CHAPTER 001

CHAPTER 001

Amélie’s Point of View

For weeks I worked to make this rose garden what you see me standing in. All elements from each petal to every light to every detail obtained careful selection. My destined partner kneels before another person while holding a wedding ring. 

The Alpha King of Pack SombreLowLand Mattias gazes upward at Élise. His face shows a gentle tenderness that he has never shown me before. A thousand pieces fall through my heart while I struggle to draw air. My lungs collapse inward while my legs remain completely immobile. I desperately need to scream but find myself unable to produce any sound.

"Why is this happening?" Astrid, my wolf, sends a sad whimper through my thoughts while her voice shakes with sorrow.

While I attempt to still Élise, I realize I have lost my own inner tranquility. My surroundings appear like an endless waking nightmare while Élise lets out a radiant smile as she sparkles with red-hued sunlight beneath a freshly placed ring. Astrid's sorrowful howl remains the only sound I hear through the overwhelming applause from my pack.

In the midst of all the noise, Mattias's voice reaches me, calling, "Amélie," while maintaining his usual cold detachment. “Bring me the ring.”

I briefly believe I misunderstood his words. His familiar authoritative stare makes me realize I’m nothing more than his beta. I am not his mate. He is not viewed as his equal.

Just the Beta.

I push my legs into motion to reach the briefcase that holds the ring. My hands shake uncontrollably while I open the lock. When I hold the box in my hands, they press heavily into my palms because they understand the significance of its contents. With slow movements, I retreat toward him while praying my face doesn't reveal what I'm feeling within me. Our fingers touch for just a second when I give him the box, but he remains completely unaware.

Mattias proposes to Élise, hoping to transform her into the authentic Luna of Pack SombreLowLand.

She gasps and nods, tears streaming down her face. “Yes! A thousand times, yes!”

The garden fills with cheering voices that rebound across the crowd. I retreat step by step until I disappear from their sight. I walk to the garden's edge where the applause becomes a distant roar. 

My fingers tightly clasp the railing, which connects with the staircase, prompting entry to the Château Royale’s back door. My sight becomes fuzzy while my chest struggles to draw air. The sound of Astrid’s cries inside my head makes my situation worse.

"Why didn’t he choose us? She whispers to me that we are his destined partner while her voice cracks.

I move my head back and forth to quiet her voice. As I recall the bitter realization that I am not enough, it strikes me with shocking intensity.

As I sit on the cold stone steps, memories rush through my mind. At three years old, I became an orphan when my parents died, and the pack took me in. Nobles openly scorned me because of my commoner origins. Through continuous hard work, I surpassed everyone else, which demonstrated my capabilities repeatedly. My unwavering dedication paved the way for me to become a Beta, and when the pack needed a new Luna, they naturally chose me.

Mattias remained completely indifferent to all my achievements. He will always see me as nothing more than a temporary solution until someone better appeared. Élise has arrived to take my place.

A voice asks me if I serve as Mattias’s beta. My eyes shift upwards to find Élise near me, displaying an insolent grin on her face.

“I’m Mattias’s Beta,” I state, working hard to control my voice. I served as interim Luna until this point.

Her tone sharpens as she proclaims, "You've reached the end of your usefulness." All of them.”

Her words felt painful, but I maintained my control. “Of course. I will ensure that moving forward happens with minimal difficulty.

The sound of her laughter irritates my innermost self. This conversation extends beyond your duties as part of your work here.

She throws something my way before I can say anything. Instinctively, my hands reach out and secure the smooth metallic draft of a bank card.

She explained to Mattias that ten thousand would be more than enough, but he demanded one million. “Take it. Think of this as your severance package.”

The card feels heavier in my hand as her words begin to register. She assumes that monetary gain has driven my actions. She believes all of my life's hardships and losses served to create moments that would earn me money some time later.

Money isn’t my reason for being here. I ask, my voice shaking.

She moves her head to one side while pretending to be innocent. “What else could it be? The market value of women like you never changes.

Her words felt like an unexpected slap across my face. Your understanding of this situation is completely wrong.

A smirk holds onto her face as she closes the gap between us. I understand completely who you are. You’re nothing more than a financially ambitious prostitute from humble origins.

The insulting words emit a sharp and toxic air presence. I stand frozen because she walks away backwards while the sound of her heels clicks against the stone pathway. The card in my grip slides between quivering fingers as both rage and humiliation make my palm tingle from the metal edges. A tear lands on my hand before I become aware of my crying.

Thoughts elude me as I pursue her using rapid and determined steps. I have no idea what words will come out, but she must face consequences for her actions.

I almost run into Mattias when I turn the corner. Mattias catches me with his hand on my arm while his blue eyes narrow at the sight of my tear-streaked face.

You’ve been crying, he tells me while maintaining a detached voice tone.

I step back from his touch while I quickly wipe my face. “It’s nothing.”

He looks down at the bank card I hold and his face becomes grim. “Was it not enough? Is that why you’re upset?”

“What?” In a quiet whisper, my voice struggles to produce sound.

He reaches into his pocket and extends another card toward me. “Take this. Élise's wedding list determines your purchase decision for the engagement gift. She needs matching jewelry for the ring, so buy her a necklace and earrings or anything else she wants. You can keep the rest.”

The words feel like a slap. I gaze at him, my thoughts racing. He doesn’t see me. He remains oblivious to both the hurt he delivers and the wreckage he leaves behind. In his mind I exist solely to serve his needs until he decides I'm not useful anymore.

“No,” I reply, now speaking with newfound strength. “Do it yourself.”

He blinks, taken aback. “What?”

The cards hit his chest before the metal pieces scatter across the floor between us. "I've reached my limit, Mattias. I will not serve you in that capacity anymore.

His face reflects authentic shock over a brief span. His blue eyes examine mine, searching for the source of my defiance. But I don’t give him the satisfaction of an explanation. I turn and walk away, my heart pounding in my chest.

The still hallway of the château greets me while my mind races with unchecked emotions. The mix of betrayal with sadness and anger presents a threat that may consume my entire existence. While holding myself up beside the icy wall, I pause to draw steady breaths.

Is he so dismissive of my worth? After all my efforts for him and this pack, what does he think I'm worth?

The sound of Astrid saying something reaches me even through my emotional chaos since she speaks calmly but with solid authority. "You deserve better."

I shut my eyes to fully absorb her comforting words. She’s right. I do deserve better. My entire existence has revolved around him, so how can I possibly move forward now?

Despite everything that has transpired, I harbor a persistent hope that he will find me. Does he have any concern about my decision to leave?

Have I reached the final point of my existence?