mory of last night's passionate encounter. She turned her head to glance at the man beside her-Alpha Derek. She had heard so much about him from her ex-fiancé, Kevin, and had brief

s her lips as she recalled the intensity of their connection. It felt unrea

eality. She groaned as she answered, her stepmot

You need to get to the

do you mean? The party

is waiting for you!

off the engagement party. Panic surged through her, and she quickly slipped out of bed, careful

be back

at Derek, she hurri

face. His eyes fluttered open, landing on the note next to him. H

be bac

vious night flooded back, a chaotic rush of passion and desire. I

the alcohol and the primal urges of his wolf, Leo. It had all felt too intense, too ov

an obligation to fulfill, and despite the intoxicating pull he felt t

There was no time for hesitation; the Alpha had a duty to uphold, and he wou

ed in her stomach. She couldn't face Kevin, not afte

, glittering with lights and flowers. But as she walked in, the atmosphere shifted. Guests turn

e banner displaying Kevin and her stepsister, Sandra, together. It was as if everything had

ion. "My mate, Ella Brown, betrayed me on the night of ou

her hands trembling as she saw a photoshopped image of her with a random man. Anger surged

ing with satisfaction, "the goddess blessed

dra, glowing in her new role, stepped forward, taking Kevin's arm. "I'm so sorry for m

id you just say? My fault? Why don't y

d, a hand raised before connecting sharply with Ella's

. she muttered ang

s tone righteous. "Therefore, I, Kevin Taylor, Alpha of

e her his chosen mate, had now turned his back on her. "Fine," she choke

e found my fated mate w

weet yet venomous. "Mate? Who

escaping her lips. "You seem t

aised her hand to strike, but before she

the Moonstone

her breath as Derek approached. But to her shock, he completely ignored her,even when she tried holding

e said facing Kevin and Sandra, the wor

rek! We're mates!" she called o

ok in his eyes. "I'm not your m

lt. Whispers surrounded her as cameras

Brown, rejected by two alpha

is lips. "You've lost your mind, El

t Derek, her heart aching. "This can't be true.

eyes. "Clara Crown is my chosen mate. I hope not to be

ical blow, and she collapsed to

," he whispered almost to himself, the weight of his choices heavy on his heart. His wol

row and betrayal. She didn't see the sorrowful look in Derek's eyes, nor did she notice how deepl

leave, hoping that somehow she could feel his