I Survived When My Mate Burned Me Alive

The crystal glasses clinked as I arranged them carefully on the silver tray. Each one had to be perfectly positioned, not a drop of champagne spilled. Head Omega Theresa's voice cracked like a whip behind me.

"Faster, Omega! The guests will be arriving soon, and you're still dawdling with the drinks."

I kept my eyes lowered, the way an Omega should. "Yes, ma'am."

My shoulder throbbed where Kameron had grabbed me yesterday, demanding I polish Melissa's ceremonial crown until I could see my reflection in it. The bruise was probably purple by now, but I couldn't check. There wasn't time.

"The Alpha wants everything perfect for his precious Melissa," Theresa continued, her thin lips curling in what might have been jealousy or contempt. "And you'll make sure it is, or you'll answer to me."

I nodded silently, lifting the heavy tray. My wolf, Luna, stirred restlessly inside me. *Stay calm*, I told her. *We can't show our strength. Not yet.*

The ballroom glittered with silver and white decorations. Pack members scurried about, making final preparations for the Grand Luna Ceremony. This would be Melissa's official installation as Luna—a position that should have been mine.

"Harper!" Kameron's voice cut through the noise like a blade.

I froze, tray balanced carefully in my trembling hands. He stood across the room in his ceremonial Alpha attire, tall and imposing. Beside him, Melissa preened in her flowing white gown, diamonds glittering at her throat.

"Yes, Alpha?" I kept my voice soft, submissive.

"Melissa needs more champagne. Now."

I moved toward them, eyes downcast as protocol demanded. My heart hammered against my ribs. Every step brought me closer to my mate—the man who had rejected me, who didn't even know what I truly was.

As I approached, Melissa deliberately shifted her position, extending her gown behind her. I saw the movement but couldn't stop in time. My foot caught the delicate fabric.

"Look what you've done!" she shrieked, though I'd barely touched her. "You clumsy, worthless Omega!"

Kameron's eyes flashed dangerously. "Kneel," he commanded, his Alpha tone hitting me like a physical blow.

My knees buckled instantly. The tray tilted, champagne sloshing over the rim. I struggled to steady it, but Kameron's command was too powerful.

"Lower your eyes," he growled.

I obeyed, feeling the weight of every gaze in the room. Visiting Alphas from neighboring packs watched with amusement or disgust. My cheeks burned with humiliation.

"I'm sorry, Alpha," I whispered, though we both knew it wasn't my fault.

"Apologize to your future Luna," he corrected coldly.

"I'm sorry, future Luna," I repeated, the words bitter on my tongue.

Melissa's laugh tinkled like breaking glass. "I think you should crawl to the kitchen for more champagne, don't you, darling?"

Kameron nodded, his expression unreadable. "Do it."

I began to rise, but his command held me in place. "On your knees," he clarified.

Luna snarled inside me, rage building at the injustice. I forced her down, though my hands shook with the effort of restraint.

The ceremony began with Kameron's toast. His voice boomed through the ballroom as he praised Melissa's beauty and loyalty. I remained in the shadows, serving drinks to guests who either ignored me or treated me with contempt.

Then I felt it—a sudden chill that had nothing to do with the air conditioning. Luna surged forward, her senses sharper than my human form could manage.

*Danger!* she warned.

My eyes scanned the crowd and landed on a server who didn't belong. His movements were too precise, too practiced. The way he positioned himself behind Kameron...

"Alpha, look out!" I cried, abandoning my post.

The server lunged forward, a silver-tipped dagger gleaming in one hand, a gun in the other. Everything slowed to a crawl.

I didn't think. I moved.

The bullet tore through my shoulder instead of Kameron's heart. Glass shattered as the tray flew from my hands. Champagne and blood sprayed across the marble floor.

Pain exploded through me, white-hot and blinding. I collapsed, my vision swimming as Kameron's roar filled the room.

He moved with Alpha speed, tearing the assassin apart before the man could fire again. Blood splattered across his ceremonial clothes.

"Is everyone safe?" he demanded, his voice shaking with rage.

I reached out with our mate bond, sending waves of reassurance despite my own agony. *I'm hurt, but I'll live.*

Kameron's eyes found mine for one brief moment. Then Melissa's scream pierced the air.

"Kameron! I think I scraped my wrist!"

His attention snapped away from me, focusing entirely on Melissa as she clutched her perfectly unmarked wrist. "Are you hurt, my love? Let me see."

"No... no... I think it's just a scratch," she sobbed dramatically.

I lay bleeding on the floor, glass cutting into my palms where I'd tried to break my fall. The bullet had torn through muscle and sinew. Without help, I might bleed out.

"Someone," I gasped, looking at the guards who stood watching. "Please..."

Kameron glanced down at me, then back at Melissa. "Get her out of here," he ordered the guards. "She's ruining the ceremony with all this blood."

Strong hands gripped my arms, dragging me toward the exit. I caught one last glimpse of Kameron cradling Melissa in his arms, checking her for injuries that didn't exist.

As the doors closed behind me, I heard him murmur, "It's okay, my Luna. You're safe now."

Luna howled inside me, a sound of pure anguish that I couldn't release aloud. I bit my lip until I tasted blood, trying to stay conscious as the guards dumped me unceremoniously in the hallway.

"Find your own way to the infirmary," one muttered before they both hurried back to rejoin the celebration.

I pressed my hand against my bleeding shoulder and began to crawl.