THE WEDDING

It had barely been a week since my boyfriend rejected me at my Lunar Ascension in front of the pack, and things at home had been slow.

My parents tried to shield me from the public, but they couldn’t hide out in their rooms as I did.

My father was Alpha, and my mother Luna. They had to show up strong for the pack and not look weak.

“Selene,” my mother called out with urgency

We hadn’t really spoken about what happened that night, and I was more than grateful.

She was standing in her room with my father by her side.

Her face was white, as if she'd seen a ghost.

“This came in the mail for us,” she said, handing a letter to me.

“Who’s it from?” I didn’t know anyone who would have to write to me

I skimmed through the letter, and then it hit me.

Kael was getting married, and this was his wedding invitation.

All the feelings I thought had subsided rushed back.

“This is ridiculous,” I muttered. “he cannot possibly think we would be in attendance after that stunt he pulled”

“He also sent a messenger with the message, Selene, to inform us that failure to attend would sever all political ties between our packs,” my father said through gritted teeth.

Kael knew we needed the alliance more than they did, and he was using it for his amusement.

“What do we do, Father?”

I knew what was coming next.

“We have no choice; we will attend,” and with that, he walked out the door.

The wedding was everything Kael and I talked about.

He seemed determined to piss me off, and it was working.

The hall was decorated exactly as we had planned.

His pack members and the leading members of neighboring packs were present.

His pack was bigger than mine, so quite a few people were in attendance.

I wasn’t usually claustrophobic, but something about being in that hall made it difficult for me to breathe.

“I’m going out for some air,” I informed my parents

My mother squeezed my hands gently, and my father offered a reassuring smile.

I wore a hat and sunglasses to hide my shame and puffy eyes.

But even with all of that, it still felt like everyone recognized me.

Everyone looked at me with pity, and I hated it.

“S...Selene?” A voice I knew too well called out

“Why are you dressed in that ridiculous hat and sunglasses?” I could hear the smugness in his voice.

“Hey, baby.” Another voice I recognized too well.

I turned swiftly and caught my best friend, Lyra, sharing a kiss with my boyfriend, Kael.

She was dressed in a white, flowing gown, her hair done up.

“Lyra?” My voice was weak from crying all week, and I could feel my stomach turn.

“Hey, Selene, I didn't expect to see you here.” The shy Lyra, heir of the Silverwood pack, was now replaced with a cocky-looking one

“Why?” I was only able to blurt out a few words.

“Why?” She scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Well, he is my selected mate,” she said, mimicking my voice.

“Why Kael of all Alphas? You could’ve had anybody, Lyra.” I could feel hot tears streaming down my face, but I didn’t care.

“Well, it's Kael I wanted. You wanted to wait until your Ascension to let it out; while you waited to be ready, he found it with me. And during one of our sessions, he marked me. It also didn’t help that you were wolfless and pathetic,” she laughed, drawing the attention of those nearby.

“You are supposed to be my best friend, Lyra,” I screamed, and the guests kept glancing in our direction.

Kael didn’t even glance at me.

It was as if I didn't exist to him.

The wedding doors burst open, with the guests on their feet, clapping.

It was time for the couple to make their entrance.

“That’s my cue, Selene. Enjoy my wedding.” Lyra giggled, locked arms with Kael, and proceeded down the aisle.

My head was spinning so fast.

All along she wanted Kael.

Her jokes, comments, and behavior around him suddenly made sense.

She wanted him for herself.

Just as the wedding feast was about to begin, a terrified pack warrior burst into the hall.

“Alpha Kael!” he shouted, stopping to catch his breath.

“The eastern border has fallen,” he continued.

“The rival pack has crossed into our territory!”

All movement stopped, and panic set in.

Most of the Alphas present had left their packs for the wedding.

Meaning their packs were vulnerable, including mine.

Before anyone could react, a deafening howl echoed outside the hall, and he walked in

The bloodthirsty Alpha Darius Bloodridge