The morning of the Mate Ceremony dawned with perfect clarity, as if the Moon Goddess herself had blessed this day. I stood before the mirror in my preparation chamber, smoothing down the front of my ceremonial silver gown. Three years of devotion had led to this moment—tonight, Levi would finally mark me as his Luna.
"Perfect," I whispered to my reflection, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. My wolf, Luna, purred with anticipation inside me.
*Soon*, I promised her. *Soon we'll be complete.*
The Black Moon estate buzzed with activity as I moved through the halls, checking final preparations. Crystal glasses gleamed on tables adorned with white roses and silver ribbons. Everything had to be perfect for our Alpha's ceremony.
"He's in his office," Marcus, Levi's Beta, informed me with a curt nod. "Last-minute preparations."
I smiled gratefully and made my way down the corridor. The heavy oak door to Levi's office stood slightly ajar. I raised my hand to knock when I heard her laugh—that tinkling, manipulative sound I'd come to recognize.
Nina Cunningham.
My fingers froze mid-air as I pushed the door open just enough to see inside.
Levi stood behind his desk, his broad shoulders blocking my view of Nina. But I could see his hands—those strong, capable hands that had never once caressed me with tenderness—adjusting something around her neck.
"There," he murmured, his voice carrying that rare warmth I'd spent three years trying to earn. "It suits you perfectly."
Nina turned, her fingers touching the diamond pendant at her throat. Her eyes met mine through the gap in the door, and her lips curved into a smirk.
"Cleo," Levi acknowledged coldly as he noticed me. No greeting. No warmth. Just that corporate tone he reserved for business transactions. "The guests will be arriving soon. Make sure everything is in order."
"Of course," I replied, my voice steady despite the crack forming in my heart. "I just wanted to—"
"Play your part," he cut me off, already turning away. "That's what matters today."
Nina's smile widened as she leaned closer to him, her hand lingering on his arm. "Don't worry, Cleo. I'll take care of our Alpha."
---
Hours later, the great hall glittered with candlelight and champagne flutes. I stood beside Levi as he addressed the assembled pack members and dignitaries, his hand never once seeking mine.
"Tonight marks a new chapter for the Black Moon Pack," he declared, his voice carrying effortlessly across the room. "A chapter of strength and unity—"
The explosion cut him off mid-sentence.
One moment we were standing in opulent splendor; the next, we were plunged into chaos. Screams erupted as debris rained down from the ceiling. The acrid smell of smoke filled my nostrils as flames erupted along the far wall.
"Rogues!" someone shouted. "They've attacked!"
In the confusion, a heavy beam crashed down, pinning my leg beneath its weight. Pain shot through me as I cried out, my bones grinding against each other.
"Levi!" I screamed, reaching out with desperate hands.
Through the thickening smoke, I saw him across the room. His eyes met mine—those golden eyes I'd gazed into for three years, hoping to find love there.
"Help me!"
He took a step toward me, then stopped. Behind him, Nina stumbled, her heel catching in her gown.
"Levi," she gasped, her eyes wide with fear.
For one heartbeat, he hesitated. One heartbeat that would change everything.
Then he turned away from me.
"Levi!" My voice broke as I watched him scoop Nina into his arms, cradling her against his chest like precious cargo.
"I'll come back," he called over his shoulder, but his eyes didn't return to mine.
"You can't leave me here!" I screamed after him, but he was already moving toward the exit, Nina's arms wrapped around his neck.
The flames grew higher around me. The beam on my leg felt heavier with each passing second. Through the smoke and fire, I watched my mate—my Alpha—disappear through the doorway without looking back.
---
"Get her out," Marcus barked as rough hands pulled me from the wreckage.
My skin blistered where the heat had touched it. My leg throbbed with each jolt of movement. But worse than the physical pain was the hollow ache in my chest.
"She's awake," a voice said as I opened my eyes in the sterile pack infirmary.
Nina stood at the foot of my bed, her dress immaculate despite the chaos. No burns. No injuries. Just that same smug smile.
"Poor Cleo," she cooed, leaning closer. "Did you really think he loved you?"
I tried to speak, but my throat felt raw from smoke.
"He never did," she continued, fingering the diamond pendant still at her throat. "You were just a tool to make me jealous. And it worked—for a while."
The door opened, and Levi strode in, his face a mask of cold fury.
"You orchestrated this," he accused, towering over my bed. "The rogues were your doing, weren't they? Your final act of jealousy."
"No," I whispered, reaching for him. "Levi, please—"
He recoiled from my touch. "I strip you of your title and banish you from this pack. You are nothing but a traitor."
Two enforcers seized my arms, dragging me from the bed despite my injuries.
"Where will I go?" I pleaded as they hauled me toward the door.
"Somewhere far from here," Levi replied, not meeting my eyes. "You have until sundown to cross our borders."
The last thing I saw was Nina's triumphant smile as the door slammed behind me.
Outside in the pouring rain, alone and broken, a new pain tore through my abdomen—sharper than anything I'd felt before.
"No," I gasped, doubling over as wetness spread between my legs. "No, please..."
But the Moon Goddess wasn't listening as I collapsed to my knees in the mud, my body betraying me one final time before exile.
