I had imagined my wedding day a thousand different ways, but none of those dreams had prepared me for the ache spreading through my chest as I stood alone before the mirror.
The ivory gown clung to my body with understated elegance, its silver embroidery catching the morning sunlight pouring through the tall windows of my chambers. My mother had once told me that a Luna should wear strength more proudly than jewels, yet today I wore both because appearances mattered more than truth.
Outside, Silvercrest Pack buzzed with excitement. Servants hurried through the Alpha Manor carrying trays of food. Warriors stood in polished ceremonial armor along the stone pathways. Banners bearing the silver crest of our pack fluttered beside the black wolf insignia of Shadowfang Pack, a reminder that today was not merely a wedding.
It was a treaty, a bargain, a sacrifice, I lifted my gaze to the woman reflected in the mirror and barely recognized her.
At twenty-four, I should have looked like a bride glowing with anticipation but instead, exhaustion shadowed my eyes.
The years had not been kind, ever since my mother died, Silvercrest had slowly become a stranger to me. My father, Alpha Rowan Walker, had remarried within a year. Vivianne Ashford entered our home with graceful smiles and gentle words, but beneath that polished exterior hid a woman whose ambition knew no limits.
Little by little, everything my mother had built disappeared, the pack treasury shrank, the healers lacked medicine, families struggled through harsh winters while lavish banquets filled our manor almost every month.
No one questioned where the money went and those who dared soon found themselves stripped of rank or quietly sent away.
I knew the truth, Silvercrest was dying and if nothing changed, my mother’s pack would disappear within a few years.
That was why I had accepted this marriage, not because I loved Alpha Damon Ashbourne, not because I even liked him.
I had never met him and everything I knew came from rumors. The strongest Alpha in the Northern Territories, a brilliant military commander, a fearless warrior, a man respected by kings and a notorious womanizer.
Some claimed he had never spent more than a week with the same woman others whispered that he laughed whenever marriage was mentioned.
Apparently, the Alpha Council had finally forced his hand, Shadowfang needed political stability and Silvercrest needed money. The alliance benefited everyone except the bride.
A soft knock interrupted my thoughts “Lady Samantha?”
The familiar voice eased some of the tightness in my chest “You may come in.”
The door opened slowly, revealing Clara, my mother’s former attendant. Time had silvered her hair, but kindness still softened every wrinkle on her face.
She smiled the moment she saw me “You look exactly like your mother.”
My throat tightened “Do I?”
She nodded while carefully adjusting the veil resting across my shoulders “Especially your eyes.”
I lowered them before emotion betrayed me “I wish she were here.”
“So do I.”
Silence settled between us and it was comfortable, gentle and unlike nearly every conversation I had inside this manor.
Clara placed something small into my hand, a silver pendant shaped like a crescent moon. My mother’s pendant.
“I thought Father locked this away.”
“He did.” Her lips curved into a knowing smile “I simply remembered where.”
Warm tears threatened my composure “This belonged to her.”
“And now it belongs to you.”
My fingers closed around the cool silver “I don’t know if I’m strong enough.”
Clara stepped closer “Strength isn’t measured by how loudly someone roars, child.”
She rested her hand over mine “Sometimes it is measured by how much pain someone survives without allowing it to turn them cruel.”
My vision blurred as I hugged her before I could stop myself “Thank you.”
She embraced me just as tightly “When everything becomes difficult, remember who you are.”
“I will.”
A loud voice echoed from somewhere downstairs “Samantha!”
My father’s voice, it was sharp and demanding and then the peaceful moment shattered.
Clara sighed quietly “I suppose it’s time.”
I straightened my shoulders before walking toward the door and every step felt heavier than the last. The grand hall overflowed with nobles from neighboring packs.
Crystal chandeliers illuminated polished marble floors while musicians played cheerful melodies that seemed entirely disconnected from reality.
Conversations stopped as I entered and hundreds of eyes followed me. Some admired my gown while others pitied me, a few looked relieved. After all, my marriage meant Silvercrest would survive, at least for now.
Father approached wearing an expensive ceremonial robe trimmed with black fur.
He barely glanced at me “You’re late.”
I blinked “The ceremony begins in nearly an hour.”
“And appearances matter.” His expression hardened. “The Ashbourne family must see discipline, not sentiment.”
Not once did he say I looked beautiful, not once did he ask how I felt, to him I wasn’t his daughter, I was an agreement waiting to be signed.
Vivianne appeared beside him, elegant as always. She smiled warmly enough to fool anyone unfamiliar with her.
“My dear Samantha.” She adjusted an imaginary wrinkle on my sleeve.“Today changes everything, for the pack, for everyone.”
Her fingers tightened briefly around my wrist before letting go. It was a silent warning, behave, smile and obey. I did all three, not for them but for my mother, for Silvercrest and for every family depending on this alliance.
A burst of excited whispers swept through the hall. “They’re here.”
“Shadowfang has arrived.”
“The Alpha himself.”
Everyone turned toward the entrance, including me and the enormous door swung open and Shadowfang warriors entered first, disciplined, silent and powerful. They moved with the confidence of wolves who had never known defeat.
Behind them came Beta Gabriel, tall, scarred and expressionless and then nothing. Minutes passed as confused murmurs spread across the hall.
Father frowned “Where is Alpha Damon?”
Gabriel checked the pocket watch in his hand before calmly answering “Running behind schedule.”
Behind schedule?
For his own wedding?
The room filled with awkward laughter and someone whispered loudly enough for everyone nearby to hear.
“Perhaps the Alpha changed his mind.”
Another voice joined “I heard he despises arranged marriages.”
“I also heard he refused to meet the bride beforehand.”
Heat climbed into my cheeks but I kept my expression neutral and their words shouldn’t hurt, none of this was personal.
He didn’t know me but still embarrassment settled heavily in my chest. Another ten minutes passed, then twenty, the musicians stopped playing and then guest began murmuring openly.
Father’s patience visibly deteriorated and Vivianne forced a smile through clenched teeth.
“He’ll arrive.”
No one sounded convinced and nearly an hour after the ceremony should have begun, the distant roar of motorcycles echoed across the estate. The sound grew louder, closer and finally several luxury vehicles rolled through the manor gates.
The doors opened and laughter drifted across the courtyard. Women’s laughter which made my stomach tightened.
The grand entrance opened again and Alpha Damon Ashbourne walked inside as though he hadn’t kept hundreds of guests waiting. He was undeniably handsome, dark hair slightly tousled, broad shoulders filling his tailored black suit and golden eyes that carried effortless authority. The kind of man capable of commanding a battlefield with a single glance.
Unfortunately, he also had fresh crimson lipstick smeared along the edge of his collar and fresh kiss marks disappeared beneath his jaw. And a blonde woman clung possessively to his arm until one of his warriors gently escorted her away.
The hall fell silent as every eye shifted toward me, towards him and then towards the undeniable evidence that the groom had spent his wedding morning with another woman. My humiliation became public before a single vow had been spoken.
Damon finally looked at me and his gaze traveled from my veil to my face. There was no warmth, no apology only detached assessment.
“So.” His deep voice echoed across the silent hall. “You’re Samantha Walker.”
I met his eyes despite the burning humiliation threatening to consume me “And you’re late.”
A few nobles inhaled sharply because no one spoke to Alpha Damon Ashbourne that way. One corner of his mouth lifted, not in admiration but in amusement.
“I’ve been called worse.” His eyes flicked briefly toward the wedding altar “Shall we get this over with?”
Something inside me cracked not shattered, not yet but the first fracture had appeared. I looked at the man I was about to marry and realized every terrible rumor had somehow failed to capture the truth.
The reality was worse, much worse and even so, I forced my feet toward the altar because turning back would doom the pack my mother had given her life to protect.
As Damon stepped beside me, our hands brushed for the briefest moment and a violent surge of silver light exploded between us.
The entire hall gasped as a powerful bond slammed into my soul with breathtaking force, and a single impossible truth echoed through every corner of my mind.
Mate.
My heart stopped, then I slowly turned to look at the man whose touch had awakened the sacred bond. Judging by the shock flashing across his face, he had heard the same word.
And from the cold fury darkening his golden eyes, I realized fate had just trapped us both in a destiny neither of us wanted.
