Chapter 1 ALAANA'S POV.

"Elara, do you think I am doing the right thing?" I quavered.

Elara, our most favored maid-smiled back at me through the mirror as delicately she readjusted the lace along my shoulders. "Princess Alaana, you look so beautiful today. Don't worry, everything will be alright," she said, though her hands were entirely steady amidst this whirling storm of excitement that surrounded us.

She smiled weakly at the praise, and then my chest twisted uncomfortably inside. "Thanks," I whispered, knowing my mind was racing furiously; was I ready for this?

There was another maid at my feet, tugging the hem of my gown so that it lay just so upon the floor. The gown itself was white lace, hand-embroidered and fitted tightly enough that it should have made me feel a princess, at least. What it did was put an ever-tightening knot in my stomach.

Elara stepped back, eyed my face critically. "Princess Alaana, do you need more makeup?"

"Yes, I need to be perfect. It is my special day after all," I said, forcing a smile. "Even if I am not feeling perfect."

Elara only raised an eyebrow but said no more, gesturing to the other maids to set on with finishing touches of my makeup. My heart was pounding against my chest as I just stared back at my reflection. I was marrying Rylan, my childhood best friend, the Beta's son, a man I knew since time out of mind. But he wasn't my mate.

My chamber door creaked open, and maids scampered either to the right or the left of the now open doorway, their heads bowed respectfully as my father entered my room, the Alpha King.

"Ah, Alaana, my beautiful daughter," he said, striding toward me with eyes alight. The firm hold of his hands over mine sent shivers crawling over my skin. "You look stunning. Today is a big day for you, for all of us."

I nodded, fighting to keep the smile. "Thank you, Father."

He frowned at me another second before his face relaxed. "I know this isn't what you wanted, Alaana. But it's for the best, you'll see. Rylan will make a fine husband, even if he isn't your mate."

I let a soft breath out. "I know, Father. But... What if I meet my mate after I marry Rylan? What then?"

The Alpha King gave me an assuring smile; he squeezed my hands tighter. "Don't worry about that, dear. When you get married to Rylan, it shall all fall in place. You shall be happy. We have waited long enough now for your mate to show up and now we need someone strong to take over the pack after me. Rylan is that man. And you know him better than anyone else does.

I swallowed hard, pushing words out past the lump in my throat. "I know Rylan is a good man. I just... I don't want to regret this."

"You won't," he said with finality, brooking no argument. "You'll be the Luna this pack needs, and Rylan will be the Alpha at your side. This is what's best for everyone."

I nodded, but my mind had already wandered elsewhere. And what if someday he really did come fetch me, my mate? Could I really push him aside for the pack's sake? I thought it tugged on me heavily, choked.

My father leaned into me, pressing a light kiss against my forehead. "I shall be off. The guests await. Remember you do this not only for yourself but for all the pack. You are my only daughter, Alaana."

I watched him go, the words still echoing within my mind. I turned back to the window, looked out over the pack gathered below. They were all there for me, for this marriage, for what it symbolized: unity, strength, and leadership. But inside, I was a fraud.

The gentle knock at the door startled me and a small Omega servant peered inside. "Princess Alaana, it's time," she whispered.

I nodded, and my stomach twisted even tighter. "Thanks," I muttered, and followed her from the room.

As we entered the big hall where the ceremony was going to be held, some sort of doom clung to me. The pack had decorated everything so nicely-flowers, candles, banners. A perfect setting for a wedding, but all I could feel was the weight of this decision that I was about to make.

My father stood at the entrance, pride reflecting in his eyes as he watched me walk up to him. "You look so radiant, Alaana," he said, reaching for my hand and pulling it out to the aisle.

"Thank you, Father," I whispered back. My eyes swept across the crowded room-all eyes upon mine, smiling faces, eager anticipation. I should be rejoicing. I should be ecstatic. But all that ran through me was cold dread.

Music swelled as we began our procession down the aisle. Familiar faces, alphas and Lunas from other packs-lined the sides, seated and watching with eyes of approval. Everything was perfect. Everything was wrong.

Standing beside the priest, Rylan was handsome in a fitted black suit. His eyes lit as he watched me approach, his excitement palpable on his face. He was ready for this. More than ready.

But I wasn't.

The stairs were growing narrower and more steep; though I felt sure of my way up this side of the mountain, as it were, my heart seemed to catch in my throat at every step.

Continuing up the last stairs that led to the altar, something quite strange happened: a smell, strong, heady, and unfamiliar, caught me like a wave and washed through my senses. My footsteps faltered; my racing heart, my gaze scoured the crowd wild to locate the source.

And then I saw him.

Standing in their midst, plain gray clad as any other servant, his eyes met mine. The world around us dissolved, going misty gray. Nothing remained except that gaze, that connection.

My wolf stirred inside my mind, yowling wildly with excitement. "Mate!" she shrieked in my head over and over.

I averted my face, my breath catching sharp in my throat. This couldn't be happening. Not here. Not now.

It was Rylan's voice that brought me back down to earth. "Alaana?" he asked, furrows of concern etched across his brow as I reached the altar.

I blinked, my heart pounding loudly in my chest, forced a smile onto my face for him. "I'm fine," I lied, while everything inside screamed otherwise.

But I wasn't alright. Far from it.

The instant he uttered that one word, my head started spinning. This couldn't be it now, could it? How could I find my mate just a few minutes from promising myself to another?

The scent was there, strong in my senses, pulling and commanding anew. I spun back into the crowd, and there he was, staring into my eyes with that same strength. There was the connection, the undeniable pull.

My heart pounded, palms sweating. How was I supposed to move forward with this now? Could I marry Rylan, knowing my true mate was only feet away?

The priest spoke, but I wasn't listening. My mind was consumed with the man in the crowd, the one the bond now tethered me to.

Every instinct inside me screamed literally to run to him, to claim him as mine.

But my father's words replayed in my head. The pack, the responsibility, Rylan.

My chest constricted, forcing myself to pay attention to the ceremony.

My eyes trailed to the door of the building. There he stood, The man I'm supposed to get married to, not Rylan. His piercing silver eyes locked on mine.

"I can't do this," i muttered, my voice shaking.

"Stop this wedding."