Chapter 2 Lira

The wedding day arrived faster than I expected, and it was held in the grand hall of the Crescent Fang pack. The hall was sleek and beautiful, white roses adorned every pillar, and I marveled at how ethereal it looked.

I tried everything I could to calm my nerves, preparing myself for the crucial moment, but nothing helped.

I was a mess, and my mind couldn’t stop thinking about everything that could go wrong.

I stood in the dressing room, eyeing my reflection in the mirror with a blank expression. My dress was a soft ivory, simple yet elegant. My mother chose it for me, saying I would look beautiful. But I felt far from that.

My normal wild curls of red hair were pulled into a sleek low ponytail, leaving a few curls that framed my face. I wore little make up, my fingers running over the freckle that were sprinkled on my nose and cheeks.

My mother believed this was our new beginning.

But all I could think about was seeing him again.

Rowan.

My mate—no, my ex-mate, the one who didn’t hesitate to reject me. The one who threatened me to keep shut and never speak of us being bonded. My stomach churned at the memory.

And that wasn’t the worst of it, because I knew he’d be there with her.

Alicia Cross.

Would this arrangement stop her from attacking me? Alicia always found a way to get what she wanted.

And since Rowan was on her side, I knew she would take full advantage of it.

Despite that, I wasn’t running away, if not for myself, then for my mother. She deserved to be happy, and I wasn’t going to let anything or anyone ruin this day for her.

Taking a deep breath, I braced myself and I quietly slipped into the main hall, trying my best not to attract any attention.

The space was buzzing with activity, filled with elite members of the pack, all eager to witness the union between the Alpha and the chosen Luna.

My gaze naturally wandered around the room, and soon they found him—Rowan.

He looked sharp in a sleek black suit lined with gold embroidery, his brown hair was perfectly styled, but he looked far from pleased. And just as I expected, Alicia stood beside him, clinging to him like the vixen she was.

He didn’t bother to look my way.

It was like I didn’t exist, and I hated that his reaction affected me, even when I expected it.

But of course, Alicia noticed.

Her eyes sparked with amusement as she glanced my way, then she turned with a sickening smile and sauntered toward me. She wore a bright red gown that hugged her hourglass figure, her chin held high with snug superiority.

“Well, well, if it’s Alpha’s new stepdaughter.” She cooed, her tone mocking. “You clean up nicely, but wearing fancy clothes wouldn’t make much of a difference. Trash is still trash after all.”

My jaw clenched, but I bit my tongue. There was no use exchanging words with her.

My silence seemed to have annoyed her, and she couldn’t force me to speak since we were in public. Even she wouldn’t dare cause a scene on such a special day.

Alicia took a menacing step forward, leaning close to whisper in my ear, “Don’t get any ideas just because your mother whoring her way into the Alpha’s bed,”

I stepped back, my eyes blazing. “Don’t talk about her like that.” I snapped, chest heaving.

I can bear her slandering me, but not my mother.

Alicia scoffed in response, eyeing me with disdain. “Whatever, you’ll always be a low-class mutt anyways, and a new last name isn’t going to change that.”

My hands balled into fists at my sides, my knuckles turning white and my nails bit into my palms, but I forced myself to remain calm.

I wouldn’t let her get to me. I wasn’t here for petty fights.

Alicia took a glass of champagne from a waiter and raised it as if to make a toast.

“Congratulations omega.” And with that said, she returned to Rowan’s side.

I sighed, ignoring the knot forming in my stomach. Just endure it, I remind myself. Just smile, just for a few more hours.

Suddenly the hall grew quiet, and all heads turned towards the entrance as the double doors slowly opened, revealing the couple everyone waited for.

My heart felt lighter as I saw my mom, but then my gaze shifted to the man beside her. The Alpa. Kael Vexley.

My heart skipped a beat for some reason.

It was the first time I’d seen him, and he was much taller than I imagined, with dark hair streaked with strands of silver, defined cheekbones, and the kind of commanding presence that seized all attention, making the room feel cold and hot at the same time.

His eyes were a bright shade of gold, surrounded by thick lashes and a jaw that looked like it was carved from stone.

I barely had time to think before a strange sensation rippled through me, causing my whole body to stiffen.

My heart throbbed violently, and I feared it might explode. There was a faint ringing in my ears, and something in the back of my mind grew louder, sharper, like something waking up after years of slumber.

And then it hit me.

My wolf.

Mate.

The word pulsed like thunder in my head.

For the first time in my life, My wolf spoke to me, but my chest constricted as realization sank in.

No.

No, it couldn’t be

I stumbled back a step, panting as goosebumps littered my skin.

My wolf had never spoken to me, not even when I sensed Rowan was my mate, but now it was like she was trying to claw her way to the surface, thrashing within me.

The ceremony had already begun, but Alpha Kael halted at the top of the aisle, just as he was about to lean in to kiss my mother. He froze, pulling back as his eyes widened ever so slightly.

And then they flickered to me.

Time slowed.

My lips parted in disbelief as his gaze locked onto mine. I wanted to deny it, but I felt it, the unmistakable pull of the bond.

This…this can’t be happening.

Not again.

Not with him.

Not right now.

Alpha Kael’s eyes darkened, his jaw ticking. And just like that, I knew.

He felt it too.