Chapter 10: Chapter 10: The uninvited guest

Aiden’s POV

I paced the length of my room, my heart drumming a frantic rhythm against my ribs. Tonight was the engagement, the moment I was supposed to claim Emily. My wolf wasn’t making it easy; he growled low in my mind, a restless, pacing shadow that bared his teeth at the very thought of the ceremony. Don’t do this, he seemed to snarl. I shoved his voice into a dark corner of my mind. I had to do this.

I sank onto the edge of the bed, but my body wouldn’t keep still. My right foot tapped a rapid beat against the floorboards. Just as I gripped the edge of the mattress to steady my shaking hands, a sharp knock startled me.

I pulled the door open to find Knox standing there, a grin stretching across his face. I rolled my eyes and turned back into the room without a word.

"Aren’t you going to invite me in?" he teased, trailing behind me.

"Come in, Knox," I muttered, my voice heavy with exhaustion.

"Hey, what’s with the long face? You should be celebrating! Today’s the big day—you’re finally tying yourself to the woman of your dreams."

I forced my lips to curve upward, but the muscles felt stiff. He was right. This was what I wanted. "I’m happy," I said, though the smile felt like a mask.

Knox narrowed his eyes, his grin fading into a look of confusion. "Something is off. You’re not getting cold feet, are you?"

"No," I lied, the word tasting like ash. "I’m just overwhelmed. I never thought this day would actually come." I offered another smile, but it didn’t reach my eyes.

"I get it," Knox said, his tone softening with a bit of a chuckle. "It’s the first time a marriage actually matters to you. That first one—the arranged one—that was just paperwork. It didn’t mean anything. But this? This is real."

At the mention of my first marriage, a sharp, unexpected ache flared in my chest. I pushed the feeling down and nodded. "You’re right. I finally get to be happy." I stood up, smoothing out my shirt. "Thanks, Knox. I needed that."

Knox clapped me on the shoulder, but his expression turned serious. "That’s better. Now, there’s one more thing. It’s not a huge deal because I’ve got it under control, but a pack of rogues hit one of our headquarters earlier."

My eyes widened, and my blood ran cold. "Rogues?"

"Yeah. We caught two of them. They wouldn’t talk or say who sent them, so we ended them," he said casually.

I squeezed my hands into tight fists, my knuckles turning white. "Those monsters just can’t stay away, can they?"

"Don’t let it ruin your night," Knox said firmly. "It’s handled."

"To think one of them actually saved Alina from that car wreck," I muttered.

Knox’s jaw dropped, his eyes wide with the same disbelief I’d felt. "A rogue? Saving a Luna?"

"It’s shocking, I know. But those monsters never do anything for free. They’ll want something in return," I said, my voice hardening.

Knox cleared his throat, shifting his weight as he changed the subject. "Is Alina coming tonight?"

"I doubt it. I didn’t send an invitation. It’s better if she stays away," I said, keeping my voice flat and indifferent. "Anyway, it’s time. Let’s go."

We headed out to the garden. I’d transformed the space into a wonderland for Emily; shimmering lights draped from the trees and flowers bloomed in every corner. She had insisted on having the ceremony here at the house, and I hadn’t put up a fight.

The garden was packed, the air thick with the scent of expensive cologne and unspoken judgment. Alphas from neighboring packs whispered in tight circles, their heavy gazes dissecting the rumors of my failed first marriage like vultures over a carcass. I ignored the stinging murmurs and took my place at the front, my boots crunching on the gravel.

The Moon Goddess stood waiting, bathed in a silver glow that felt more like a chilling frost than a blessing. She didn’t look pleased—her eyes were chips of ice, her lips pressed into a thin, hard line of divine disapproval—but even she couldn’t stop this. I had fulfilled my duty by marrying Alina once to satisfy the pack; now, I was finally choosing for myself, no matter the cost.

My heart lifted when I saw Emily. She looked radiant, her dress trailing behind her like a cloud. She beamed at me as she stepped closer.

"I’m so excited," she whispered, her eyes sparkling.

"I am too," I replied, taking her hands in mine.

"We are gathered today for the engagement of our Alpha Aiden and our future Luna, Emily," the Moon Goddess announced, her voice echoing through the silent garden. "Exchange the rings."

The velvet box was presented. I held my breath as Emily slid the gold band onto my finger. The crowd erupted into applause, the sound washing over us. But as I reached for her ring, my wolf suddenly went wild. He began to howl and thrash inside my mind, a frantic, desperate energy.

Alina. My head snapped toward the back of the crowd. My breath hitched. There she was, standing among the guests. My eyes widened—why was she here? How did she even get in?

"Aiden? What’s wrong?" Emily asked, her voice laced with sudden worry.

I forced my gaze back to Emily and plastered a smile on my face. "Nothing. It’s nothing."

With a steady hand, I slid the ring onto Emily’s finger. The cheers grew louder, a roar of approval from the pack. I glanced back at Alina, expecting to see tears or anger. Instead, she was clapping. She had a genuine smile on her face, her eyes bright and calm.

A sharp, cold knot tied itself in my stomach. She looked... happy. She had wanted the separation, sure, but seeing her standing there, completely unaffected by me moving on, stung worse than any physical wound. It was as if I never mattered at all.

Without a word, she turned and walked away toward the gates.

"Let’s take pictures!" Emily chirped, pulling on my arm.

I posed and smiled for the camera, but my mind was already outside the garden walls. "I’ll be right back, okay?" I told Emily, barely waiting for her nod before I took off.

I burst through the garden exit, my eyes scanning the shadows. I couldn’t see her, but her scent—vanilla and rain—lingered in the air. I followed it, my pace quickening into a run. She wasn’t far.

I rounded the corner of the stone path, ready to demand an explanation, but I froze. My heart dropped into my stomach. Alina wasn’t alone. She was wrapped tightly in the arms of another man,