Chapter 1: Alpha's Betrayal

As the full moon hung high and its ethereal radiance covered the tall trees around the Moonstone pack's territory, the air smelled bitterly of pine and soil. Though the air was silent, heavy with expectancy, it felt cold and merciless on Aria's skin. Heart pounding, she stood at the brink of the clearing, her wolf stealthily stalking within her, yearning release. Her night was supposed to be tonight—the night everything would turn around.

She had longed for this moment since she first felt the flutter of her wolf at sixteen, the instant she would discover her mate. That one meant to be her other half. She also hoped—prayed—that it would be Damien Blackwood, the Alpha of the Moonstone pack going forward. Her first love, solely her love.

From early life, they had been inseparable, practicing and dreaming together, growing up together. She had supported him, believed in him, been by his side. But tonight, as her twenty-first birthday drew near, the link should have snapped in place, pulling them together always as friends.

She sensed coldness and remoteness instead of warmth, however. With his black eyes chilly and a piercing, disconnected glare she had never seen before, Damien stood before her and his attitude was incomprehensible. Aria's heart tightened agonizingly, each moment of quiet like a dagger cutting more into her chest.

Damian? Her voice, laden with uncertainty and sadness, was almost a whisper.

His mouth clenched, and for a brief while she thought she saw a flutter of uncertainty in his gaze, but it was gone as quickly as it arrived. He corrected himself, his stance stiff, as if getting ready for what he was going to do.

With a strong voice devoid of the softness Aria had known, he stated, "I can't do this."

Sensing the rejection before she did, her wolf rumbled deep within her and agitated frantically. "What do you mean you can't do this?” She moved forward, her hands quivering as she sought for him, but he retreated beyond her grasp.

Looking anywhere except at her, he continued, "I have decided." "Agreeing are my father and the seniors. I have to ensure the future of the pack. I seek a partner who can use alliances and force to fortify the Moonstone pack.

Her heart dropped. "You reject me?" On her tongue, the words seemed alien, as if they belonged nowhere in this world and could not be true.

Enough of a response came from Damien's quiet.

Aria felt the earth slink under her feet and her breath stopped. She had heard about rejections before, but never in her most vivid dreams had she imagined it happening to her—by the guy who had held her heart for so long.

She hesitated, her voice cracking as tears filled her eyes: "I... I'm your mate." "We supposed to be together."

At last he looked at her, and his eyes clearly showed sorrow, but it was too late. "For the best, Aria. I have to act for the pack, what is right? We need more solid partnerships; you are insufficient.

The words come to her like a physical blow. Inadequate. That had always been her worst fear—the uncertainty she had hidden deep inside. And suddenly it was vividly alive in the most agonizing manner known.

Tears blurring her vision, she lurched back, her wolf roaring in anguish inside her head. Before it could ever take hold, the link that ought to have developed broke, leaving behind a blank, painful hole.

Without further word, Damien turned and left her alone in the clearing, her heart broken beyond healing.

Aria dropped to her knees, as if a tidal wave of his rejection were slamming down on her. Her chest hurt like hell, a burning aching that threatened to suffocate her. Her wolf whined, curling up in the rear of her mind as fractured as she was.

She remained there kneeling on the ground, gazing blankly at the area where Damien had stood, not aware how long she stayed. In her loss, time had no value.

But finally the numbness started to sink in, substituting a cold, empty emptiness for the sharp edges of anguish. Her heart hardening with every second, she brushed away her tears.

She was going to have to go. Here there was nothing left for her. The pack her house used to be felt as a secure refuge no more. Soon enough, the rejection would spread among the pack, tales of the rejected Luna insufficient for the Alpha of the future would abound. She found it intolerable to confront such humiliation.

Rising gingerly, Aria pushed herself to breathe, to think, to walk. She had to distance herself from here—from the memories, from the suffering. Her mind already whirling with ideas of where she could go, what she might do, she headed toward the trees.

But a voice emerged from the shadows as she started toward freedom. "Leaving so soon, Aria?"?

Her blood went cold as she turned to saw the person emerging from the shadows of the woods. It was Lucas Ashford, the mysterious millionaire who lately become fascinated with the otherworldly realm. He was towering and exuded power and danger. His black hair was slicked back, and he looked at her with a sneer that sent thrills down her spine in the moonlight.

"What are your preferences?" She insisted, her voice raspy from tears but laced with the indignation still burning within her.

Lucas's smile grew as he went toward her, his eyes never leaving hers. "I heard you were free," he replied casually, as if they were talking about the temperature. "I need a wife right now.

Aria blinked, her thoughts finding difficulty to understand his words. "Exexcuse me?"

With hands in his pockets, he halted a few steps away from her as if he had all the time in the world. For some considerable time, I have been searching for someone to play Luna. You just fit the description.

Her heart thung agonizingly in her chest, but she was unsure if it was from perplexity or resentment. "I'm not interested," she said quickly. Search for someone else.

Lucas arched an eyebrow, seeming amused. "I wasn't seeking your curiosity. I was giving you a path out of this disaster. Her tummy turned over with the sight of the clearing Damien had left her. He pointed there.

She glaringly crossed her arms at him. And why do you think I would ever agree to that?

Lucas moved forward, his darkening eyes reflecting a gravity that chilled her spine. Because Aria, you have nothing left here. Your friend turned you aside; the pack will follow his example. You will be burdensome and an outcast. But you may have a future with me wherein you are not just some rejected Luna. You might be strong right now with me.

The words lingered in the air, seductive in ways she would not have wanted to acknowledge. He made sense. She had nothing left here, and it was intolerable to consider remaining in this pack and seeing Damien go on without her. But the thought of being connected to Lucas, a guy she knew little, was like swapping one jail for another.

She stated straight forwardly, "I don't trust you."

Lucas laughed, the sound low and deadly. Right now, I not require your faith. I only need your approval. The remainder will be handled later.

Aria considered her alternatives and her thoughts flew. Though she wanted not to go with him, what option did she have? She could either remain here and wallow in her suffering or take charge of her life and choose a different road—even if it was unclear and perilous.

She inhaled deeply and looked at him; her voice was calm even though she was internally turbulent. "Perfect. I am going to wed you.

Lucas grinned again and held out his hand. We then have a contract.

Aria hesitated just long enough to grab his hand, therefore determining her destiny.

Though she had no clue what was ahead, one thing was clear: this was the starting point.