Lycan himself

Aveline's POV 

The day has finally arrived. 

It's the day I've dreamed about since I was a little girl. 

Today, I will get engaged to my crush, my mate, my everything—Ethan Blackwood. 

A bright smile spread across my face as I stepped out of my closet, already dressed for the evening celebration. Unlike most girls who dreamed of sunny garden parties, I always imagined mine unfolding beneath the evening sky. 

Ethan, being the gentleman he is, allowed me to choose the time for the celebration. I picked three in the afternoon so the festivities could continue well into the night. 

Exactly how I've imagined it since I was six years old. 

I knew I wasn't the only girl who had fallen for Ethan Blackwood. He was handsome, kind, and came from one of the most respected Alpha families in the region. 

But he was mine. 

Or at least, he would officially be mine by the end of today. 

Ever since we met, Ethan has been nothing but caring and attentive. Everyone in the Crescent Moon Pack knows him, and they adore him almost as much as I do. 

Today, we will finally announce our engagement to everyone. 

I had barely sat down at my vanity when my phone began ringing on the bed behind me. 

The caller ID made me grin. 

Lyla. 

"Girl!" I squealed the moment I answered. 

"This is Lyla Hart speaking. Am I talking to the future Mrs. Blackwood?" she shrieked back. 

I laughed, nodding enthusiastically even though she couldn't see me. 

“YES! It is I!”

The scream from the other end nearly burst my eardrum, making me pull the phone away from my ear. 

"Please don't tell me you're still at home," Lyla groaned dramatically. 

I bit my lower lip as I dusted powder across my cheeks. 

"Maybe?" 

"Aveline!" 

"Relax," I laughed. "I'm just putting the finishing touches on my makeup. I'll be out the door soon." 

I placed the phone on speaker and set it on the vanity. 

"You know you're not supposed to be late today, right?" she said. "This is your big day." 

"Technically, it's only an engagement." 

"A very important engagement." 

I rolled my eyes, tying my blonde hair into a sleek ponytail. 

"I know. I know. I'm ready, and I'm leaving any minute now." 

"Good." 

There was a brief pause before she asked, "Is Ethan picking you up?" 

I shook my head. 

"No. He's busy with his parents." 

"So you're taking a cab?" 

"Probably." 

"Or," Lyla suggested, "your amazing best friend could come get you." 

I smiled. 

"You're sweet, but it's fine. I'll grab a cab and meet everyone there. I'll be there in less than twenty minutes." 

"Fine," she sighed. "But I'm waiting for you." 

"I know." 

After ending the call, I grabbed my purse and slipped on my heels before heading downstairs. 

When I entered the living room, my mother's eyes widened. 

"See?" she said triumphantly, turning to my father. "I told you she'd be ready first." 

My father looked up from adjusting his tie and blinked. 

"Well, I'll be damned." 

"Dad!" 

He chuckled and shook his head. 

"You look beautiful, sweetheart." 

Warmth spread through my chest. 

Damien and Helena Hale have been my parents for as long as I can remember. Though I learned years ago that I was adopted, it never changed anything between us. 

They gave me a home. 

A family. 

A life filled with love. 

"Thanks, Dad." 

"I'll see you both there," I said, turning toward the door. 

"Oh no, you won't," my mother immediately objected. 

I paused. 

"What?" 

"We're driving you." 

"Mom, that's not necessary—" 

"It absolutely is." 

She hooked her arm through my father's. 

"What kind of parents let their daughter take a cab to her own engagement celebration?" 

Dad laughed. 

"I was just about to say the same thing." 

I couldn't help laughing with them. 

"Fine. You win." 

"Of course we do," Mom said proudly. 

A few minutes later, we climbed into the car and set off for the celebration. 

As I stared out the window, watching the familiar streets pass by, excitement fluttered through my chest. 

Everything was perfect. 

And by the end of tonight, I would officially be Ethan Blackwood's fiancée.

Hours Later...

We had arrived hours ago, and the celebration was still going strong.

Blackwood Manor lit up with strings of golden lights. Music filled the air, and laughter echoed from every corner. Pack members, family friends, and special guests mingled, celebrating what was supposed to be the happiest day of my life.

My parents had long since joined the other adults, leaving me with Lyla near one of the refreshment tables.

"You look beautiful, Ava," Lyla said, smiling as she took me in.

I laughed softly.

"You're too good at giving compliments."

"I'm serious."

"Well, thank you. You look gorgeous too."

"Damn right I do," she said proudly, pointing at my dress. "And that dress is stunning."

I grinned.

"You know exactly what you're doing. You picked it."

"And clearly, I have excellent taste."

We both laughed.

For a moment, we just stood there, watching everyone dance and enjoy themselves.

"It's been hours," Lyla muttered. "How are they not exhausted yet?"

I smiled as I looked around.

Everyone seemed genuinely happy.

"They're celebrating," I said quietly. "Tonight means a lot to them."

Lyla turned to me.

"It means a lot because they love you, Ava."

I rolled my eyes.

"Oh no. Don't start."

"I'm serious."

"Lyla..."

"You're loved. Don't ever let anyone make you feel otherwise."

Something in her tone made me pause.

Before I could ask what she meant, she nudged my shoulder.

"Now go find your fiancé."

I laughed.

"That's actually a good point."

"Exactly. Why are you standing here with me when your future husband is somewhere in this house?"

I shrugged.

"Because you're my favorite person."

"Wrong answer."

I giggled.

"Fine. I'll go find him."

"Good."

As I walked away, I heard her call after me.

"I'll be right here if you need me!"

I waved without turning around.

A few minutes earlier, Ethan and I had been together.

Then he received a message and excused himself, saying his parents wanted to speak with him privately.

He hadn't returned since.

At first, I didn’t think much of it.

But now?

Something felt off.

I pulled out my phone and called him again.

Straight to voicemail.

My smile faded slightly.

"That's crazy, do you have to even today? Pick your damn call." I laughed

I tried again.

Nothing.

Frowning, I moved deeper into the house.

The farther I walked from the celebration, the quieter everything became.

"Excuse me?"

A woman passing by stopped and looked at me.

"Yes?"

"Sorry, have you seen Ethan Blackwood?"

She thought for a moment before shaking her head.

"No. The last time I saw him was with Alpha Victor."

"Oh. Thank you."

I continued searching.

A few moments later, another guest stopped me.

"Oh my goodness, congratulations, dear!"

She grabbed my hands warmly.

I forced a smile.

"Thank you."

Then I quickly asked,

"By any chance, have you seen Ethan?"

"The groom-to-be?" she asked.

I nodded.

"I think I saw him heading toward the guest rooms upstairs."

The guest rooms?

My brows furrowed.

"Thank you."

All of our guests were outside.

Why would Ethan be upstairs?

Pushing the thought aside, I hurried toward the staircase.

The music faded behind me.

The laughter grew distant.

Soon, only the sound of my heels clicking against the marble floor remained.

Something in my chest felt uneasy.

I couldn't explain it.

Maybe I was overthinking.

Maybe Ethan had simply gotten caught up talking to relatives.

I reached the second floor and followed the hallway toward the guest wing.

A door at the very end stood slightly ajar.

I immediately recognized Ethan's voice.

Relief flooded me.

"There you are," I whispered.

Without thinking, I pushed the door open.

The moment I stepped inside, my entire world stopped.

A woman was on the bed.

A man was beneath her.

For one second...

I couldn't breathe.

My mind refused to process what my eyes were seeing.

No.

No.

No.

This couldn't be happening.

I must have entered the wrong room.

I had to.

My fingers loosened around my phone.

My heart pounded violently against my ribs.

"E-Ethan...?"

The woman turned.

Neither of them looked surprised.

Neither of them looked guilty.

And that hurt even more.

Because it meant this wasn't a mistake.

This wasn't an accident.

This wasn't something I'd interrupted.

It was something they had chosen.

My vision blurred.

Tears immediately filled my eyes.

"Ethan..." I whispered again.

His name shattered as it left my lips.

The man I loved.

The man I trusted.

The man I had spent years dreaming about.

The man I was supposed to spend forever with.

The man I thought was my mate.

He simply stared at me before pulling the lady back unto his lap.

And in that moment, something inside me shattered.

Not cracked.

Not broke.

Shattered.

Completely.

A tear rolled down my cheek.

Then another.

And another.

My chest hurt so badly I thought I might collapse right there.

I took a step back.

Then another.

My legs felt weak.

My hands trembled uncontrollably.

I wanted to scream.

To cry.

To demand an explanation.

But no words came.

Only pain.

Raw, unbearable pain.

I turned and ran.

The tears came harder as I stumbled down the hallway.

Everything around me became a blur.

The walls. The lights. The voices.

None of it mattered anymore.

The future I had spent years dreaming about had just died behind that door.

“Ethan...?” I whispered to myself as I left the room.

He didn't stop me.

He didn't call my name.

He hadn’t even look sorry.

I could still hear the woman’s laugh behind the door

Like I had never mattered at all.

A broken sound escaped my throat.

Then I turned and ran.

The tears came harder as I stumbled down the hallway.

Everything around me became a blur.

The walls.

The lights.

The voices.

None of it mattered anymore.

Because the man I loved had just destroyed me.

And I had absolutely no idea that before this night was over...

My life was about to get so much worse.