overwhelming.

"Leave," he ordered. "Now."

Dominic backed away and practically ran.

Kael turned to me slowly.

"Care to explain," he said quietly, "why Alpha Dominic just called you his Serena?"