Just as I was about to leave, I ran into Katie at the entrance.
Thanks to our similar auras and my gift, I recognized her instantly.
I quickly grabbed Tessa, who was rubbing her hands together in gleeful anticipation, and then feigned ignorance and greeted Katie warmly.
"You must be a friend of Jeremy's," I said with a smile. "Please, come in. The ceremony will begin shortly."
Katie's smile froze on her face.
She was clearly irked by my display of authority as the hostess, and her tone sharpened.
"Miss Riley, I'm sorry to say, but it seems we're wearing the same dress."
"Anyone who didn't know better might think I was the star of today's show."
Her arrogant thoughts rang in my head.
'Smile while you can. In three hours, your precious mate is going to dump you for me.'
'Let's see if you're still smiling then.'
I offered a nonchalant smile and gestured for an attendant to show her to her seat.
'You idiot,' her thoughts screamed. 'I've made it so obvious. Can't you see I'm here to crash this thing?'
As soon as she was out of earshot, Tessa couldn't help but vent.
"Did you see her attitude? Acting like she owns the place. I can't stand her."
I shrugged. "To her, I'm just a pitiful wretch right now."
"She thinks Jeremy is about to dump me for her at the altar."
"She's about to stage the perfect 'lovers reunited' drama, forcing the Alpha's family to accept her."
Before long, I arrived at the ancient altar. The ceremony hadn't started yet.
After I performed the rite to sever the bond, I sat quietly to the side, waiting for the main event to begin.
Suddenly, my crystal vibrated with a series of alerts.
Tessa was so excited her wolf's tail was probably wagging as she live-streamed a magical projection to me.
'Clara, it's starting! She's really doing it!'
'Gods, the nerve. It's a betrayal, but they're acting like some tragic, star-crossed couple. So shameless.'
As planned, Jeremy went up to the ceremonial platform first.
Just as the high priest was delivering a romantic speech about the Moon Goddess and fate, Katie made her move.
Dressed in a ceremonial robe nearly identical to mine, she strode onto the stage and snatched the amplifying crystal from the high priest's hands.
As she delivered her heartfelt declaration of love, a wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Her voice trembled with emotion as she spoke of their years apart, her loyalty, and her dream of their reunion.
Jeremy's eyes glistened with tears.
"Jeremy, will you come with me?"
Gasps erupted from the audience.
Stealing the Alpha-to-be on his bonding day wasn't just a disruption; it was a brazen, full-blown scandal.
Worse, Jeremy didn't hesitate.
His expression softened as he walked toward her and took her hand.
"I will," he declared.
The crowd erupted in shock and furious whispers.
Katie basked in her victory, a triumphant smile blooming on her face.
She then turned toward the large sanctuary doors, ready to deliver her grand speech to me right before my scheduled entrance.
"I know you love him deeply," she said, her tone dripping with condescension.
"But the bond between Jeremy and me is one that not even the Moon Goddess can sever."
"So, please, find it in your heart to understand and let us be together."
In the projection, Jeremy was gazing at Katie adoringly, while the smug satisfaction on her face was impossible to hide.
I guessed Katie was eagerly awaiting my heartbroken reaction.
She had probably rehearsed a whole speech to "comfort" me.
"I hope you can support this beautiful love story between Jeremy and me."
"Miss Riley?" she called out, waiting for her dramatic confrontation.
A dead silence fell over the hall.
The atmosphere became palpably awkward.
After all, when the target of your grand performance fails to show up, your 'bold declaration of love' starts to look less like a romantic coup and more like a circus act.
"Miss Riley?"
"Clara!"
She called out several times, but there was no response.
Finally, an attendant stepped forward and opened the large doors.
There was no one behind them. No grieving bride, devastated by Katie's dramatic spectacle.
In its place lay a single moonstone bracelet—the symbol of a mate bond I had already severed—discarded carelessly on the floor.
The murmurs in the crowd swelled into a wave of shocked gasps.
An elder exclaimed, "She severed the mate bond herself!"
