Chapter 1

On my wedding day, a woman in a gown as pure and white as my own swept into my bridal suite.

Judging by the way she carried herself, this was a woman who had read every etiquette book ever written. She must have read the chapter that said you must never wear white to someone else’s wedding.

She’d done it intentionally.

I had to admit that she was a stunning beauty. Raven-black hair, high cheekbones, red lips the color of poison. But the moment she spoke, her words were nowhere near as pleasant as she looked.

“So,” she said, giving me a sweeping, assessing look. “You are the ‘rogue girl.’”

The term 'rogue girl' hit like a slap. It was what pack members whispered behind my back when they thought I couldn't hear. The reminder of my unknown past and questionable status burned through me.

However, it was true, I was a rogue when I met Derek, my Alpha fated mate. I didn’t belong to this, or any pack.

"Yes, I'm Mia," I replied, forcing my lips into a pleasant smile. "Derek's mate."

The First Look before the ceremony, the first time Derek would see me dressed as his bride—as the new Luna of the Silverclaw pack—was only minutes away. I was about to become Luna to one of the most powerful Alphas in existence.

I had to be composed, graceful, above petty insults, even though my wolf growled inside, urging me to show this woman exactly what a 'rogue girl' was capable of.

Before I had time to ask who this woman was, a voice came from the doorway.

“Cassandra!”

Caroline and Joe, the Betas of Silverclaw, came rolling in behind her.

Caroline stepped forward and pressed a kiss to the woman—Cassandra’s—cheek. She grabbed both of Cassandra’s hands and held them out so that she could see her whole outfit, fawning over her as if she were the bride.

“Stunning, as ever,” Caroline gushed.

Joe smirked, his gaze flicking to me as if daring me to react. “Angelic,” he said. “Like the Moon Goddess herself.”

Cassandra soaked in the compliments and then her eyes landed on me, sharp and appraising. A slow smile curved her lips before she tilted her head in mock curiosity before turning back to Caroline.

“Care to introduce me?” she said.

Joe cleared his throat. "Mia, this is Cassandra Laurent. She's the daughter of Alpha Laurent from the Eastern Ridge Pack."

“Cassandra is one of our oldest friends,” Caroline explained, condescending.

I knew Joe and Caroline never liked me. Was Cassandra just someone Joe and Caroline invited to make sure I didn’t get to enjoy my big day?

I reached up to touch the small scar on my eyebrow—a nervous tic—but I lowered my hand when I saw them both watching.

I forced myself to relax. I had learned to control my emotions long ago, to present myself as worthy. I may not remember how I learned that lesson, but I would not stop doing that today of all days.

I lifted my chin, smoothing my expression into something polite. “Welcome, Cassandra,” I said, my voice level. “I’m glad you could join us.”

“We’re about to have the First Look,” Caroline said to the woman. “Just through here.” She pointed to the hall just outside the room where I waited. “Derek will be here soon.”

“Oh!” Cassandra said. “I didn’t realize I’d stumbled into something so important! I was looking for the bathroom. I didn’t mean to go rogue.”

On the word ‘rogue,’ she threw me a look, her eyes sharp.

There it was again, that word, like a blade slipping between my ribs. She let out a soft laugh and the Betas chuckled along with her.

Heat flushed through me. That label. The ever-present reminder of what I was to them. What I was to the pack.

A stray. An outsider. The one they barely accepted, even after months of proving myself.

I swallowed hard, willing myself to stay calm. Derek had chosen me—fated mate or not, and I had worked to earn my place. I wouldn’t let her shake me.

“How lucky then, that you found us,” I said sweetly.

Her brow arched, as if surprised by my response. For a moment, the room was silent, tension thick between us. Then, as if bored with the conversation, Cassandra let out a sigh and turned away.

“Shall we go?” she said, addressing Joe and Caroline.