Chapter 1 Evidence of Betrayal

• Riley's POV:
• "I reject you as my mate!"
• On the day of the marking ritual, my mate rejected me.
• It felt like a sudden tidal wave, swallowing all my dreams in an instant. It was all because of her.
• One hour before the marking ritual, in the lounge on the second floor of the banquet hall.
• In front of the giant full-length mirror, I, Riley Wells, stood in a wedding dress encrusted with diamonds, waiting for my long-anticipated marking ritual like a human bride.
• Today was supposed to be the day I performed the marking ritual with the man I’d secretly loved for three years. He would announce to the entire Stormclaw Pack that I was his mate, and I would officially become the Luna of the pack.
• Rogues ambushed my pack three years ago. Their vicious fangs were just about to puncture my carotid artery. Not yet having awakened my wolf, I was like a helpless cub and ready to be slaughtered.
• A huge black wolf descended from the sky, tearing through the Rogues. The sight of shredded flesh and blood, combined with his intense scents, filled my vision.
• In that moment, I swore I would never love another wolf besides him, even if my own wolf found its true mate in the future.
• And by some miracle, the Moon Goddess gave him to me.
• The maid carefully fastened a sapphire necklace around my neck. She said, "The sapphire is the largest sapphire in the world."
• Words of praise poured out of her endlessly. She said, "I’ve never seen an Alpha willing to buy such precious jewels for you. His love is as rare as moonlight. My Luna, after today, you will be the happiest woman in the world."
• My smile froze. In truth, I had bought the necklace myself. From the dress to the jewelry, Nathan Hansley, my mate, had not been involved in any of it.
• "Knock, knock, knock—" A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts, and a stunning woman pushed the door open.
• The maid glanced at us. Then she quietly excused herself and thoughtfully shut the door.
• "That's a beautiful wedding dress, but you might have to take it off soon." She walked toward me and smiled.
• She was my cousin, Delia Wells, and also my fiancé's ex-girlfriend.
• My smile vanished completely. I glared at her with disdain and asked, "Take it off for whom? You? You're not welcome here. Leave!"
• "Are you afraid? Afraid of the truth?" Delia hissed like a snake and spat venemously, "Nathan doesn't love you. He's always loved me!"
• I clenched my fists. My freshly completed manicured nails were digging into the flesh of my palm. "I have nothing to fear. He hasn't loved you for a long time. I am his mate now!"
• First, Delia sent flirtatious messages to Nathan, then she left her thong in the cushions of his private apartment, making me believe they were rekindling their old flame.
• I had no idea how despicable Delia could be for trying to seduce my fiancé less than three months after her own mate had died.
• Taking a deep breath, I met her gaze with icy calm. "Ever since you left Nathan for his brother, Nathan cut off all contact with you. He hasn't even been to that apartment in a while."
• I took actions against my conscience and almost lost Nathan's trust in order to prove that my mate hadn't betrayed me.
• "Oh, really?" Delia didn’t seem to care. She threw a stack of photos onto the vanity table. Each one showed her, naked, entwined with my fiancé in a series of intimate positions. "Want to take a look?"
• Last night, Nathan hadn't returned to Alpha Manor all night. The thing I feared most had come true.
• Each photo was like a dagger, stabbing deep into my heart. I felt like I was drowning in a sudden tsunami, unable to breathe.
• Stay calm. Maybe these photos are fake. That b*tch has deceived you before! My wolf tried to soothe my emotions.
• I forced down my anger and pain, holding back tears as I confronted Delia. "Who knows if these are even real? Your tricks won’t work. Today, I will become the Luna of this pack!"
• "Is that true? You won't succeed. I'll make Nathan reject you in front of all the guests!" Delia sneered, turning to open the door.
• No, I couldn't let her ruin everything in front of the entire pack!
• I immediately shifted into my wolf form and blocked the doorway. Delia also shifted. She extended her claws, aiming them straight at my face. I raised my claw to block the attack.
• But Delia's claws didn't attack me. Shockingly, she turned them on herself, splattering her blood all over me.
• "Are you crazy? What are you doing?"
• Delia shoved the door open and tumbled out, smiling as she fell.
• "Help! Help! Someone fell from the second floor!"