"Micheal."

The air was thick with tension, our standoff silent but charged. My wolf, restless inside me, paced in my mind, ears pinned back.

Then, the door swung open.

Becky stepped in, her long hair cascading over her frail shoulders, her lips trembling as crystalline tears shimmered in her wide, doe-like eyes. She looked like the Moon Goddess herself had personally crafted her to inspire pity.

Her voice was soft, weak, as if merely speaking was draining the life from her.

"Don’t fight with Judy because of me," she murmured. "It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have... shouldn’t have gotten sick and then clung to life instead of just... dying right away..."

I blinked.

Did she really just say that?

Micheal gently covered her mouth, like she was the most precious thing in the world. His eyes were brimming with so much raw tenderness .

"Don’t be afraid," he said, voice low, soothing. "No matter what happens today, no one will stop me from granting your wish."

A growl rumbled deep in my chest. My wolf was furious, tail flicking in agitation.

Micheal turned toward me then, his towering figure casting a shadow over me. Alpha presence rolled off him in waves, oppressive and suffocating.

"Judy, I advise you to show some kindness."

I crossed my arms. "And what if I say no?"

Micheal paused, his jaw tightening.

Then, without another word, he turned and took Becky’s hand, leading her out.

For a second, I thought he had finally come to his senses.

I was wrong.

He returned.

And this time, he locked the door behind him.

My wolf’s ears flattened.

"Judy, don’t blame me for this."

Something in his tone—a chilling finality—sent a sharp spike of alarm through me.

I shot up, ready to run, but he was faster.

His Alpha reflexes kicked in, his grip iron-tight as he spun me around and pinned me against the vanity. My wolf snarled, but Micheal’s strength overpowered mine.

"Are you insane?! Micheal, let me go!"

My frantic struggles meant nothing.

I felt the zipper of my wedding dress sliding down, scraping against my skin like a brand.

"Stop!" I cried out, pain flashing through me as his grip dug into my waist. My wolf whimpered, but Micheal didn’t let go until the dress—my dress—was completely gone.

When he finally released me, I crumpled onto the floor, my arms wrapping around myself.

My meticulously styled hair was now a wild mess. My body—bare, vulnerable—felt like a broken relic of what should have been my happiest day.

Micheal, breathing heavily, held my wedding dress in his hands like a damn trophy.

His voice was cold.

"Does it hurt? You brought this on yourself."

I stared up at him, my wolf silent—too shocked to even growl.

Then, I spoke.

"Alpha Micheal, we are done."

His brows furrowed.

I pushed myself up, chin high, and let my next words tear through the bond like claws through flesh.

"I, Judy Carlson, reject you, Micheal Parkinson, as my mate."

The rejection hung in the air.

For a second, he simply blinked at me, as if he hadn’t heard right.

Then, irritation flickered across his face, and he let out a short, humorless laugh.

"Stop acting out. I’ll make it up to you with another wedding."

He turned to leave.

"But today, Becky’s dream must come true."

My vision blurred, my heart hollowing out as he disappeared.

Then—

Click.

The sound was quiet.

But the moment I heard it, my blood ran cold.

I rushed to the door. Locked.

I pounded on it, but no one answered.

A bitter laugh escaped me. He really did it.

I turned back, my gaze landing on a white T-shirt draped over a chair.

Desperate for something to cover myself, I grabbed it and pulled it over my head—only for the collar to get stuck.

Frustrated, humiliated, trapped—I could do nothing but fall onto my knees and cry and cry.

"Tsk. Looking this miserable?"

A deep, smooth voice cut through my despair.

I lifted my tear-streaked face, my breath hitching.

The moment I saw the man leaning against the doorframe, casually elegant in a crisp white suit, I knew trouble had arrived.

Alpha Halbert.

Micheal’s archrival.

The Moon Goddess really had a twisted sense of humor.

His eyes, sharp and mischievous, flickered with amusement as he took in my ruined appearance. My makeup was a mess, my hair tangled beyond saving—I probably looked like a rogue that had lost a fight with a tornado.

His lips quirked, but for just a moment, his teasing faltered.

Then, his voice dropped to a sultry whisper.

"Want to get some payback?"

My wolf’s ears perked up.

I narrowed my eyes. "What are you doing here?"

Everyone knew Alpha Halbert and Micheal had been close once, back in college—before something ripped them apart, turning them into bitter enemies. No one ever talked about why.

"I don’t recall inviting Alpha Halbert."

Halbert, unfazed, simply raised a brow and took a slow, deliberate step forward. His scent—crisp pine and the kind of danger that lured people in—drifted over me, sending a shiver down my spine.

My wolf stirred, intrigued.

"Are you sure you don’t want to come with me?" His voice was smooth, tempting. "Opportunities like this don’t come twice."

He extended a hand toward me.

My wolf growled softly, uncertain.

Before I could even decide, Halbert moved.

In a blur of movement, he pulled me to my feet—so effortlessly it was like I weighed nothing. His strength was undeniable.

Then, before I could protest, he lifted a pristine white handkerchief and wiped my face clean. His touch was gentle, careful, as if he were handling something delicate and breakable.

His golden eyes assessed his work before giving a small, approving nod.

"Much better."

I blinked, momentarily stunned.

Then, his grip tightened around my wrist, his warmth steady, grounding.

"Let’s go." His voice was quiet but firm. "Revenge is best served fresh. Bottling it up will only hurt you in the end."

For the first time since this disaster started, I didn’t feel alone.

"Micheal Parkinson, for richer or poorer, will you stay by Becky Porter’s side, never to part?"

The officiant’s voice rang out over the crowd.

Onstage, Alpha Micheal gazed at Becky with a tenderness so nauseating it made my wolf bare her teeth.

"I do not."

The words ripped through the ceremony like a thunderclap.

Gasps filled the air. Every head in the room snapped toward me.

I saw it then—the exact moment realization dawned on Micheal’s face. His smile froze, his fingers twitching against Becky’s hand.

"Where’s security?" Micheal growled, voice low and commanding. "Escort the troublemaker out."

Halbert, standing beside me, handed me the microphone with an amused smirk.

I didn’t even look at Micheal. Instead, I turned up the volume to max and let my voice ring across the hall.

"Everyone, I am Judy Carlson. Tonight’s bride, Judy Carlson."

Chaos erupted.

A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd like wildfire. The sharp rustling of guests flipping through their invitations was almost comical.

Micheal’s expression darkened, his jaw clenching so tight it could snap a bone.

"Hey, she’s right! The invitation says the bride is Judy!"

"Then who the hell is the woman onstage?"

"Micheal’s wedding was so rushed, I didn’t even question it. But this…?"

The murmurs grew louder, sharp whispers turning to judgmental glares. Becky’s fake innocence cracked, her wide doe eyes filling with crocodile tears.

Micheal tightened his grip on her hand, his voice low but authoritative.

"Everyone, there was a typo on the invitation." His lips curled into a forced smile. "This is the real bride."

A laugh burst from my throat before I could stop it.

"A typo?" I drawled, arching a brow. "Right. And let me guess—my name embroidered on the wedding dress? Also a typo?"

More gasps. A few guests exchanged pointed looks.

Micheal’s pathetic attempt at damage control had done nothing but pour gasoline on the fire.

"The venue? The photography? The décor? Paid for with my money."

I pulled out my phone and, with a single tap, projected the receipts onto the massive screen behind the altar.

"13.14 million." I smiled, slow and deliberate. "Alpha Micheal, will that be on your credit card or by check?"

Silence.

The air was thick with tension, the scent of unease rolling through the room like a storm cloud.

Micheal’s gaze flickered toward the doors, searching. Probably for security.

"Don’t bother looking." My smirk widened. "The security staff? Paid for by me. They don’t answer to you."

Micheal’s nostrils flared, frustration rolling off him in waves.

And then, because the universe loved giving me more reasons to hate her, Becky decided to play her final card.

"Judy, I know you have issues with me." She sniffled, stepping forward. "It was wrong of me to borrow your wedding, but I have a terminal illness."

She paused for dramatic effect, gauging the crowd’s reaction.

And just like that, a few whispers started up again.

"She’s dying, though…"

"Maybe Micheal was just trying to be kind."

"Is Judy really this heartless?"

Becky lowered her gaze, trembling ever so slightly—but not before I caught the flicker of satisfaction in her eyes.

I felt my wolf bristle beneath my skin, a growl curling low in my throat.

Oh, this little actress wanted a show?

Fine.

I’d give her one.

I swatted Becky’s hand away, my wolf thrumming beneath my skin, urging me to rip through her pathetic act.

"Oh, a terminal illness?" I arched a brow. "What’s the diagnosis? Which hospital declared it?"

Silence.

"Funny how someone on death’s doorstep has enough energy to steal my multimillion-dollar wedding and act like she deserves it."

Becky stumbled back, clutching her chest, her breath turning shallow. Her wide, watery eyes flitted around the room, as if searching for sympathy.

Cue the dramatic coughs.

She hacked so hard that her pale face turned ghostly, as if she might crumple to the floor at any moment.

And, right on cue, Alpha Micheal was there in an instant, shielding her with his broad frame, his scent sharp with irritation.

"Judy." He growled my name like a curse. "You’ve only lost a wedding, but Becky—she’s losing her life."

His voice dripped with righteous fury, like I was the villain here.

"How can you stoop so low as to bicker with someone who’s dying? Where’s your compassion?"

I stared at him.

For a brief moment, I remembered the man I once loved—the one who whispered promises under the moonlight, who swore I was his forever.

Now?

All I saw was a mangy wolf in borrowed fur, pretending to be noble while rolling in the filth of his own betrayal.

I let out a slow breath. I was done.

"Fine," I said, my voice turning cool. "Alpha Micheal, such a selfless lover."

Becky’s shoulders relaxed, thinking she’d won.

I smiled.

"I’ll grant you two my blessing."

A ripple of whispers spread through the crowd, but I wasn’t finished.

"Now, let’s talk about the bill." I pulled up my payment app and flashed the screen. "Over 13 million. What an extravagant funeral gift Alpha Micheal’s giving you."

Becky’s entire face twisted, her delicate facade cracking.

"Are you cursing me?!" she shrieked, her wolf bristling weakly beneath her skin, no match for mine.

"Oh, did I say something wrong?" I feigned innocence. "I must have forgotten to send you a bouquet of white chrysanthemums."

The moment the words left my mouth, Becky lost it.

Her tiny, manicured hands curled into fists, and for a split second, I thought she might lunge at me like an actual Luna—but then she remembered that she was an illness.

Micheal’s jaw ticked.

He let out a sharp breath, then yanked his wallet from his pocket, pulled out a black card, and flung it at my feet.

"Take your money and leave." His voice was cold, final.

"And don’t expect to have this wedding rescheduled."

Oh, how generous of him.

I glanced down at the card, then back up at him.

Our eyes met.

I felt nothing.

Not anger. Not heartbreak. Just a deep, crushing disappointment.

The man I once loved?

He no longer existed.