Chapter 1 A sudden revelation

Isabella's POV

The full moon was just three days away and I was so excited. I couldn't keep still as I kept fantasizing about what came with the full moon.

Three days from now was my mating ceremony, the one I had waited for and dreamt about since I was still a kid. I had always talked about it being a fairytale and the moon goddess being so benevolent had granted me that wish.

The moment my wolf had sensed Alpha Cain as my mate six months ago, it was as if my world had finally aligned. He was strong, powerful, and admired by the entire Blood moon Pack.

And now, he was mine.

After taking one last look at my reflection in the mirror, I turned around to leave. Dressed in a soft lavender I headed for the pack house. I was going to spend the night with Alpha Cain.

On arrival, I stood outside the pack house for a while as my heart pounded with excitement. In a few days, this was going to be my new home and I was looking forward to it.

Grabbing the small picnic basket in my hands which was a homemade surprise dinner for Cain, my lips curled into a bright smile.

Meeting with him had always been a hassle because he was laden with pack duties and so he barely had enough time to spend with me, but today, it was going to be different.

Tonight was all about us and I was going to relish every single moment of it. This was going to be the last meeting before we will be mated officially.

The guards didn't stop me and since I knew my way around the pack house, I pushed the front door of his chamber open. It was unlocked as always so I made my way in, careful not to make any sound.

I wanted to surprise him.

But tonight, the surprise wasn't mine to give.

It was mine to receive.

The scent hit me before anything else; it was the unmistakable scent of two wolves in heat.

My wolf whimpered in the back of her mind as I tiptoed towards his bedroom. My instinct asked me to stop, to turn around and leave but my curiosity pushed me forward.

And then I saw them.

Cain, my mate, Alpha of Black Moon Pack and Sienna, my best friend.

Sienna was straddled on top of him, their bodies tangled as his hands grabbed her waist as if she belonged to him. Her moans filled the room; they were echoing, haunting, unforgettable.

Against my wish, I let out a loud howl as my heart clenched tightly against my chest.

At that instant, Cain's head snapped toward the door, horror washing over his face while Sienna gasped, scrambling off him and trying to cover herself, guilt flashing in her eyes.

"Isabella... wait... it's not what you think." Cain ratted out. He was breathless, his hair tousled and his lips still wet from their intense kiss.

Fueled with anger, I wanted to yell my lungs out again but instead, I laughed.

"Not what I think?" I huffed, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Cain, you cheated with my best friend, you couldn't even wait a few more days?"

Sienna rushed toward me, trying to grab my hand but I veered backwards, "Bella, please... listen..."

"Don't," I yelled, glaring murderously at her. My hands had begun to tremble now so the basket I was holding fell to the ground. The bottle of wine I had intended to share with him shattered, red liquid spilling across the marble floor like blood.

"Don't come any closer, else I wouldn't hesitate to end you right here." I yelled, my chest rising and falling in rhythm.

"The bond... it doesn't change what I feel for you." Cain sauntered, sounding desperate.

"But it does for me," I whispered as my voice and lips trembled.

Mustering courage, I forced myself to look back at him in his eyes and with a firm and unwavering voice, said, "I, Isabella Leigh, reject you, Alpha Cain, as my mate."

"Bella..." They yelled in unison and immediately, the bond snapped violently in my chest as my wolf howled in pain.

"I swear I don't know what came over me..." I didn't wait to hear anymore excuses. I turned around to leave, running as fast as my legs could carry me.

Now in the woods, I fell on my knees, tears streaming down my eyes with no restriction. This wasn't what I had imagined; it wasn't supposed to be like this.

I was supposed to be marked soon.

Claimed by Alpha Cain and then assumed my position as the Luna of the Pack.

Instead, things spiraled out of control and I rejected my mate.

When I finally got home, I was greeted with an entirely different sight that made me raise my brow in confusion. Walking further into the room, I called, "Mom?" my voice was. "What's going on?" I asked, alternating my gaze from her to the box she was packing.

Startled, mother swirled around to face me, "Isabella, sweetheart. I thought you were staying at Cain's tonight..."

The name twisted in my chest like a blade.

"I'm moving," She said, seeing the expression on my face as she zipped up the suitcase she was handling. "My mate, he's ready to have us now."

After several years of being without a mate, the moon goddess out of her benevolence gave mother a second chance mate; the Alpha of the Moon Crest Pack.

They had met during a function a few months ago and now they were ready to live together as mates.

"I thought I would give you some time with Cain before we leave, but..." She narrowed her eyes like she had just remembered something.

"Did something happen?" She asked, peering into my eyes.

I didn't respond at once.

My lips parted, but no words came out, I didn't want to talk about it, not now.

"I'll come with you." I said, evading her question.

"Are you sure?" Mother asked, blinking her eyes while I nodded in confirmation.

"There's nothing for me here anymore." I shrugged only to end up telling her everything that had happened.

Instead of brooding, I joined in packing our bags, the weight of what I had done, rejecting Cain, rejecting the bond pressing down on my chest, but I didn't regret it.

I couldn't regret it.

By dawn, a black SUV pulled up in front of the house.

At first I thought it was Alpha Cain who had come to create a scene but instead a tall figure stepped out of the car. From my discretion, the boy was no older than twenty-one.

He looked like the kind that turned heads effortlessly. He was dressed in black jeans and a leather jacket. He moved with a quiet and dangerous confidence that couldn't be ignored.

"That's Darcy, my mate's son." Mother said from behind me. "He's here to take us to the Moon Crest Pack."

"I see." I spewed the first thing that came to mind.

I grabbed my bag, and with my mother right behind me, I stepped out to meet with him but the second I locked eyes with him, everything changed.

My breath hitched against my throat as the mate bond snapped in place.

Again.

No.

Not again.

It's too soon.

This can't be real.

Darcy's lips parted slightly, as if he felt it too. His eyes, bright amber like, stared at me in silent recognition.

But then, his expression switched, guarded and unreadable.

My pulse thundered in my ears as my wolf whimpered in confusion.

"No," I whispered under my breath.

"Not again..."