Chains of Betrayal: Spirit of A Rider Luna

Cerys

"Under your guidance, Moon Goddess."

As whispering for the morning sky, the crisp air kissed my face. I revved up my beloved Ducati sports bike, heading toward the mating hall. The roar of its engine, a signature of its fiery red body, echoed through the serene village of Silverwood on the outskirts of the Silverridge Pack. Today was a momentous day—the day Ryker Vaughn and I would seal our bond at our mating ceremony.

I parked my bike in front of the grand hall with a confident flourish. As my boots touched the ground, I removed my helmet, letting my long, slightly auburn wavy hair fall freely around me. I could feel the weight of eyes on me—some filled with admiration, others tinged with curiosity.

"Stay calm, Cerys," I murmured to myself, taking a deep, steadying breath. My heart pounded in my chest—not from fear but from the sheer joy of what lay ahead.

The moment I stepped inside, Niamh, my ever-energetic best friend, rushed to greet me. She was juggling a handful of pins and appeared to be in her usual whirlwind of activity.

"You’re finally here!" she exclaimed, giving me a once-over. "Cerys, you haven’t even changed yet!"

I chuckled softly. "I wanted to enjoy the ride first. Besides, I couldn’t show up to a day this big without making a little statement, could I?"

Minutes later, I stood before a large mirror, clad in the elegant white gown Niamh had carefully helped me into. As I took in my reflection, a wave of nerves washed over me.

"Do I look alright?" I asked, half-hoping she’d calm my jittery thoughts.

"You’re stunning, Cerys. Truly," she said warmly, her smile radiating reassurance. "Ryker won’t know what hit him when he sees you walking down the aisle."

Her words brought a blush to my cheeks. It felt surreal. Ryker Vaughn, the respected Beta’s son admired by so many, had chosen me to spend his life with. He’d always promised me our happiness would be real, and I believed him wholeheartedly.

Before I could respond, a sharp knock broke the tranquility of the room. I turned toward the door, a strange unease creeping into my chest. An omega entered hurriedly, her expression tense and uneasy.

"Miss Cerys… I bring urgent news," she said, her voice trembling.

"I’m sorry, miss," she repeated, her voice wavering. "It’s important."

The world seemed to tilt as her words struck. My father, Alpha Reiner, had passed away suddenly from a heart attack.

"This has to be a joke, right?" I whispered, my voice shaking as the truth clawed at my heart. My chest tightened, and the tears I had tried to hold back brimmed in my eyes.

The omega shook her head, her face etched with sorrow. "No, miss. The pack’s doctor has confirmed it. We are all deeply sorry."

I stood frozen, unable to process what I had just heard. Niamh wrapped her arms around me, trying to provide comfort, but I was too stunned to respond. The bright, beautiful world of the morning now felt like it was crumbling into darkness.

"This… can’t be," I murmured, staring blankly at the floor. My father—the strength of the Silverridge Pack—was gone, without warning or farewell. My legs weakened beneath me, and only Niamh’s steady grip kept me upright.

The mating ceremony planned for that evening was immediately put on hold. The pack members and guests were asked to remain in the hall for further announcements. Meanwhile, I sat numbly in the preparation room, trying to gather enough strength to face this cruel new reality.

But the pain didn’t stop there. When I decided to seek out Ryker for some semblance of solace, the sound of commotion from the main hall stopped me in my tracks. His voice, sharp and unyielding, echoed through the crowd.

"Enough! I can’t keep pretending anymore!"

I hesitated at the door, peering through a crack to see Ryker standing in the center of the room, surrounded by confused guests. Beside him stood a woman I recognized all too well—Mollie de Jesus. My body froze as my gaze locked on her face. Mollie was Ryker’s ex, a name I had heard before, though Ryker had assured me their relationship was long over.

"Mollie is my chosen mate," Ryker declared firmly, his voice resonating throughout the hall. "Not Cerys."

The air buzzed with gasps and whispers as the crowd reacted. My breath hitched, caught in my throat. Had I truly just heard him say that?

"Ryker, what are you doing?" one of the Elders demanded, his tone stern. "This ceremony is a cornerstone of unity for the pack. You can’t just call it off!"

Ryker stood his ground, his face betraying no regret. "I know this isn’t what you all expected," he said evenly. "But I can’t spend my life with someone who isn’t my true mate. Mollie is everything to me. I choose her. I, Ryker Vaughn, rejected Cerys Ortega as my mate."

His words were like daggers, each one striking deeper into my heart. My hands trembled as I clutched at the doorframe for support, trying to steady myself as the world spun around me.

I remained frozen behind the door, too shattered to step inside. My body felt weak, as though every ounce of strength had drained away. Tears I had fought so hard to hold back now streamed freely down my face.

"Niamh…" I whispered hoarsely.

Niamh, standing just behind me, immediately pulled me into a tight embrace. "That bastard doesn’t deserve you," she said gently but firmly. "Let’s leave, Cerys. You don’t have to face this."

I wanted to follow her advice, but my feet wouldn’t move. Inside the hall, Ryker stood with the woman he had chosen—a woman who wasn’t me. Every dream, every hope, and every moment of happiness I had envisioned crumbled in an instant.

That night, I sat at the edge of my bed, still wearing the white gown that now felt like a prison. The images of Ryker and Mollie replayed endlessly in my mind, his cruel words echoing in my ears and breaking my heart piece by piece.

With trembling hands, I reached for the delicate pendant my father had given me days before the ceremony. It was a symbol of our pack’s strength, a reminder of the legacy he had left behind—now painfully hollow without him.

"Dad, what should I do?" I whispered into the suffocating silence.

But there was no answer. Only the stillness of the night remained, amplifying the ache in my chest.

That night, I made a promise to myself. If life had shattered me today, I would not let it keep me broken. Someday, I would rise—not for Ryker, not for Mollie, but for myself and for the pride that had been stolen from me.