Making her his

Terra

I hummed to myself as I fried up bacon and eggs, the sizzling and popping of the oil providing a cheerful rhythm. Nathan's arms wrapped around my waist from behind, and he nuzzled into my neck.

"Smells delicious, babe," he murmured.

I leaned back into his solid chest with a content sigh. "Only the best for the Alpha. Sit down, it's almost ready."

We had been mated only two days, but it felt like we had always been together. I loved caring for Nathan, making sure he was well-fed and happy. Our small home glowed with newlywed bliss.

As we ate breakfast, Nathan told me about the visiting Alpha couple from the Nightshade Pack he had to see off this morning. Important political obligations kept intruding on our honeymoon phase, but I didn't mind. I was proud to stand by my mate as he took on his leadership role.

"I wish I didn't have to rush off," Nathan said apologetically as he rinsed his plate. "But duty calls. Will you be alright on your own today?"

"Of course! Lily already invited me over to hang out. Don't worry about me." I tucked an unruly lock of his hair back into place and straightened his tie.

Nathan kissed me lingeringly. "Have fun with Lily. But not too much fun. I'll see you tonight at the family dinner."

After Nathan left, I tidied up our little cottage, which sat just behind the Alpha's grand main house. Lily would be here soon to pick me up. We were going to get mani-pedis and go shopping in preparation for meeting Nathan's extended family over dinner tonight. I was nervous about making a good impression.

Right on time, Lily bounced through the front door and tackled me in a hug. "Terra! Ohh, let me see that rock on your finger!" she squealed, grabbing my left hand. "Wowww, Nathan has great taste. You're so lucky!"

I laughed. "Well I think I'm the lucky one. But yes, he did good." I held my hand out, admiring the way the diamond caught the light.

"Come on, let's get our nails done! I'm thinking classic French tips. Oh, and we have to find you a hot outfit for dinner tonight..."

Lily chattered nonstop as we drove to the salon, filling me in on all the latest family gossip and drama. I was grateful for the distraction from my anxious thoughts about the dinner. I wanted Nathan's family to welcome me with open arms, but I knew that was unlikely.

After getting our nails done, we hit the shops. I settled on a simple but elegant black cocktail dress with a low neckline. Lily convinced me to buy matching strappy heels that cost more than my entire previous wardrobe combined.

"Trust me, you need to look fierce tonight," Lily insisted as she paid for the shoes. I started to protest but she shushed me. "Tonight's my treat, ok? Consider it a late mating gift."

I hugged her. "You're the best. Thank you."

We spent the next few hours getting ready together, doing each other's makeup and fussing over every detail. Finally, we slipped into our dresses and approved of our reflections with excited squeals.

"You look amazing," Lily gushed. "Seriously. Jaws will drop when you walk in."

I surveyed myself critically in the mirror. My normally frizzy ginger hair fell in smooth waves over my shoulders. The dress hugged my subtle curves before flaring into a bit of a mermaid style at the bottom. The tall strappy heels made my legs look miles long.

Maybe I did look good, I decided with surprise. Like I actually belonged at Nathan's side. Confidence bloomed in my chest. I've got this.

Right on time, Nathan's beta, Derek, pulled up in a sleek black SUV to drive us to dinner. He greeted us politely before opening the rear door.

"The Alpha sends his apologies for not being able to pick you up himself," Derek said as he drove us through the forest paths toward the pack's sprawling main estate. "I'm sure he's eagerly awaiting your arrival, Luna."

Hearing my new title still gave me a little thrill. "I'm looking forward to seeing him too," I replied.

Too soon, we pulled up to the impressive stone mansion. I took a deep breath, clutching Lily's hand tightly. "Here we go," she murmured. "Chins up, girls."

Derek escorted us inside, where servants in crisp black and white uniforms wordlessly took our coats. The entry hall alone was bigger than my entire cottage. Intricate oil paintings and antique vases adorned every surface. My heels clacked loudly on the polished marble floors. I had never felt more out of place.

Before I could take in more of the imposing grandeur, Nathan was sweeping me up in his arms and kissing me thoroughly. I melted into him, my anxiety fading.

"You are breathtaking, my love," Nathan whispered in my ear. He took my arm proudly to lead me toward the sitting room for introductions and cocktails before dinner, Lily trailing behind us. My stride gained confidence in the security of Nathan's hold.

Most of Nathan's relatives greeted me politely, if not exactly warmly. A few aunts and uncles completely ignored my presence. Brittany fixed me with an icy glare but held her tongue with Nathan nearby. I kept my chin high. Their approval would come in time.

We soon moved to the stately dining room, which featured a table long enough to seat thirty. Nathan sat at the head with me on his right. Lily took the seat on my other side, giving my hand an encouraging squeeze under the table.

Despite the lavish spread of roast pheasant, asparagus spears and exotic fruit before me, I could hardly eat. Nathan's uncle Reginald dominated the dinner conversation with inappropriate jokes and stories about his various sexual conquests. The other men guffawed loudly.

Across from me, Brittany smirked as I shifted uncomfortably. "What's wrong, Terra? Not enjoying crude uncle Reggie's tales? Oh dear, we'll have to work on toughening up that sensitive orphan constitution of yours if you're going to make it as Luna."

Heat rose to my cheeks, but I held Brittany's challenging gaze evenly.

Nathan jumped in. "That's enough, Brittany. Not appropriate dinner conversation."

She pouted dramatically. "Of course Alpha, my apologies." Her expression told me this was far from over.

The heavy oak doors opened with an ominous creak, and the family's elderly matriarch Claudia entered slowly, supported on either side by stern-looking female attendants. A hush fell over the room.

Nathan and Marcus immediately stood respectfully. We all followed suit.

"Grandmother, welcome," Marcus said deferentially. "We are honored by your presence tonight."

Claudia's steel grey eyes surveyed the room imperiously as she lowered herself into an ornate high-backed chair brought by servants at the end of the table. "Good evening, all. Do not let me interrupt. Continue, continue."

Her strange accent and the antiquated style of her formal gown made her seem like she was from another century. Which she probably was, I realized. According to Lily's lessons, Claudia had been Luna for over 200 years.

Conversation gradually resumed, but more subdued than before. I sensed everyone was on their best behavior with the matriarch in attendance.

Dessert platters of chocolate ganache cake had just been placed when the doors opened again. A slender, doe-eyed girl around my I did not recognize entered. Murmurs rippled around the table. Clearly her presence was a surprise.

Nathan rose to his feet, staring at the girl with a mix of emotions I couldn't decipher playing across his face.

No. Please no. Panic clawed up my throat as Nathan continued staring, stunned. The girl offered him a timid smile.

"Nathan, dear, I'd like to introduce you to Jade," his grandmother said. Her voice rang through the silent room. "I've recently become her guardian. Her parents were tragically killed, making her the sole heir of the Moon Shadow pack."

I felt my stomach drop even further, Brittany's gleeful delight didn't escape my ears either.

Nathan seemed to shake himself out of his daze. He took Jade's hand and bent to kiss it. "It's a pleasure to meet you," he said, his voice strange and faraway. Jade glowed under his attention.

No, no, this couldn't be happening. Not now, when everything had finally fallen into place for Nathan and me. Panic clawed up my throat. I wanted to scream, to grab Nathan and remind him I was his Luna. But my voice failed me. I could only watch, helpless, as he became further ensnared under this girl's spell.

Because clearly, they were mates.

The dreamy way he looked at her left no doubt. Which meant everything Nathan and I had shared meant nothing at all.

Bile burned my throat as Jade let out a coquettish little laugh at something Nathan said. The sound cut through me like shattered glass. Last night I had lain naked in his arms, utterly his, believing the rest of our lives would be that perfect. And now...now I was nothing.

With terrible comprehension, I finally found my voice. "Nathan, what is this? Who is she?" Though I already knew the horrible truth.

Jade turned her doe eyes toward me. "Oh, you must be Terra," she said gently. "I know this is very sudden. But Nathan and I are mates." She looked back at Nathan meaningfully. "Bonded by the goddess."

I stared at Nathan pleadingly. "Tell me this isn't true. Please."

He met my gaze despairingly. "Terra...I'm so sorry."

Jade pressed herself possessively against Nathan's side. He did not resist.

"I know this may be difficult for you, Terra. But you must see now that you and Nathan were never truly meant to be." Brittany said with false sympathy.

"Yes," Jade agreed. "The goddess clearly wills for me to take my rightful place as his Luna."

Shocked outrage burst from my lips. "Never meant to be? We are official!" I brandished the moonstone ring on my finger. "We swore vows before the entire pack!"

Brittany's eyes narrowed, a hint of steel behind her soft demeanor. She turned pleadingly to the head of the table. "Matriarch Claudia, please help us. You know the sacred mate bond cannot be denied. I only wish to take the place that is rightfully mine, for the good of the pack."

All eyes turned to the ancient Claudia, whose lined face was unreadable. After an endless pause, she nodded slowly. "The girl speaks true. No vows or trinkets can supersede a mate bond ordained by the goddess," she intoned solemnly. "For the good of the Crescent pack, Nathan must recognize his obligation and take Jade as Luna."

Murmurs of assent passed around the table. Nathansat back on his seat looking pale.

"No!" I cried. "Nathan, how can you accept this? We belong together!"

Nathan turned tortured eyes to me. "Terra...I have no choice." His voice broke. "Forgive me."

"Perhaps mistakes were made that led us down this misguided path," Jade mused, false sympathy dripping from her voice. "But all is not lost, dear Terra. You may yet find a mate who better...suits your station."

Fury boiled inside me, but also despair. This couldn't be happening.

Jade glided forward and extended her hand. "Let us part as sisters. The goddess's will be done."

Numbly, I reached to shake her hand. As our palms touched, a cruel smile flashed across Jade's face.

Suddenly I was knocked off balance, stumbling back as red wine splashed down the front of my dress. A servant had crashed into me from behind.

Jade gasped theatrically, yanking her now-stained glove away. "How dare you!" she cried. "Is this how the low-born treat their betters?"

"No, I didn't, it was an accident—" I stammered in bewilderment.

"Do not compound your insult with lies!" Brittany shrieked. "Nathan, remove this girl at once!"

Nathan avoided my eyes, jaw clenched. "Terra, I think it's best you go now."

The room spun. This could not be reality. But the cold finality in Nathan's voice left no room for doubt.

Blinded by tears, I turned and fled the cruel, opulent room. Peals of laughter and mocking farewells chased me down the hall.

Bursting outside, I gasped lungfuls of the cool night air. The pain in my chest threatened to tear me apart from the inside.

I ran without thinking, shedding my human form to race into the dark forest on four legs. My wolf's primal howl of anguish echoed through the trees.

Nathan was lost to me. My friend, my love, my life - gone in an instant. The warm home and affection I had so briefly found, all snatched away by Nathan's scheming former flame. Once again I was alone. An orphan. A stray.

And this time, the wounds cut so much deeper than before. I ran faster, giving myself over to the wolf, losing myself in her wild fury. Anything to escape this searing agony.

I ran until my paws bled and my heaving sides screamed for rest. Collapsing in a small moonlit clearing, I lay there panting, too exhausted even to howl.

As I slipped into unconsciousness, one question clawed ceaselessly through my weary mind. Why, Nathan? Why?