Chapter 1

Claire's POV

They said it was normal to get pre-wedding jitters just before the wedding. You start to doubt everything and question everyone.

Was this really the dress for me?

Did I look fat in it?

Are those the right flowers for me?

And…. Was he the right one for me?

I'm one of the few who didn't go through all that.

It was happening, I was getting married!

Mother patted down on my arm as we walked down the aisle, trying to ease my nerves but it did her more good than it did me. She took a deep breath, controlling her breathing.

She looked stunning in her ash, plunging neck-sleeve sequin dress. With a small smile her way, I stood in front of him.

I had the widest grin on as I looked over at my father wiping off a stray tear with his handkerchief. I was used to it, I'd seen a lot of stray tears and worn-out kerchiefs as he had always been proud of me. "By the power vested in me by the goddess herself, I give to you this drink that your bond may form and you shall become true mates."

He took a dark bowl from the ancient box, the markings were falling off and difficult to read. "The she-wolf goes first." He passed me the mate potion, the potion that made all this real. I'd be mated to Jayden, the pack's beta, and my best friend. We'd rule the pack together and together break the curse.

One quick look at him and I was enchanted, he looked as good as he did yesterday. I might even say better, his usual messy blond strands and his always-covered masculine physique in wore-out tee-shirts and boxers were looking tidy for a change. Covered in a dark suit and his strands over his eyes, I was tempted to push them away so I could stare at those emerald orbs I'd grown to love.

He had the same look I have on, at least I thought so. He choked on a sob, his fist to his mouth as he tried to contain himself.

My eyes dropped to my shaky hands, it suddenly felt real. I drank this and there was no going back whatsoever. I could never go looking for my real mate, never know what he looked like or if he even wanted me. I could never get to know him, get that rush that all she-wolves get when they come in contact with their mate for the first time.

I shook my head, trying to clear the sad thoughts and thought about the positives. I was saving the werewolf world as I knew it. I did this and everyone would be safe and happy and that would make me happy…. I hope.

Bringing the bowl to my lips, I saw my reflection. My face was adorned in the lightest shades of colors to go with my pale skin, a contrast to my full lips coated in a red shade of lipstick. I was as pale in human form as my wolf, Kira.

Kira was nowhere to be found. She was there, just not…. There. She was sad, wailing, and begging to stop this as she wanted her true mate. I was practically forcing the mate bond on her but I needed to do this. I needed to make Father proud, always.

Father nudged me, urging me to hurry. "Go on."

One last look at the crowd and I saw the scared, eager faces. Everyone was here, even the alpha king. It was of one-of-a-kind ceremony, it only made sense that he'd be here to witness it. All alphas from the eleven packs sat in the front row, all except one, alpha of the Red Moon Pack. It's understandable as he was never at events like this.

A figure moved around the corner and my eyes followed instantly. Craning my neck past Jayden I saw nothing but the white curtains, it might have been nothing. Maybe it was nothing and I was just looking for something, anything to stop all that was happening.

Murmurs echoed from within the crowd, the anxiety, and fear eating everyone. Yells and screams came from the middle of the room.

"Drink it already!"

"What are you waiting for?!"

"Do you want us all dead?!"

Fear built up in me suddenly. A warm hand took mine and I trailed it to his eyes, Jayden's eyes. He tried to reassure me with them, they spoke words to me. On a regular day, they'd warm up my inside but today was not the day. I was giving up my life, and my youth to save everyone.

I was suddenly not so sure it was what I wanted.

Thin lips met my full ones in an intimate kiss. The crowd had gone silent now as they watched our tongues intertwine in a sweet, divine battle.

It wasn't my first time kissing him but it felt different. I didn't feel giddy like I usually did and I suddenly didn't like his hands on my lower back tracing the line of my corset.

Why was this happening? Was it because I'd finally come of age? Because I turned eighteen today?

He broke away from the kiss, my hand still in his. He brought mine to his chest and I could feel it beating really fast. I knew I affected him but not that much.

"We'll be fine," he flashed me a smile, his pearly white teeth showing themselves to me.

I nodded.

Taking a deep breath, the cold bowl touched my lips. My eyes fell close and just as the drink was about to touch my lips, it fell from my hands.

I heard gasps around me. I turned to find angry black orbs glaring at me. His jaw clenched and unclenched as he steamed like a get pot on a stove. He looked about ready to throw a punch at my father when he tried intervening.

I needed to step in and I did.

"What do you think you are doing, you are ruining my wedding?!" I walked close to him, almost closing the distance between us. He was only a hair breath away from me now.

The response I got was a smirk that annoyed me even further.

"That's not any way to treat your mate."