ALEXANDER
I was rendered speechless as I stared at my father in disbelief. I couldn't remember the last time he'd spoken to me. Even when I tried to start a conversation or ask for an audience, I was turned away, and Jezebel would force me to kneel for hours.
If I didn't constantly hear him speaking to everyone around me-everyone except me-I wouldn't have remembered the sound of his voice.
"She refused to-" Jezebel began, but my father cut her off sharply. "I'm not interested. Get her a new dress and make sure she looks good. Tonight is the bonding night, and she can't appear worse than the others. She might be lucky enough to get a mate."
I stiffened. For a moment, I'd thought he might be showing me a sliver of humanity-kindness, even-but his words made it clear. This wasn't compassion. He was thinking about what he could gain if I bonded tonight. He was already anticipating my bride price.
"You may leave," Jezebel said, though her eyes burned with reluctance.
I didn't waste a second in that suffocating room. As I slipped out, I could still hear their voices behind the door. It wasn't until we headed toward the open center of the castle that I understood what they'd been discussing. I glanced down at the beautiful dress I'd been given, and a quiet thrill rose in my chest. I hadn't worn anything new in years.
Everyone else was excited about bonding night. I wasn't. I was excited about the dress.
I couldn't stop smiling, checking it again and again, careful not to let my hands brush the fabric in case I stained it.
Then I heard Jezebel's voice, sweet and smug. "Tracy, your father and I changed the pack's policy just for you. We want everyone in the castle to witness the most beautiful girl in the pack bond with the Alpha. I want them to know the Luna is my daughter. I want them to bow their heads and worship you-not only because you'll be Luna, but because they're lucky a beautiful lady like you agreed to accept them."
Her words made me swallow hard. I looked at Tracy. She was beaming-she loved praise more than anything. With a practiced softness, she said, "Oh, Mother..."
But Jezebel only smiled wider. "Don't be humble. You're the envy of the Moon Goddess."
I didn't realize I'd stopped walking until Jezebel snapped, "Walk faster, cursed child!"
I jolted out of my daze and hurried after them.
We reached the castle square, where the women, men, and children of the pack had already gathered. The moment we arrived, those who recognized my stepmother, Jezebel, stepped forward and began talking to her. Others crowded around Tracy, showering her with compliments, while I was left standing alone.
Everyone buzzed with excitement, chatting and glancing up at the dark clouds gathering overhead, as if waiting for something to happen.
I wanted to look at the sky too, to feel included, but my eyes drifted to the pool at the center of the square. Damon and Tracy stood beside it, watching two fish swim lazily in circles. They smiled at each other-so effortless, so certain. They really were in love.
I took a small step forward, hoping to blend into the crowd, but before I could take another, a kick slammed into me. I staggered, lost my balance, and hit the ground hard, landing on my butt.
When I looked up, Martin was lowering his leg, his face twisted in disgust. His friends stood behind him, staring at me with open hatred. No one in the pack despised me more than Martin. He always took out his bitterness on me-especially because Tracy would never return his feelings.
He snorted. "The fat thing thinks she can stand with the noblemen and noblewomen of the pack."
That was enough to remind me of my place. I didn't try to approach again. I retreated to a pillar and gripped it tightly, afraid someone might decide to kick me again just for breathing near them.
Then the elders appeared on the balcony of the Moon Goddess temple, overlooking the crowd. Among them, my father stood out the most.
The other elders wore stern, unreadable expressions, their faces set in stone. But my father's eyes shone with pride. His shoulders were squared, his posture tall, and his smile stretched wide.
He was convinced Tracy would become the Luna of the pack. Years ago, a seer had told him a Luna would rise from his household-and that prophecy had made his confidence untouchable.
The castle's center suddenly brightened. I looked up just in time to see the full moon reveal itself overhead. I turned away, refusing to hope. I'd never expected to have a mate-if I ever bonded to anyone, I was sure he'd reject me... or hate me until it killed me.
Then a wave of joyful gasps swept through the arena.
I looked back and saw Alpha Damon standing beneath a beam of moonlight, as if the moon itself had chosen him.
And then-light flared around me.
My mind blanked. My body went rigid with shock. The entire arena fell into a deafening silence, so complete I could hear the hard swallow in my own throat.
"Mate!"
The growl snapped through the quiet. Trembling, I turned toward the sound-and there he was. Alpha Damon stared straight at me, his eyes already bleeding into red. Something deep and undeniable pulled tight between us, a connection so real my skin prickled and my body reacted to his gaze.
"Impossible!" Tracy's scream tore through the air, sharp enough to sting.
My heart stumbled.
I looked at her just as she bolted for the gate. I blinked, confused-because I couldn't bring myself to answer the question pounding in my head.
Was I Alpha Damon's mate?
