CHAPTER THREE
1560 Words
Mateo stood tall, the mask hiding most of his expression, but his posture was sharp, controlled. Eva’s gown hugged her figure perfectly, delicate lace shimmering under the lights. The guests sat in elegant chairs, glasses sparkling, whispers floating through the air. Julian, her boyfriend, was there, looking proud—but Eva barely noticed.
The pastor cleared his throat. “Alpha Mateo of the New Moon pack, do you take Lady Eva as your mate?”
“I… I do,” Mateo said, voice steady. He didn’t know what else to say. Words felt useless at this moment.
The pastor turned to Eva. “Do you, Lady Eva, take Alpha Mateo of the New Moon group as your husband?”
Before she could even say, “I do,” a sharp voice cut through the hall.
“Wait!”
All eyes snapped toward a man in black, standing at the edge of the aisle. His coat was sleek, his presence impossible to ignore. He didn’t look around; he looked straight at Eva.
My name is Alex, alpha of the cancer pack
I want to take care of her. She should come with me.
Mateo’s hand clenched on his shirt. “What are you doing?!” he growled, his voice low but tense.
Alex didn’t flinch. He stepped closer, calm, almost casual. “I know what you’re thinking,”, “but I have a right to speak, his tone is calm but firm. “Yes, I was married five years ago. My wife… she’s gone. But Eva,” he said, eyes locking on her, “you look like her. I think you could be my second chance, my true mate. I want you.”
Mateo’s jaw tightened. “Challenge me, and you’ll face not just me but our entire pack,” he growled.
Alex raised a hand. “Why not show her some respect? Let her choose her alpha.”
Eva’s eyes narrowed. “Why me?” she asked.
“She resembles my late wife,” Alex answered quietly.
Eva shook her head, voice strong. “I’m sorry, Alpha Alex. I’m happy with Alpha Mateo. I’m not a substitute. You only want me for who I look like, not who I am.”
Alex’s gaze softened, but he asked gently, “Are you sure, Eva?”
Eva’s father crossed his legs, silent but watchful. Eva glanced at him. “I’m sure,” she said clearly.
Mateo’s hand rested lightly on her shoulder. “I heard her,” he said, motioning Alex to step back.
Alex nodded slowly. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask,” he said, retreating to his seat.
In the crowd, Eva’s sister Sophia leaned toward Julian, who was sitting stiffly beside her. “Why can’t she just disappear?” Sophia hissed. “How can a common Omega have two alphas to herself? I swear, this will be the last time you’re talking to her.”
At the altar, the pastor’s voice rang out again. “Eva, are you prepared? Will you accept Alpha Mateo of the New Moon Pack as your mate?”
As Eva opened her mouth to say “I do,” every phone in the crowd buzzed at once. A video had gone viral—her and a masked man, a scene pushing her onto a bed. Gasps and exchanged glances rippled through the audience.
Julian stood abruptly, clapping sarcastically. “No wonder you ended things with me—cheating, then running off to marry Alpha Mateo! Unbelievable. Who knew you had such a secret life?”
Sophia stood beside him, pointing at Eva. “You deserve an award, sis, linking up with so many guys! Here I thought you were a good girl.”
Sofia’s lips twisted into a cruel smirk. “According to werewolf conduct,” she said coldly, “a death sentence is fitting.”
From the crowd, a sharp voice echoed, “She’s right! Our New Moon Pack deserves a better Lunar than this!”
Eva’s father shot to his feet, pointing a trembling finger at her. “Why couldn’t it have been you instead of your mother who died? You’ve brought nothing but dishonor—to this house, to yourself!”
Sofia leaned back in the shadows, smirking like a predator.
“You are no daughter of mine from this day forward!” her father barked.
Eva’s knees threatened to buckle. “No… no, Dad! Please, let me explain! You don’t understand—I didn’t do it! It was Sofia… She's the one behind this! I… I have no way to defend myself!”
Her eyes darted to Mateo, a desperate plea hiding in their depths. Maybe he could just maybe help.
At that moment, Alex rose. His black coat swishing behind him, eyes blazing with controlled fury. “What is wrong with you people? This is how you treat one of your own? Reject her, dishonor her? Fine. Then I’ll take her. I’ll make her Luna of my pack.”
Sofia’s gasp was sharp, almost like a blade. “After she slept with a rogue, you still…? You want to make her your Lunar and disgrace your pack? She deserves death, not a Luna title!”
POW!
Alex’s hand connected with her cheek, a sharp c***k echoing in the tense silence.
Julian lunged forward, grabbing Sofia, holding her back as she seethed.
“I couldn’t care less if you make her Lunar of the Cancer Pack!” she spat. “The New Moon Pack rejecting her—that’s what will scar her. Their rejection is worse than anything you can offer!”
Alex’s eyes flared red. His voice was low and dangerous: “How can you show no sympathy for your own sister? You cackle like a hyena while she suffers?”
Sofia trembled, but Alex didn’t stop. “Keep talking, and I *will* break your neck.”
Mateo finally stepped forward, voice booming and steady. “Who said we were banning Eva?” His gaze locked on Sofia. “Regardless of what you and Beta Julian schemed… She is still the Lunar of the New Moon Pack.”
A stunned silence fell over the crowd. Hearts pounded. Breath hitched. No one moved.
Shock, fear, and awe swirled through the room.
Mateo’s mother stood abruptly, her presence commanding the room. “I’ve heard enough of this drama!” Her eyes blazed as she scanned the crowd. “Who dares sabotage my son’s wedding?”
Sofia froze, leaning toward Julian. “She’s really angry now… if she finds out we did this, she’ll kill us!”
Julian whispered back, tense, “Just stay calm. Don’t act suspicious, stupid.”
Lady Aurora’s gaze swept over everyone, sharp and unyielding. “I will make them pay for ruining my son’s ceremony.” She turned to Mateo. “Son, it’s time. Remove your mask—for the sake of your mate, for her honor… and yours.”
Mateo’s lips curled into a sly smile. “You’re right, Mother. Can’t wait to see their faces.”
A man in the crowd muttered, “He’s going to remove it? After all these years? Why now?”
His sister hissed beside him, incredulous. “Seriously… he’s been hiding it since childhood. Why reveal his face now? Why expose himself to everyone?”
Mateo lifted the mask slowly. Gasps filled the room. Eyes widened. Whispers ricocheted like lightning. He was stunning—handsome in a way that left people breathless. Some faces paled, others leaned in, trying to take it all in.
Someone in the crowd whispered, shocked, “That… that’s the man in the video!”
Another muttered, eyes wide, “The one Eva… the night she…”
Eva froze, heart hammering. Tears threatened. She whispered a silent prayer to the moon goddess. *It’s him… the father of my child.*
Mateo’s voice cut through the murmurs, calm and certain. “I declare Eva as my mate. And, as you can see,” he held up his face, “I’m the one in the picture on your phone.”
Sofia’s face drained of color, like a blow had hit her. She looked at Julian, panicked. “Is this… true?”
Julian stammered, “It… it’s a lie!”
“How is it possible, Alpha Mateo?!” she hissed, disbelief flashing across her features.
POW! Her father’s hand connected sharply with her cheek. “Stupid girl!” he shouted.
Sofia yelped, holding her face. “How many times am I gonna be slapped today?!”
Her father’s voice was cold, warning. “You will pay for this.”
Sofia muttered, flustered, “What a day…”
Her father walked to her side, reaching out. “Eva… please, forgive her”
Eva’s eyes blazed. “You’ve changed so quickly. I thought you’d disowned me.”
Mateo stepped forward, calm but sharp. “My Luna has made her choice. She is no longer your daughter.” He glanced at Sofia and Julian. “Leave—before things get worse.”
Lady Aurora’s voice cut through the murmurs, commanding and cold. “Wait! Did I not make it clear? Whoever dares disrupt my son’s wedding will pay. Whoever dares tarnish my son and his mate—will face the consequences.”
A maid rushed forward, holding a small device. “Ma’am… this is the CCTV footage.”
POW!
- Writer
