Chapter 1 The Engagement

• Veda's POV:
• The moon hung fully over the Silverbane's hotel's Grand Hall, the dull glow spilling through the chandelier and across the banquet tables.
• Wolves from the neighboring packs have gathered — Alpha heirs, Elders, warriors are here to witness what was supposed to be a wonderful engagement in the history of the werewolves; the long-awaited union between the two packs.
• Tonight was supposed to mark the merging of the Silverbane pack and the Nightfang pack.
• My engagement.
• "Ladies and gentlemen of the council," the host announced proudly, "tonight, we gather to celebrate the sacred engagement ceremony between Beaston, the future Alpha of Nightfang pack, and Veda, Alpha Wulfric's long lost daughter...."
• They introduced Beaston as a future Alpha and me as just Alpha Wulfric's daughter.
• A loud ring pierced through the hall, calling everyone's attention to the stage where it rang from.
• Beaston dug out the phone from his pocket, his brow knitting slightly as he stared at the caller ID, his lips twitching.
• "Isla," he said quietly, "what is it?"
• My fingers tightened around my champagne flute.
• I felt it before I heard the shift. The tension. The pull.
• "Beaston..... I was driving through Wolfsbane pass when I got attacked...... It hurts.. I'm in serious pain.....What if... I'm scared."
• The hall went unnaturally still.
• Every Wolf ear in the hall twitched, and the air tensed. Everyone knew Isla Blackthorn, the Omega Alpha Wulfric, and his Luna rescued and made their daughter years ago. The sweet, innocent-looking girl always looked fragile enough to snap in half and always needed saving.
• "Stay where you are, Isla." Panic cracking his exterior. "I'm coming to get you."
• Beaston never showed that much concern for me.
• "But..... It's your engagement..... I don't...."
• "You don't need to worry. I'll be on my way to you." He interrupted and quickly hung up.
• Then he lifted his head and addressed the crowd, his voice cold enough to freeze blood.
• "The engagement is cancelled."
• Gasps and murmurs filled the hall like snow.
• I stood there in my silver silk dress that shimmered like full moonlight, my grip on my glass of wine steady even as my wolf slammed against my ribs, howling, wounded from the humiliation.
• I swallowed hard as Beaston brushed past me. Stretching out my hand instinctively, I tried to grab him but instead grabbed thin air.
• "Beaston!" I called out almost desperately.
• He stopped only for a brief moment, and without turning, he uttered "Isla is in danger, I need to get to her soon. Go home and we'll discuss when I get back."
• My voice was soft at first,
• Then sharp and steady as a blade.
• "What if I don't want you to leave?"
• He stopped. Only for a heartbeat before irritation crept into his expression. His eyes glow fiercely.
• "Don't be unreasonable, Veda. Isla is hurt."
• "So?" I asked stoically. "You keep saying she's hurt. She always calls you when she needs something, meanwhile, she has three brothers. Why is it always you she calls?"
• He stiffened. His jaw clenched.
• "Don't start, Veda." He warned. " You know Isla is–"
• "A lying manipulator?" I finished coolly.
• Gasps echoed across the hall.
• Rumors have always had it that I hate the younger Blackthorn, but no one expected to witness it openly.
• My mother stormed forward. Fury blazing in her eyes.
• "Enough Veda! Isla is injured and you're over here causing a spectacle."
• A humourless laugh slipped from my lips.
• I expected this. The favoritism. The blame. And of course, the humiliation.
• "If she's hurt, she should get treated," I said evenly. "And Beaston is not our Pack doctor. At this point, why doesn't Beaston engage her instead since he cares so much?"
• "Miss Blackthorn is right." Maya, a neighboring pack warrior, murmurs from the front row. "Does Beaston have something with Miss Isla? Because that's what everyone else here is getting from this little drama."
• Beaston's face heated with embarrassment, his eyes flying towards me. "That is not true!"
• Then he softened his tone the way one would soothe a child.
• "Isla might really be in danger, Veda. Be good and have the driver take you home."
• Be good.
• As though I were a disobedient pup.
• My younger brother, Blaze, snapped, "What is wrong with you, Veda. Your sister is in danger!"
• "I don't have a Sister," I replied coldly. "Not one like her anyway."
• "Don't say that," Beaston murmured under his breath, searching my face for any hint of anger. "I'll be back."
• He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, his lips stretching into a smile "Don't let jealousy cloud your judgement, Veda." He said and removed his hand. "I'll be back."
• Every Wolf in the room nodded their head in approval as though he was an upright leader, the savior of the weak.
• Me? Jealous? Of Isla?
• I kept my gaze locked on Beaston, " Beaston, if you walk out of this hall," I murmured, my voice unwavering. "It's over between us."
• Beaston's breath hitched— guilt flickering in his eyes for a few seconds. His eyes searched mine for any hint of a joke, but he found none.
• "Go, Beaston, Isla needs you," Father said as he marched towards us. "Veda will be here, waiting."
• That was all it took.
• Beaston turned and never looked back as he rushed out of the hall.
• My family followed him as if Isla, an outsider Omega, was their true blood and not me, who had been abandoned on the altar.
• I stood alone under the shining chandelier. A sour taste on my tongue.
• "This is embarrassing. We deserve respect!" Mani, my wolf fumes.
• I tried— goddess, I tried. I tried to gain their love.
• Their affection.
• Their warmth.
• Their approval.
• But the Blackthorn had made their choice a long time ago; the Omega over me.
• They saw me as the cold and difficult one. The girl who disappeared inside the woods seven years ago and came back wrong. Meanwhile, Isla fitted into the role I was born into without stress.
• Tonight only confirmed what I knew since I got back.
• There was no place in the family nor the Pack for me anymore.
• I raised the champagne flute over my lips and downed it in one go.
• Closing my eyes briefly, I decided to let go.
• Not with tears or screaming. But with a quiet resolve that also terrified me.
• I decided to let them all go.
• Because I knew that the next time they came crawling back, I wouldn't be there.