Chapter 1: The Bride In White

The mirror reflected a woman I barely recognized.

The white wedding gown hugged my body perfectly, the lace shimmering beneath the soft morning light that streamed through the tall windows. My dark hair, carefully curled and pinned with tiny white flowers, fell over one shoulder. For once, I didn't look like the lonely girl people whispered about.

I looked like a bride.

A small smile tugged at my lips before I quickly looked away. I was almost afraid to stare too long, afraid the dream would disappear if I did.

"It's really happening," I whispered.

Ten years.

Ten long years of loving him from the shadows.

Today, I was finally going to marry my fated mate.

A gentle knock sounded on the door.

"Lyra?" an elderly voice called softly. "It's time."

I inhaled deeply before opening the door.

Martha, the pack's longtime housekeeper, smiled as tears filled her eyes.

"You look beautiful, child."

The words warmed my heart more than she could ever know.

Not many people had ever called me beautiful.

"Thank you," I said with a shy smile.

She reached out and squeezed my hand. "Your father would have been so proud."

The mention of him made my chest tighten.

My father.

To everyone else, he had been a traitor.

To me...

He had simply been Dad.

I was only fourteen when he died. Old enough to remember the angry faces outside our home. The stones thrown through our windows. The voices shouting that his bloodline deserved to disappear.

They never cared that no one had ever proved he betrayed the pack.

An accusation had been enough.

And because of it, I became the daughter of a traitor.

I lowered my gaze, forcing away the memories.

"Come on," Martha said gently. "Don't cry today."

"I won't."

At least... I hoped I wouldn't.

---

The pack hall had been transformed into something out of a fairy tale.

White roses decorated every pillar.

Silver ribbons flowed from the ceiling.

Crystal chandeliers sparkled above hundreds of guests dressed in elegant clothing.

Laughter echoed through the room.

Music floated through the air.

The same people who had once crossed the street to avoid me now smiled politely as I walked past.

It was strange how quickly people could change once you became the Alpha's bride.

Some even bowed their heads respectfully.

Others whispered.

"She's lucky."

"The Alpha must really love her."

"I never thought he'd choose her."

I pretended not to hear them.

Luck had nothing to do with it.

I had loved Kael long before anyone believed I deserved happiness.

Long before he ever noticed me.

Or perhaps...

Long before I realized he had.

A familiar voice pulled me from my thoughts.

"You still bite your lip when you're nervous."

I turned around.

Kael stood only a few steps away.

For a moment, the noise around us disappeared.

He looked breathtaking in his tailored black suit, the silver embroidery on his jacket marking him as the future Alpha. His golden hair caught the light, and his piercing blue eyes softened the instant they met mine.

My wolf stirred happily.

Mate.

Even after all this time, hearing that word inside my mind made my heart race.

Kael smiled.

"There you are."

"I've been here."

"I know."

He closed the distance between us and carefully brushed an invisible speck of dust from my shoulder.

"You look..."

He paused, searching for the right word.

"...perfect."

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

"So do you."

He chuckled.

"I doubt anyone's looking at me."

"They are."

"Maybe."

His eyes never left mine.

"But I only care whether you're looking."

I laughed quietly.

Even now, after everything we'd been through, he still knew exactly how to make me blush.

"You nervous?" he asked.

"A little."

He reached for my hands.

His were warm.

Steady.

"If anything feels overwhelming today," he said, "just look at me."

"I always do."

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

For a heartbeat, neither of us spoke.

Then he smiled—that gentle smile that had first made a frightened fourteen-year-old girl believe kindness still existed.

"I love you, Lyra."

My breath caught.

"I love you too."

For years, I had dreamed of saying those words aloud.

Now they finally belonged to us.

A voice echoed from the front of the hall.

"Alpha Kael. It's time."

He reluctantly released my hands.

"I'll see you at the altar."

I nodded.

"You'd better."

He leaned forward and kissed my forehead before walking away.

I watched him go, my heart so full it almost hurt.

Maybe this was what happiness felt like.

Maybe all those lonely years had been worth enduring.

Maybe the Moon Goddess had finally decided to smile on me.

I adjusted my bouquet and took one last steadying breath.

The grand doors slowly began to open.

Beyond them stood hundreds of guests.

At the end of the aisle waited the man I had loved for ten years.

The music began.

I took my first step toward forever.

Then—

The massive doors slammed open with a deafening crash.

A woman stumbled inside, her once-elegant dress torn and stained with blood. Bruises covered her exposed arms, and dried tears streaked her pale face.

Gasps rippled through the hall.

I froze.

No...

It couldn't be.

She lifted trembling eyes toward Kael.

"Please..." she sobbed before collapsing onto her knees.

"Kael... save me."

The bouquet slipped from my fingers.

Because the woman begging my groom for help...

Was Selena.