*Selena*
I stood there, watching over my family and pack members, all of us buzzing with excitement. After what felt like an eternity, there was finally something to celebrate in the Moonglow pack. The entire pack sparkled under the twinkling lights, beautifully decorated for the occasion. Even the neighboring packs and their alphas had been invited to witness this royal event-the wedding of the Alpha King’s sister and his Beta.
At long last, Blair and Maddox were getting married before the Moon Goddess. They had endured so much, and fate had been cruel to them. In some ways, we were even responsible for delaying their wedding, as our lives and our pack had been tangled in one mess after another. But that was all behind us now.
We stood together, watching the happy couple exchange vows, accepting each other as mates under the blessings of the Goddess.
However, according to the ritual to correct Maddox’s past mistake, they couldn’t mate until the next full moon. In the past, Maddox had chosen a mate even though he knew he had a fated mate. Though now he realized his mistake and was marrying his fated one, Blair. The delay in mating till the next full moon was necessary to ensure no lingering complications in their mate bond due to his past choices. So, while the wedding took place today, their mating and marking ceremony would only be in three days, under the light of the full moon.
“Mom, how do I look?” Austin called out, bouncing toward me in a little blue tuxedo that matched his dad’s. His excitement was infectious as he tugged at the lapels, waiting for my reaction.
“You look so handsome, my prince,” I said, leaning down to plant a kiss on his cheek.
“Mom, can I go play with my friends?” he asked, flashing me his toothy grin.
I smiled but pointed a finger at him in warning. “Okay, but don’t go out of my sight, alright?”
“Okay, Mom!” he replied with a nod, grinning even wider before darting off.
I watched as Austin joined his friends, already engrossed in their games. He had made so many friends in such a short time; his bright, bubbly nature made it impossible for anyone to resist him. The sight of his laughter and carefree energy warmed my heart as I kept an eye on him, ensuring he stayed within view.
I shifted my gaze to scan the grand hall as my eager eyes searched for my mate, Alpha King Zander Blake. There he was, commanding the attention of a group of alphas, exuding such authority and charm that it was impossible for anyone not to notice him. His presence alone demanded respect, and every gaze in the room seemed to gravitate toward him involuntarily.
I should have felt a pang of jealousy, considering how much attention the she-wolves were giving him. But instead, I was utterly captivated by the sight of my devilishly handsome husband. Clad in a royal blue tuxedo that fit him like a second skin, he looked impossibly alluring. My eyes couldn’t tear away from him.
As if sensing my gaze, he suddenly turned his head, locking his intense eyes with mine. A soft smile replaced the stern expression he wore moments ago, and his gaze softened, his eyes shimmering with unspoken love as they roamed over me, taking in every detail from head to toe.
A blush crept onto my cheeks as I bit my lip shyly, trying to steady myself. I quickly averted my eyes, desperate to maintain my composure before I completely lost myself in the depths of those enchanting blue eyes that belonged to my mate.
As I slowly began strolling through the hall, checking the remaining arrangements and greeting the guests, I suddenly felt a familiar presence behind me. Before I could turn, a strong hand gripped my waist, pulling me into a twirl until I was face-to-face with my Alpha mate.
“Did I mention how breathtaking you look today?” Zander’s deep, husky voice whispered in my ear as he gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind it.
“Yes, you did,” I murmured, leaning closer with a teasing smile. “An hour ago, in our room, right before you ruined my makeup and dress when you took me roughly in our bed.”
Amusement flickered in my eyes as I watched his expression darken, his jaw tightening while his eyes gleamed with undeniable desire. A low growl escaped his throat, his gaze dropping to my lips before roaming lower.
“Do you want me to carry you back to our room right now, in front of all the guests?” he threatened, his voice laced with a dangerous edge.
As tempting as it was to say yes, I knew just how shameless my Alpha mate could be. Werewolves were naturally possessive of their mates, but Alphas were on a whole other level of obsession and protectiveness. And Zander wasn’t just any Alpha-he was an Alpha King. Extra possessive, obsessively devoted, and fiercely protective. So I knew very well that it was best not to provoke him further.
“Have some patience, Alpha King,” I breathed out, though my voice betrayed the desire I couldn’t hide.
“I can’t wait for this ceremony to be over so I can take you to our room and fuck you again,” he growled lowly, his words sending a shiver down my spine.
Heat flooded my cheeks as I noticed the attention we were drawing. People were already watching us, and embarrassment crept in. I tried to pull away, but Zander’s grip tightened, his arm wrapping firmly around my waist, making it impossible to move.
Before I could say anything else, the music began, signaling Zander’s cue to leave and walk his sister down the aisle. He reluctantly let me go, his intense gaze lingering for a moment before he turned to fulfill his role.
I turned my attention to Maddox, who looked impeccable in his tailored black tuxedo. He stood tall, his expression a mixture of pride and nervous excitement. The ceremony began, and the elders started chanting the sacred words that bound mates together under the blessing of the Moon Goddess.
Blair and Maddox exchanged their vows. When they were finally declared husband and wife, the crowd erupted into joyous cheers, clapping and celebrating as Maddox leaned in to kiss his bride.
But then, everything shifted.
The joyous scene before my eyes blurred, fading into something sinister. The cheers were replaced by screams. The vibrant colors of the celebration turned to blood-soaked chaos. People were crying out in pain, their faces contorted in terror.
Fear gripped me as the air around me thickened with panic. I stood frozen, watching the carnage unfold as though I was trapped in a nightmare. A sense of impending doom weighed down on me, and in that horrifying moment, I saw the end.