Chapter 1

Melanie's POV

It was my birthday, and it was the day my mate—Alpha Archer—had promised to finally give me the permanent mark under the moonlight.

Every year, he only gave me temporary marks—those fleeting imprints that were gone with the slightest whisper, like a candle flame in the wind.

This year, he'd finally agreed to truly mark me on this night of the full moon.

That meant I wouldn't be a hidden Luna anymore. I'd be the one he officially acknowledged before the Moon Goddess and everyone else.

I made sure they cleared a spot in the woods, set up a moonlit altar, and decorated it with silver stones and flowers that symbolized loyalty.

The air smelled faintly of lavender, my favorite scent.

My wolf, Frost, was practically doing backflips in my mind.

She was howling with excitement, almost shattering my concentration. She couldn't wait to be marked by Archer, to be completely accepted.

"He's finally going to claim us, Melanie," she whispered deep in my consciousness. "He's finally going to let the whole pack see us."

I smiled, my fingers gently tracing the barely-there temporary mark on the side of my neck.

I pictured the moment it would happen—his warm breath against my skin, his canines breaking the surface of my scent gland, his pheromones merging with mine to form an eternal bond.

In that moment, we would truly belong to each other.

I even planned how I would look up and smile when the ceremony was over, letting everyone see the mark I was so proud of.

Filled with this overflowing happiness, I walked toward the ceremony site.

The garden lights shimmered in the night, and silver leaves sparkled in the breeze.

Omegas were busy placing moon crystals. Guests were chatting, raising their glasses, their laughter and music filling the air, as if the world belonged only to celebration and joy tonight.

I moved through the crowd, feeling their eyes briefly pass over me. Archer's friends saw me but didn't bother to say hello.

They were laughing and talking with other Alphas, acting like I was just some random guest they'd invited.

My heart gave a little squeeze right then.

It was true. Archer always hid who I was. Even though his friends knew we were mated, they never treated me with the respect a Luna deserved.

I walked over to the bar and picked up a drink, taking small sips to cover up my uneasiness.

"Get the lady another martini."

A low voice cut through the noise, and I looked up, meeting Dwight's gaze—one of Archer's best friends.

He smiled, his tone a vague mix of probing and casual interest. "Not having fun?"

I tightened my grip on the stem of my glass, forcing a smile. "I'm just not a big fan of parties."

"Me neither," he shrugged, looking bored. "But I'm only here to put in my time."

I didn't know what he meant by that. His tone felt like some kind of hint, and it made me nervous.

Just then, the bartender slid a cold glass in front of me.

I took a sip. The bubbles popped on my tongue, sharp and clear.

I hoped the cold would cool the anxious heat in my chest and settle my nerves.

"He's coming," I told myself. "He promised."

Tonight was going to be our beginning.

Right at that moment, a cheer went up from the moonlit altar.

Laughter and applause mixed together in a surge of excitement.

My heart jumped. He was here.

I turned, my gaze cutting through the crowd, past the shimmering flower wreaths and the flickering candlelight—and then I saw him.

He was standing in the center of everyone, smiling gently, but his arm was wrapped around a woman's waist.

And, of course, it wasn't me.

It was Camille, my half-sister.

The daughter of my father and the she-wolf he had an affair with.

Archer's hand rested tenderly on Camille's back, his fingers gently skimming her skin. That level of intimacy felt like a sharp blade slicing straight into my chest.

My heart plummeted, like it had fallen into a bottomless pit.

My wolf, Frost, roared desperately in my consciousness, her anger and pain twisting together. She couldn't understand any of this, either.

After my mother was banished, my father, Alpha Marvin, wasted no time making Camille's mother the new Luna.

He originally hoped Camille would become Alpha Archer's Luna, but the Moon Goddess chose me.

Since we mated, Archer had always been incredibly distant.

I thought he had finally accepted me and was ready to keep his promise to the Moon Goddess.

But now, all my fantasies, all my preparations, all my sweet hopes for the future, shattered completely in that one moment.

Camille's mother took my father. And now, Camille—was slowly taking my mate.

I don't know how I stood up and left, or how I made it back to the London villa.

The second my foot crossed the yard's gate, I looked at my phone. The screen immediately filled with birthday messages—from coworkers, classmates, my grandma and my uncle...

But there was nothing from him.

Frost gave a soft, sarcastic huff in my mind. "Did you really think he'd check in on you?"

I gripped my phone, my wolf claws almost piercing the screen. I had to force down the surge of disappointment.

"It's okay," I told her in my head. "I still have Trista."

Just the thought of her brought a little warmth back to my heart.

Trista—my daughter with Archer, my most precious anchor.

I could practically picture her hearing my footsteps, rushing down the stairs, jumping into my arms, and shouting with a laugh, "Happy birthday, Mommy!"

I could even imagine the paper flower hidden in her little hand, which she would clumsily hand to me as her "special wish."

Right now, only that kind of warmth could make me forget everything I had just seen.

I told the omega maid, Shannon, to take my bags upstairs. "I'm going to check on Trista," I said softly.

The door to her room upstairs was ajar, letting out a warm yellow light. I pushed it open. "Trista?"

She turned, her eyes lighting up. "Mommy!" That one call felt like a ray of light shining into my chest.

I walked over and pulled her into a hug. I hadn't seen her in two months.

"I'm making a blessing necklace," she said, her voice full of pride and excitement.

"Is it for me?" I asked, smiling and kissing her cheek, eager for her answer.

"What?" She wriggled out of my embrace. "It's for Camille!"

In that instant, the air stopped moving, and the smile froze on my face.