Raven’s POV
"Are you ready?" My maid asked me as we both stared at my reflection in the mirror. I looked beautiful.
I felt beautiful too.
Today marked a grand occasion for both the Adamantine Pack and the Ember Pack. Both packs would be joined together through my wedding to my fated mate, Colt.
We were both Alpha heirs and childhood friends. I had loved Colt before I knew he was my mate. Finding out he was my fated mate was the cherry on top. My life felt perfect.
The moon goddess was definitely on my side.
"Yes, I'm ready," I giggled, gripping my wedding dress, and walked out of the room.
The union of two Alpha heirs was rare. The union of two Alpha heirs who had known each other since we were in diapers was even more rare.
This isn’t just a love story, it’s a political alliance that was anticipated by everyone. As the future Luna of the Adamantine Pack, I was born with the weight of the pack on my shoulders. And tonight, I got to share it with the love of my life.
When I walked out into the Moonstone Courtyard, everyone cheered. My wolf paced excitedly within me as our eyes fell on Colt. He stood on the pavement before the priest who was to join us together.
Goddess, he was so handsome. I can't believe I was finally going to be his and his alone.
Mom walked up to me, reaching to adjust my braid.
“Raven, wow. You look amazing,"
"Thanks, Luna Beth," I replied teasingly. "You don't look so bad yourself. Where's Dad?"
"Right behind you, sweetheart."
I whipped around just in time to get a bear hug from my dad. “You look beautiful, Princess,"
“Thanks, Alpha Brett," I replied, hugging him tightly.
"I see the Luna in you already," When he let go, he entwined our arms and slowly led me down the walkway to Colt.
I beamed when Colt finally looked up at me. There was a warm smile on his lips despite the distant look in his eyes.
I sighed in relief. He was happy to be here. Despite what had happened, that was good. That was good enough for me.
We said our sacred vows, promising to love and to hold each other. Colt and I each step forward and cut through our palms using a knife. Our blood dropped into a bowl and mixed. I felt the bond form between us immediately.
"I present to you, Alpha Colt and Luna Raven," The priest announced and the crowd erupted in applause.
“Congratulations!" someone hollered.
“I knew the Moon Goddess would bless your union!”
“Your children will be legends. Two Alpha lines combined, that's amazing!"
Colt smiled and nodded beside me, while I thanked everyone who came to meet us graciously, accepting hugs, kisses on the cheek, and their blessings.
I sighed when Colt grabbed my hand then frowned when he gripped it too tight.
"Hey, relax," I chuckled, nudging his shoulder with mine.
He gave me a very cold look that stunned me. But when I blinked, it was gone, replaced with a happy smile.
That sent a strange chill down my spine. Had I imagined it?
"Are you okay, Colt?" I asked and he leaned down to whisper in my ear.
"Just eager to have you alone with me,"
Oooh, that. I glanced at the party before us. "We can leave if you want-"
I had barely finished my sentence when Colt began tugging me out of the hall, away from the crowd, toward the private wing of the Ember estate that was gifted to us as a wedding gift by his parents.
I let him lead us to the master bedroom. It was decorated with flowers and gold and so many pretty things, but I was too restless to pay attention to them. All I could think about was Colt and I, tonight, tangled between the sheets.
I smiled at Colt, heart pounding. “It’s just us.”
He steps forward. “Yes,” he says, voices low. “Just us.”
I closed my eyes, tilting my head to bare my neck. His breath brushed over my skin and my wolf purred in contentment. We had waited so long for this moment. I know I had.
Suddenly, pain, white-hot and sudden, stabbed into the side of my neck.
My eyes flew open. I gasped as fire flooded my veins, burning through me. I tried to move, but I couldn’t. Something’s wrong. Wrong.
Colt stepped back and I saw him drop an empty syringe to the floor.
“Wolfsbane,” he said coldly. “You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this.”
My vision spun. “W–what? Why?” I croaked.
His eyes narrowed, filled with an emotion I never thought I’d see from my mate. Hatred.
“This is for Dahila.” He spat.
The name hits me and my stomach drops. No. No way, he couldn't... I thought he had let her go.
Three months ago, Colt found his second chance mate. I would never understand why a second chance would show up when I was his fated mate and we had accepted each other.
Dahila was beautiful but fragile. She was a weak omega and for some reason, he loved her with a desperate kind of longing that made me ache in jealousy. He never felt so strongly for me as he did for her.
Colt begged me to. 3.:,5. Xds a xxx let him take Dahila as his mistress. He claimed he couldn't reject her because it could kill her. She was a mere omega, after all.
I loved Colt more than I loved myself and so I said yes. I agreed to marry a man who kept a mistress. As long as I remained his Luna, I lied to myself that I didn't care how many mistresses he kept.
When Luna Maya, his mother, approached me and asked for my help to make Dahila leave, saying she could have a safe and free life elsewhere, I agreed and worked with her to send Dahila elsewhere.
I never meant for her to die. I didn't know she would die! Her plane crashed. It was supposed to be a smooth departure, not a death sentence.
Colt stepped closer, face burning with rage he must have been trying to hide all day. “You killed her.”
“No,” I whisper, barely able to breathe. The poison was quickly eating my insides. “It was an accident…”
"It was all your fault! You made her die. You made her burn. So I'm going to do the same to you!"
That’s when I smelled it. Gasoline.
My eyes widened. “Colt, please. My pack, my parents, they'll take revenge."
“They’re powerless and can't do shit. Ember Pack is stronger and you know it. Everyone will forget about you."
He struck a match and threw it to the floor. Flames roar to life. I screamed, thrashing against the wolfsbane that held me frozen. My wolf howls in agony, trapped within me. The fire burned my skin. My eyes go blurry from the smoke. I looked up to beg Colt but he was gone.
The man I loved was gone. Ten years of my love, of my life was gone, burned in fire. And as the fire ate away at everything, I had one final desperate thought.
If only I had another chance.
