Shall we begin?

Luna's POV

The tightness of my ceremonial dress made it hard to breathe. Or maybe it wasn’t the dress. Maybe it was the fear of what was about to happen.

The packhouse ballroom sparkled with candlelight, and the scent of freshly cut flowers filled the air, but none of it mattered. Not the golden arches draped with ribbons, not the smiling faces of pack members offering their blessings.

This wasn’t my choice.

“Luna, you look beautiful.” My father’s deep voice broke through my thoughts. He stood tall and imposing in his Alpha regalia, the silver chain on his chest glinting under the lights.

“Thank you, Father,” I murmured, lowering my gaze. Complaints would get me nowhere.

His eyes softened-just barely. “You’re doing the right thing for the pack. Victor is a strong Beta. He’ll keep you safe and ensure our alliances hold.”

Safe. Right. As if I couldn’t protect myself. As if I were nothing more than a bargaining chip to strengthen the pack.

“I understand,” I said, but the words tasted bitter.

Victor approached then, his footsteps slow and deliberate. He looked as he always did-calm, collected, and utterly indifferent. His dark hair was neatly combed back, his sharp features emotionless.

He didn’t look at me as a man should look at his future mate. No warmth, no affection. Only duty.

“You’ll make a fine Luna,” he said flatly, as though reciting a line from a script.

I forced a smile. “Thank you, Victor. I’ll do my best.”

He nodded curtly and extended a hand. “Shall we begin?”

My stomach churned as I placed my hand in his. The pack members gathered around, their murmurs of approval ringing in my ears. This was it. The moment I would be marked, claimed, and tied to Victor forever.

The elder stepped forward, holding the ceremonial dagger. “Victor of the Silverclaw pack, do you accept Luna as your mate and future Luna of this pack?”

“I do,” Victor replied, his voice steady.

“And Luna, do you accept Victor as your mate and Beta?”

My throat tightened. For a brief moment, I thought about saying no, about running out of this ballroom and disappearing into the woods. But I couldn’t. My father’s stern gaze bore into me, a silent reminder of my duty.

“I do,” I said, barely above a whisper.

The elder raised the dagger. Victor took a step closer, tilting my head gently to the side to expose my neck. I clenched my fists, bracing myself for the sharp sting of his mark-

A deafening crash echoed through the packhouse, followed by screams.

“Rogues!” someone shouted.

The room descended into chaos. Wolves shifted left and right, tearing through their clothes as they prepared to defend the pack.

Tables overturned, dishes shattered, and terrified pack members scattered in every direction.

Victor growled, his hand tightening around mine. “Stay close to me!”

But before I could respond, a group of rogue wolves burst into the room. Their eyes glowed with malice, their fur matted and unkempt. They lunged at the pack members, snarling and snapping.

“Luna, run!” my father barked, already shifting into his massive wolf form to take on the attackers.

Victor tried to pull me toward the door, but a rogue wolf barreled into him, knocking him to the ground. I stumbled back, my heart pounding in my chest.

“Victor!” I called, but he was already locked in a fight.

Rough hands grabbed my arm, yanking me backward. I struggled, kicking and thrashing, but there were too many of them. They dragged me out of the packhouse and into the dark forest.

“No! Let me go!” I screamed, my voice echoing through the trees.

“Shut her up,” one of them growled.

Tears blurred my vision as I fought against their iron grips. The cold night air bit at my skin, and the scent of damp earth filled my nose. My mind raced. Why were they taking me? What did they want?

Suddenly, a low, menacing growl cut through the night.

The rogues froze, their ears twitching.

“What was that?” one of them whispered.

Before anyone could answer, a dark figure leapt from the shadows. A massive wolf-its fur black as midnight-charged at the rogues with terrifying speed.

“Kill him!” one of them shouted.

But the wolf was too fast. It tore into them with brutal precision, fangs flashing and claws slicing through fur and flesh. The rogues howled in pain, their grips on me loosening.

I stumbled to the ground, scrambling backward as the black wolf dispatched the last of them. Blood stained its fur, and its glowing amber eyes locked onto me.

My breath caught in my throat.

The wolf shifted. Before me now stood a man, tall and broad-shouldered, his dark hair damp with sweat. His piercing eyes studied me, and his expression was unreadable.

“Who-” I began, but my voice cracked.

“You’re safe now,” he said, his voice low and rough.

“Who are you?” I managed to ask, my heart still racing.

He didn’t answer. Instead, he extended a hand to help me up. Reluctantly, I took it, my fingers trembling against his calloused palm.

“I’m Kael,” he said finally, his gaze never leaving mine.

The name hit me like a thunderbolt. Kael. The rogue. The disgraced Beta who had been exiled from our pack years ago.

“What do you want with me?” I demanded, pulling my hand away.

His jaw tightened. “I just saved your life. You’re welcome.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but the sound of distant howls cut me off. The rogues were regrouping.

“We have to move,” Kael said, his tone urgent.

“Wait-what’s happening? Why were they after me?”

Kael hesitated, glancing over his shoulder. “It’s not safe here. I’ll explain later.”

He turned and started walking, but I didn’t follow.

“Why should I trust you?” I asked, my voice shaking.

Kael stopped and looked back at me, his eyes hard. “You don’t have a choice.”

Before I could respond, another howl pierced the night, louder and closer this time. Kael’s expression darkened. “Run,” he ordered.