Chapter 1. To the End of Beginning

BELLADONNA

Taste like wine, his tongue brushed my mouth, claiming every inch in heady desire. I was unwilling to loosen my arms around his neck. Our kiss ended as our panting breaths met. His onyx eyes were lustful and his thumb brushed my lower lips.

I chuckled, then slid off his lap to an empty spot on the couch.

"Tomorrow is your coronation. Can't believe you're going to be an Alpha of the pack. In my mind, you're still the boy who asks for a back rub every night."

Ryder's laughter exploded. As a twenty-five year old himself, his alluring glow hadn't faded a bit.

His hands cupped my cheeks. "Oh my god, my Belle, that was years ago, I'm a man now," he replied defensively.

I gave him an amused glance. "But would you turn down a back rub?"

"Never." He admitted, laughing again.

"See?"

"My adorable Belle," he murmured as he peppered my face with sweet kisses. “I can’t get enough of you. Don’t you dare leave me.”

“You know I wouldn’t do that, right? We’re fated for life, babe.”

“Good, because I can forgive anything but cheating and I have no intention of sharing you with anyone.”

His lips ended up on mine again as he leaned in further, pushing me backwards until he perfectly caged me underneath him.

I lost in an increasingly heated kiss when his hand was creeping up under my skirt. Every touch of his heat stirred a sudden panic. I shivered when his fingers brushed the outside of my panties. I reflexively pushed Ryder's shoulder, surprised.

"Ry," I gasped. "What are you doing?"

"Don't you think this is the right time? Tomorrow I'll be the Alpha and I'll announce you as my Luna in front of everyone," he replied, burying his nose into my neck. The rasp of his breath grazed my skin as his lips explored. I pushed his shoulder again.

"We can wait after marriage."

"I can't... please, my Belle. I want you now, only you."

I gulped down my doubts. I didn't want to disappoint him. His kisses on my neck grew hotter. My core throbbed, resonating his demanding touch. I was just a girl who loved her man, and indeed I couldn’t love and be wise, especially when Ryder used his knees to spread my thighs.

"Will it hurt?"

"I'll be gentle."

I nodded. His smile calmed me. Ryder carried me to his room.

And then I unleashed my maidenhood for my fated mate, my soon-to-be Alpha, Ryder Edgeburn.

The following night was jam-packed with activity. The main hall had been transformed into a grandiose coronation venue, complete with a low podium where Ryder swore his oath as Alpha of the Ambersky pack in front of all members.

He was greeted with a wave of applause as the new leader. My chest filled with pride as I watched my boyfriend. He winked meaningfully and teased me as he glanced in my direction.

"You're stunning," he mouthed, "Can't wait till I rip that dress off."

Only with those words, he made me go pink. I bit my lower lip, unable to hold back a smile. Pieces of last night's memories flashed through my head. The sex was unbelievably thrilling. He made sure I enjoyed every part, every detail of his touches, everything.

My friends were teasing me and congratulating me from all sides. Although it wasn’t official yet, the whole pack knew that I was the next Luna as I'd been Ryder's girlfriend for three years. I was just waiting for Ryder to make a toast and make the announcement.

His mother had always been my role model, and I had learnt so much from her that I was more than prepared to take on her position. So after taking a drink, I parted ways with my friends to mingle with the guests, acting like a proper Luna-to-be.

From across the hall, I saw Ryder showing his admirable professional figure chatting with the Elders and his parents. As I made my way towards him, someone unintentionally bumped my shoulder from behind. I stumbled and spilled my wine across someone's white shirt as my forehead hit his chest with such force.

My eyes widened. “Goodness!”

I glanced up, finding a pair of amber eyes behind glasses looking at me with the same shock.

Wait. I knew him. He was Alpha Cedric Copperwall of the Moonstone pack. I looked down, noticing the wine staining his expensive shirt.

“I am so sorry!”

I blurted out, trying not to drown in panic that would lead to making a fool of myself. I pulled a handkerchief from my pouch, handing it to him.

“Ah... it's nothing, no worries,” Alpha Cedric patted it against his shirt.

Panic clouded my mind, well-aware that Ambersky and Moonstone were often on different pages but the same book. I had to tread carefully to not stir up trouble for my recklessness.

“You can't go around in dirty clothes, please, let me help you. I'm sure there are new clothes you can wear,” I put it on gently.

Alpha Cedric raised an eyebrow, stuffing a handkerchief into his pants pocket. “That's very kind of you, Miss....”

“Silveroak. Please, over here.”

A few curious eyes flickered in my direction as I made my way out for us. Outside the main hall, I opened the guest restroom door and stepped inside. I pulled open a drawer filled with some clean clothes, as I heard the door swing shut behind me.

When I spun around, my eyes widened to see Alpha Cedric unbuttoned his shirt half-way through. The sight of him undressing before my eyes caught me off guard. I handed him a new shirt as I feigned turning my eyes to my watch.

Oh, it was time to head back to the main hall.

Alpha Cedric's call halted me just as I was about to slip out of the restroom.

“Miss Silveroak,” he said, his voice smooth but firm, “Do you have any perfume I can wear too?”

I turned back to face him, feeling my cheeks flush with embarrassment. “Oh, of course, I—”

Before I could finish, the door behind me swung open with a loud bang, startling both of us. Ryder stormed into the room, his expression dark, his onyx eyes filled with fury.

“What the fuck is going on here?” he roared.

I froze, holding my breath. Alpha Cedric calmly turned his gaze to Ryder, unfazed by the intrusion.

“Relax, Alpha Ryder,” he said in an even tone, “Your Luna-to-be was just helping me clean up after a little accident.”

But Ryder's eyes weren’t on Cedric. They were locked on me, burning with a mix of anger and betrayal. “Is that what it looked like?” he spat, his voice dripping with contempt.

“Please,” I started, raising my hands to calm him. “It was nothing, I swear. I accidentally spilled wine on him, and I was just—”

“Just what?!” Ryder cut me off, his voice rising. “Helping him change his clothes? In a guest restroom? Alone?”

Alpha Cedric let out a soft chuckle. “Seems like a bit of an overreaction, don’t you think? She was just being polite.”

Ryder turned sharply towards him.

“Stay out of this, you jerk. This is between me and my mate.”

The word “mate” cut through the air like a knife, and I could feel my gut churning with anxiety. I moved closer to Ryder, attempting to reach out, but he swatted me away, his jaw clenched firmly.

“You know what, Belle?” he said, his voice quieter but no less intense. “I told you I could forgive anything but cheating. And this? This looks a hell of a lot like cheating.”

“Cheating?” I echoed, my voice breaking. “Ryder, how can you even think that? You know I would never—”

“Do I?” he shot back, his eyes narrowing. “Do I know that? Because right now, all I see is my soon-to-be Luna alone with another Alpha, acting like a lovestruck fool.”

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I fought them back, unwilling to let them fall in front of Cedric. “Ryder, please. You’re overreacting. I love you, only you. There’s nothing going on here,” I whispered, my voice shaking.

For a moment, Ryder’s expression softened, but then he glanced at Cedric again, and the anger flared back up.

“I can’t believe you would humiliate me like this,” he muttered. “Right in front of the entire pack.”

“Humiliate you?” I repeated, my voice rising with frustration. “I didn’t do anything wrong!”

But Ryder wasn’t listening. He turned away, heading for the door. “We’re done, Belle,” he said coldly. “This is over.”

Panic surged through me as I ran after him, grabbing his arm. “Ryder, no! Please, don’t do this!”

He shoved me off harshly and I stumbled back, hitting against the wall in helplessness.

“Guards!” he shouted, his voice echoing through the hallway. “Escort them both out. I don’t want to see their faces again.”

Two guards appeared almost immediately, their expressions uncertain but obedient to their Alpha's command. One of them grabbed my arm, and the other moved towards Cedric.

“Ryder!” I cried out, my voice breaking. “Please, listen to me!”

But he didn’t even turn around. He walked away, leaving me behind as the guards began to drag me out of the packhouse. My heart pounded in my chest, my mind racing with desperation.

This couldn't be happening. This couldn't be happening. Ryder couldn't just ditch me, ending our fairy tales for three years that easily.

I just needed to go back and beg for his forgiveness, right?

He couldn't leave me.

Not after I gave him the most precious things I hold dear.

My love and my virginity.