Chapter 1

• Savvy
• The ballroom was filled. Each and every one who attended held a high-ranking position in the werewolf world.
• They had all arrived to congratulate the new Alpha of the Royal pack for his ascension—Phoenix Prince, who is my mate. He stood there with the other Alphas, with a smile on his gorgeous face, his gaze on me, and I melted.
• He has been my everything since childhood and to say I love him more than life itself would be an understatement. Five years of being his mate have paid off. Our fathers were best friends. They shared a relationship of an Alpha and a Beta. Their reign was the best. The sky isn't even their limit.
• Together, they expanded the Royal pack and the Winter Tribe, making it one of the most formidable territories in the werewolf world. We would have been at the top if the Silver Moon pack didn't exist.
• The music from the background stopped when Phoenix took his stand, preparing to give his speech of gratitude. Every corner of the room grew silent to hear the words of the new Alpha, and I did too, with my heart racing with love.
• "Thank you all for gathering here today. Your presence honors me. First and foremost, I offer my gratitude to the Moon Goddess for her blessings upon me. As your new Alpha, I vow to uphold my duties with integrity and strength. The Royal Pack will prosper under my leadership."
• The crowd erupted into applause, and I joined in, tears of joy welling up in my eyes. We had waited so long for this moment.
• As Phoenix Prince spoke, his gaze shifted from the crowd and locked onto mine. His eyes burned with emotion as he continued.
• "I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the one woman, aside from my mother, who holds a special place in my heart. Savvy Winter, your selfless sacrifices have made this moment possible. You are my mate, my partner, and my everything. I love you, Savvy. I love you more than words can express."
• Phoenix's words hung in the air as he confessed his love and appreciation for me before the entire gathering. The room erupted in a roar of excitement, with all eyes on me as I basked in the adoration. I was the center of attention, the star of the ceremony.
• But just as the moment reached its peak, the door burst open and a woman walked in, commanding everyone's attention.
• The room gradually fell silent again—this time, because of the newcomer. Sapphire Lake stood at the entrance, her gorgeous, unexpected presence sending a chill down my spine.
• She was the only daughter of Elder Lake who was also an Alpha. He controls the third biggest pack in the Werewolf world. Sapphire had been Phoenix's first love. His first choice. His first desire, but luck wasn't by his side when he aimed to take her as his chosen mate.
• By that time, we had already been fated for one another. Phoenix knew his father would never accept him breaking my heart, so without a choice, he had to say goodbye to Sapphire and focus on me—but all that was years ago, when his father was still alive
• Now, Phoenix Prince is an Alpha and he could do anything he wanted. This fact was the actual reason why my heart skipped a beat. Under my watchful gaze, I saw Sapphire make her way before the new Alpha, and they shared a hug.
• "My Dad can't make it. He wanted me to come represent him," she said to Phoenix, who couldn't take his eyes off her now. Those blue eyes of his could never lie. They told a secret, a surprise that made me feel antsy.
• "To Elder lake." Phoenix made a toast to Sapphire's father who couldn't make it and everyone cheered.
• The party resumed soon, the music blasting once more and the room erupting in joyful chaos. But I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. Something felt off, and I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
• "You didn't tell me you would show up today, Sapphire." I heard Phoenix whisper to her, and she smiled.
• "I can't wait for your right moment, Phoenix. I need answers."
• Immediately after I heard this, a frown creased my eyebrows, and I started to approach my mate, but he had already circled his fingers around Sapphire's arm and gently pulled her into the silent hallway.
• In no time, I tagged along, smiling as I went in order not to alert anyone. I grabbed a drink from the counter as I marched on.
• "The moment is tonight, Sapphire. You should have been patient. It's no child's play."
• "No child's play? For goodness’ sake, Phoenix. I am pregnant with your baby, and you say breaking the news to your mate is no child's play? She will understand."
• Sapphire’s words hung in the air, and the glass cup I held slipped from my hand, shattering at my feet. I could hardly believe my ears.
• Slowly, I stepped out from the corner where I had been hiding to stare at Phoenix Prince—a man I had known all my life. My heart began to race at the news, but I suppressed my heartache as I asked him to be sure.
• "What is going on, Phoenix? What... What is she talking about?"
• "You heard right, Savvy," Sapphire replied instead. "I am carrying the first child of Alpha Phoenix."
• "I wasn't speaking to you!" I snapped, my eyes blazing. "I am only talking to my mate here. Phoenix, tell me. What exactly is going on?"
• The man stared at me for a long time. His eyes spoke of his emotions. He was sorry—but he never regretted his actions. Slowly, he walked up to me, and his thumb reached out to dab the tears trailing down my cheek. He was gentle, as always, and loving.
• "We can talk in the room, Savvy. We can..."
• "Tell me exactly what is going on!" I spat, brushing his hand away from my face. "What is this lady talking about?"
• "You heard her right. She is... carrying my baby."
• My heart sank at his words, and I felt the whole world spinning. It was unbelievable. I was so sure he was joking.
• "Our wedding day is only eleven nights away. This… is an expensive joke, Phoenix Prince."
• "The wedding will go on, Savvy," he said, his voice firm but devoid of remorse. "I will keep you by my side, no matter what. I will never let you go. But you have to understand me... what happened with Sapphire was a mistake. A momentary lapse. You know it's you I love, Savvy. Only you."
• As he spoke, Sapphire, who stood behind him, had a triumphant smile spreading across her face. Her eyes gleamed with victory, and she seemed to be savoring the moment. My anger and hurt boiled over at the sight.
• "You call it a mistake?" I whispered, my voice cracking with heartache. "You slept with another woman... got her pregnant... and you reduce it to a mere mistake? Tell me how long you have been with her, Phoenix? Why did you have to do this to me? To us?"
• Tears streamed down my face as I gazed at him, my eyes pleading for answers. But I knew I wouldn't get any. The truth was already etched on his face. He had always loved her, not me.
• My heart shattered into a million pieces.
• "I am so disappointed in you," I whispered, the words barely audible over the sound of my own heart breaking as I walked away into the night.