Chapter One
“Tonight's the night.”.
I muttered the words, my fingers gripping the fabric of my dress. ". Standing in the middle of the mating ceremony, I felt the silk tying my fist tightly around my wrists.
The pack's bonfire roared and spiraled into the midnight sky. As the wolves laughed, drank and hugged it filled with excitement.
Nevertheless, I barely detected any of it.
Because he was here.
Liam Blackwood.
Standing at the brink of a gathering, his massive figure was commanding. His chiseled features, such as his sharp jawline, high cheekbones, and fiery golden eyes, were illuminated by fire. I felt my heart pounding against the side of mine.
Our gazes met.
I was suffocated by a burst of heat. Then something within me broke, like a thread that was pulled too tightly. We were connected by a force that was more powerful than air, gravity and fate.
My mate.
With my back turned to me, lips crossed and a final gesture was spoken.
“No.”.
That expression shone into night like a knife.'
The crowd stilled. Conversations hushed.
I experienced a sudden chill in my throat as I fell and felt like breaking up. "What the hell is going on?" asked me.
Liam's jaw clenched. His golden eyes darkened.
He refused, saying, "I won't believe this.".
Cold. Final.
My breath caught. A whine from my wolf was unbearable. The mate bond was sacred. It couldn't be ignored. Couldn't be rejected.
“Oh, my God, you don’t mean to me.” I screamed back at myself as though impetuous.
His muscles tensed. With an euphoric expression, he spoke the words that caused me to break down.
Isla Whitmore: Can you not be my mate, Liam Blackwood?
Agony.
White-hot, searing, relentless.
My lips pierced with pain, taking up my breath. It was like watching someone die. In protest, my wolf howled and curled up around herself.?
“No,” I choked out. “Liam—”.
He turned away.
And pulled her into his arms.
Selene.
Raven-haired, ice-eyed. The daughter of an Elder. The perfect Luna.
She smirched at me like a punch to my chest as she put Daddy's hand on Liam'S hips. "Oh, no!" I said in agreement.
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
She was of the opinion that she could become our Luna, actually.
“Pathetic.”.
“A weakling like her?”.
The lump was in my throat, and I had to hold it down. Don't cry. Be sure to keep their eyes on you.
Then Liam's voice echoed again: "I choose Selene as my Luna.".
A new wave of pain swept over me.
Then—.
An alarm was sounded throughout the night.
Not one of triumph.
A warning.
The pack stilled. Warriors straightened, nostrils flaring.
In the darkness, a low growl was heard. Then—.
Chaos.
An enormous and menacing rogue wolf suddenly appeared from the shadows.'... The object smashed into a banquet table and sent goblets flying. Screams erupted. The warriors were in the air, their clothes being torn and their skin taking over.
Someone grabbed my arm.
“Isla, run!”.
A second rogue lunge occurred just as I was turning.
Blood-red eyes. Bared fangs.
Coming straight for me.
I couldn't move.
Couldn't breathe.
Teeth flashed toward my throat.
Then, darkness.
