Chapter 1

Christine POV

I listen to the whispers just outside the door, urgent and buzzing, from a few pack members who didn’t know I was overhearing their conversation as I look all beautiful in my wedding gown, waiting to walk down the aisle. 

“The mating ceremony is about to start. Everyone is anticipating it.” One says to the other. 

“I think I’m having a bad feeling about this. Did you hear? Alpha Harlan’s first love is threatening to jump off the pack house rooftop!”

My heart tightens. Today is my mating ceremony with Harlan Stone, the alpha of our Silver Claw Pack, the supreme alpha. And there is his first love, Rebecca acting all shady again. 

I’ve lost count on how many times Rebecca has pulled this kind of stunt. I thought I had gotten used to it by now, like accepting the fact that she’s not happy that I’ll be the Luna to her childhood lover.

But today? Today feels different, hitting me hard in the gut. 

If Rebecca makes another big scene, I know I will have to step back again. Let him handle it, just like always. We have been together for five years; she has been threatening to end her life for five years too, refusing to move on. And every single time, he is the one who rushes to her to stop her from succide, his wolf instincts kicking in strong to protect his old bond with her.

I even feel like the outsider in my own mate bond ever since she’s in the picture, like I am a rogue wolf sneaking into territory that does not belong to me.

But the last time he left me for her, he promised it was over between them and I believed him. That is why we are here today, in this grand hall of the pack house, surrounded by happy pack members from different packs in the werewolf clan, all dressed in their finest clothes for the ritual that would seal our mate bond under the moon.

“What is it? Why have you been calling?” I hear Harlan’s voice from behind. 

I snap my head quickly. The balcony door is not fully closed, and Harlan’s low, cold voice drifts in. 

He is out there, phone pressed to his ear, his broad shoulders tense under his black suit that is tailored to fit his massive, muscular powerful alpha body, built from years of daily gyms and exercises.

His hair is slicked back, but a few strands fall loose by the side of his face which make him look more hot and handsome. This is the man I fell in love with, the alpha I would never stop loving. 

Just then, his voice snapped me out of the admiration of him. 

“Jump? She won’t! Where is she? Is she hurt? Stay close to her. Don’t let her hurt herself.” His tone is pitiful, and protective. I see the way he’s always calm whenever it comes to her but never showed me such attention.  Well, I did not care much because being his Luna was all I wanted and that’s why I agreed to this arranged marriage. Love brought me to him and my love will sustain us both. Being the supreme Luna is every girl’s dream and now I got it, what more could I have asked for? 

Although I felt slightly jealous whenever I saw him with her, but ever since he promised me it was going to be the last time, I felt really safe and happy with him. I use to think that since she was out of the picture, I could finally enjoy my marriage. 

And today, it was finally going to happen. He will claim me right in front of everyone.

His voice drifts me out of my thoughts again. 

“Put an eye on her.” He mutters and hangs up and  then turns around, his piercing mesmerizing eyes locking onto mine. 

My heart races fast. He is not going to her this time again, right? I believe he did not lie. It really was the last time.

“Christine…?” he calls and I blink, his face showing no smile  as it’s unreadable. “The ceremony is about to start. Are you ready?” He say, not noticing how beautiful I looked or even complimenting me. 

I know Harlan has always been this way, so detached, like his emotions are locked away in some cage that no one can break. Even though he doesn’t compliment me, I know he admires me from his mind.

It is part of what makes him such a strong alpha; he does not let feelings control him. But from the day I first had a crush on him as a young she wolf in the pack, playing in the meadows and learning to shift, to now, giving him everything I have, I feel like I’d met my true mate and I prayed to the moon goddess to make him my husband if he is meant for me and today, that wish will be fulfilled. 

“We will tie the bond in a few minutes.” He added, snapping me out of my dazed thoughts again. 

Thank you moon goddess for making this possible. In a world of fated mates chosen by the moon goddess, choosing me means something deep, like recognizing a true bond.

I smile wide, my eyes lighting up a bit  as I loop my arm through his. His skin is warm, his muscles hard and strong under my touch, like the body of a wolf ready to pounce. “Harlan, we are finally mating…”

He does not react much. He just nods once. 

Shortly, the  dressing room door swings open, and the emcee’s voice booms through the hall. “Now, let’s welcome the alpha and his bride to the stage!”

I beam with happiness as we walk up the aisle, my white gown flowing beneath my feet as all eyes are on me while I smile back at them. Such an amazing feeling. 

This is my moment, the one I have dreamed of since I first saw him. Once again, thank you, moon goddess.

Soon, we reach the stage and I and Harlan stand opposite each other, waiting for the pack priest, who is standing beside us to commence. 

Then, the priest breaks the silence. 

“It is such a good thing that we all came to witness this moment, the union of the supreme alpha to his beloved mate, chosen by the moon goddess herself.” I smile. 

All of a sudden, Harlan’s phone begins to ring, cutting the emcee off. My smile freezes on my face immediately. The emcee’s expression twists into awkwardness. 

Who’s calling? Rebecca? I wonder, my heart beating fast. 

Harlan pulls the phone from his pocket without any hint of apology. “Now what?”

And before I can say a word, Harlan says, “I’ll be right there.” His voice is steady, showing no emotion. Immediately, he turns as he hurries off the stage.

The hall erupts in murmurs. Murmuring some words I didn’t care to hear clearly as I ran after him. 

“Don’t go…” I hike up my gown, meeting his pace, tears stinging my eyes. My voice breaks in sob, almost a plea. “You said it would be the last time.” I say. 

He stops and turns to me. His eyes meet mine and says calmly, “Rebecca has actually jumped down the rooftop, she’s badly injured and I have to go check on her.  You can keep the ceremony going, I'll be back soon.”

He takes a step to go but I block him again. “If you leave, then I’m afraid this mating ceremony will be canceled.” 

“You are kidding. Everyone knows how much you love me and can’t do without me. Don’t be dramatic.” He says, and then walks away.

He’s right. Everyone knows how much I love him and my life revolves around him.