CHAPTER 1

She was trained for perfection.

Trained to be strong and resilient.

To embody strength and show no fear

To despise weakness and see it only as a curse.

SONIA’S POV.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror and could barely recognize myself. My uncle had insisted that the wedding should be grand and had invited the very best of the best. My makeup artist had done a perfect job highlighting all my best features, and I looked so different, so beautiful, yet unfamiliar.

Throughout my years in boarding school, my wardrobe consisted solely of combat trousers and black t-shirts—simple and plain. I never had the opportunity to let my hair down, quite literally. The idea of wearing a gown seemed like a distant luxury. Returning home, I found myself presented with the finest dresses and clothes. While I anticipated some differences, I wasn't prepared to be so taken aback.

Marrying Kelvin wasn't part of the plan. After years of striving to prove myself to my uncle and my pack, I thought I had finally proven my worth. But obviously, I was mistaken. It appears that I needed a man to complete me before I could truly assume the role of Alpha.

“How’s my beautiful lady doing?” my uncle said, entering the dressing room to see me.

“I'm fine. Thank you for everything you have done for me,” I replied politely, offering a slight bow.

“It's no problem, dear,” my uncle said, smiling widely. He appeared to be even more delighted with this wedding than I could ever be.

“You are my niece, and I would do anything for my brother’s only child,” he added with a smile.

I nodded, and the thought of my father flashed through my mind. I wondered if he would have wanted me to marry someone I loved, instead of being handed over to a stranger.

I moved away from him and walked towards the window. From here, I could see a vast area of our pack, with people streaming in like ants to attend the wedding. My uncle had decided to invite everyone who cared, to come and witness my union with Kelvin

“This is a lot of guests,” I breathed out, unable to hide my thoughts.

My uncle clapped his hands together. “Don't you like it?”

I turned to face him and whispered, “I would have preferred a small wedding.”

“Nonsense!” my uncle exclaimed as if the thought of a small wedding was absurd. “No child of the Redmoon pack would be subjected to a small wedding. Not you, Sonia. You are soon to be the first-ever female Alpha to rule this pack. You deserve a mighty wedding. Small weddings are for paupers.”

I sighed, looking out of the window. There was no point arguing; he was always right. Besides, there’s no reason having to argue over a small wedding or a big one. What truly mattered was that soon enough, I would ascend to the role of Female Alpha, freeing myself from the constraints of imposed rules.

“Thank you, Uncle,” I replied, wearing a small, faint smile.

My uncle sighed. “Do you realize I'm doing all this for you? I love you as if you were my very own, Sonia.”

I nodded. “I know that.”

There were many things I should be thankful for. My uncle had been a blessing to me. He could have easily wiped me out as a child, automatically becoming the new Alpha. Instead, he sent me to the best boarding school known for producing strong warriors. He did this because he knew people would rebel and complain, claiming that I would not be capable of being an Alpha. They argued that I was too weak and emotional to rule this great pack. He wanted me to prove them wrong.

I was watching myself in the mirror when my cousin Bella entered the room after her dad left. She was as beautiful as her name and always had a smile on her face. Her perfect ginger hair shimmered in the light.

“You look so perfect, Sonia,” Bella squealed, hugging me in excitement.

I smiled, genuinely touched. “You look just as beautiful, Bella.”

Bella shook her head. “I don't compare to you. You are the most beautiful bride the Redmoon pack has ever produced.”

I smiled at her flattery and hugged her tightly. She was the only one that I was comfortable being myself with, the only one who wrote me letters throughout my time in boarding school.

“I miss you, Bella,” I confessed.

Bella pulled away from our hug. “Stop acting like we are never going to see each other again. I live here, and so do you. You are getting married, not being sent off to boarding school,” she teased.

I laughed. “I know... it’s just...” I trailed off.

“I know my father has been hard on you, but it's all over now. You will be Alpha soon,” Bella reassured me.

I frowned. “Yeah, but why do I have to marry a man I don't love?”

Bella placed her hands on her stomach, rubbing it gently. “My dad makes excellent choices though,” she smiled.

Bella had written to me three years ago while I was in boarding school, expressing her frustration about her upcoming arranged marriage. She mentioned that, like every other royal she-wolf, she was expected to marry the man her father had chosen for her when she turned 21. She had been angry and cried so much about it back then, but now she seemed completely smitten by him.

“What if mine is different,” I scoffed. “I don't care about love, though. I just want him to be bearable.”

Bella smiled. “Everyone deserves to be loved, especially you, Sonia.”

I scoffed again. “Love isn't for me. I was built to be an alpha and not to care for silly emotions like love.”

“Maybe this might change your mind,” Bella said, placing a piece of paper in my hand.

I opened it up, and my breath stopped as I stared at the note. It was from a long-lost friend, more like an enemy, someone I did not wish to speak with.

I crumpled the paper and threw it to the far corner of the room. “I'm not going to meet him,” I declared.

“Why? You guys used to tease each other a lot as children. You had a huge crush on him back then. You must want to see him after all those years,” Bella said.

I shook my head. “I was stupid and naive. Whatever feelings I had for him are long gone.”

“If you are so sure, then see him,” Bella urged.

I shook my head. “There is no point. Even if I still have a crush on him, it's of no use. I'm getting married to Kelvin.”

“Okay, love. I just hope you don't regret it,” Bella said before walking away, leaving me alone with my thoughts

What did she mean about regretting it? Screw it. I'm going to see him and prove to her that I was right. I don't care about him.