Chapter 1
After tossing my wedding dress into the fire, I penned a letter to my father and handed it to the pack’s messenger. The moment the messenger left, Melanie Stone, a Delta from the Moonlight Pack, arrived with a lavish array of gifts from Margaret Reed, the former Luna.
“Lea Price, daughter of Alpha Matteo Torres, these are gifts from the former Luna,” Melanie announced, her tone deferential. “She wishes to express her regret over the situation and assures you that Jamir Graham, the former Alpha, will come to apologize and reschedule the mark ceremony.”
Her words were predictable. After Jamir’s previous public rejections, Margaret had always tried to smooth things over with material offerings. Jamir would indeed show up to apologize, but everyone knew how insincere his apologies were.
Melanie seemed relieved when I accepted the gifts without protest. She, along with Margaret and others, likely assumed I would continue to endure the humiliation for the sake of becoming Luna. But they were wrong. Jamir had long been erased from my heart.
In my pocket was a note Trinity Jensen had sent earlier. It contained only one line:
**[Lea Price, even as the daughter of an Alpha, you’ll never be Luna as long as I’m here.]**
That evening, Jamir arrived at the pack house as promised, but this time, he brought Trinity with him.
“Lea, the former Luna sent me to apologize,” Jamir began, his voice dripping with disdain. “But don’t think you can run to her with your complaints or badmouth Trinity in front of her!”
His gaze was filled with unmistakable hatred, as though I were the one standing in the way of his happiness with Trinity.
I didn’t rush to defend myself as I had before. Instead, I calmly said, “Jamir, since your heart belongs to someone else, let’s end our mate bond.”
Jamir blinked, momentarily stunned.
Before he could respond, Trinity dropped to her knees in front of me, her voice trembling with feigned vulnerability. “Lea Price, this is all my fault. Please, don’t take it out on Jamir. I know I’m just an Omega, and I can’t compare to your status, but Jamir and I are deeply in love. I don’t ask for any title or position—I only beg you not to separate us.”
As she leaned forward, the fresh mark on her neck was unmistakable, a clear sign of their bond.
Jamir’s face softened with concern. He immediately pulled Trinity to her feet, wrapping her protectively in his arms.
“You don’t have to kneel to her,” he snapped, glaring at me. “She’s just the daughter of an Alpha from another pack. You’re worth more than she’ll ever be.”
Turning back to me, he added, “Lea, don’t think you can play hard to get. Everyone knows you came here to become Luna. If you want to proceed with the ceremony, fine, but Trinity will be there too. She’ll stand beside me as my chosen mate.”
His arrogance was almost laughable. He truly believed I would give in.
I smiled faintly. “Jamir, I’m not asking for your opinion. I’m informing you that I’m rejecting you.”
Jamir’s expression darkened, but before he could retort, Trinity let out a soft gasp.
“What’s wrong?” Jamir’s concern was immediate, his focus entirely on her.
Trinity’s cheeks flushed, and she gave him a coy look. “It’s just... the aftereffects of the mate bond. I still feel a little... restless.”
Jamir’s breath hitched, his eyes darkening with desire. Without another word, he scooped Trinity into his arms and strode out, leaving me behind without a second glance.
As they left, Trinity shot me a triumphant smirk.
But this time, I didn’t feel the sting of heartbreak. Instead, a small, knowing smile tugged at my lips.
*Jamir Graham,* I thought, *let’s see how much your bond with Trinity matters when you’re no longer Alpha.*