Alpha Dax’s POV
The hall smelled of roses and blood.
I stood at the altar, dressed in black. My tie felt like a rope. Rose walked toward me, her gown dragging across the floor. The pack watched, rows upon rows, holding their breath. This was supposed to be a wedding. A celebration of love. For me, it was a cage.
Rose smiled like she had already won. My mother sat in the front row, eyes sharp, her pride cutting into me like knives. Everyone believed this was the day I would finally take my Luna. Everyone except me.
I glanced at Rose’s hand as she reached me. I wanted to pull back, but I didn’t. Not with my mother’s stare pressing on me. Not with Rose’s poison tied to Elena’s life.
I hated every second of it. I hated how helpless I felt. If I refused this wedding, Elena woul
