Chapter 1~ The Mating Ceremony

The moon outside was at its peak, casting a luminescent glow on the forest where I would be wed. All preparations had been made and I was only minutes away from having my dream wedding with the man of my dreams, my fated mate, Caleb.

“Oh look at that, she can't stop blushing” one of my friends and bridesmaids said, making my already rosy cheeks turn a deeper red.

“Our Luna can't stop thinking about her mate” They continued to tease me.

“Cut it out guys” I finally managed to say as they all giggled.

They finished styling my hair and I was finally able to see myself fully in the mirror. The person I saw in the mirror looked breathtaking. Fully ready, I was ushered outside where the ceremony was about to begin. Important people from different packs had been invited to witness mine and Caleb’s mating ceremony.

I stood under the full moon, my heart pounding in my chest. Tonight was the night I’d waited for my whole life. The night I’d become Caleb Blackwood’s Luna. The air was charged, and I could feel every gaze locked on me as I walked down the path.

Then there was Caleb. Just the mere sight of him took my breath away. He looked as dashing as ever and it seemed like the walk to close the distance between us was taking forever.

“Such a beautiful bride” I could hear some people mutter. And I couldn't help but smile.

When I finally reached Caleb, I flashed a smile at him but his own smile was weak and it didn't quite reach his eyes. As I looked up at him, I could tell something was wrong. His face was shadowed and his dark eyes avoided mine.

I began to feel uneasy.

This ceremony was supposed to unite us, strengthen our bond, and secure the future of our pack. I’d spent years training, proving my worth to this pack and to him. Tonight was supposed to seal all of that and yet, the way Caleb looked at me, it was as if he’d already made a decision he hadn’t shared.

He stepped closer, towering over me, and I could see the turmoil behind his dark eyes.

“Emma…” His voice was low, almost hesitant. But Caleb never hesitated, he was always confident, steady — it was one of the things that made him such a strong Alpha.

I could feel every pair of eyes on us, they had sensed the growing tension between us. Each pack member and guest holding their breath, waiting.

“What’s wrong?” I whispered, feeling the tightness of his grip on my arm.

He took a deep breath. “I… can’t do this.”

The words hit like a blow, and I felt my world crumble. He was rejecting me. In front of everyone. It didn't make any sense. Caleb loved me as much as I loved him and we'd already been together for years. Where was this doubt suddenly coming from?

“Caleb,” I managed, my voice breaking. “What are you saying?”

“I have to protect the pack,” he said, looking everywhere but at me.

“Protect the pack? What does that even mean?”

“There’s a prophecy… if I take you as my mate, it could doom us all. I have to keep the pack safe, even if that means…” His voice faltered, but his grip on me remained steady.

“No.” I pulled my hands back, the anger and hurt surging all at once. How could he throw away everything we’d built and because of some prophecy? “You’re the Alpha. You’re supposed to trust in us, trust in me.”

I looked at him with desperation, pleading for him to change his mind. But Caleb’s expression didn’t change, even as his eyes grew haunted.

“I’m sorry, Emma,” he said to me, then out loud. “I reject you, Emma as my mate and hereby annul this mating ceremony” and then he turned and walked away, leaving me alone in front of everyone, humiliated and broken.

I didn’t stay to see the reaction of the others. I turned, my heart racing with hurt and fury, and fled. My only thought was to escape, to get as far from Caleb, the pack, and the shattered future I’d dreamed of as I could.

I didn't think about anyone or anything. I didn't have anyone other than caleb. He was my family, the only future I'd looked forward to but he'd crushed my heart and my soul.

I kept running as fast as I could. My pain charged me and kept me going for hours until I was completely drained of energy. My eyes started to close and before I knew it, I was falling into the darkness.

The darkness didn't last long, or so I thought.

As I slowly fluttered my eyes open, I was met with a strange surrounding. My head felt heavy as my hand instinctively reached to touch it. I looked around me and then at myself. I was in different clothes but they weren't mine.

A woman walked into the room. Her eyes shot open momentarily as she stared at me. I quickly got to my feet, my defences kicking in. The woman recovered and smiled as she approached me.

“W-who are you?” My voice was cracked and husky.

“Here” she said as she handed me a glass of water. You must be tired. You've been unconscious for three days”

“Three days?” That was way more than I'd expected.

“Yes. My husband found you passed out while he was on a group hunting trip and he brought you back with him”

“How are you feeling dear? You should sit down” She placed an arm around me as she guided me back to bed. It was an action that felt motherly although she only seemed to be about ten years older than I was. My own parents had died when I was much younger.

“It's a miracle we found you alive. There are monsters on the other side of the forest. You must be very lucky”

“Monsters?” I asked feeling confused

“Yes. Half men, half wolves. They feed on humans. You don't seem like you're from around here”

I thought up a lie quickly. “No, I'm not… I don't remember much”

So they were humans. I couldn't let them find out I was a werewolf.

“What's your name dear?”

“Emma”

“I'm Christina”

“Thank you for taking care of me. I have to leave now”

“Do you have anywhere to go?” She asked and I shook my head no.

“You can stay with us, I insist. If not for your sake then for the baby”

“What baby?” I asked, feeling confused. She looked at me strangely at first then a look of knowing passed across her face.

“Oh, you didn't know yet. I had a doctor come check up on you when you were still unconscious. You're pregnant”