Chapter 1 ~Betrayal~

Footsteps echoed on the marble floor as people bustled around with trays of food, drinks, and flowers. The air was misty with the scent of the delicious food being prepared and mingling with the flowers hung on the walls.

A woman with grey hair tied into a tight bun barked out orders and tapped her walking stick on the ground once in a while when something didn't meet her satisfaction. The hall in which the woman stood was magnificent. It had been decorated with violet and lilies filling the air with a refreshing smell.

“Adriana wait!”

The woman's head turned sharply to the voice and she spared one glance at the activities going on before limping away, her stick clicking on the ground.

She gasped at the scene in front of her and walked quickly towards it. “Lady Adriana.” She called out to the silver-headed woman who was still laughing heartily.

Adriana turned to her, her eyes full of light. “Rita!”

“Rita, can you tell Adriana to stop running?” A blonde bent down slightly her chest heaving. Adriana chuckled.

“Ohh dear Ashley, are you adding more weight that you can't even have a little sprint with your sister?” She teased.

Ashley shook her head still trying to catch her breath. “Not in our human form please. It's exhausting.”

Adriana chuckled again and Rita smiled but it faded slowly when her eyes fell on the letter in Adriana's hand.

“What is that?”

Adriana looked down at it, her lips stretching out into a wide smile. “Xavier sent a letter to inform us he is now at the border.”

Rita gasped. “That's so close. And you didn't inform me…”

“That's why I ran here to tell you.”

Rita was already turning away. “I need to see to the finishing of the hall before he graces us with his presence.” She stopped walking away and turned back sharply. “And my lady, why aren't you dressed already? It's your wedding today!” With that said Rita disappeared into the corner.

Adriana smiled at her retreating and then at the letter she clung to.

“Are you that happy that you are getting married?” Her sister's voice brought her back to earth.

“Yes.” She nodded.

“Do you like him that much?” Ashley was already breathing normally now and she straightened her back.

“Like is a small word…. I LOVE HIM.” Adriana grinned and opened the letter again to read the contents written in it and she didn't see how her sister's eyes darkened and how her lips curled into a sneer.

Adriana started walking away. “I need to get ready. My soon-to-be husband is on his way. Oh God, how I love that title.”

Ashley stood alone, her hands fisting beside her.

****

“You look so beautiful my lady and I'm sure Alpha Thornaxe will be swept away by your beauty.” Kara; her maid said as she brushed Adriana's hair softly.

Adriana blushed. “You please with your words Kara. You sure have a way with words.”

“My lady I'm being honest. You're the most beautiful maiden in all of Blackwood and Alpha Thornaxe is lucky to have you.” Kara complimented her and Adriana smiled at the reflection in the mirror.

Her hair was braided into a long tail at the back and adorned with flowers and glitter. Kara had done a good job and Adriana smiled widely thinking about Xavier's reaction when he sees her.

She traced her fingers over the necklace Xavier had given her on her eighteenth birthday, a year after their mating ceremony.

"One day, you'll be my Luna," he had whispered as he fastened it around her neck.

She had treasured those words ever since and couldn't wait to be his wife.

She could hear horses coming their way and knew Xavier was drawing close but she couldn't see him now because according to the marriage tradition, the husband and wife are not meant to meet till they get to the Red aisle.

Her wolf stirred within already catching a wift of Xavier's scent even from miles away.

“Calm down Mia.” She spoke to her wolf but her wolf was beyond listening.

He's finally ours, Mia purred.

Adriana laughed softly.

Yes. Ours.

She took a deep breath and brushed her hands against her dress. Just a few hours, few hours and she will have Xavier all to herself as her legally married husband.

Her mind drifted to how her wedding night would be. Yes, she had already kissed Xavier before but they hadn't gone beyond that because Xavier had said he wanted their first time to be memorable.

Oh, she can't wait to get him in her bed.

She also imagined waking beside Xavier every morning, raising pups together, and growing old with him.

It was a future she had cherished for years.

Her wolf stirred again, this time restless and Adriana knew she couldn't hold her at bay any longer.

Mia was eager to meet her mate and so was she.

Adriana cast a glance at Kara who was still going through her wedding dress that lay on the bed.

Adriana opened her mouth slightly and breathed out at Kara's direction then waited silently watching her.

Within seconds Kara yawned and her head drooped already asleep.

Adriana smiled and stood up. She had breathed out a dozing pill; that's what she had called it when she found out she could do that. She doesn't know how but it has always been an ability she had hidden from everyone even her trainer.

Adriana opened the door and poked her head out, her eyes darting around the hallway before stepping out.

She could feel Mia getting excited and she hurried down the hallway before anyone could see and stop her, heading for one person.

Xavier.

His scent became stronger and she hastened her footsteps almost running.

Then just as she reached a door, voices stopped her.

“Where is Adriana?”

Xavier's voice drifted through the door and Adriana's heart fluttered.

He was probably dying to see her just like she was.

A blush warmed her cheeks as she moved closer and she stretched out her hand to twist the doorknob.

“Do you now long to see her even when I stand before you?”

Ashley's voice drifted out and Adriana's hand stopped mid-air inches from the knob, her brows creasing.

Her sister. What was her sister doing in there with Xavier and what does she mean by that?

“You know you're the only one I long to see.”

Adriana froze, the smile slipping from her face.

No, she must have heard wrong.

Xavier would never say something like that to Ashley.

Her fingers tightened around the necklace at her throat until it dug into her skin.

"I've missed you." His voice came out again and then her sister's voice followed.

“Me too.”

Adriana's heart stumbled painfully as dread curled through her chest.

No. Adriana screamed inside her head.

This couldn't be happening.

The necklace suddenly felt heavy, the same necklace he had clasped around her neck while promising she would one day be his Luna.

“But you are getting married to her.” Ashley's voice was now sharper as if accusing him of treason

Xavier sighed. “You know why I'm doing it. It's because of the merger that it will be good for my pack as well as yours Ashley. It's just a marriage of convenience.”

Adriana felt her skin run cold.

Her knees weakened and she grabbed the wall for support.

Inside her, Mia let out a broken whine.

Marriage of convenience.

Her soon-to-be husband and mate had called what they had a convenience.

Her heart wrenched in her chest by his next words, the world seeming to tilt beneath her feet.

"Now let's stop talking about her."His voice softened. "I've spent too long away from you."

A laugh escaped Ashley.

Then Adriana heard the unmistakable sound of a kiss.

Her head went blank.

The world fell silent.

No laughter echoed from the hall. No footsteps. No music.

Nothing.

Something shattered and broke inside her.