Rage exploded in my head.

The man I had loved for a lifetime saw me as nothing more than a disposable tool, a prize to be handed out to his subordinates.

Lost in my fury, I stepped on a dry twig. Snap. Fiona’s head whipped in my direction.

Her eyes met mine through the leaves, and a vicious smile spread across her face.

A sense of dread washed over me. The next second, she pointed straight at me and let out a piercing scream.

"Darian, an assassin! Help me!"

Darian instantly drew his blade. He moved like a black shadow, lunging without hesitation toward my hiding spot.

A werewolf's speed is like lightning. I had no time to react.

As the sharp tip of the blade flew toward my heart, I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing for the end.

CLANG!

A sharp, metallic ring echoed through the garden.

My eyes flew open. A tall, imposing figure stood in front of me. It was Alpha Kael of the Snow Ridge Pack. He had blocked Darian’s blade with his own armored gauntlet.

The force of the blow sheared the top half of the bushes away, revealing me to Darian, who looked momentarily stunned.

Fiona rushed over, feigning panic. "Miss Bella, it's you! I saw a shadow moving in the bushes and thought it was an assassin…"

Kael ignored them, turning to me with urgency in his voice. "Are you alright?"

I shook my head. He immediately turned back to Darian, his ice-blue eyes burning with fury. "Are you blind? You almost hurt her!"

Darian just shrugged.

"She was sneaking around back there like a spy. Who knows what she was planning. Getting hurt would serve her right." He shot a mocking look at Kael. "Kael, you're trying so hard to win her over. You don't actually think she's going to choose you, do you?"

Darian laughed out loud. "Dream on. I may not like Bella, but as her fated mate, she can only choose me. The Moon Priestess will be here any minute. I'll go wait at the altar."

He wrapped an arm around Fiona and walked away, looking pleased with himself.

Kael's expression darkened, but he quickly composed himself and offered me a gentle smile. "Miss Bella, we should go as well."

Seeing him trying to act like nothing happened, I felt a strange stirring in my chest. I nodded silently and followed him to the altar.

The representatives from every pack had already gathered. The Moon Priestess, holding an ancient ceremonial staff, ascended the altar, chanting an ancient prayer.

The crowd below was buzzing.

"Who do you think Miss Bella will choose?"

"Is that even a question? It has to be Darian. They're fated mates. We all saw how obsessed she was with him these past few months."

"I agree. I heard Miss Bella hates the cold. There's no way she'd want to go to a place like the Snow Ridge, where it's covered in snow all year."

At those words, I felt Kael stiffen beside me.

On the other side, Darian was beaming with pride. He cleared his throat and spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear, "I know Miss Bella desires me, but my heart already belongs to another. I'm afraid today, I will have to publicly defy the will of the Moon Goddess."

He looked at me with fake apology. "Bella, I'm sorry. I tried to warn you yesterday, but you wouldn't listen. Rejecting you in front of everyone is the only choice you've left me."

In an instant, all eyes were on me, filled with a mix of pity and morbid curiosity.

Kael's face turned pale with rage. Forgetting all decorum, he drew his sword and held it to Darian's throat. "Shut your mouth! You will not speak to her that way!"

Darian wasn't scared in the slightest. He casually pushed the blade away.

"Careful, Kael. If you hurt me, you'll break your little crush's heart."

Kael’s eyes blazed, but when he saw my blank expression, he reluctantly sheathed his sword. He stood beside me like a giant, sulking wolfhound.

Soon, the Priestess finished her prayer. She unrolled an ancient scroll made of animal hide and announced the Goddess's will in a loud, clear voice.

"By the guidance of the Moon Goddess, from this day forward, the Siren Wolf clan will be joined in alliance with the Snow Ridge Pack…"