Chapter 5 I am his mate

Reina's POV

I stood silently in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection.

The woman looking back at me felt like a stranger.

Wrapped in an elegant wedding dress adorned with shimmering diamonds, I looked nothing like the fragile girl who had grown up in the servants' quarters. And yet, beneath the expensive fabric and delicate lace, I was still the same broken Reina.

A bitter smile curved my lips.

Once, I had imagined myself wearing a wedding dress for Zayne.

I had pictured him standing at the altar, smiling at me the way he used to. I had believed that one day, I would become his Luna, walking beside him as his rightful mate.

Even before his betrayal... I had believed in that dream.

My chest tightened painfully.

A tear slipped down from the corner of my eye, tracing a slow path along my cheek. I quickly wiped it away before it could fall any further.

I couldn't afford to cry anymore for a man who fooled me for a year.

Suddenly, the door burst open with a loud bang.

"I heard you're getting married!"

Mariana's sharp voice echoed through the room as she stormed inside without knocking. Her eyes immediately landed on me, then dropped to my dress.

"Fuck," she muttered in disbelief. "Are those real diamonds? Did you even meet Damon before? Why would he marry trash like you?"

Her words burned, but I remained silent.

Before I could respond, Britany entered behind her, holding an elegant necklace box in her hands.

"Lower your voice," Britany snapped. "If Damon hears you, all of us will be dead."

Mariana scoffed.

"Mom, are you serious?" she protested. "Damon can't possibly become Reina's husband. This is ridiculous."

I could see the jealousy blazing in her eyes. She couldn't stand it. She couldn't accept that Damon had chosen me instead of her.

"For your information," I finally said, meeting her gaze, "Damon claimed that I am his mate."

The room went silent. Mariana froze for a second before bursting into laughter.

"What?" she snickered, stepping closer to me. "You must be joking."

Before she could say anything else, Britany interrupted sharply.

"Go outside and stay with your father," she ordered.

"Everything is happening too fast. Make sure Damon doesn't get angry."

She opened the necklace box as she spoke. A soft gasp escaped her lips.

Curious, I turned my head.

Inside lay a breathtaking necklace set crafted with rare crimson diamonds. The stones glowed softly under the light, radiating elegance and wealth. I had never seen anything like it before.

My eyes widened in shock.

"No way..." Mariana whispered in disbelief. "Damon gave that to her?" Her voice trembled with envy.

I glanced at her and noticed her fists clenched tightly at her sides, her nails digging into her palms.

"Give it to me," she demanded suddenly.

"Shut up," Britany scolded harshly.

Grabbing Mariana's wrist, she dragged her toward the door without another word. Before leaving, she turned back to me.

"Put it on," she ordered.

The door closed behind them. The room fell silent once more.

With trembling fingers, I picked up the necklace and carefully fastened it around my neck. The cool diamonds rested against my skin, heavy and unfamiliar. I stared at my reflection again, barely recognizing myself.

Why would Damon spend so much on me? Why would he be so generous to someone he barely knew? The questions haunted me, but no answers came.

I finished putting on the last earring when a soft knock sounded at the door.

"Miss, if you're ready, we need to hurry," a maid said gently.

"Yes," I replied. "I'm ready."

I lifted my veil and adjusted it over my head before picking up the bouquet resting on the table.

As I took a deep breath, I realized that the sharp pain in my heart had dulled slightly. But it hadn't disappeared fully. And it wouldn't.

"Miss," the maid said softly as she helped adjust my veil, "I truly hope you find happiness with Alpha Damon. You have suffered so much in this house. I've seen everything. I think the Moon Goddess has finally blessed you with a mate who will protect you and cherish you the way you deserve."

Her gentle words reached deep into my heart. They were the kindest words I had heard all day. Perhaps... the Kindest I had heard in years.

For a moment, I couldn't speak. My throat tightened, and my vision blurred as tears shimmered in my eyes. I hadn't realized how badly I needed someone to acknowledge my pain, how desperately I needed someone to see me, to understand what I had been through.

Someone finally had.

"Thank you," I whispered sincerely.

I didn't know whether happiness was truly waiting for me in this marriage. I didn't know if love would ever bloom between Damon and me. My heart was still wounded, and trust felt like a distant dream.

But one thing, I knew with certainty.

This family, this house, and this pack were the reason for my suffering.

And today, as I walked toward a new life, I silently promised myself that I would never allow them to hurt me again.