Chapter 1

SERIS’S POV

“No. I do not want you, Seris. You can't be my mate. You're weak and you're human.” Cassian’s words hit me like a slap across the face.

His blue eyes, the ones I had fallen in love with were filled with nothing but disgust as he pulled my best friend Willow closer to his side. His arm wrapped around her waist like she belonged there.

Today was supposed to be the happiest day of my life. It was our second anniversary. Cassian had promised me this morning that he had big news. I thought he was finally going to claim me as his mate and Luna of the Silvermare Pack. At twenty-two, I was more than ready. I might not have gotten my wolf yet, but I believed he loved me anyway. He takes care of me, makes love to me and whispers to me that I was going to be his Luna one day.

I never expected this.

The house I had spent all day decorating suddenly felt disgusting and stuffy.  The fairy lights I had strung up looked cheap now. The table I had set with care mocked me. Everything I did for him turned sour in an instant.

….Hours earlier….

“Girl, that dress doesn’t suit you,” Willow said, scrunching her face as she watched me twirl in front of the small mirror in my room.

I smoothed down the green fabric. It was Cassian’s favorite color. “You think so? I want him to love me in this dress and I also want him to tear it off me.”

I turned to face her, my heart racing with excitement. “I think it’s happening tonight.”I squealed. “He said he had news for me this morning. After two years, he’s finally going to make it official.”

Willow gave me a weird glance, the kind that didn’t quite reach her eyes. She smiled, but it looked forced. I didn’t think much of it at the time. Willow had always been a little dramatic. She was my best friend. The one who listened to all my dreams about becoming Luna and building a life with Cassian in the Silvermare Pack territory. She knows how much I loved him.

I had baked his favorite chocolate cake from scratch, even though the kitchen at Cassian's place was barely functional. The house smelled sweet and warm. I had cleaned every corner of the house, I arranged the fresh flowers I picked from the garden, and put on the green dress that hugged my curvy figure. My long auburn hair fell over my shoulders, and I even dabbed on a little perfume I saved for special nights.

When I heard the door open, my stomach flipped with butterflies. I rushed out with a big smile.

“Cassian! You’re here—” My voice died in my throat as I took in the sight before me.

He wasn’t alone. Willow was on his arm, her dark blond hair perfectly styled, her hazel eyes avoiding mine. She wore a tight dress that showed off her curves, looking far more put-together than I felt.

“Willow? What the hell are you doing here?” I asked, confusion twisting in my chest.

Cassian stepped inside, his lanky athletic build filling the doorway. He looked at me with that charming smile he always used, but something was off tonight. His brown hair was messy like he had run his hands through it too many times.

“I have something to tell you, Seris,” he said, his voice steady but cold.

My eyes darted between them. Willow kept looking away and biting her lip nervously. The weird glances from earlier suddenly made sense in the worst way but I refused to believe it.

“Start with why you’re with my best friend,” I snapped, my voice shaking and hands clenched at my sides.

Cassian sighed, like this was annoying for him. “It’s because I’ve chosen her to be my mate.”

The words didn’t register at first. I stared at him, waiting for the punchline. This had to be some sick joke.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” I whispered. “I’m your mate. I’m your girlfriend. Remember? Two years, Cassian. You promised—”

“No.” He cut me off, looking directly at me for the first time tonight. His eyes cold. “I do not want you, Seris. You can’t be my mate. You’re weak and you’re human.”

He pulled Willow closer, and she gave a small, apologetic shrug. “I’m sorry, Seris, but…”

I didn’t let her finish. The pain in my chest exploded into something hot and blinding. My eyes burned with tears. But I refused to let them fall in front of them.

The cake I had baked with so much love sat on the table behind me. Without thinking, I grabbed it and hurled it at them. It smashed against Cassian’s chest, chocolate frosting splattering across his shirt and Willow’s dress.

They both jumped back, shocked.

“Seris—” Cassian started, but I was already moving.

I stormed past them, shoving the door open so hard it banged against the wall. Tears blurred my vision as I ran out into the cool evening. The streets of the Silvermare Pack territory felt narrower, the distant stars in the sky mocking me from afar. My heart pounded so loud I could barely hear my own sobs.

How could he do this? After everything? I had given him my body, my trust, my future. I believed I was enough even without a wolf. He trained me. He held me at night. And now he chose someone else. Not just anyone. He chose Willow.  My best friend.

The humiliation burned worse than anything. The pack meeting happening tonight would spread this news like wildfire. Everyone would know the future Alpha of Silvermare had rejected the wolfless girl for her best friend.

I turned the corner sharply, my breath coming in ragged gasps, not watching where I was going.

And then I collided straight into something hard. Or rather, someone.