Aiden’s POV

"You look worried for a man who is about to marry the love of his life," Knox said, his voice cutting through the fog in my head. "Today is your wedding, Aiden. Loosen up."

I forced a weak, tight smile. Knox tilted his head, his eyes narrowing. "Wait. Don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts."

"No, of course not," I said, the lie tasting like lead in my mouth. "I’m marrying Emily. This has been the dream since we started dating."

Liar, my wolf snarled instantly.

"That’s the energy I need," Knox said, stepping forward to straighten my tie. He patted my shoulder and pulled the corners of my mouth upward with his fingers. "As your best man, I’m in charge of that smile. Let’s go."

I gave him a stiff, awkward grin, and he nodded, satisfied enough to lead me out.

Standing at the altar, my skin felt too tight for my body. The room was packed—Betas, Omegas, and Alphas from every neighboring pack were watching, their eyes heavy with expectation. But my soul wasn’t in the room. It was miles away, anchored to Alina.

Finally admitting it, my wolf whispered.

"Fuck you," I breathed under my breath.

"Did you say something?" Knox leaned in, whispering.

"No. Nothing."

The heavy oak doors at the back of the hall creaked open. Emily appeared, a vision in white lace, walking slowly down the aisle. I tried to focus, but the air in the room felt thin. For a terrifying second, the woman walking toward me wasn’t Emily—it was Alina, her dark hair flowing and her eyes full of the fire I missed. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

I squeezed my eyes shut and shook my head. When I opened them, Emily was there again, glowing with a triumphant light. I took her hand; it felt cold compared to the memory of Alina’s touch.

"I’m so nervous," she whispered, her fingers trembling mine.

"You look amazing," I said, the words coming out on autopilot.

"We’re doing it, Aiden. My dream is coming true." She looked at me like I was her entire world.

"We are gathered today to witness this union," the Priestess of the Moon Goddess began.

Her voice was steady, but I saw the warning in her eyes. She had pulled me aside earlier, pleading with me to opt out. She told me marrying a woman who wasn’t my mate would bring disaster. She even suggested making Emily a concubine if I was so determined to keep my promise, but I had shut her down.

"I hope this union brings peace—and not disaster—to us all," she said, her gaze lingering on me a second too long. "From this day forward, you are bonded."

The room erupted. The sound of cheers and howling hit me like a physical wave. Emily leaned in, her lips meeting mine. I kissed her back, but as the crowd roared, all I could think about was the disaster the Goddess had promised.

"We’re married!" Emily’s shriek pierced through the music, followed by a wave of laughter from the guests. I kept the smile plastered on my face until it felt like my skin would crack.

The moment I could slip away, I bolted for the bathroom. I locked the door and gasped for air, the room spinning. I ripped the tie from my neck, feeling like it was a noose tightening around my throat. My hand shook as I pulled the flask of liquor from my pocket. I downed it in one long, burning swallow, letting the alcohol numbing my frayed nerves before heading back out.

I forced myself onto the dance floor. I swung Emily around, kissing her whenever the crowd cheered, playing the part of the happy groom while my eyes scanned the doors. Deep down, a pathetic part of me hoped Alina would burst through them and stop this. But she didn’t.

By the time the last guest left, Emily was stumbling, her words slurred with champagne. I swept her into my arms and carried her up the stairs to our suite.

"We’re finally married," she giggled, her head lolling against my shoulder. "I’m the Luna. I can do whatever the fuck I want now."

"Yes, Emily. You’re the Luna," I muttered, laying her gently on the silk sheets.

She gripped my shirt, her eyes unfocused but bright. "You know, Aiden... I really thought you wouldn’t do it. I thought you’d leave me standing there like a fool. But you didn’t. Our parents would be so proud of us."

"I’m sure they would. You need to sleep now."

"No," she groaned, pulling me closer. "It’s our wedding night. I want you to fuck me so hard I never have to beg anyone else for it again. Enter me so deep I get obsessed... so you satisfy me for once."

A cold chill ran down my spine. I stiffened. "Is there someone else you’re obsessed with, Emily?"

She let out a drunken, airy laugh. "Yes... but he doesn’t want me anymore. His name is Aiden. I’m obsessed with him... don’t want him to get stingy..."

Relief washed over me, though it was bitter. She was talking about me—or at least, the version of me she thought she owned. Within seconds, her grip loosened and her breathing turned into heavy, drunken snores.

I stood up and exhaled, the silence of the room feeling like a tomb. I couldn’t stay here. I stripped off the wedding suit, threw on something casual, and walked out into the cool night air.

My feet moved on their own, drawing me toward the one place I promised I wouldn’t go. I stayed in the shadows across from Alina’s house, my heart hammering. Just as I was about to turn away, the front door opened.

Alina stepped out, looking radiant even in the moonlight. My breath hitched—until a car pulled up to the curb. I watched, paralyzed, as Lucian stepped out. He didn’t just greet her; he leaned in, his hand cupping her jaw as he kissed her with a slow, possessive hunger.

The world turned red. My claws shredded the palms of my hands as I clenched my fists, the iron scent of my own blood filling my nose.

"I’m going to kill him," I hissed into the night. "I’ll kill him today."