Chapter 0001

Olivia's POV

“I, Aiden Virek, take the title of Mate to Luna Olivia Hartwyn, joining Thorne Ridge Pack. I pledge my loyalty, power, protection and lifeblood.”

Aiden lowers to a knee and presses his forehead to my stomach, exposing the nape of his neck in the traditional show of submission to a Mate.

I can’t wait to finally mark Aiden, to feel the bond snap into place and start a future together. It’s been a whirlwind since we met at the Pack Summit last Fall. He looked at me like I was the only person in the room, and everything just… clicked. And now I get to make him mine.

Everything is perfect, just like I imagined. Today is the day. My day.

I place my hand on his head, threading my fingers through his tawny hair, and recite the reply by memory. “I, Olivia Hartwyn, receive Aiden Virek of Jasper Pack as my Mate. I accept your pledge of loyalty and protection and offer you a place by my side in the Thorne Ridge Pack.”

“You may now mark your Mate!” The Priest declares, and Aiden rises to his full height above me, grinning like he’s won the lottery.

Normally, Mates mark each other instinctually, and in an uncontrollable fit of passion, but as the Luna, my Pack needs to know this is properly sealed; I’d rather have him to myself.

Aiden’s fingers trail down the side of my throat, pulling aside the lacy collar to expose the crook of my shoulder. Tilting my head to give Aiden more access, he leans in, scenting me, and causing a shiver to run up my spine in anticipation of his bite. I feel Aiden’s warm breath against my skin just before he –

– “I’ve been tired of her reclusive ass for months. If she wasn’t an Alpha’s daughter, I wouldn’t be marrying her. You know that.”

What the hell? That’s Aiden’s voice.

The speakers crackle and Aiden rears back in shock. My brow creases in confusion and I look around to see where that recording is coming from.

“Then who do you love, baby?” that’s Amelia, from my Pack.

“Of course, it’s you, it’ll always be you.”

Aiden’s voice rises again, this time it’s not the recording. “That’s fake, obviously someone is trying to hurt us! Olivia, sweetheart, you know this is fake.” His eyes turn pleading.

Whispers and growls ripple through the Packs; someone yelps from behind me and my bridesmaid Mia cries out, “Amelia’s fainted!”

My head whips around and I’m hit with a wave of jealousy... from Mia.

I know from experience that unconscious people don’t project emotions. And Amelia is an absolute beacon right now. I don’t know if she’s the one who set this recording, but she’s not upset it happened. Far from it.

What’s going on?

Aiden whips his head between me and Amelia. “I... someone needs to help her.” He moves past me to crouch down next to Amelia.

And my entire body heats with rage. I lower my voice and seethe at him, “You can’t be serious right now. This is our mating ceremony! And you’re going to coddle a woman pretending to faint?”

I feel a spark of anger and… guilt? “Stop it, Olivia, it’s our duty to care for the members of our Pack. I’ll handle this.”

Aiden lifts Amelia and cradles her against his chest. Her eyelids flutter as he storms away down the aisle to care for my maid of honor.

I need to salvage something of my pride, maybe of this relationship and alliance too. I pick up the hem of my gown to rush after them. Running through the forest, my foot catches on the train of my dress, and I crash down onto the well-worn path. “Aiden!”

I feel myself crashing in a wave of exhaustion. And all I can do is watch Aiden leave our Mating Ceremony with Amelia, not bothering to look back.

My luck with the weather runs out, as the sky picks that moment to darken, fat drops of rain falling through the canopy.

***

“What are you doing?” I love Mia, but this is not a good time for a lecture. Protectiveness. Hurt.

“I’m drowning my sorrows, dear Mi – hey!” My glass disappears I glance to the bar table and count eleven empty glasses. I know I should cut myself off but instead I pour another.

“Mia, my Miiiiiia, this is not a good time. You can see I’m very busy.”

Mia snorts and flops into the chair next to me, giving side-eye. “Well, that was a shitshow. You need to sleep this off and get a clear head for tomorrow. You look terrible.”

“Gee, thanks. I just don’t ge tit. Get it. Tits are good too.” A tear trails down my face. “Aiden has always been sweet to me. We’re under the same pressure. His father’s the leader of the Alpha Council, mine is – was – the Alpha of Thorne Ridge Pack. How didn’t I feel this coming?”

Only my family and our Beta’s family, which includes Mia as his daughter, know about my Power. Empaths are rare and coveted. We can’t technically scent a lie, but with the guilt, anxiety, relief, shame, or a dozen other emotions associated with it, we might as well be able to.

Mia mutters, “I could have told you that.”

“Look, Liv. Aiden and Amelia are power-hungry, and you were dickmatized. I get it. That, and you’re... you. Sweet, trusting, loyal. You see the best in everyone. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“Maybe there is.” I mumble into my glass.

Mia plucks the glass from my hands and sets it on the table with a bang. “C’mon. Let’s get you upstairs.” She hauls me to my feet and drags me to the elevator.

Eight floors later, Mia is half-carrying me down the hall while I search for the keycard trying to remember my room number.

Sexual frustration. Jealousy. I bump into someone rushing past us. “Watch it!” she snaps and keeps on going.

“Bitch, you watch it.” Mia mutters under her breath and grabs the room key from the floor.

We try doors with the card until one lights green and it swings open into a dimly lit suite. Mia pulls me into the room and tosses me on the bed, dress and all. “Get some sleep, girl. It’ll get better in the morning.”

***

The soothing darkness is broken with a bright sliver of light. I crack my eyes open, to find a figure silhouetted in the doorway. A tall, well-muscled, well-dressed figure. I don’t remember ordering room service, but my stomach rumbles at the thought.

“Who let you in here?” He growls. Oh, fuck, that voice.

I let out a growl of my own at the man’s scent. Earthy, minty, a hint of jasmine. Who knew this hotel had such delicious staff?

I shouldn’t be lusting after the staff, I’m a married – no. We didn’t mark each other. I’m too cloudy headed to remember if any of it real; to know if any of this real. But there’s no harm in having fantasies.

I sit up and slip the engagement ring off my finger, making my very unsteady way over to the handsome stranger in my dream-room. I drag in his intoxicating scent again and stumble into him.

“You can charge the food to the room. I don’t have any extra cash but serve me well and this”, I take one last look at the glittering diamond and drop it into the man’s shirt pocket, “will be your tip.”