Chapter 1 Chapter 1 The betrayal

Today was supposed to be a perfect day.

"Jennifer, do you think Adrian will really propose to me tonight?" I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my dress for the hundredth time, making sure every fold hugged the curves of my body just right.

It was perfect, and yet I couldn't stop the nervous flutter in my chest.

Adrian and I had always dated in secret, and the only reason I had this bold idea was because last week, when I'd been ordered to clean his penthouse, I'd found a diamond ring in the drawer of his nightstand.

Jennifer came over, patted my shoulder, and tried to comfort me. "Relax, darling. If he didn't want you, I bet the moment he first recognized you as his mate, he would've rejected you. But he never did. And he even bought a ring."

"I haven't even met his father," my anxiety spiked again, my voice coming out hollow. "I'm not sure his father would approve of Adrian taking an omega wolf as his luna."

Alpha wolves stood at the highest power level, while omegas were the weakest of the pack. Matches like ours were almost unheard of. Adrian was an alpha wolf, but not the brightest star in the pack-that honor belonged to his father. I'd never met the man, but Adrian's descriptions alone made me shiver: domineering, cruel, arrogant.

"Maybe Adrian is declaring war on his father." Jennifer laughed, giving my ass a playful slap. "He doesn't need anyone's approval. An alpha can choose any mate he wants. God, doesn't that make him sexy as hell?"

I opened my mouth, ready to search for yet another reason why Adrian wouldn't want me, but Jennifer impatiently pulled me away from the mirror and out to the graduation ball.

"It's time," she said, grabbing my wrist. "I bet the alpha pup is already drooling over his mate."

Cheers erupted as the graduation ceremony began-applause, flashing lights, a sea of people. My heart pounded in time with Jennifer's crude prophecy. I scanned the crowd and then I saw him. My mate. Adrian.

He was kneeling. My chest soared with joy and I started toward him, but suddenly another she-wolf shoved me aside. She walked straight to Adrian, holding out her hand to him.

Adrian smiled and slid the ring onto her finger.

I recognized her immediately-Nicole Montgomery. Daughter of the Moonlight Pack's Alpha. Born into power and wealth. Her brown hair spilled over her shoulders like a waterfall, glowing under the lights. The crest of her pack hung proudly around her neck-a rank far higher than mine.

Adrian gazed up at her, his face radiating unquestionable admiration.

"Nicole Montgomery," his voice rang through the hushed hall, "will you be my wife, my future luna?"

Her perfect little mouth formed an astonished O. Then she said yes-without hesitation.

The cheers exploded again, but to me they sounded muffled, distant-like I was underwater. Each cheer stabbed into my chest like a knife. The ring-the one I'd found in his apartment, the one I thought was meant for me-was now resting in his palm, offered to someone else.

My wolf whimpered in agony, every cell in her body wracked with pain. I felt her curl up inside me, trying to hide from the unbearable torment. My vision blurred.

"Claire?" Jennifer's voice sounded miles away. "Claire, are you okay?" She gripped my elbow, but I could barely feel her touch.

Faint? Scream? Let him go so easily? Hell no. I would look him straight in the eye. He would see my frozen fury-not my tears.

I yanked free of Jennifer's hand. Straightening my shoulders, face blank, I pushed through the stunned crowd toward Adrian.

He was basking in applause, his arm possessively wrapped around Nicole's slender waist, accepting everyone's congratulations.

The moment I drew near, the air went still. Adrian's gaze turned cold.

"We need to talk," I said. "Now."

Nicole looked bewildered, but Adrian bent down, whispering something in her ear. She gave me a dismissive glance, then turned away to chat with others-as if I were just some whore clinging to Adrian's side.

I swallowed the humiliation and dragged Adrian into a dim storage room off the hallway. The door shut behind me.

"I want an explanation!" I shouted. "Four years, Adrian. Four whole years! You can't treat me like a fool!"

He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, a look on his face I'd never seen before-contempt.

"Oh, Claire. Really?" He laughed, disbelief dripping from his tone. "Did you honestly think the heir of the most powerful Crescent Pack in North America would choose an omega from some no-name pack?"

His mouth curved in a cruel smirk. "You were obedient. Always available. Even when I asked you to clean my penthouse, you acted like you'd won the damn lottery. Amusing, isn't it?"

Each word drove into my heart like a dagger. Everything I'd given him was nothing but a joke to him. My wolf recoiled inside me, wounded beyond measure.

Rage roared through my veins. I slapped him hard. "You don't get to trample on my pride like that. You bastard!"

Adrian shoved me against the wall instantly, his hand clamping around my throat. "Oh, but I can. An alpha like me can do whatever I want to an omega like you-and never pay the price."

My throat closed under his grip, breath strangled. I clawed at his arm. He sneered, then released me. "Do yourself a favor. Walk out quietly and go find yourself a sweet little omega prince."

His mocking grin twisted his handsome features into something vile. My stomach churned as if I'd been punched, but I still had one thing left to say.

"I, Claire White, reject you, Adrian Valmont, heir of the Crescent Pack." My voice was ice.

Adrian blinked, then replied, "I accept."

The pain of the bond breaking ripped through me, searing deeper than my soul. My love had been betrayed, made worthless. I wiped away the tears before they could fall and turned toward the door.

But Adrian grabbed my arm again. "Claire. If you need someone to fuck, I'll be glad to help. You're still a virgin, aren't you?"

My pupils dilated with fury. I raised my hand to strike, but he caught it. "Don't fucking touch me!" I roared, tearing my arm free.

I ran and didn't stop until I was out of the ballroom. Jennifer caught up, her face full of concern. She took one look at me and knew. She didn't say a word, just slipped her arm around me and steered me toward the exit.

"No, Jennifer. I need to be alone." I pushed her away, avoiding her worried eyes. My mind was chaos. I needed alcohol-something to numb me.

I jumped into a cab.

The moment I walked into the club, I felt it-a prickling at the back of my neck. Someone was watching me.

I turned slowly, breath caught in my chest.

A tall, devastatingly handsome man stood behind me. He looked familiar, though I couldn't place where I'd seen him. Maybe in a GQ magazine. He was too handsome. Piercing gray eyes set in a face designed to drive she-wolves wild. A strong jaw dusted with silver stubble. Broad shoulders and taut muscles beneath a perfectly tailored black suit.

Every inch of him radiated strength, control, irresistible dominance. He was more intimidating than Adrian had ever been.

He walked toward me with steady confidence and sat on the barstool beside me. His scent hit me instantly-sandalwood and mint, laced with something darker, deeper. My wolf, silent until now, growled low inside my head.

My mouth went dry. Was he here to hit on me? He had to know I was just an omega. I couldn't place his rank, but from the way the air thickened around him, he had to be beta or higher.

He wouldn't want to flirt with a low-ranking wolf like me. Not like Adrian had.

"Whiskey. Neat." His deep voice rolled into my ears as he ordered from the bartender. Then he looked at me. "And a dry martini, chilled-for her." He smiled faintly.

God, that smile melted some of my pain, made me forget where I was. "Thank you." I managed, tongue almost tripping over the words. Maybe the alcohol would bring me back to myself.

The first swallow burned down my throat, the chill of the drink calming my storm. I arched a brow. "Do all older men order drinks for women they've never introduced themselves to?"

He chuckled, like a charming GQ cover model, and extended his hand. "Apologies. I'm Theo."

Heat rushed to my face. I placed my hand in his large, warm palm. "Claire White," I breathed, his touch nearly melting my pain away.

"Claire White. what broke the fire in those brave eyes?" Theo leaned closer, his breath ghosting over my earlobe. A shiver raced all the way to my core.

Adrian could choose another woman? Why couldn't I?

Boldness surged. I tilted my head back. "If you want to hear the story, I think we'll need somewhere quieter."