Chapter 1 Wedding Night

• Music fills the air, blending with the cheers of the guests. The aroma of delicious food swirls around us, and the gold and black decorations sparkle under the lights, symbolizing my wedding and our names.
• I sit at the head table with my family and the wedding party, scanning the room. I can’t help but smile as I wa tch my silly, yet dashing, husband dance. His black tuxedo gives him a model-like flair, and his shiny black hair shimmers under the lights.
• Warmth fills my chest. I feel like the luckiest woman alive.
• Still, a nagging feeling lurks in the back of my mind. I can’t shake it. Something feels off, but I can’t figure out what.
• I tell myself it’s just paranoia, a side effect of all the rogue attacks and recent skirmishes with other packs and Lycans. I push the feeling away.
• A cheery server approaches with a bright smile, handing me a drink. "Champagne for the bride."
• I hesitate. "Isn't the whole wedding party getting champagne for the toasts?"
• She smiles wider, shaking her head. "No, just one for you and one for the groom."
• That’s strange. She sets the glass in front of me and adds, “There’ll be another champagne for the toasts later.”
• What? That doesn’t make any sense. I tilt my head, confused. “Why do I need another glass? One should be enough.”
• Her smile never falters. "The bride and groom must drink this one first—for good luck." She leans in and whispers, “I was told it’s tradition.”
• Good luck? Who puts faith in luck or superstition?
• I want to protest, but she walks away before I can say anything. The unease I’ve been ignoring creeps back. My eyes settle on the bubbling drink.
• “Trinity!”
• I look up. My husband’s dark eyes meet mine as he raises his champagne glass, motioning for me to do the same. His grin is playful, almost teasing.
• I push away the doubt again. This is my wedding. What could go wrong?
• I smile and lift my glass, but before I take a sip, my husband is distracted by a friend, spinning away and downing his drink in one go.
• My brother nudges me. “Aren’t you going to drink it? It’s for good luck.”
• I glance at him. Really? Does he believe this too?
• He gives me a smug look. "You better drink it if you want that alpha title. You've already agreed to marry someone who isn't your fated mate. All for power." His gaze turns scornful. “Using Drake to secure your title, even your body—disgraceful.”
• Anger flares. “I’m not using Drake, and I’d get the alpha title even without this marriage.”
• He scoffs. “Father thinks this marriage strengthens our pack. You really believe that?”
• I glare at him. “Yes, I do. We need alliances. Attacking Lycans based on rumors would be reckless.”
• His eyes darken as he leans in. "Drake will sacrifice our pack for his own.”
• He grabs his drink, downing it angrily. I stay silent as he storms out of the hall. I wish his departure would bring me peace, but it doesn’t.
• Why does he have to be like this? Our father chose me as heir for a reason. I was born first, and it's tradition. It’s not my fault I’m female, the first one in generations to be born to an alpha.
• Trent has never accepted it. He’s too young, too hot-headed. He would lead us into a war we can’t win. The Lycans outnumber us, and they’re stronger. Father knows this.
• Frustrated, I push back my chair. “I need some air,” I say to the table, my eyes flicking back to the champagne glass. Should I take it?
• Drake already drank his.
• With a sigh, I pick it up and walk outside.
• The cool night air is a relief as I step onto the patio, the breeze lifting the satin fabric of my wedding dress. I let the calmness settle over me, leaning on the railing and looking up at the stars.
• Am I doing the right thing? I hope the moon goddess agrees.
• The door opens, and my best friend Bethany steps out in her royal blue maid of honor dress, a bag slung over her shoulder. “I thought I’d find you here. I brought the clothes you asked for. Changing at your wedding? Really?”
• I laugh softly. “Just in case. This dress is starting to get uncomfortable.”
• Bethany rolls her eyes. “Can’t you enjoy being the bride for one night? You’re always in alpha mode.”
• I shrug. “I can’t help it. I’ll be alpha soon.”
• Bethany leans against the railing. “It still feels strange—calling you alpha, not luna.”
• I nod. “It’s tradition. The moon goddess has her reasons.”
• A distant howl pierces the air. I freeze.
• Bethany’s eyes widen as another howl follows.
• My heart pounds. I know what that means—an intruder or an attack. I down the champagne and dash behind the shrubs, quickly shifting into my wolf form. I give Bethany a glance before I bolt into the forest.
• The howls grow louder. My paws pound against the ground as I race through the trees, over boulders, and under branches, the hotel fading behind me.
• I knew something was wrong. Why didn’t I trust my instincts?
• Suddenly, I skid to a stop. The howls are behind me now.
• Before I can react, my pack members leap out of the shadows, blocking my path.
• What the hell?
• They don’t give me time to think. They attack.
• Pain shoots through my body as I fight back, muscles burning. I don’t understand—why are they doing this?
• The sound of paws thundering behind me keeps me moving forward, but my mind is racing. How did things escalate this fast?
• Adrenaline fuels me, but I’m losing strength. The city lights finally come into view, twinkling in the distance like a promise of safety. I push harder, reaching the edge of the city, weaving through streets and shadows, staying ahead of the pack.
• I’ve injured several of them, but they underestimated me. I’m stronger, faster, thanks to my alpha blood. Being the firstborn gives me an edge—even over my brother.
• But I can’t slow down. Not yet.
• My vision blurs as I round a corner. My legs threaten to give out, but I press on. An alley appears ahead. I dart into it, stumbling behind a dumpster. My legs finally give way, and I collapse, hidden in the shadows.
• Pain radiates through every part of me. My body burns, my head throbs, and blood trickles down my side. I hope I’m hidden well enough that they won’t find me.
• For the first time in my life, fear grips me. I silently pray to the moon goddess for protection. I’ve never relied on anyone else, but now I have no choice.
• My thoughts drift back to the attack. How did they know where I’d be? Why couldn’t I fight them off this time?
• Exhaustion overwhelms me as darkness creeps in. My last thought is a prayer—hoping I wake up to see another day.