The moment my father spoke, I wished the ground would just open up and swallow me whole.
"Good evening, Alpha—" Jeremy began, but Father cut him off mid-sentence.
"I asked why you brought that thing here," he said coldly, his tone sharp enough to slice through me. "I already smelled you both together, so I knew you were close. Now, answer my question."
Jeremy went still, and me? I couldn't even breathe properly. My lungs got thinner with every breath.
"I'm sorry, Alpha Thomas," Jeremy said evenly, trying to maintain his calmness. "Elara isn't here today as your daughter. She's here as a guest, for her sister's wedding. I don't think that should be a problem, right?"
Father laughed, a harsh, mocking sound that twisted something deep inside me. I knew that laugh. It was definitely not amusement. It was disbelief… maybe even disgust.
I shouldn't be the reason they start fighting again. Since I'd grown older, something had broken between them. They used to be inseparable best friends. Then suddenly, they became enemies, and no one ever told me why.
"Uncle Jeremy—" I tried to step in, but he raised a hand, stopping me. His silent warning was very clear. I knew that was my cue to stop.
Father was right. I wasn't supposed to be here in the first place.
"Well," Father said after a tense pause, "It's my child's wedding. I decide who comes in or not. And I'm clearly saying I don't want her here. Maybe she can go somewhere else."
Jeremy scoffed softly, though I could feel the anger vibrating under his calm tone.
"Please, don't make me do this with you tonight, Thomas. I've tried to show you enough respect, just try to do the same. Otherwise, you'll force me to get the Alpha involved." He took a deep breath, his voice steady but edged. "She'll stay out of your air. Just… let it go."
My father didn't answer. He only glared at me, his eyes full of something I'd stopped trying to understand years ago—hate, disappointment, who knows, whether both. Then his gaze slid back to Jeremy, sharp and warning.
"I'll be keeping a very close eye on you both," he said finally.
I clenched my fists to keep from shaking. For twenty years, he'd treated me like I was something contagious, a reminder of everything wrong with his life. Didn't he ever get tired?
Jeremy's hand found mine, firm, like he was trying to protect me from something, pulling me gently toward the entrance. I didn't dare look back.
Inside, the grand hall was packed. The Moon Pack and the Stone Pack—two rival packs—mingled under the chandeliers, pretending peace existed between them. Some whispered, some smiled, and others watched with hungry eyes as the "perfect" couple exchanged their vows.
But all I could feel was the weight of my father's stare burning into my back, and the strange, dangerous comfort of Jeremy's hand still holding mine.
***
AARON
I held Enor's gaze. I had to admit, she was beautiful, bold, and carried herself like a true Luna. But I didn't want her. To be frank, I don't even feel anything towards her, and Kyle, my wolf, made sure to remind me of that every passing second, but obviously, it's actually the opposite for her.
This wedding wasn't about love. It was about protecting the pride of the Moon Pack's name.
And Hardin? He'd never approve of it anyway, if I didn't. The guy hated anything that had to do with mates or marriage.
Enor leaned in closer as we moved with the rhythm of the ceremonial dance. Her breath brushed my ear.
"You smell nice, Aaron," she whispered, her grin wide and bright. like she was the luckiest woman alive.
I gave a polite chuckle, but Kyle stirred uneasily inside me. His growls started low, then sharpened into restless agitation.
At first, I thought it was because she touched me. But then he started thrashing and fighting for control. Like he wanted to rip out of me.
I turned my head slightly, muttering under my breath, "Calm down, Kyle. I get it. I won't let her touch me again."
But it didn't work. The turmoil inside me only grew stronger, wild and erratic.
That was when my eyes caught Hardin's across the room. His expression changed instantly, his jaw tight, eyes flicking gold for a brief second. Then, I figured something was definitely wrong.
Then his voice echoed in my head.
"Is your wolf acting strange too, Aaron?"
"Yeah. I don't know why. Do you?"
"Are you kidding me? I should be asking you that. Lyon's been restless ever since yours started losing it. Do something before I lose it too."
Then the link was cut off.
I shifted uncomfortably, trying to fight off the surge running through me. My whole body felt tight, burning from the inside out.
And that was when the scent hit me.
It wasn't like any scent in the hall. It was different from everything I'd ever known before. Everyone else's scent was familiar, bearable. But this one… this one crawled under my skin, deep and intoxicating.
Kyle went absolutely feral.
I tried to stand, to breathe, but Enor's hand caught my arm, stopping me.
"Are you alright?" she asked softly, concern already creasing her brows.
"Yes. I'm fine." I said quickly.
But, of course, it was a lie.
Because whatever that scent was, it was pulling every piece of me apart, calling to something I didn't even understand yet.
My gaze swept through the crowd, searching for anything out of place, or anyone I hadn't seen before. Then it hit me, this faint, minty scent laced with something dangerously alluring. It was sharp, wild… and consuming. Kyle, stirred restlessly inside me again, growling lower this time, his instincts clawing for control.
And then I saw her.
She moved quietly through the crowd, as if she was rushing somewhere, like she didn't belong here. Beta Jeremy leaned close when she whispered something to him, but the distance plus Kyle still spiralling made it difficult for my ears to catch those words. My focus sharpened on her lips, on the way her hair shifted when she turned slightly but I still couldn't smell anything yet.
Then she turned and started walking toward the door.
And the moment the wind blew in from outside, her scent hit me, fresh, intoxicating, like rain on fire. My entire body went rigid. My vision blurred, flashing gold.
Mate!
The word ripped through me like a growl in my mind.
Across the hall, Hardin's head snapped toward me, his expression told me everything. He also smelled it too. He felt what I felt.
But she was already leaving. And Kyle—my wolf—was losing it. He was pacing, howling, clawing at the edges of my control.
Without a second thought, I pushed to my feet. Enora tried to stop me, her hand brushing my arm, but I was gone before she could even speak. I snatched my phone, ignoring the startled murmurs as I strode down the altar steps.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Hardin tense, ready to follow, until Father laid a hand on his shoulder, silently holding him back.
I didn't care.
Nothing else mattered.
I needed to find her. My mate.