Chapter 3
I walked onto the sacred altar alone, clutching my bouquet, with only Lucian’s parents standing before me.
My own parents had died years ago, and aside from my brother who’d just thrown wine in my face backstage, I had no blood relatives left in this world…]
Under the confused stares of the entire pack gathering, I calmly took the microphone from the Moon Priestess.
“Sorry for appearing before you all in such a disheveled state. Let me apologize first.“[]
Lucian finally snapped out of it and rushed onto the altar, grabbing my arm roughly.[]
“Alina Darkwood, what the hell are you doing?”
“Doing exactly what you want me to do!“]
My voice cracked slightly, but I pushed through, feeling something sharp and cold settle in my chest where my heart used to be.[]
“As you can all see, my mate–to–be, Alpha Bloodstone, didn’t even bother changing into his ceremonial robes…”
“He says this mating ceremony was all my scheming, so now I’m done scheming. I formally announce before the Moon Goddess and all gathered here–“[]
I took a shaky breath, my voice growing stronger with each word:[]
“I, Alina Darkwood, reject Lucian Bloodstone as my mate and Alpha partner. I break this sacred bond and renounce all ties between our bloodlines. From this moment forward, we are strangers!”
I threw down the microphone, the feedback screeching through the speakers as I shoved off Lucian’s grip and turned to leave.
Behind me, the venue erupted into chaos–shocked gasps, angry shouts, the sound of chairs scraping.
In front of me stood Kaelan, still looking panicked and pale as death, his Alpha composure completely shattered.]
He reached out desperately to stop me, but froze when he saw the stark red stain across my gown–a reminder of what he’d done.
I didn’t stop for anyone. The weight of everyone’s stares, their judgment, their pity–it was suffocating. I tossed my bouquet aside and brushed past Kaelan, my movements sharp and decisive.]
At the entrance, a fuming Freya had already pulled the car around.[]
“Alina! Get in!”
It wasn’t until I was sitting in the car that I realized my hands were shaking violently, my entire body trembling like I was going into shock.
In the rearview mirror, my slightly smudged makeup couldn’t hide the tear tracks down my face, the broken look in
Freya handed me tissues, cursing Lucian nonstop.]
Chapter 3
“He used to be such a sweet kid–what the hell happened to him!“[]
“He used to worship the ground you walked on! Bastard changes his heart faster than the moon phases!”
Her voice gradually faded as she watched me bury my face in the tissues, my shoulders shaking with silent sobs.]
“Alina…”
“I’m fine, Freya. Really, I just… I miss my mom so much it hurts.”
The car fell silent except for my quiet, broken breathing. I leaned my head against the window, watching the scenery blur past through my tears, feeling like everything had changed while I’d stayed frozen in place like a fool.]
It turned out I was the only idiot who’d stayed put, refusing to move on.
Actually, Kaelan and Lucian used to treat me so well when we were kids. Really well…
My mother was a world–renowned ceremonial gown designer for the supernatural community.
She used to say she’d create the most unique gown just for me, that she wanted to watch me wear her love and blessings as I mated with the person I loved.]
That year, Lucian and I had just been promised to each other by our packs.
He’d come over, blushing as he tried to hold my hand, only to have my brother roughly push him away.
“Back off! That’s for when you’re older, not now!“]
The adults around us burst into laughter, and I shyly hid in my mother’s arms while she gently stroked my hair.
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Back then, my mother hadn’t been diagnosed with silver poisoning yet, and there was no sister named Zaria in our family.]
Everyone I loved was right there around me.]
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