Chapter one

**Vanessa's POV**

I surveyed the hall; the decorations were falling into place just as I'd envisioned. We were halfway through the setup.

As I stepped into the room, the soft glow accentuated the hazel depths of my eyes, reflecting a mixture of curiosity and quiet confidence. Cascading curls framed my face, an intricate dance of chestnut waves that whispered tales of their own. Freckles, scattered like stardust, adorned my skin, each one a unique constellation tracing a map of experiences. With a smile that held hints of both mischief and humor.

Today felt draining. The wedding preparations burdened me like a ton of bricks, and shouldering the responsibility alone was overwhelming. But who could I complain to? After all, I was the pack's comedy relief. Not having a mate at 19 came with a lot of gossip and laughter. I was proof of that.

"Vanessa?" My father's voice cut through the anger brewing within me.

I shifted my attention to him. "Go to the pack house and get more decorations," he ordered.

I felt irritated being treated like a slave. It was my sister's wedding, not a stranger's event I was hired to work for.

"I have a lot of things yet to be done. Send someone else to go get them."

A scowl marred his face; he always hated it when I spoke back at him. "You will do as I say, after all, you are useless here."

The word 'useless' had become a mantra in my head from the numerous times I'd been called so.

"Why do I have to go? Send Lily; she's been in her room all day." I glared at him.

"She is the one getting married, not you." He eyed me with so much hatred that I looked away.

There was no point trying to make him listen to me; I was the daughter who brought embarrassment to his family.

Dropping the basket of flowers on the table beside me, I turned and walked out, disregarding the fact that my hair was a mess.

Everyone was looking at me, each judging me in one way or another.

"I feel pity for her; the way she acts is probably why she has not been betrothed. I heard her sister is getting married tomorrow," a lady murmured to an associate.

"Must be a shame to her father; after all, he is the pack's beta and she is the first daughter."

A pang of pain hit my heart, listening to people talk about me just because the Moon Goddess had decided to make things different for me.

Ignoring the whispers as usual, I hastened my way to the pack house.

I gathered the wedding dress and the decorations as instructed. Stepping out of the house, the sounds of drums from the back caught my attention.

Curiosity piqued, I headed toward the direction of the sounds.

Moving further, I stumbled upon a small gathering of people; some were dancing while others beat drums and sang.

The way they danced captured me, and I found myself standing to watch them.

A smile surfaced, something I hadn't done in a while. No one was scrutinizing me; no eyes were judging.

Overwhelmed, I joined the circle, swirling with an older lady. It felt refreshing, a departure from the norm for me.

Suddenly, everything stopped; no music played, and the dancers halted.

Everyone greeted a person, and fear filled the air. Confusion clouded my mind; I began to wonder why.

Guided by instinct, I turned back. Standing in front of me wasn't who I expected; face-to-face was our Alpha.

It hadn't been long since our previous Alpha had passed away, leading to the unexpected transfer of power.

Our eyes met, and everything else faded. Shock overwhelmed me, followed by happiness. "Mate," echoed my wolf's voice in my head.

The Alpha was my mate after two years of searching. Finally, I would be free, but apprehension clouded my happiness, leaving just a whisper behind.

What if he rejects me in front of everyone? I would never be good enough; that much I already knew.

Summoning courage, I glanced at him again, wondering if he felt the connection too. His eyes were on me, but I couldn't decipher them; they were just deep brown orbs.

I looked away hastily, not wanting him to see how much this bond meant to me.

He began walking toward me, his attention solely on me. I feared he would say something to further disgrace me.

But to my surprise, he took my arm in front of everyone, pulling me into the pack house and into the first room he found.

A smile graced my face; finally, he wanted something with me. I wouldn't be ridiculed anymore.

Following my instincts, I stood on my tiptoes, puckering my lips at him with closed eyes, ready to seal our bond with a kiss.

I stumbled backward, trying to catch myself, confusion evident on my face as I looked at him, seeking reasons for the sudden rejection.

His eyes surveyed me with disgust, the first expression I'd received from him since we met.

"What do you think you're doing?" His voice was thick with disapproval.

"I just thought—"

"Thought what?" He raised a brow at me. "That I would accept someone like you as my mate?"

He burst out laughing, finding the idea amusing. I scolded myself for jumping ahead.

"Have you seen yourself?" I tried to fix my hair with my fingers, feeling self-conscious.

"I, Alpha Kilan, reject you, Vanessa Miller, as my mate." He eyed me once more before leaving me alone in the room.

I couldn't pinpoint where it began, but the dull ache blossomed into gasping sobs. It felt heart-wrenching, like it would consume me.

Tears fell, and the strings holding my heart in place tightened around it.

Why did the Moon Goddess have to do this to me?

I was no longer the 19-year-old girl without a mate; I was a girl rejected because I wasn't worthy of love.