Chapter 1

I was supposed to be Alpha Damian's destined mate. But there I was, at the celebration just before he came of age, and he totally humiliated me in front of everyone.

The music was blasting. He was holding another she-wolf's hand when he announced, "It's my honor to tell you all that Seraphina will be my official chosen mate."

Everyone cheered. And me? I was standing in the shadows, my hand gripping tight around that Moonstone – the one that means power.

"See?" his Beta sneered right in my ear. "Only she-wolves from a noble bloodline can truly capture an Alpha's heart. Not a loser like you who's always messing with humans."

He'd forgotten, hadn't he? How three years ago, I saved his life. My right wrist got shredded by magic trying to protect him – it was almost completely ruined.

When the party was finally over, I stared right into his golden eyes, my voice ice cold. "Damian, your Alpha ceremony is in one month. And trust me, I'll have two very 'special gifts' ready for you then."

"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked, his eyes suddenly sharp.

"Oh, you'll find out," I said, already heading for the door. "I'm so over this damn fated bond."

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1

The music was blasting. The lights were blinding. Champagne and expensive perfume hung heavily in the air.

I stood in the shadows, watching the whole ballroom buzz now that he was here. Damian Nightclaw—Alpha of the Nightclaw Pack, my destined mate—was striding confidently into his Moonlight Celebration.

But the woman on his arm wasn't me.

"Well, look at that. Our great Alpha brought the princess from the Forest Pack," a voice sneered right by my ear.

I didn't turn around. Didn't need to. I knew it was Jackson, Damian's Beta—and a real pain who loved to stir the pot.

"What a perfect couple," he went on, his voice way too loud. "A true-blooded she-wolf from a noble line, not some… pack outcast scrounging for scraps in the human world."

My nails bit into my palms. I could feel my wolf snarling, itching to rip his throat out. But I stayed put.

In the middle of the room, Damian raised his glass. He was in a perfectly tailored black suit, his golden eyes sweeping over the crowd. They landed on me for a split second, then just…slid away like I was no one.

"Welcome, everyone, to my Moonlight Celebration," his voice was deep, powerful, full of that Alpha command. "Tonight, I have a special announcement to make." My heart skipped a beat. He wouldn't. He couldn't.

"I am proud to announce Seraphina Sente as my official chosen mate."

The whole hall erupted in cheers and applause. But I just stood there, frozen to the spot.

Seraphina smiled gracefully, her red dress like a flame, making her blonde hair practically glow. She was so perfect, exactly what you'd expect for an Alpha's mate.

Not like me.

The last survivor of a lost pack.

An "impure" werewolf working in a human coffee shop.

Jackson leaned in close, his voice a low hiss in my ear. "See? It takes someone of noble blood, someone powerful and pure, to catch an Alpha's eye. Not some... failure who slums it with humans."

I hissed through clenched teeth, "Get lost."

"Oh, is the little stray getting angry?" Jackson feigned fear. "You need to learn your place, Elara. You'll never be the Nightclaw pack's Luna."

I gave him an icy stare. "I know exactly who I am."

Just as Jackson was about to say something else, a server came up and handed me an envelope. "Miss Elara, the Elders asked me to give this to you."

Jackson's face changed. "What do the Elders want with you?"

I didn't answer, just turned and walked out of the noisy hall. Moonlight spilled onto the stone path in the courtyard. I tore open the envelope, and a stone, glowing faintly blue, slid into my palm.

Moonstone.

I clenched it tight, a bitter laugh stuck in my throat. How ironic. The very night Damian publicly humiliated me, the Elders decided to remind me of my duty.

Even though I'm the one guarding the pack's honor and the ancient Covenant—the one passed down through Damian's own family. Even though his late brother, Alaric, the former Alpha, had personally named me Covenant Guardian.

"Hiding out here for some peace and quiet?" a familiar voice said from behind me.

I turned and saw Damian standing there in the moonlight, his golden eyes glinting in the dark.

"Congratulations, Alpha," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Your mate is beautiful."

Damian stepped closer, his scent—woody, with that distinct werewolf musk—washing over me. "You shouldn't have left early."

"I think your announcement was pretty clear," I said, taking a step back. "I figured I shouldn't be there, spoiling your good time."

His gaze dropped to my clenched fist. "What did the Elders give you?"

"None of your business."

"As Alpha, everything in this pack is my business." His voice suddenly went cold.

I looked him straight in the eye. "Including the things you publicly cast aside?" Damian narrowed his eyes. "Elara, you're still as stubborn as ever."

"Damian," I laughed, but there was no warmth in it. "Your Alpha ceremony is just a month away. And I've got two 'big gifts' for you then."

He tensed. "What do you mean by that?"

I brushed past him. "You'll see." After a few steps, I turned back. "Oh, and say hi to your mate for me. Hope you two will be very happy."

Through the night wind, I could hear Damian's heart pounding and his low growl. But right then, all I wanted was to get away from this place, away from him, away from this whole charade.

Because I'd already made up my mind. At his Alpha ceremony, I was going to give back the Moonstone and leave the Nightclaw Pack for good.

To leave the man who had hurt me so deeply.

Even though he was my fated mate.