Chapter 1

Ariana’s POV

“You look like your mother tonight,” Dad said softly as he squeezed my hand before I stepped into the crowd. “She’d be proud.”

I smiled, my throat tight. “Tonight’s the start of everything, Dad. I can feel it.”

I’d waited for this night since I turned sixteen.

The night my mate would finally mark me. The night I’d stand beside him, my hand in his, with the pack howling in celebration. The night I’d finally become Luna to the man I loved — Elias Thorn.

Everything about tonight was perfect. The moon, the music, the scent of roses that filled the gigantic royal hall.

My dress shimmered like starlight— I'd carefully picked this dress to complement my mood tonight.

My heart was a storm.

Soon, Elias walked in. His red suit added to his charms—those same charms that captivated me when we were kids.

When he walked onto the stage, my chest swelled. He looked like the Alpha he was born to be— proud, strong, confident. His eyes swept over the crowd, and when they met mine, I swore I saw that old softness there. The one that used to melt me.

The Elder raised the ceremonial dagger and the crowd hushed.

“It is time,” he declared, “for the future Alpha to claim his Luna.”

My pulse pounded as I stepped forward. Ready. waiting to hear my name.

But...

“Vivienne Blackwell.”

For a second, I thought I’d misheard.

The crowd gasped.

I froze. In fact, my world froze and tilted.

Vivianne— the daughter of the Lycan chairman walked gracefully from the front row, every single eye in the room followed her as she wore that big smile that made my stomach turn, like she’d been expecting this moment all her life.

“No…” I whispered, but my voice was overshadowed by the happy claps from the pack members.

At that moment, I began hearing whispers— I swear I could feel fingers pointing at me.

Someone in the crowd whispered, “But Ariana is his mate.”

Another voice followed, sharp and pitiful, “Guess she wasn’t enough.”

“Politics,” a man muttered. “Lucien Blackwell owns half the Council. The boy made a smart move by choosing his daughter.”

My heart cracked. Every word sliced deeper.

“This… this isn't right. There's a mistake somewhere.” I trembled, eyes searching for Elias’s reaction but he didn't even look my way— not once.

Instead, he took Vivienne’s hand, brought her closer and before the Elder could even finish the blessing, Elias lowered his head and sank his teeth into her neck.

A scream escaped my throat— I didn't even know it came from me.

The mark was meant for me but was now on another… how did we get here?

Pain ripped through my chest. Searing, burning and tearing as the bond shattered leaving me empty and aching.

I made to run to the stage, to ask him why he would do this to me… but my knees gave out and I fell to the floor.

People turned. Some stared with pity, others with disgust. I heard laughter— soft, cruel.

“Poor Beta’s daughter.”

“She thought she’d be Luna.”

“She’s useless now.”

Though my vision was blurred with tears, I could see my dad moving through the crowd towards me. He was the only one I had now— I should've listened when he warned me to stay away from Elias.

Although he was the Beta, he never supported my relationship with his Alpha’s son. He always said Elias was bred from evil—and so was his heart. He warned that if I continued my relationship with him, I wouldn’t end well. And now, his fears had come true.

Dad's eyes held nothing but pure rage, but I shook my head, stopping him midway— right now, all I had left was my pride and if he should confront Elias in front of all these people, I'd lose that.

“Let's go…” I nodded as he helped me up, leading me out of the hall. The whispers behind us continued but they were drowned by my sorrow.

As soon as we got outside, I quickly pulled away from Dad's grip…

“What is it?” He asked confusedly.

“I… I have to speak with him.”

“Are you insane?!” He yelled, making me flinch.

“Da…”

“He just publicly humiliated you and you still wish to speak with him? Where have your senses gone?” His eyes softened and I could feel his genuine sadness.

But I had to know exactly why Elias chose to humiliate me this way— I won't be at ease if I leave without clarity.

His eyes seemed to search mine for a while before he finally backed down. “Fine… do as you wish but don't come back hurt more than you already are.”

He left without looking back— his head bowed like he was holding back… “I'm sorry Dad.”

I waited out there, trying to hide from the guests who troped in and out— and when the ceremony finally ended, I found Elias outside, behind the hall, near the fountain where we’d once promised each other our forever.

“I thought you said tonight was ours, Elias.”

My voice trembled even though I’d practiced that sentence a hundred times before I saw him.

He didn’t even flinch when I spoke.

“Tell me this is a joke.”

“It’s not,” he said flatly.

“Yo… you just marked someone else in front of everyone!”

He sighed. “Ariana, you don’t understand how this works. The pack needs alliances. The Blackwells—”

“Don’t you dare,” I cut in, voice trembling. “Don’t you dare say this is for the pack.”

He turned to me finally, eyes cold. “Your father’s business is collapsing. Your bloodline doesn’t offer power, or influence. I need a Luna who can strengthen my position. Vivienne does that.”

I stared at him, every word tearing deeper into my skin. “So I was never your choice? Our relationship was just your convenience.”

His expression didn’t change. “You were... a comfortable option.”

My throat closed. “Comfortable option?”

He stepped closer. “You should be grateful I didn’t humiliate you worse. You’ll find someone else just go.”

“I already had someone else,” I whispered. “You.”

He said nothing. Just turned and walked away— maybe I should've stopped him but I was too drained for any of that.

I stood there, shoulder slumped as the last beads of tears flowed down my cheeks and dried into salt.

By the time I’d gotten home—after dragging my feet all the way—I found Dad pacing in the living room, phone in hand and sweat beading his face.

“Dad?”

He looked up, startled. I could see the fear in his eyes…

“Ariana, we're in big trouble.”