Chapter 0005

Kayla

I wasn’t sure if I’d read it correctly. Why would Nicholas want me, the ex of his half-brother, to attend his Alpha ceremony, especially after what had happened between us earlier today? Was it to humiliate me?

Still, I owed him a favor. So I decided to go and endure it for now, if only so I wouldn’t have to owe him anything else.

The next afternoon, I dressed up in one of my finest gowns—a deep emerald silk dress that accentuated my own green eyes and auburn hair, a pair of strappy heels and golden jewelry—and attended Nicholas’s ceremony with Ava by my side.

As we arrived at the grand hall, whispers and pointed glances followed us through the room. But they weren’t looking at my dress or the way I had carefully styled my hair and makeup. They were judging me. Whispering about yesterday’s… debacle.

Despite the malicious glares from everyone, I held my head high. I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing me falter. Not after what had happened yesterday.

We navigated through the crowd, ignoring the whispers and looks. But as we crossed the room, I locked eyes with Nicholas. His gaze was intense, unwavering, and for a moment, the noise around us faded.

Inexplicably, I felt a surge of desire, as if our encounter in the bedroom had happened just moments ago. I wanted to taste his skin, feel his dark hair run through my fingers, and bite his lip.

Damn it, Kayla, get a grip, I thought, quickly looking away before the fantasy could go any further. I’m not a she-wolf in heat!

“Well, look who decided to show up,” a sneering voice called out to me.

I turned to see Jessica and Miranda, the twin daughters of a very prominent Alpha, smirking at me from a few feet away.

“The girl who lost both her groom and her wedding,” Jessica taunted. “And now your pack is going to be taken away. Tough break.”

I shot back, “At least I didn’t lose my dignity along the way.”

Miranda chuckled. “Dignity? Is that what you call parading around in a torn wedding dress?”

I narrowed my eyes. “Better a torn dress than marrying a less-than-nothing man. Although I guess you don’t care about the character of your man, so long as he has money, right, Jessica?”

As I spoke, I glanced at Jessica, whose face reddened slightly. Everyone knew that her husband was a good-for-nothing alcoholic and gambler who she only married for his money and status. She didn’t exactly appreciate being reminded of it.

Miranda rolled her eyes. “Well, at least neither of us needs a man to be something. Unlike you, who has no wolf and therefore cannot even inherit her own pack. Pathetic.”

I opened my mouth to bite out a retort, but shut it again when I felt Ava’s hand on my arm. The twins glanced at the exchange, smirking, before they sauntered away. Clearly, they were pleased with the damage they’d already done.

Ava leaned in. “Don’t mind them. They’re just jealous.”

“Of what? My scandalous life?” I sighed.

“Perhaps of your resilience,” she suggested softly.

Before I could respond, an Elder’s voice boomed over the chatter. “And now, the ceremony begins!”

The crowd hushed, all eyes turning toward the grand stage. Elders and guildsmen in ceremonial robes walked onto the stage, taking seats on either side of a large podium.

Ava nudged me gently as the ceremony started. “Did you hear?” she whispered in my ear. “Alpha Nicholas is supposed to introduce his Luna tonight.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?” She wasn’t aware of what had happened yesterday—or rather, what hadn’t happened. I planned on keeping it that way.

She nodded eagerly. “Every she-wolf here is dying to know who she is. He’s the most eligible Alpha around.”

I glanced around casually. “Any guesses?”

Ava shrugged. “Could be anyone. But rumor has it she’s someone unexpected.”

“Hmm,” I mused, my gaze drifting back to Nicholas. He stood tall and commanding at the podium, exuding an aura of undeniable authority with his mouth pressed into a thin smile. Less than twenty-four hours ago, that mouth had been on mine. If he was announcing another woman as his Luna today, I hoped she didn’t find out that her husband-to-be was sleeping around so close to their betrothal.

Just then, I noticed Liam weaving through the crowd toward me, his expression dark and stormy.

“Great,” I muttered under my breath.

Ava followed my gaze. “Do you want to step outside?”

“No,” I said firmly. “I’m not running.”

Liam approached, flanked by a few of his cronies. “Well, if it isn’t the runaway bride,” he sneered, clearly having given up all pretense of regret by now.

“What do you want, Liam?” I asked, keeping my eyes on the stage ahead where Nicholas and the others were gathering.

Liam’s companions chuckled. “Kayla still has your mark on her neck,” one of them jeered. “You two can get married anytime.”

I rolled my eyes. “How original. Do you boys rehearse these lines?”

Liam smirked. “I heard about your little pack troubles. If you come begging, I might still consider marrying you.”

“Sure, I’ll beg.” I glanced at him, but only for a second. “I’m begging you to leave me alone.”

Liam’s eyes flashed with anger. Once, those soft brown eyes had been a turn-on for me, like pools of honey when they caught the light. Now, the sight of him just made me want to punch him in the face.

Suddenly, Liam's gaze zeroed in the mark on my neck. “Wait, this isn’t from me. What is this?!” he exclaimed, spotting the faint mark left by Nicholas just yesterday. His raised voice caused some others nearby to turn and look. “Did you and Nicholas—?”

I smirked, tilting my head slightly so he could see it better. “Jealous?”

His face contorted with rage. “You little—”

“Careful, Liam,” I warned, gesturing to the whispering onlookers. “You’re causing a scene."

He stepped closer. “You think you can make a fool out of me?”

“I think you did that all by yourself,” I retorted.

My words must have struck a nerve, because Liam suddenly lunged forward, grabbing my arm and trying to push me into a corner. A ripple of shouts made its way through the crowd as he shoved me, but before he could take it any further, Ava jumped in the way.

“Liam, stop this! You’re out of line!” she shouted.

“Stay out of this, old woman!” he barked, shoving her aside so hard that she stumbled and fell to the floor.

“Ava!” I cried, trying to wrench my arm away from Liam so I could help her. “Liam, you’re such a—”

“Enough!” a powerful voice roared through the hall, silencing everyone. Even me.

I looked up to see Nicholas standing at the edge of the stage, his eyes blazing with fury.

Liam froze, his grip on me loosening as he trembled uncontrollably. I realized with a start that Nicholas had used the Alpha Voice. Not only Liam but many others in the room wore expressions of fear and submission.

“Nicholas,” Liam’s mother—Nicholas’s stepmother—stood up and pointed an accusing finger at Nicholas. “I don’t know what trick you’re playing, but the werewolf laws never allow a wolf without a Luna to inherit the Alpha position. How you just used that voice is beyond me, but it is against the law!”

Murmurs rippled through the crowd at that. The president of the werewolf guild and several Elders stood up, nodding to each other.

“She is correct,” the guild president declared. “This ceremony cannot proceed without your Luna present, which means that you are not yet an Alpha. Therefore, the use of Alpha Voice is strictly prohibited.”

Nicholas raised an eyebrow, descending the steps slowly. “Is that so?” he asked, his voice lilting.

“You mock our traditions?” an Elder challenged, his voice quavering slightly.

Nicholas ignored him and simply continued his approach, unbothered. The president and Elders instinctively stepped back, as if bracing themselves. But he wasn’t heading toward them or anyone else.

He stopped directly in front of me.

My heart pounded in my chest, uncertainty gripping me like a vise. What was he doing?

“Are you alright?” he asked softly, his amber eyes searching mine.

I nodded slowly, although the way my heart was pounding made me feel like I was about to be sick. “I’m fine.”

Nicholas nodded, then crouched and helped me get Ava to her feet. I put my arm around her, exchanging glances. Thankfully, she was unharmed—although as flustered as I felt.

He turned his gaze to Liam next, who still stood paralyzed. “Touch her again, and you will answer to me.”

Liam’s eyes darted around nervously. “You have no right—”

“I have every right,” Nicholas interrupted sharply.

Liam’s mother stepped forward. “This is outrageous! You think you can intimidate us? Without a Luna, you are unfit to lead!”

Nicholas smirked slightly. “Funny you should mention that.”

The room grew eerily quiet. All eyes were on us, and I felt too frozen to even breathe.

“She’s right here,” Nicholas said, turning toward me.

Gasps and whispers erupted around us as he held out his hand.

“Kayla, my Luna, come complete the Alpha ceremony with me.”