Chapter one

AURORA:

Today was the grand ball ceremony of the moon shadow pack, to celebrate the friendship and socialization between the moon shadow pack and neighboring packs. Tonight, a promise was also made to me, and for me, it was the most exciting part of the ball.

Jackson my fiancee had sent a limo to pick me up so I could meet him at the ball hall. As soon as the car door was opened, I stepped out of the car, and took a deep breath in.

"You look magnificent, Aurora." My best friend Heather complimented me as she helped made my hair look even perfect. "I ought to be. Jackson's introducing me to his family and pack tonight."

"I hear you, girl. It's going to be official soon. Just imagine it baby girl, Aurora Brandon, a dream you've always waited so long to become reality."

Once again, I took a deep breath in. Heather was right. I had waited so long for this to become a reality and it was just a few hours from becoming one. Jackson and I had been dating for 9 years, and today he was going to announce me as his chosen mate in front of the entire pack and neighboring packs.

We had both waited for so long just so we could find out if our fated mates were out there, but it seemed Jackson and I were just meant for each other. He had not found his, and neither had I found mine. So, we came up with the idea of claiming each other. It was clear to us that if we chose and claimed each other, then we would never have to worry about our fated mate ever.

I held my ball gown with the help of Heather and began walking into the hall, while a body guard trailed behind us. I couldn't wait to be his, and I was pretty sure that Jackson couldn't wait for him to be mine as well.

Sadly, as I stepped into the ball room, another blonde haired lady was standing beside my mate and he was holding her hand with a smile plastered on their faces as everyone around stared at them. I arched my brows and stepped forward as I was confused at what I was seeing,

"Jackson." My voice trembled as I called his name, but I fought so hard to hold the tears back in, praying it wouldn't be what I had in mind.

Not only Jackson, but the weird lady turned her gaze at her, and once he saw me, he let go of her and came to me,

"Aurora." He called my name, and when I looked at his back, she was standing so close to him. The sight of this made my heart clench as I watched him take her hand again,

"Before I say this, you really need to understand me. You know we have no control over it, it just happens Aurora, I'm sorry, but Clara here is my fated mate."

I didn't need further explanation because I knew what everything was all about. Jackson had finally found his fated mate, and he had no control over the urge to claim her as his. I swallowed a lump of saliva, feeling a hand on my shoulders, and when I cocked my head sideways, Heather was standing close to me,

"How could you even say this to her, Jackson." Heather broke the silence between us while I held back the tears clinging on my brows. I could see the smile on his fated mate's face, and I could see how happy she was, it was clearly written on her face that he was hers.

"Aurora, let's take this outside, there are eyes on us." Jackson said. Heather was about to utter a word, but I stopped her.

"I'll give him a chance to say whatever he has to say to me Heather, please."

When we got outside, my hands were trembling really bad, and my feets were shaking. Deep down, I prayed Jackson would chose me over this blonde haired weirdo clinging onto him like her life depended on it. It was hurting to see them this way, but there was nothing I could do.

I folded my hands,

"We promised to be with each other no matter what happens Jackson. I love you. We promise to start a family together, just you and I and 6 kids remember?" I wanted to remind him of all our promises to each other so at least he would change his mind because I was so desperate right now.

"That was when we were kids, Aurora. I've waited for so many years to find my fated mate and take over as the next Alpha, I'm sorry, but I'm not going to reject her for you. Besides,.." he pulled her closer to himself right in front of me, and interlock his hand in hers,

"Clara here is from the Red Crystal pack, and her family are renowned people. She's the Alpha's daughter, and her pack played a key role in assisting mine years ago. I think that's why we're fated. If I reject her, it might bring tragedy on my pack and I can't afford that because of you…"

A scoff was heard, but it wasn't mine. It was Heather's.

"You're a freaking bastard, Jackson. How dare you spit such stupid words in front of the person that helped you since you were both teenager. Do you want to be reminded what Aurora did and sacrificed for you?" I tried to hold Heather's hand, but when I did, she yanked it away from my grip,

"Don't keep me shut, Aurora. You can't tell me you're listening to all the rubbish he's been spitting? Why the hell would he chose her over you after your promises. Besides, the tragedy thingy isn't real so don't use that as an excuse to abandon her."

As much as Heather was slowly loosing it, I too was loosing it even worse, and I was trying so hard to control my pain and anger but Jackson hit the nail on the head with his next words,

"If it's about the money, and all the resources you sacrificed for me, then I'm willing to pay you back ten fold. I can refund everything to you Aurora, and we'll go our separate ways like all of this never happened. Like "us" never existed in the first place." He tucked his hand into his pocket and brought out a card,

"There's 200 million dollars in there, and it's to compensate you for the 5 years we spent together, and all the times you aided me with money. I'm pretty sure whatever is in there would be enough to pay up for every damn thing."

My eyes were soaked in hot tears, and I clenched my hands so tight. My heart felt like it was being pulled out from my chest due to Jackson's betrayal. I fought hard to hold my tears, but it was impossible. There was no way I could not break down at a situation like this knowing that the man I had loved, respected, dreamt about, protected, sacrificed a lot for was betraying me for his fated mate. This was the end of us, I could see it in his eyes as he spoke to me. I could finally see that all these years, I meant nothing to him.

With all the self comfort and courage I could gather, I slowly outstretched my hand towards his, without leaving his gaze and shamelessly collected the card from him,

"I would never forgive you for this Jackson, never." I uttered, letting my tears roll down freely with my fingers clenched.