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Sophia

This isn't my wedding, and yet, I have to look happier than the bride herself.

The members and family of the Moonlight pack were celebrating James wedding, the Alpha and my brother. He had found his mate. The scent of expensive wine floated in the air, tempting me to drown my sorrows. Everyone was chatting cheerfully. Some people clapped for my brother and his wife as they danced on the luxurious dance floor.

With a glass of champagne in hand I walked through the crowd, wearing a smile that seemed just right.

"Hey, Sophie!" my aunt called out from a distance. She wore a gorgeous dress, her face flushed with joy. "What a wonderful moment, right?! Look at them! They make such a great couple, and they're so young!"

I quickly approached her and clinked my glass against hers. The crisp sound rang pleasantly in the lively atmosphere. "Auntie, you look just the same as always." I tilted my head back and drank the champagne in one go.

The bubbles burst happily on my tongue, leaving a brief numbing sensation, washing away my troubles for a moment.

Just then, I saw the Gamma's daughter. She was wearing a pink tulle dress, walking toward me with an affected stride. Her walk was so forced. But still, at that moment, I greeted her warmly with a big smile. "Hey, girl! You look stunning today!"

"Oh, stop it," she replied, blushing, a flicker of pride in her eyes. I grabbed another glass of wine from a passing waiter’s tray and said with a smile, "Don't be so modest, beauty."

I drank that glass in one go as well. The alcohol coursed through my veins, and I felt my face warm up. I forced an even bigger smile and started engaging in small talk with every guest.

"Sophie, stop drinking."

James grabbed my hand just as I took another glass of wine. He stared at me, a glimmer of concern in his eyes. 

I looked at him, brushing it off. Drinking wouldn’t harm me.

"Come on, James. It’s your big day. I'm just happy for you," I tried to pull my hand away.

He wanted to say something, but he didn’t. In the end, he let out a sigh and slowly released my hand. "Alright, but don’t overdo it. It’s like alcohol is your best company at night."

"Of course." I quickly turned my head and hurried to lose myself in the crowd. I couldn’t bear looking into his eyes, nor could I stay with anyone for too long, fearing they would see through my fake happiness.

I, the princess of the Moonlight pack, had been in love with Dante, the prince of the Black Forest pack —now Alpha— for eighteen long years. Everyone knew we had been inseparable since childhood, and everyone knew I was obsessed with him. But he married someone else.

It was just a broken heart. What was the big deal? The world didn’t stop. But why did it feel like mine did?

I heard my brother's loud laughter again. He and his wife held each other tightly on the dance floor, their happiness radiating so intensely it seemed to overflow. He looked so happy. I envied his happiness. He had found true love in his wife.

I thought I had found it in a man too. But what did I get? The shattered pieces of my heart were on the floor.

Dante.

Damn name. His memory haunted me. I felt like a fool.

I spent years believing Dante would one day marry me. I thought our story would end in love. But he married a submissive woman. A woman was completely opposite to me. He said my nature was too impulsive to be a proper Luna. He got married. He had responsibilities as an Alpha and made a decision. He replaced me. He destroyed me.

The guests around me raised their glasses to toast the happy couple. The tight knot in my chest squeezed, and I felt nauseous. People looked at me and smiled. I returned a fake smile.

"Well, well, what do we have here? The Alpha’s little sister. Why the long face? You look like you’re not having such a great time," he said sarcastically.

Bright was not on my list of people I wanted to run into tonight.

I turned to face him, holding my champagne glass.

He stood beside me, his blond hair gleaming under the lights, a few messy strands falling casually over his forehead. His black suit fit his tall, muscular frame perfectly. He wore a lazy smirk as if everything in the world was under his control and at his mercy.

And yet, he was everything I had always despised arrogant and a notorious womanizer.

I didn’t know why my brother chose him as Beta or why they became such close friends. But my brother always said that people didn’t really know Bright. But guys like him were easy to read. There was no need to know him better. My brother was right. I admit that Bright was capable of being part of the pack, but tonight, his presence annoyed me.

"What are you doing talking to me, Bright? Why aren’t you out there seducing some girl at the party? Has no one caught your eye tonight? You’ve got plenty to choose from."

He grinned, flashing his perfect white teeth.

"I did, but then I saw you standing here all alone. You’re ruining the pack’s mood with that face. Who died? Instead of a party, it looks like you’re at a funeral. I just couldn’t resist cheering you up."

Idiot.

"Your presence isn’t exactly uplifting, in case you were wondering."

I finished the rest of my champagne and ordered another glass. Bright watched me.

"That’s your sixth drink tonight. If you keep going, you’ll embarrass yourself for being drunk, Sophia."

"How did he know it’s my sixth drink? Has he been watching me?" But I didn’t want to waste time on him. 

"I'm not going to get drunk. Leave me alone. And go to hell, Bright."

"Sweetheart, I’m already there," he smirked arrogantly.

I took a deep breath.

Bright left me alone.

With a frustrated sigh, I finished my drink and walked toward the hotel ballroom balcony. I was tired. Truly tired. I thought the fresh air would help. I grabbed another glass of champagne from a waiter’s tray and drank it eagerly.

Time passed. The laughter, music, and noise from the guests overwhelmed me. I wanted to leave the party. I lost count of how much I had drunk, but I didn’t regret it. The alcohol numbed my pain, and that was all that mattered.

I headed for the exit. My head was spinning.

Bright was right. If I stayed, I would make a fool of myself. I needed to lie down and sleep. The night was over for me. But I took a glass of wine with me as I left.

I stumbled at the hallway and managed to open the door before the dizziness got worse.

Wanted nothing more than to throw myself onto the bed. But when I did, I was in for a surprise.

A scream went out.

A woman shot up from the bed, with wine streaming down her delicate face. She looked so, scandalized.

"Are you crazy?! Look what you’ve done!"

"Shit," I muttered.

I had walked into the wrong room. 

"You really know how to ruin my romantic evening, Sophia." 

Bright stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped only in a loose towel.

He took in the scene, and his eyes met mine.