Chapter 1

Rowan skipped the mating ceremony I'd been waiting for, leaving me and all the guests behind, just to pick up the girl he never got over at the airport.

I called him to ask what was going on, and all I got was, "Sorry, Lucy's coming back today. She's not in good health, so I have to go get her."

I couldn't understand Rowan. He knew exactly how much this ceremony meant to me, but he still abandoned me for the girl he never got over, and he even snapped at me.

I thought, 'Turns out, in his eyes, I'm only good enough for him. No one else would ever want me. In the end, it all comes down to one thing: he never loved me.'

I forced a smile as I saw the guests out, and then Lucy sent me a taunting message.

In the photo, she and Rowan were practically glued together, looking like they were already mated. The bright red lipstick on Rowan's collar made my blood boil, and my inner wolf whimpered.

[In his heart, you'll never compare to me. If I can make him ditch you once, I can make him leave you over and over again.

[Rowan told me you couldn't even shapeshift. You don't deserve to be with him. He belongs to me. Do yourself a favor and walk away. Otherwise...]

Not long ago, the Alpha got hurt, and Rowan, as the Beta, was so swamped he barely had a second to breathe. That's why I never told him I'd finally awakened my wolf form and even unlocked a healing ability.

But now, it seemed I didn't need to tell him anymore.

I took the Moonstone and went to find the Alpha. "You once said that as long as I wanted it, the Luna position would always be mine. Does that still count?"

*****

I stood in the church, staring at the clock as it owed me something. Just ten minutes to go, and Rowan was still nowhere to be seen.

My dad looked pissed, his tone sharp. "What's going on? Why isn't Rowan here yet? Call him and ask where he is and how much longer it will take him to arrive."

I forced a smile, trying to keep it together. "I already called, but he didn't pick up. Maybe he's stuck in traffic."

My friend hooked her arm through mine, standing up for me. "Seriously? He's late for something this important? When he shows up, I'm definitely going to give him a piece of my mind."

I kept my eyes glued to the clock. Five minutes left.

The guests started whispering among themselves, noticing me standing all alone.

"Wow, Rowan still isn't here? Leaving Anna standing there by herself? That's just rude."

"The ceremony's about to start. Where could he be?"

"I heard Anna still hasn't awakened her wolf form. Maybe Rowan's having second thoughts."

"Anna can't even shapeshift? No wonder. Rowan's the Beta. His mate can't be weak."

"Maybe Rowan's been tired of Anna for ages. Maybe he even blames her for not being able to help him out."

Their voices cut through the air, and every word hit me like a blow to the chest.

I thought, 'No, that's not true. Rowan said he didn't care. He wouldn't judge me.'

My phone suddenly started ringing. It was Rowan.

My nerves finally eased up as I answered, but his very first words made my whole body go cold. "Sorry, Anna, but I might not make it to the mating ceremony."

My voice was rough and strained. "Why? Where are you right now? Did something happen?"