Chapter 1

Jasmine

“I’m sorry, honey. He made his decision.” Mom looks apologetic as she squeezes my hands. “He chose your sister over you.” Her words hit me like a freight train.

“But it’s not the end of the world,” but when my stepfather, Allan, says, their voices fade in the background noise.

My mind races. My emotions swirl like a tempest as I look at the gown I’m wearing. I chose a minimalist white soft sleek scooped neckline V-back sheath bridal gown because for me, simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

“He lied to me.” My chin quivers as I look at Mom, the only person who understands me, but even my own mother can’t do anything to change the decision of our alpha.

“You’re still young, and somewhere out there, another man is waiting for you. Your sister fits to be the luna of this pack.” Allan’s voice cuts through my spiraling thoughts.

Yes, I believe there is, but what about my feelings and my humiliation?

“How do I look?” My stepsister suddenly appears in my room. Of course, she doesn’t have to make an effort to look beautiful, let alone in a white bridal couture gown.

Danya has always been the star of the family since her father married Mom ten years ago. She’s the definition of a blonde beauty with a face and body of a Barbie, which is why she gets the attention of the boys at school. While I, on the other hand, remain the wallflower, the plain brunette that no one notices.

As the garden wedding under the full moon starts, which is my idea, I see no surprise on everyone’s faces. They know. I’m the only one who’s just so naive and gullible to fall for his lies.

How did I let this happen to myself?

Danya is even happier to take my place.

“It’s awkward,” the girl says behind me. “I thought Alpha Liam was dating the youngest.”

“Are you insane? Alpha Liam and Danya have been seeing each other for months. Everyone knows Danya fits the role of Luna. She’s still wolfless. What do you expect our alpha to do with that?” responds the girl next to her.

Tears smudge the mascara under my eyes, and my nose starts running just by looking at them exchange vows after a handfasting done by the elders.

The officiant smiles, who’s also a pack member.

A gust of wind rips through my bare skin, whipping my hair across my face. November in Illinois is nothing for werewolves, only for a wolfless like me.

The officiant then says, “Alpha Liam—”

I instantly look away, wiping the tears from my face, succumbing to my heartbreak.

A subtle, strange feeling wafts in the air that I almost don’t catch. The hairs at the back of my neck rise.

Something’s wrong. It’s hard to guess, but I think I sense danger, which is weird.

The officiant doesn’t finish his words as a single gunshot erupts, disrupting the harmonious night.

Everyone gasps, freezing in their seats. From a distance, I hear a motorcycle approaching, the hypersport kind.

I turn my head, and my heart stutters.

The motorcycle is followed by the entourage of black SUVS.

“Who are these people?” I find myself mumbling as the crowd erupts with murmurs and chaos.

The tall man in a suit gets off the motorcycle, takes off his helmet, and it only takes him a few powerful strides to reach the ceremony.

No one has moved a muscle to stop him. I mean, who can when he’s escorted by at least a dozen armed men behind him?

“Should I introduce myself, Liam Griffin?” His voice is deep with a rumbling timber that makes me shudder, but not entirely from fear. There’s also a hint of an accent— Russian?

“What’s going on?” I mutter under my breath, and Mom’s hand comes to my knee, gripping it.

The man is taller than Liam— easily six-three. His dark brown hair, reaching the collar of his bespoke charcoal suit that molds to his broad shoulders, is pushed back off his face and evokes a relaxed beach-bum vibe.

He stops before the bride and groom in his commanding presence.

Liam’s father, Kirk, stands up. “You’re interrupting—”

“Don’t.” One word is all it takes to stop Kirk. The stranger doesn’t even allow him to finish as he pulls out his gun from his jacket, aiming at him. “Don’t make me pull this trigger.”

I suck in a sharp breath, just like the rest. The ceremony suddenly becomes eerily silent, filled with tension and fear.

“What do you want?” Finally, Liam finds his voice. The usual charm is gone.

“So you can have all this luxurious wedding—” He looks around and stops as his steel gray eyes lock into mine with predatory intensity.

A strange spark flutters through me, and something about those eyes that are strangely commanding.

I drop my gaze, swallowing hard, perched on the chair to stay hidden.

“But you can’t pay me?” There’s no humor or emotion in that tone. He doesn’t come just to make a grand entrance, but to make a statement.

Liam’s face flushes with embarrassment. “Can we—”

“This is your first warning, Liam.”

Another gunshot echoes, which makes everyone yelp. This time, it comes from the man’s gun. The smoke curls from the barrel, and Liam drops to the ground, screaming, clutching his thigh.

Danya is too shocked to do anything but shake before her groom.

My entire body tremors in fear. My heart pounds so loudly I’m sure he can hear it.

“Mom, I’m scared.” I clutch her hand on my knee and close my eyes, ready for whatever is next to come.

No, I’m not ready to die. A part of me is glad that I’m not the one standing next to Liam.

“In the meantime, I’m taking this one with me,” the man continues.

“Don’t, please?” Mom begs, wrapping her arms around me. “Not my child.”

Frozen by terror, I open my eyes, and the man is prowling in my direction, and his shadow looms over my mother.

I lift my gaze, and our gazes lock again. Terror is a monstrous thing inside me, but something in his look that sends my pulse racing. Goosebumps ripple across my skin, even in this weather.

“What do you want?” My voice is surprisingly steadier.

“Stand up, Khrysanya.” I don’t know what it means, but it sounds pretty. “Or I will shoot the bride.”

I swallow. “I don’t care. They’re married. I suppose it’s fair to wound them both.

“Interesting.” The corner of his mouth lifts, his eyes glitter with humor.

“What are you doing?” Danya disagrees, holding her groom on the ground. “Shoot that bitch!”

The man’s head snaps at her, his nose flaring. “I don’t harm women, but I won’t hesitate to shoot you. Your husband owes me two hundred fifty grand, sweetheart. If you can’t pay me now, then I’ll come back next month to collect the full payment of three hundred grand. Do you hear me?”

“Y-yes. Please, don’t kill me.” The makeup on her face is ruined by her tears.

“Take her with you,” Kirk says, pointing at me.

“Hey!” My mom glares at him. “My daughter doesn’t owe him anything. It’s your son who does.”

“No. She doesn’t, but I’ve made my decision. In the meantime, I’ll keep her with me.” He turns to me and smiles in a predatory smirk. “Khrysanya, stand up, or I’ll order my men to start shooting, and their blood is on your hands.”

With my chin quivering, I look around. They all look terrified. As much as these people never treat me like I belong in this pack, I want my conscience clear, and I don’t want him to hurt my mother.

“It’s okay, Mom.” I pull away from Mom’s hug and stand up on my shaky legs.

“Excellent decision.”

Unable to form a word again in fear, I look at Mom one more time before the man scoops me and throws me over his shoulder, carrying me like a sack of potatoes.