THE ALPHA'S SAVAGE MATE

Chapter 3: Preparing for the Ceremony

Brielle's POV

The dining hall smelled of roasted meat and spiced wine, but my stomach churned as if I’d swallowed poison. Sylvia stood at the head of the long oak table, her perfectly polished nails tapping against her glass to get everyone’s attention. The pack members quieted instantly. That’s the kind of power she wielded: effortless, sharp, and unshakable.

The announcement hit like a bomb

Her voice, dripping with fake warmth, rang out clearly. “I’m delighted to announce that Kylie and Liam’s mating ceremony will take place in three days.”

The room erupted. Applause. Cheers. Wolves whistling like we were at some kind of sporting event. My chest tightened, and I gripped the doorway for support, hidden just out of view.

Three days? They were doing this now? Already?

My breath caught in my throat. They couldn’t seriously be moving this fast. Just three days after Liam rejected me,publicly, brutally,and they were already throwing a party?

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. My stomach twisted in knots, a mix of humiliation and disbelief. I hadn’t even had time to process the bond breaking, and now they were throwing my rejection in my face.

“Of course,” Sylvia continued, her voice silky and commanding, “an event of this magnitude will require a lot of preparation. We want it to be perfect,no, flawless,for our future Luna.”

My heart sank.

Sylvia turned her head slightly, her dark eyes locking onto me like a predator spotting prey. Her smile widened, but it wasn’t kind. It was the kind of smile a cat gave before pouncing on a mouse.

“Brielle, darling, come here.”

The room turned as one, every eye suddenly on me. My legs felt like lead, but I forced myself forward, keeping my chin up even though I felt like curling into myself.

“Yes?” My voice came out quieter than I intended, but I didn’t bother to clear my throat.

Sylvia’s smile widened, and I knew immediately that whatever she was about to say would hurt.

“I’ve decided you’ll oversee the preparations for the ceremony,” she said smoothly, as though this was a gift. “The food, the decorations, the seating arrangements… everything. It has to be perfect for Kylie and Liam. I’m sure you understand how important this is.”

My stomach dropped. “But—”

Sylvia’s eyebrows shot up, her expression a mix of mock surprise and warning. “But what, Bribelle? Surely you aren’t trying to shirk your duties?” Her smile tightened, her eyes flashing with warning, “besides this is your chance to prove yourself useful. Surely, you want to contribute to the pack, don’t you?”

I stared at her, heat flooding my cheeks as the pack murmured around us. Kylie, seated next to Liam, was grinning like she’d just won the lottery. Liam, meanwhile, avoided looking at me entirely. He kept his eyes glued to his plate, pretending like I wasn’t even in the room.

Kylie smirked from her seat at the long oak table, her perfectly manicured nails tapping against her glass. “Come on, Brielle,” she said, her voice dripping with fake cheer. “Don’t be such a buzzkill. This is a happy occasion.”

The humiliation burned like acid in my throat.

Sylvia raised an eyebrow, her voice soft but sharp enough to cut. “You don’t want to disappoint me, do you?”

“I’ll do it.”I mumbled, forcing the word out.

“Good girl.” Sylvia smiled again, triumphant, and turned back to the rest of the pack. “Now, let’s make this a celebration to remember!”

Applause erupted again as I stumbled back into the shadows.

The kitchen was empty, thank god. I gripped the edge of the counter, my knuckles white as I leaned forward and tried to breathe through the nausea. My reflection in the dark window stared back at me: messy brown hair, flushed cheeks, wide, panicked eyes. I looked as wrecked as I felt.

This couldn’t be real. I was supposed to help prepare for their mating ceremony? My heart pounded, the pain of the broken mate bond still raw and jagged. Liam was supposed to be mine. For years, I’d dreamed of this moment: my ceremony, my future as Luna.

Instead, I’d be setting the table and hanging streamers for my stepsister.

The sound of heels clicking on the tile shattered the silence.

“You’re not done sulking already, are you? you’re so dramatic,” Kylie’s voice snapped, pulling me from my thoughts

I turned to see her leaning casually in the doorway, her arms crossed and her golden hair cascading down her shoulders like some kind of goddess. She was still wearing the smug smile she’d had all night, the one that made me want to scream.

“What do you want?” I asked flatly, too tired to even pretend to be polite.

Kylie sauntered into the kitchen, her heels echoing against the floor as she approached me. She placed one perfectly manicured hand on the counter, tilting her head like she was trying to decide whether I was worth her time.

“I came to see how the party prep is going. Mom said you’d be handling it, and, well… let’s just say I had my doubts. I mean, do you even know how to plan a party?”

I didn’t answer.

Kayla leaned closer, her smirk widening. “Don’t look so glum, Bribelle. It’s not like you were ever going to be Luna. Did you really think Liam wanted you? You’re barely a wolf. No one takes you seriously. You’re… what’s the word? Oh, right. Useless.”

My jaw tightened, but I kept my mouth shut. I kept my face blank.

Kylie tilted her head, studying me like a predator sizing up its prey. “What was that like, huh? Did you actually think he wanted you? Or were you just delusional?”

“Why are you even here?” I asked, my voice sharp.

Kylie gasped, feigning offense. “Is that any way to talk to the future Luna? Evan and I are being generous letting you be part of the ceremony at all. You should be thanking me.”

I gripped the counter harder, my nails digging into the surface. “If you’re done, you can leave now.”

Kylie raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised I’d said anything at all. But then she shrugged, stepping back toward the doorway.

“Whatever you say, loser,” she said with a grin. “Just remember: if this ceremony isn’t perfect, it’s on you.”

She turned and walked out, her heels clicking loudly as she disappeared down the hall.

That night, I sat on my bed, staring at the ceiling. The weight of the day pressed down on me, heavy and suffocating.

Sylvia had twisted the knife deeper than I thought possible. Kylie had poured salt on the wound. Liam hadn’t even had the decency to look me in the eye.

I felt like I was drowning, like the walls of this house were closing in on me. The pack had made it clear where I stood,at the bottom. And now, they wanted me to help celebrate the people who had destroyed me.

I couldn’t do it.

I couldn’t stay here.

Slowly, I sat up, the thought hitting me like a lightning bolt.

For years, I’d endured their cruelty, their insults, their dismissal. I’d tried to prove myself, to show them that I could be valuable, that I could belong. But no matter what I did, it was never enough.

They didn’t want me.

And honestly? I didn’t want them anymore.

I crossed the room, pulling a small canvas bag from under my bed. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to hold a few essentials. I started packing, grabbing clothes, a flashlight, a knife I’d hidden for emergencies. My hands trembled as I worked, but I didn’t stop.

I didn’t know where I’d go or how I’d survive, but I’d figure it out. I had to.

Because if I stayed, they’d destroy me completely.

Three days.

I stared out the window, the moonlight spilling across my room. The mating ceremony was in three days.

By then, I’d be gone.

And for the first time in years, I felt the tiniest flicker of hope.