Chapter 1 1

"This is it," I whispered to myself as nerves filled my empty stomach.

The day I finally belong somewhere.

I've been without a family for over eighteen years and it's been hell.

But the moon goddess has finally smiled on me and given me a mate.

Alpha Damien.

I know I don't deserve him and everyone doesn't fail to remind me of the fact but after six months of waiting, he's finally going to claim me in front of everyone and that's all that matters.

I fixed my own veil and readjusted the white wedding dress I'd made by myself.

When I heard the Shaman's bell, I took a deep breath and came out of the small room beside the chapel.

I walked briskly, knowing Damien isn't the most patient person.

Then I got to the entrance and everyone turned to look at me.

Nobody smiled at me, and I instantly stopped looking at them and focused on the only face that mattered.

Alpha Damien Ashcroft, my soulmate.

The organ started playing and I began the walk down the aisle, towards my forever.

I let out a shaky breath and smiled wider.

Everything I'd suffered before now doesn't matter anymore, the second I get there, he'll bite my neck and we'll be bound together forever.

When I finally got to him, he smiled and my heart warmed happily.

Yes. This is all that matters.

He took my hand and I nearly melted into a puddle. The warmth, the feeling of safety, it was all coming to me.

"Alpha Damien, do you choose Yvana as your mate and Luna?"

"I —"

"Damien! Please help!" Somebody yelled from the door.

I twirled so fast, and nearly groaned when I saw the person running towards the altar.

Sara, Damien's childhood best friend.

"What is it? Why are you running?" Damien exclaimed, letting go of my hand and running to her.

"My father! He wants to sell me off to King Alaric! You know I'm too weak, Damien. I can't work in a war camp! Please stop him!"

"Why would he do that?! You're an omega, your body can't handle the distress of war!" Damien thundered, walking further away from me.

"You have to talk to him! The recruiters are coming today!"

"Let's go!" He bellowed, grabbing her hand and walking off with her .

They were already at the door when I realised what was happening.

"Damien?" I called, my voice weak and shaky.

He stopped and turned to me slightly, and I still couldn't piece words together.

"Come on, Yvana, don't be heartless. I have to make sure she's not taken away to die in His Majesty's camp."

"But.. the ceremony —"

"Won't run away," he cut me off. "I'll be back. Just wait for me. This should be quick."

I heard the murmurs calling me a cruel and weak omega, and I let it wash over me. Making me stand still.

Sara clung to my mate's hand as they continued walking away and when she turned to the side, I caught the hint of a smile on Sara's face.

My heart lurched forward with nothing to hold on to.

The crowd began murmuring, pointing fingers, laughing loudly at me.

They didn't leave, sitting there and waiting to see if he'd actually come back.

I had expected him to tell her father to stop whatever nonsense he was doing and come back to me.

But just like everything that concerned Sara, he took his sweet time.

Soon, people began leaving, shaking their heads.

If I had a wolf, she would be tearing off heads right now.

After two hours, it was just the Shaman and me, sitting in the temple.

Abandoned.

"Child," the old man placed his hand on the shoulder that should have been bearing my mate's mark by now. "You should go get some rest.. I'm sure he will mark you but today is already gone."

I wiped the stray tear from my face and stood up.

Of course, he's clearly not coming back and I'll be damned if I go begging him.

I took off the veil and angrily walked back to my room in the Pack house.

It was the smallest space and I'd packed everything up because I thought last night would be my last in here.

Apparently not.

I took off the stupid dress, tossed everything away in steaming anger and unfolded my mattress.

Then the tears came flooding in as I lay down.

I didn't know what to make of this.

I am angry at him but I still want him to come beg me and make things better.

That thought made me cry harder.

Shouldn't he have done that by now?

What was taking so long?

Night fell and he still hadn't come.

He'd postponed this ceremony for six months now, and most of the time, it was for Sara and her constant complaints because she's an omega.

But what about me?

I literally don't know what happened to my wolf.

It's there but it's not.

I'm weaker than most Omegas and the whole world knows that because the Pack, everyone who could talk, never failed to remind me.

Yet, he'll run to protect her every time, even at my own detriment.

I cried myself to sleep, hoping tomorrow would be better.

But tomorrow didn't arrive; suddenly, my room door was broken down, and strange men burst in.

"Are you Yvana?" The first one barked, his claws pointing at me.

"Y-yes? Who are.. you?"

"Come with us!"

"Wait! Who are you? Where are you taking me to?"

"To the West. You have been recruited to the army."

"Wait!" I yelled, "I can't be. I don't have parents who would be paid any money, how am I recruited?"

"You have a mate, don't you?"

"I... Damien.. did this?"

"Walk faster Miss, we have more people to get tonight!" The first one snapped me out of my daze.

"No," I shook my head, "you're all liars! Don't tell me the King is now stooping so low that he's kidnapping people to join his petty war with his own brothers!"

"That is treason and if you weren't going to be important, I would have killed you where you stand. But come, you're going to hear it from your mate himself."

I allowed him to drag me out roughly, stumbling after his long strides.

He took me to the Pack house, into the mini bar where some of the men liked to gather after the day's work.

Laughter and loud conversations was going on while I was about to be kidnapped.

When the door was shoved open, my eyes caught Damien.

Sitting on the couch, drinking and laughing as though he'd not abandoned me at the altar this morning.

When I looked up, I saw Sara holding the bottle, pouring him some.

"Damian? What is the meaning of this?"