Chapter 1

After five years of loving Alpha Josh, just when I thought we were finally about to hold our bonding ceremony under the full moon, he hit me with a single, cruel sentence—

“Just wait a little longer, Abigail. I have to complete the bonding ceremony with Noah first.”

I thought I’d misheard him.

His face was as familiar and handsome as ever, sharp and cold as always—but there was something unfamiliar in his voice. Something ruthless.

“She’s the daughter of a Council elder,” he said, his tone firm and detached. “Her mother’s dying wish was to see her married. She can’t leave this world with regrets.”

In that moment, it felt like his Alpha aura struck me square in the chest. I couldn’t even breathe.

He thought I’d respond the same way I always had—by being understanding, patient, selfless.

But he forgot one thing: my mother is an Omega. A fragile Omega who’s been waiting for this ceremony for five long years. She hand-stitched my wedding dress herself, pouring every last coin and ounce of strength into it.

“And what about me?” My voice cracked in the wind.

Josh frowned, his eyes turning cold, his Alpha dominance pressing down on me. “Can’t you be a little more understanding? It’s only two months. Why are you in such a rush to become Luna?”

His words slashed across my face like claws.

“Josh…” I bit my lip, trying to hold back the storm raging inside me. “My mother has a heart condition. She doesn’t have much time—”

Before I could finish, he pulled out his comm crystal and began tapping swiftly, right in front of me. His fingers were cold and decisive, like he was issuing a command on the battlefield.

He was registering the mating ceremony with Noah—right in front of me.

“No matter what, the bride of this ceremony will be Noah,” he said as he looked up, his eyes devoid of warmth. “Even if your mother is lying on her deathbed, I won’t change my decision.”

And with that, he turned and walked away.

I could almost hear the bond between us begin to tear.

That was the moment I realized—an Alpha’s vow is nothing but a beautiful illusion.

Numb, I let the wind tangle my hair as I fumbled for the numbers burned into my memory. My hands trembled as I dialed.

“Robin,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady though my soul was howling. “I need an Alpha groom. The bonding ceremony is in ten days. Can you find someone for me?”

There was a long pause before my brother burst out, “Are you insane? Abigail, you can’t just switch grooms like this! This isn’t some human wedding—it’s a ceremony blessed by the Moon Goddess!”

I closed my eyes, suppressing the feral snarl rising in my throat.

“I won’t marry an Alpha who betrays his mate and tramples over his promises,” I said, my voice sharper than ever. “And Mom—she doesn’t deserve this humiliation.”

Robin was silent for a long while before finally murmuring, “Actually… before you ever got involved with Alpha Josh, our parents had already chosen a mate for you. Someone who’s had his eyes on you every time he sees you.”

My heart skipped a beat. I knew exactly who he meant.

Grant. The Alpha of the Red Pack.

Young, powerful, cold, and always quiet at family gatherings.

He never confessed anything, never made a move.

But he was always watching me.

And back then, I’d thrown it all away and ran straight into Alpha Josh’s arms.

I still remember the night I told Josh my parents had arranged someone else for me. His eyes had gone bloodshot with rage, the fury of a possessive Alpha taking over.

He’d pinned me to the wall and kissed me breathless.

“Abigail, you’re mine. You’re not marrying anyone else.”

That night, he stormed straight to my brother and declared our bond, saying he was ready to make me his Luna.

And like a fool, I believed him.

Now he was discarding me for another woman, ready to sever our bond, even threatening me to “not make a scene.”

When Noah came to find me, her eyes were glistening with fake tears.

“I’m sorry, Abigail. I never meant to steal your place. My mom… she’s really dying. Once the ceremony is over, we’ll dissolve the bond right away. I don’t want a future with Josh. Please, believe me.”

She even dropped to her knees—but before she could fully kneel, Josh appeared.

He pulled her up with a cold glare, shielding her with his Alpha aura like I was the villain.

“Abigail, don’t push me,” he warned. “Don’t make me use force. Until the ceremony’s over, you’re not going anywhere. I’ve already posted guards around you.”

It was an order.

I laughed coldly, curling my fists as the wolf inside me began to growl.

Fine. I’ll show up at the ceremony.

But the groom?

It won’t be him.