Chapter 1

Ophelia's POV 

“I have told you not to be bothered by what everyone else thinks. The truth is, I love you, Ophelia, and that will never change.”

Elliot’s voice was so full of conviction that it nearly brought me to tears as we stood under the wide-open sky in the center of the pack's community. 

His words should have eased the ache in my chest, but it didn't.

I looked away from him. “Elliot, everyone hates me. Even my parents can’t stand me. To everyone else, I’m nothing but a wolfless stain on the pack. They… they see me as a disgrace.”

He let out a deep sigh and stepped closer until I felt the warmth of his body. “Ophelia, look at me.”

I hesitated, but when I lifted my gaze, his deep green eyes locked onto mine, filled with a tenderness that made my heart squeeze. He reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair away from my face.

"Do you trust me?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Of course, I trust you, Eli.”

“I don’t care what anyone says. Not my father, not your family, not anyone. You will be mine.”

A tear slid down my cheek, and he gently wiped it away with his thumb. “It’s just… it feels like everything is working against us. I don’t want to ruin your life.”

He pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly. “What? No. You could never ruin my life, Ophelia.”

I rested my head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. In that moment, the world seemed… quieter. The whispers of the pack, the scorn of my parents—it all faded. It was just us and the moon.

He then tilted my chin up, a small smile tugging at his lips. “After the Moon Goddess ceremony tonight, I’m going to mark you. That way, no one can ever question what you mean to me.”

“You’re going to… mark me?”

“Yes, love. I’ve waited long enough.”

His words lit a spark inside me, a tiny flame of hope that I hadn’t felt in a long time. “And then that?” I asked, my voice quivering.

“We’ll plan our future. Marriage, a home, everything. You deserve all of it.”

For the first time in days, I smiled. “I would love that.”

We stayed like that for a while, talking about what our lives could look like. It felt safe, like a beautiful dream I didn’t want to wake up from. 

But eventually, I had to go.

“I should head back,” I said reluctantly. “My family must be wondering where I am.”

Elliot frowned. “Do you have to?”

“You know how my father is,” I muttered. “If I’m late, it will only give him more reasons to hate me.”

He sighed but nodded, planting a kiss to my forehead. “I’ll see you at the ceremony.”

When I got back to my father’s house, the mood was very different. My mother and sister, Melissa, were busy getting ready for the Sacramental Ritual—a sacred cleansing ceremony meant to prepare the pack for the Moon Goddess’s blessing.

My father, Beta Holmes, stood by the door, his face as stern as ever.

“Where have you been?” he snapped as soon as he saw me.

“Out,” I said quietly, avoiding his gaze.

“Out where? Sneaking around with the Alpha’s son again?”

“I was just…”

“You were making a fool of this family, that’s what you were doing,” he interrupted, his tone cold. "And now you think you have the right to join the Sacramental Ritual?"

My head snapped up. “What?”

“The ritual is for the pack. Not for some girl who doesn’t have a wolf.”

My chest tightened. “I… I have to attend,” I stammered. “It’s tradition. If I don’t go, I won’t be able to… Elliot, he…”

“You are not going!”

I took a shaky step forward, but his intense glare stopped me cold.

Melissa smirked from across the room, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “Just listen, Ophelia. You’ll just end up embarrassing yourself if you go.”

I glared at her, my hands balling into fists. But I didn’t argue. I didn’t say another word. Instead, I just turned and walked out of the house.

If they thought they could keep me away, they were wrong.

I wasn’t going to miss the ceremony. Not tonight. Not when Elliot would be there.

When I arrived at the ceremony hall, the place was alive with music and chatter. The grand hall was lit with lanterns, their golden light creating dancing shadows on the walls. Wolves from all corners of the pack were gathered, dressed in their finest, laughing and celebrating. But none of it mattered to me—I was here for Elliot.

I stayed near the back, hiding in the shadows. My eyes scanned the crowd, searching for him, but he was nowhere to be seen. 

Just as I was starting to feel anxious, Melissa appeared out of nowhere.

“Well, well, well, if it isn't the sneaky outcast,” she taunted. “You really don’t know when to give up, do you?”

I ignored her, my eyes elsewhere.

“You’re pathetic, you know that?” she continued, stepping closer. “You think just because Elliot looks at you, you’re worth something? Newsflash, Ophelia—you’re not.”

I bit my lip, refusing to let her see how much her words hurt. “Just leave me alone, Melissa.”

“Or what?” she laughed, a cruel sound that echoed in my ears. “You’ll never belong, Ophelia. Not here, not anywhere.”

I walked away quietly. I wouldn’t let her ruin this night for me.

Leaving the main hall, I entered the hallway, where the noise of the crowd was muffled. Suddenly, I heard voices—Elliot's voice.

I immediately stopped, pressing my back against the wall, and listened.

“This is a mistake, Elliot,” Alpha Mason said, his tone harsh. “She’s not right for you. She’s without a wolf, for Moon’s sake. She’ll bring nothing but weakness to the pack.”

“I don’t care,” Elliot shot back. “I love her.”

“You’re the future Alpha!” his father snapped. “Your mate should be strong. Not some… broken girl.”

My heart shattered. When I couldn’t listen anymore, I turned and walked away, my vision blurred with tears. 

I found a quiet corner close to the stage, where the ritual was about to begin. The Moon Priestess stood at the center, her white robes glowing in the moonlight streaming through the high windows. The pack gathered in silence as she spoke the ancient blessings, her voice echoing through the hall.

I tried to focus on the ritual, but my mind was spinning. Was I really not good enough for Elliot? Would he change his mind about marking me tonight?

Finally, the ritual ended with a blessing from the Moon Goddess, and the pack erupted into cheers. 

As the noise died down, I saw Elliot and his father walking towards the stage. My heart raced as Elliot smiled at me, his eyes finding mine in the crowd. For a moment, everything felt right again.

Alpha Mason stepped forward, his voice loud. “Tonight, my son will announce his chosen mate.”

The crowd fell silent, every eye on Elliot. 

I held my breath. This was it. This was the moment.

Elliot stepped forward, his eyes sweeping over the crowd before landing on me again. He opened his mouth to speak, but then his body tensed. His eyes widened, and a strange, guttural sound escaped his throat.

“Elliot?” I whispered, my voice shaking.

Before I knew what was happening, he started convulsing, his body jerking violently before he collapsed to the ground.

“Elliot!” I screamed, pushing through the crowd, my heart pounding in terror. “No!"