Chapter 3

Reagan POV

"Ugh," the woman's groans grew louder with each step I took down the dimly lit corridor.

"It should be me," she said breathlessly as she kissed him, her voice a mixture of longing and frustration. "I should be the one there."

"Don't worry," Hayden replied, his voice low and filled with deceit. "Once this darn ceremony is over, I'll reject her and make you mine," he said, returning her kiss with equal fervor.

"Ugh," she moaned again, their soft gasps filling the room. The sound of their bodies slapping together echoed off the walls, a symphony of betrayal.

I rested my head against the door frame, watching them through the creak. They were too preoccupied with their illicit affair to even notice my presence.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

The sound of my slow applause cut through the room like a knife. They jolted apart, their eyes wide with panic as they scrambled to pull on their clothes.

"What the hell," Hayden spat, his teeth clenched in fury as he saw me standing there.

"I couldn't help it," I said with a grin, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "You needed the applause for 'f*ckest groom,' and you," I continued, turning my gaze to Shayla, who tried to hide behind Hayden. "I thought you were sisters or something," I scoffed, my voice filled with contempt. "And yet they called me the evil one."

Hayden's jaw clenched as he lunged at me, rage boiling in his eyes. But I was faster, grabbing him by the neck and lifting him off the ground with ease.

"We don't have to do this, brother," I said with a wicked grin, enjoying the power I held over him as he struggled to break free from my grip.

"F*ck you, I'm not your brother," Hayden snarled through gritted teeth, his face turning red from the effort.

"Let him go!" Shayla cried from behind, her voice trembling with fear. I couldn't help but chuckle at her desperate plea.

"Get out and tell them the groom will be there in a sec," I said mockingly, my eyes never leaving Hayden's as he continued to writhe in my grasp.

Shayla hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting between me and Hayden. With a shaky breath, she turned and fled the room, leaving Hayden and me alone in the tense silence.

I lowered Hayden to the floor, releasing my grip on his neck. "We don't have to do this, especially on a day like this," I said, trying to keep my voice calm and steady.

"What do you want?" he spat, his glare filled with pure hatred.

"Well, it's very simple. All I need is that," I said, pointing at his clothes.

"My clothes?" he repeated, his eyebrows shooting up in confusion.

"Yeah," I said, stepping closer until I could feel his tense breath on my face. "Your clothes and your title," I whispered in his ear.

His eyes widened as he realized what I was saying. "You're crazy if you think I'll just hand it over to you."

"Well, well, well," I said, leaning back and folding my arms. "You see, I would hate to walk into the hall and expose your little affair."

Fear flickered in his eyes, but he quickly masked it with a smirk of confidence. "No one's going to believe you," he said, his voice dripping with arrogance.

"You're right," I said, nodding thoughtfully. "That's why I have this." I lifted my hand, revealing a small, glowing gemstone.

His face fell, the fear returning with a vengeance.

"I'm sure you know what this is," I said, holding up the gem. "It was used in ancient times to detect liars. If I walk in there, they might not believe me, but they will believe this."

Hayden's confidence crumbled, replaced by a mix of desperation and fear.

"So, what do you say, brother?" I asked, a grin spreading across my face. "Hand over the clothes and the title, or face the wrath of the whole world knowing just who you really are."

He stared at me, his jaw clenched so tightly I thought his teeth might shatter.

Eventually, with a reluctant sigh, he began to strip, handing over his ceremonial clothes piece by piece.

I smiled as I donned his attire. Thanks to the werewolf mask, it was easy to conceal my face, making the deception even more seamless.

"They're gonna find out it's you... your scent will give you away," Hayden said, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and desperation.

I turned to him with a smirk, walking up slowly until I was inches from his face. "Oh, I’ve thought of that," I said, grabbing his hand forcefully. My claws extended, tearing into his flesh. He winced in pain, struggling to pull away, but I held him firmly, watching as blood flowed down his hand. I rubbed my middle finger across the wound, allowing the blood to stain it, then released him.

"F*cker," he hissed, clutching his bleeding hand.

I pulled out a stone necklace from my pocket, rubbing his blood onto it. As the blood soaked into the stone, Hayden’s eyes widened in horror.

"This should solve that," I said, slipping the necklace over my head. "With this necklace and your blood on it, I’ll have your scent. It will make it impossible for anyone to know it's me."

His face turned ashen, realizing the full extent of my plan.

"You stay here until the ceremony is over," I said, my voice cold and commanding. "If you dare do anything stupid, I will destroy not just you, but everything you love." With that, I turned and walked out, leaving him seething in helpless fury.

Reaching the grand hall, I paused outside the door, gathering my resolve before taking a deep breath. The weight of the moment hung heavy on my shoulders. Finally, I pushed open the doors, and almost immediately, I nearly collided with Guinevere.

Her eyes were wide with worry, a sigh of relief escaped her lips, and for a moment, I couldn't help but admire her beauty. She looked radiant as always. It was a shame that I was about to shatter her perfect day.

****

"With this rope, we make you one, and your packs come together to form a great clan of mighty werewolves," she declared, her voice strong and clear. The surge of energy from the ceremony flowed through us, binding not just our hands but our fate as one. I glanced at Guinevere, her eyes shining with love and trust.

"Now you may kiss your bride," Grandmother Lana announced.

I pulled Guinevere closer, our lips meeting in a kiss that sealed the ritual. "I love you," she whispered as we pulled away.

I'm sorry

"STOP!"

Hayden's voice rang through the hall. The bastard just couldn't keep to the deal, but it was useless—we were already bound.

With a grin, I pulled off the mask. The entire hall erupted with gasps, the sound of shock and disbelief filling the air.

I watched as Guinevere turned to look at me, her eyes wide with shock and quickly filling with anger. She took in my true face, the man who had deceived her and stolen this moment.

My gaze shifted and landed on my very furious father.

****

SLAP

The crack of Luna Solange's hand meeting my cheek echoed through the grand hall, a sharp punctuation in the tense atmosphere. Her eyes blazed with anger as she confronted me, her voice trembling with fury.

"You monster," she hissed, her words laced with disbelief and disappointment as she took in my presence. "How could you ruin such a special day for us?"

I quickly caught her hand before she could strike again, gripping it firmly to halt her. She struggled against my grasp, desperation etched on her face as she called out, "Lance!"

My father, who had remained silent until then, finally stepped forward. His expression was inscrutable, a mask of calm authority. "Reagan," he began, his voice steady yet tinged with disappointment. "Go back and revoke this."

I scoffed bitterly after 15 years apart he had the guts to tell me this. “You’re heartless" I retorted, my voice laced with bitterness and hurt.

He met my gaze with unwavering composure, unmoved by what I just said.

Luna Solange's voice cut through the tension, her anger palpable. "Are you crazy? How dare you disobey the Alpha's orders!"

"Let me remind you, Luna Solange, that I am now bound to the Crimson Howl Pack, making me their Alpha," I declared, my voice firm and authoritative. “Making me your superior”

Her eyes widened in disbelief, taken aback by what I just said. "Next time you address me, do so with respect," I warned, my tone cold and commanding. "Or you won't like the consequences."

With that, I walked away from Luna Solange, directing my gaze at Hayden, who stood nearby, caught in the aftermath. Unable to resist a bitter chuckle, I muttered sarcastically, "Thanks," before walking out of the hall.

This was just the beginning