Chapter 1
“Alina Darkwood, you know damn well that Zaria’s got feelings for Lucian too, and you’re still throwing this massive mating ceremony like some kind of show!“]
On what should have been the most important day of my life, my brother dumped red wine all over my ceremonial gown.]
My mate–to–be Lucian Bloodstone, alpha of Bloodstone Pack leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, his voice ice–cold:[]
“Look, I’ll make this simple for you. Option one–wear that ruined dress and we’ll get through the mating ceremony.“[]
“Option two–march yourself over to Zaria right now and apologize. Make her happy, and I’ll tell everyone we’re postponing.“[|
But I didn’t pick either option.[]
I chose door number three–standing there in front of our entire pack families and friends, still wearing my wine–stained gown, I declared: “I, Alina Darkwood, reject Lucian Bloodstone as my mate and Alpha partner. I break this bond before the Moon Goddess and renounce all ties to the Bloodstone Pack.“]]
My Alpha brother, my so–called mate, my sister… I was done with all of them.
But after I walked away from The Howling Vale, word got back to me that shook me to my core–both Alphas of the territory’s most powerful packs had completely lost it.[]
They’d hired every top designer on the planet, throwing money around like it was nothing, all trying to fix one wine–stained ceremonial gown.]
…0
When Kaelan Darkwood stormed into the dressing room, I had just finished putting on the ceremonial gown I’d treasured for ten years.
Before I could even turn to admire myself in the mirror, this Alpha who shared my features kicked the door open with brutal force.
“Alina Darkwood! Are you completely out of your damn mind? I’ve warned you so many times, and you’re still going through with this ceremony!”
“You know Zaria has feelings for Lucian too–are you deliberately trying to break her heart? Do you have any idea how much she’s been crying at horne?”
He was screaming at me, completely oblivious to how my expression shifted from initial joy to crushing disappointment in an instant.
Of course. It was always about Zaria Ironpelt…]
I felt helpless, the elaborate ceremonial gown restricting my movement, constantly reminding me–today wasn’t the day for fighting.
With a quiet sigh, I didn’t snap back at Kaelan like I usually would. Instead, I looked up with unusual calm:[]
Chapter 1
“Kaelan, can we please not fight? At least not today… This is my mating ceremony. I just want to be happy.”
Kaelan’s expression darkened further. He let out a bitter laugh and stepped closer.]
“Alina, could you stop being so damn selfish? It’s just a ceremony–is it really more important than Zaria’s feelings?”
“She’s so gentle and understanding, swallowing her pain just to wish you and Lucian well! She only had one request–to keep this ceremony small and private! A simple family dinner would’ve been perfect! Why do you have to be so stubborn?“[]
His matter–of–fact tone made my hands shake with rage. I forgot all about keeping this a “blessed day” and fired back:]
“I’m the one getting mated! What’s wrong with wanting my own ceremony? I don’t care how upset Zaria gets–why should I sacrifice my happiness for her feelings?”
“Shut your mouth! Zaria is your sister, and you have a responsibility to care for her and put her first!“]
My vision went black with fury as I practically screamed: “Sister? She’s YOUR sister, not mine! My mother only gave birth to one daughter!”
“You’shut up!”
Ice–cold wine cascaded down my hair, staining my snow–white ceremonial gown crimson.]
In that moment, both Kaelan and I froze.
He seemed to finally come to his senses, his hand trembling as he held the empty wine glass.
“Ali… Alina, I didn’t mean-”
He frantically grabbed tissues from the table, trying to clean my face, but I stepped back.
I felt like I’d lost my soul, staring down at the dark red stain across my chest, sinking into stunned silence.
Wine continued dripping from my hair. Kaelan, probably embarrassed by how undignified this looked, roughly pressed tissues against my forehead.]
“Ha–Kaelan, why are you bothering with her?”
“I told you from the start not to have this ceremony. She’s the one who got Mom and Dad to force me here, making Zaria cry her eyes out! Maybe it’s time she learned her lesson.”
Both Kaelan and I turned toward the doorway, where Lucian Bloodstone now leaned casually, a cigarette between his lips and a cold smirk on his face.
I suddenly realized–he wasn’t even wearing his ceremonial robes.[]
He had on a white jacket with a crooked little wolf cub painted on the front in bright colors.
Zaria’s birthday gift to him last year…
