Chapter 1
-[Nyxra’s pov]-
“How are these flowers, Dravos?”
I pushed the catalogue closer to Alpha Dravos, but his eyes remained fixed on his phone.
My smile slowly faded.
“Come on, honey. You aren’t focused on our wedding preparations.”
The hall was bustling with the servants carrying trays and clothes everywhere. It was our wedding eve and the only arrangement left was the bouquet.
Tomorrow, I will marry Dravos.
Our wedding.
Just thinking about it made my heart flutter.
The only thing left to arrange was the bouquet.
I nudged Alpha Dravos’s arm and asked making a puppy face. “Are you even happy with me, my Alpha?” Even though Alpha Laurent and my father, his Beta, had personally blessed our union, something inside me had been uneasy lately.
Dravos and I had grown up together.
When the proposal came I couldn’t thank the Moon Goddess anymore.
But recently…
Something had changed.
I couldn't explain it.
But I could feel it.
Alpha Dravos turned his head, smiled softly. “Of course, I’m.” He caressed my cheek gently. “Pick any flowers you want, love. I’m going out for a while.” He stood up, shoving the phone in his pocket hurriedly as I leaned in.
I grabbed his arm hurriedly. “Where?”
Dravos froze.
For a moment, he didn't answer.
His eyes moved around the hall, scanning the servants as though he was making sure nobody was listening.
My fingers tightened around his sleeve.
Something cold settled in my stomach.
“Look, Nyxra. I–Elowen just texted me. Her reports came back and it’s not good. The pack doctors have lost hope, Elowen’s cursed blood has damaged her—” Dravos seemed worried about Elowen, his first love. “Even her wolf has gone dormant.”
His words stopped reaching my ears.
All the chaos, the chattering in the hall became inaudible to me. I couldn’t remember how many times Alpha Dravos had put me on hold for Elowen. How many times I had swallowed my hurt because I believed he loved me.
“Elowen’s maid called me, she isn’t taking her medicines. You need to understand, Nyxra. She doesn’t have anyone else in the pack, except for me.” It was the first time Dravos left me alone in the restaurant amid our dinner date.
Elowen left him a few years ago, then she returned after Dravos and I were engaged. She had somehow convinced him that she hadn't wanted him to suffer with her.
That she had left because she loved him.
And now…
Now she is back.
And somehow, she was slowly pulling him away from me.
My heart clenched.
“But it’s our wedding eve. You’re supposed to be here with me and—” I tried to reason out with him but Alpha Dravos yanked my arm. I stumbled forward from the force.
“Do you have any compassion, Nyxra? Elowen is dying!” He growled at me, I saw rage in his flowing eyes. “And you’re still stopping me from meeting her? We are not even married yet—”
He lunged at me and grabbed my mouth. My entire body went rigid, his fingers pressed against my cheeks. “You dare try to control me, Nyxra. What's next? Once we're married, do you plan to keep me locked up at home and never let me leave?”
His eyes glowed brighter this time. “Don’t forget, I’m the future Alpha of this pack!”
I couldn't move or breathe properly.
My wolf mewled in my head, with fright.
I couldn't believe this was the same man who treated me with kindness all my life. But ever since Elowen appeared…he had changed.
Slowly.
And I kept making excuses for him.
“Dravos, I—” A tear crawled down on my cheek. Those were the only words I could utter from my trembling lips. Dravos’s warm, enraged breath fanned over my face.
He released me with a rough shove.
I stumbled backward.
My heel caught against the edge of the carpet, and I nearly fell.
Was Dravos really going to become my husband?
Or had I already lost him to Elowen?
I stormed toward my room, taking larger steps as my heart hammered violently inside my chest. Each beat thudded in my ears while my hands were cold.
I barely made it inside before I slammed the door shut behind me. I leaned against the door, breathing heavily, I couldn't keep myself calm.
How could I?
My soon-to-be husband had gone to meet his first love.
I grabbed my phone and called Dravos, after a few rings he cut the call. Then I threw the phone onto the bed and sank down beside it.
A broken sob escaped my throat. “Why are you doing this to me, Dravos?”
I pressed my palms against my face, trying to hold myself together. But my body began to shake, I had spent years dreaming about this wedding.
I grabbed the phone so quickly that it nearly slipped from my trembling fingers. But the moment I opened the message, my entire body went cold.
It was a picture.
My vision blurred seeing Alpha Dravos laying beside Elowen. Then another picture came, it was probably taken after they had sex
“No—no!” I couldn’t even believe this was the same person who was willingly marrying me tomorrow morning.
A sharp ache pierced through my chest.
Alpha Dravos was naked, sitting beside Elowen on the bed. Her arms were around his neck and she was kissing my fiance on the cheek.
My wolf whimpered in my head, purring gently.
Then another text came.
“Alpha Dravos believes I’m his fated mate. He will marry you in charity tomorrow, Nyxra. But he’ll always come back in my arms each night.”
My fingers went completely still.
I simply stared at the message while tears continued sliding silently down my face.
I didn’t know what to believe anymore.
Elowen had clearly made me realise where I stood in Alpha Dravos’s life.
Just an arranged Luna for him.
I couldn’t allow both of them to humiliate me like this anymore. If Dravos’s father hadn’t disapproved of Elowen, maybe he wouldn't have even agreed to meet me.
My chest tightened.
Tomorrow was supposed to be my wedding day.
Instead, on the night before my wedding, my fiancé had chosen to spend the night with his first love.
I was certain Elowen had convinced him that she was dying.
And her last wish?
To have Dravos beside her.
No more waiting.
No more making excuses for him.
I clutched the phone tighter and wiped my tears off brashly. “He is a devoted man and now he’s all yours, Elowen.”
I threw the phone on the mattress and looked into the mirror adjacent to the bed. A woman whose heart had been shattered only hours before she was supposed to walk down the aisle.
I wasn't going to become a substitute bride for his first love.