Chapter 1

The bells of St. Patrick's Cathedral echoed across Manhattan.

I stood in the bridal suite, looking through the floor-to-ceiling window at the crowds gathering on Fifth Avenue—a mix of werewolves and humans, all waiting to witness the wedding of the century for the Manhattan pack.

The custom Vera Wang gown hugged my body perfectly, and the temporary mark on the back of my neck felt hot under the lights.

For nine years, that silver tattoo had been a constant reminder—I belonged to Aiden Ford, the most powerful Alpha in Manhattan.

But right now, my fiancé was nowhere to be found.

"Miss Chloe, it's Mr. Ford for you," the wedding planner said, handing me her phone with a sympathetic look in her eyes.

She knew. Fucking everyone knew.

"Hello?" My voice was calmer than I expected.

"Chloe, I... I can't make it."

Aiden's voice came through the phone, tinged with the sterile smell of a hospital. I closed my eyes, my nails digging deep into my palms.

"Is it Leah again?"

"Her Fading has relapsed, the doctors said—"

"It's our wedding day," I cut him off, my voice starting to tremble. "For the ninth time, Aiden. This is the ninth time."

"I know, baby, I know. But she's dying, I can't just—"

"Then what about me?!" I finally broke, my voice rising to a scream. "I've been waiting here for you for nine years! Standing in a church in my wedding dress like a goddamn joke! And every single time, you choose her!"

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds.

Then, he delivered the final straw.

"Chloe, Leah is my fated mate. Chosen by the Moon Goddess. I have a responsibility to her."

My hands started to shake.

"Then what am I?"

"You're... you're important. I promise, as soon as Leah is stable—"

"Go to hell."

I hung up and threw the phone against the wall with all my strength. The screen shattered, just like my heart.

The wedding planner and my maid of honor, Emma, rushed in, but I was already tearing at my dress. The expensive lace felt as fragile as paper in my hands, and the pearl buttons popped off, scattering across the floor.

"Chloe! Stop!" Emma cried, trying to grab my hands.

"Nine times!" I laughed maniacally, tears streaming down my face. "Nine times he's lied to me! And I stood here like an idiot, believing him every time!"

Suddenly, the temporary mark on my neck burned violently—it was Aiden, trying to soothe me through our mental link. The Alpha's command echoed through the mark: “Calm down. Don't make a scene.”

Don't make a scene.

Don't be a laughingstock.

Don't embarrass him.

My body instinctively wanted to obey, but something deeper inside me woke up.

A cold, immense power surged from the depths of my blood, shattering the chains of that damn temporary mark.

"Fuck your command."