Chapter 5

Dalton's POV:

I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to let my frustration show. "I already told my Beta and Gamma to prepare for the ceremony," I muttered, my silver-grey eyes locked onto my father. The old man was being stubborn, as usual, insisting on holding this damn ceremony under the full moon despite everything.

"The auspicious ceremonies must be held on the full moon, son," he repeated for the umpteenth time, his voice calm, steady, and impossibly firm. "It’s necessary. The chaplain has spoken. We must honor the traditions of our ancestors. It’s for the good of the pack."

I threw my hands up in exasperation. "It's the twenty-first century, Dad! Let me just get this over with already." My hair felt like it was ready to catch fire from the tension coursing through me. I glanced over at Evelyn, standing next to me, her eyes flicking nervously between us. She looked uncomfortable—probably didn’t care about any of this—caught in the middle of a battle she didn’t ask to be a part of.

“There is no way I’m letting this happen tonight. That’s my final decision,” my father said, his voice as unyielding as granite.

Evelyn broke through the tension. "Excuse me..." She shifted, clearly out of her depth, caught between our heavy silence. "What exactly are we doing here?" Her confusion was plain, and it stung more than I liked to admit.

I instinctively pulled her closer, my hand gripping her waist as if it would keep her grounded. But she shot me a glare that could’ve split a stone. Without a second thought, she jerked away from me, clearly irritated by the contact. "Such a brat," I muttered under my breath, irritation crawling under my skin. Evelyn needed to learn to control herself in public, especially around my father.

The old man didn’t care for how we interacted, especially when I was far from being the obedient son he wanted me to be. He still clung to the idea of fated mates, and I had lied to him. Evelyn didn’t even like me, and I sure as hell wasn’t interested in pretending otherwise. But tradition was tradition, and if my father found out that this whole thing was a business arrangement, not a love match, it’d blow up in my face.

"There’s no mark on the princess’s neck," my father said, his eyes narrowing. "You told me you were fated mates, Dalton. Why haven’t you marked her yet, if you're so in love?"

I ran a hand through my hair, trying to control the rage bubbling up inside. "She was healing, Dad," I snapped, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "You can’t expect me to fuck her while she’s sick. I’m not that cruel." My words hung heavy in the air, laced with bitterness.

My father’s lips quirked up, just enough to be a challenge. "All the rumors about your cruelty are false, it seems," he quipped, a sly smile tugging at his lips. "I wonder why she chose you, when she could have any other Alpha. The poor girl doesn’t even know what she’s gotten herself into."

I felt my blood heat. "Her father arranged the marriage, Dad," I shot back, voice darkening. "She’s mine now. But after spending time in my pack, she’s learned she needs a strong Alpha to protect her. And I’m the only one who can keep her safe." The last part lingered in my mind like a quiet confession. I wasn’t about to spill everything to him, not yet.

"I heard you caught the one responsible for attacking our pack last time. Why do I always hear things from others first?" my father asked, arms crossed, eyes piercing.

I rolled my eyes. "They don’t know anything, Dad. The rumors are bullshit, as usual." I brushed past him, eager to escape any more questions. This was why I lived in a separate apartment. He was relentless, always digging where he shouldn’t, trying to get his claws into things that weren’t any of his business.

Evelyn was talking to Serena now. I barely registered what they were saying—just the way Evelyn carried herself, how she made everything seem effortless. Even in a moment of frustration, she was so damn captivating. My pulse quickened just watching her. I scanned the room, my gaze lingering on her longer than it should have. Serena was asking about my sex drive, and I could tell from Evelyn’s stiff shoulders that she was one step away from losing her lunch.

"Seems like someone has caught our Alpha’s interest," Caleb said, appearing beside me with that familiar grin on his face.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "You’re the only one who knows about the contract," I warned. "So don’t get cute with me."

Caleb and I had been through hell together. We were friends, battle partners, and comrades in arms. He knew the darkest parts of my life and still stuck by me. The kind of bond you don’t form easily.

Judging by that smirk, Caleb wasn’t going to let this slide. "Judging by the frustration in your eyes, you want her, Dalton. Don’t even try to deny it."

I scowled. "I don’t need to ask any woman to please me, Caleb," I said, trying to deflect. "I’m not lacking in that department." We’d had our fun with women—Caleb more so than me, if I was being honest—but Evelyn... she was something else. I hated it.

Caleb just laughed. "Women always throw themselves at you, Dalton. But she’s the one who’s managed to resist you. Doesn’t want you. Seems like a challenge, doesn’t it?"

I gritted my teeth, the anger flaring again. "Evelyn isn’t my type. She’s a spoiled royal princess, who got cheated on by that bastard mate of hers for years. She needs a wake-up call." I felt my chest tighten as I thought of that bastard. "And I want him at the crowning ceremony. I’ll deal with him then."

"He’ll be found soon. Jericho’s on it," Caleb said, nodding, but his eyes flickered to where Evelyn stood.

I glanced back at her. She wasn’t my type—hell, she wasn’t even close—but that defiance, the way she held herself... I hated how much it drew me in.

I pushed my way through the crowd, ignoring how my wolf stirred. Serena didn’t even register on my radar anymore. Evelyn stood there, looking like she owned the world, and it made my blood run hot. I wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her closer despite the way she stiffened under my touch. Her heartbeat quickened, and I smirked, feeling that reaction like a victory.

"She won’t resist you for long," Caleb teased through our mind-link.

"She’s mine," I murmured, voice low and rough. "She just doesn’t know it yet."

Evelyn cleared her throat, shoving my hand away. I let her go, smirking as she walked away from me, her every move dripping with defiance. But I wasn’t letting her get away. I followed her to the reserved table, eyes locked on her, feeling the weight of the pack’s gaze on us. Evelyn, ever the performer, flashed a smile as we took our seats.

A waiter was already there, pouring wine into golden chalices. I raised mine with purpose, voice steady. "To the most beautiful woman, who is also my wife and your Luna," I said, eyes never leaving her. "Tomorrow, we will hold the Luna ceremony, just as my father believes the full moon’s magic demands."

My father rolled his eyes but didn’t argue. I had made my point. The decision was final, and despite all the lies I was telling, I was waiting for one guest to arrive—one that would change everything.

The full moon rose high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the ceremony. The air felt charged, filled with roses, power, and expectation. Evelyn stood beside me, regal as ever, her eyes meeting mine.

I took a deep breath, my voice firm. "I, Dalton White, Alpha of the Silver Claw pack, accept Evelyn Spencer as my Luna and declare her as my pack's Luna." I sliced my palm with a dagger, watching the blood mix with hers as we sealed the bond.

She spoke her oath with grace. "I, Evelyn Spencer, Princess of the Blood Moon pack, pledge to fulfill the duty of Luna and protect my people."

Before I could solidify the bond, the shadows shifted. A wolf leaped from the dark, a sudden threat. I was already prepared, but the real drama had only just begun.

"No, Gabriel!" a woman’s voice screamed in panic.

Jericho had the captive in his grasp, but I was already in motion. The fight was about to start.

"Thanks for bringing my most awaited guest," I said to my Gamma. I wasn’t surprised by his attack. I had anticipated Gabriel would try to strike once he found out about our marriage and the ceremony.