Chapter 2

I used to care deeply for Frank Tucker, Beta of the Silvercrest Pack. Whenever he asked for something, I'd willingly give it to him without hesitation. My family, the Hicks Pack, had even planned to launch our new jewelry line, the "True Love Collection," on our mating day.

But now, he's the one who brought me to my senses.

Looking back, ever since Celeste Armstrong, the Omega from the Redmoon Pack, returned, everything Frank did was for her. He seems to have forgotten that I, a Gamma from the Hicks Pack, was supposed to be his mate.

My retort angered Frank. "What do you mean by that? You're unwilling? Let's get one thing clear—Celeste is my best friend. You need to keep her happy, or I won't make you my Luna!"

With that, he stormed out, slamming the door, his Beta aura flaring in frustration.

Feeling overwhelmed, I decided to shift and run through the forest to clear my mind. I'd barely completed a lap when my phone buzzed with a call from Josiah Hicks, Alpha of the Shadowmoon Pack. Imagining Josiah's usual stern expression, his Alpha presence almost palpable even through the phone, I hesitated for a couple of seconds before answering.

"If you're on my team, you're with me. Try to run off, and I'll drag you back!" Josiah's deep voice commanded through the phone, his Alpha tone sending a shiver down my spine.

I said nothing, and he continued, "Send me your ID first. Let's get the paperwork done for the mating ceremony."

"I'm worried you'll call it off."

Josiah Hicks, you're being unreasonable.

In my mind, I imagined countless ways he'd use our bond to make my life difficult. All I managed to say was, "See you at the ceremony, Alpha Josiah."

As soon as I spoke, I spotted Frank appearing behind me out of nowhere, his Beta presence making the hairs on my neck stand up. "You're inviting Josiah Hicks to our ceremony? Not on my watch!"

He looked at me like he'd just spotted a threat. "Addison Hicks, didn’t I tell you to steer clear of that Alpha? His intentions with you aren’t genuine. If you insist on inviting him, don't blame me for turning hostile!"

Before I could get a word in, he'd already laid down the law.

Frank has never liked Josiah, carrying a strange hostility towards the Alpha. When we started dating, he grew jealous of the banter Josiah and I shared during pack gatherings. Eventually, I drifted away from Josiah to appease Frank.

But now, Frank was suggesting that the Alpha had feelings for me?

I was about to ask him more questions when Celeste suddenly leaned against Frank's neck, feigning pain. "Frank, you're hurting me..."

That's when I noticed them, fingers tightly intertwined, taking a stroll through the pack territory.

Frank awkwardly cleared his throat, showing no intention of letting go of her hand.

Celeste glanced at Frank with what seemed like genuine affection and feigned helplessness as she apologized to me, "Addison, I'm sorry. Frank and I were just going through the ceremony rehearsal, please don't mind us."

"You might choose to ignore how you had someone vandalize my mother's grave, but please, don't hurt Frank. The mate bond can't survive a test."

Not wanting to watch her performance any longer, I turned to leave. "Since you're so eager, I'll have someone vandalize your mom's grave tonight!"

Whack!

Frank hit me hard, his Beta strength sending me stumbling back.

"Addison Hicks, how can you be so cruel?!"

His eyes were dark with anger, his chest heaving as his wolf threatened to surface.

Cruel? He believed her gossip over five years of knowing me. It couldn't earn me even a shred of trust.

A blaze of anger surged within me, and I wanted to confront Frank. But Celeste stepped in front of him, her Omega aura quivering with false distress.

"Addison, I'm begging you, once the ceremony is over, I'll give Frank back to you."

"Please, have mercy, don't hurt those close to me, and don't harm Frank."

With that, she appeared ready to kneel before me. Frank quickly wrapped his arm around her waist, stopping her, glaring at me with his Beta dominance.

"Addison Hicks, quit the spoiled Gamma act!"

"You know I can't stand this. If you want to be my Luna, stop causing trouble!"

He finished with a warning, telling me not to show up in front of them again before the ceremony.

To my surprise, the next day, Frank contacted me himself.

He launched into a rant the moment I answered, "Addison Hicks, did you really vandalize Luna Armstrong's grave?! I didn't think you were that kind of wolf!"

Confused, I called Sam, my Gamma assistant, to investigate, only to uncover something shocking.

Celeste's mother... she was never dead.