I stood before the priest and the pack members, clutching the arm of my fiance, Kieran.

Kieran flashed me a small smile that didn’t reach his brown eyes. I could sense how distracted he was, because his damn phone was glued to his hands and eyes the whole time. I wondered what was more important than our own wedding.

Kieran and I had been mates for years, but he had always been hesitant about the idea of marriage. Everytime I brought it up, he always had one excuse or the other. I did not even know if he was waiting for me to get down on one knee and propose to him.

He finally agreed to a hasty wedding ceremony because of my mother’s sickness.

For as long as I could remember, my mother had been sick with a rare lycanthropic disease that was slowly destroying her body. Despite her condition, her greatest wish was to see me married to Kieran. She just really wanted me to be happy and she knew he was the man that I truly loved.

Just as the priest was about to pronounce us husband and wife, he abruptly pulled away, his face a mask of panic.

"I'm sorry, I can't do this," he blurted out, his eyes darting around the room. "I have to go."

Before I could even react, he had transformed into his wolf form and bolted out the door. I stood there in shock as the guests started whispering. But I could barely hear them over the pounding of my own heart.

It was my mom’s disappointed look that broke my heart the most.

That night, she finally passed away with a look of regret on her face. I held her hand, tears streaming down my cheeks.

My phone buzzed with a notification that same night. It was a post on Insta from Kieran’s childhood sweetheart, Nina. The caption read,

"He chose me, and I chose him. That's all that matters."

My heart sank as I scrolled through the photos, seeing Kieran and Nina wrapped in each other's arms, grinning like they just won the lottery. So while he abandoned me on the altar, he went cozying up to that witch Nina?

I commented under the post."Nina, you must be so proud to be his rebound. You two are perfect for each other though."

Despite the fact that I was losing it inside, I refused to make a scene. I quietly handled the arrangements for my mother's funeral, determined to give her the dignified send-off she deserved. I was grieving but I knew my mother would have wanted me to be stronger than this.

When I returned to the house, I was relieved to find that Kieran was nowhere to be seen. Good riddance to that cheating bastard. I couldn't wait to put this whole mess behind me.

But as I moved around the room packing my things, a familiar scent caught my attention. Kieran and Nina were here, somewhere in the house and I could sense it.

Ugh, the thought of them together made my skin crawl.Soon, I started hearing Kieran’s deep voice and Nina giggling in an annoying way.

I tried to just focus on getting out of there, clutching my bag tightly as I headed for the door. But then they came slinking out of the bathroom, Nina wearing nothing but Kieran's shirt. I could see a fresh hickey on her neck - the little hussy was practically flaunting it!

My jaw tightened with irritation, but I couldn't say I was surprised. Apparently my supposed wedding night had been spent with her in the house we shared, while I was out for my mother's funeral. So while I slept alone crying over my mom’s death in her hospital bed, Kieran was busy having fun with Nina.

Kieran's eyes went wide when he saw me, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "Selena, what the fuck are you doing?"

I leveled him with the coldest, most unforgiving stare. "What does it look like I'm doing, Kieran? I'm leaving. For good this time."

Nina swooped in all innocent and sweet. "Oh, Selena, I'm so sorry. Kieran helped me after I scraped my knee outside.I didn’t realize it was your wedding day."

She lifted her left leg, revealing a minor scrape.

My gaze dropped to the tiny plaster, then back to her smug face.

I scoffed in surprise. "You know what?" I turned my gaze to that sorry excuse of a man. "I'm done with your bullshit.

I'm breaking up with you,"

He had the nerve to look irritated, like I was the one causing a problem. "Can you be less dramatic?

We can reschedule the wedding, but Nina needed me. I couldn't just ignore that."

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. So a simple scrape on her leg was more important than our wedding and my mother’s death?

"Dramatic?" I repeated, the word tasting like poison on my tongue. "You chose a stupid scrape over our wedding!"

I felt like the biggest fool on the planet. Kieran had claimed that Nina was just like a sister to him and I had allowed her worm her way into our relationship. And it was all for what?

Without another word, I turned and headed for the door.

Kieran reached out and grabbed my arm, stopping me in my tracks. "Was your mom upset about what happened? I can explain it to her."

His words felt like a slap in the face. I jerked my arm free, my eyes blazing with fury. "Save your excuses, Kieran. I said I’m done with you."

"Baby, you can let her go," Nina said calmly latching onto his arm, "If her mother hadn't pretended to be sick, how could you have been forced to marry her?"

In that moment, something inside me snapped, and my wolf instincts took over. My claws extended from my fingertips and I grasped Nina's shoulders, my fingers digging deep into her skin.

"How dare you?" I hissed, my voice turning animalistic. "My mother is dead!"

"Kieran, do something!" Nina let out a shrill scream, her eyes darting to Kieran for rescue. "She is going to kill me!"

Without a moment's hesitation, Kieran suddenly pulled Nina away from me, shoving me aside. I stumbled, catching myself on the staircase railing just in time to avoid tumbling down.

"Selena, what the hell are you doing?" Kieran roared, his eyes flashing with a warning that sent a shiver down my spine. "Why are you hurting Nina like this?"

I stared at him, stunned, unable to believe how he could defend that spoiled brat over his own mate.

My voice came out smaller than I intended.

"She's the problem in our relationship, and you're defending her?"

I glared at Nina, who was clutching her reddened shoulder with a look of feigned distress. She quickly hid behind Kieran's broad frame.

"Was I wrong?" she whined. "If your mother hadn't pretended to be sick and threatened Kieran, how could he have thought about marrying a common thing like you?"

I turned to Kieran, my heart heavy with pain. "Do you think so too?"

He remained silent, but his gaze spoke volumes. I saw the truth there - he believed my mother had manipulated him into our union.

"Listen here, Selena," he snapped. "She's my woman, and you will respect her. I won't tolerate you harming her, do you understand?"

"Oh she is your woman now?” I shook my head with a pained smile. “What happened to her being just like a sister to you, you douchebag!"

"And did you think we were soulmates?" Kieran snapped, his eyes narrowing. "You were nothing more than a convenient distraction, Selena. A pretty little plaything to keep me entertained while I searched for my true mate."

"So you never loved me?," I swallowed hard struggling to keep a firm expression.

Kieran scoffed, his lips curling into a frown. "Love you? Don't make me laugh. The only reason I even agreed to marry you was because of your dying mother's pathetic pleas."

All this time, he had never truly cared for me. I had been nothing more than a way for him to appease my mother and maintain his image as the perfect Alpha.

As the Lunar pack's Alpha and CEO of Lunar Enterprises, Kieran was accustomed to power and control.

And I, a lowly omega, had somehow managed to capture his attention. At first, I couldn't believe my luck. Kieran was everything I had ever dreamed of – handsome, wealthy, and powerful.

I had foolishly fallen for him the moment we first met in college.

I had been cornered by a group of bullies, and Kieran had swooped in to rescue me, his powerful presence instantly captivating me.

For five long years, I devoted myself to him, loving him unconditionally, doing everything in my power to please him while I lived under his roof. Yes, I had to move away from my mother’s house immediately we started dating because he told me it would be best we got to know each other better since we were mates and also in a relationship. I never knew that it was a way he could control my every move. My mother had warned me not to move into his house since he had not married me yet but I didn’t listen. Of course my mother wanted me to be happy so she let me go.

He chose my clothes, ensuring I dressed 'modestly'. I cut my long, luscious hair short because he preferred it that way. My makeup was always natural and never bold.

He had access to all of my social media accounts. He said some of my family members and friends were poisoning our relationship so I cut them off.

My days were scheduled around all his needs. Finances were strictly controlled and I had to ask permission for every purchase.

But when Nina came into the picture, I saw that he reserved all his gentleness for her. The spoiled brat could do whatever she wanted. She used his credit card freely, wasting his money on extravagant stuff, held his hand, and hugged him in public without a care. I, on the other hand, dared not attempt any form of PDA.

I had to be the perfect, obedient mate, and it was maddening, the way Kieran seemed to favor her over me.

I had tried to emulate Nina’s behavior, to be the carefree, spontaneous partner that Kieran seemed to crave, but he told me I was making a fool out of myself.

I noticed that he seemed to enjoy eating take outs and trying out new and expensive restaurants with Nina. So, I decided to search online on one of the five star restaurants he normally visited. I ordered one of his favorite dishes and had it sent to our doorstep. When he got home that day, he took one look at the food after spying the packs at the corner and his face went dark. He asked where I got it from and I genuinely told him. He was livid and asked who gave me the right to order expensive food from an expensive restaurant like that with his credit card?

“But I thought you liked eating from there with Nina?” I had asked him.

“What I do with Nina is none of your business. You are supposed to cook my meals with your damn hands. Stick to that!”

Another day I put on one of those sexy skimpy dresses Nina usually wore and did a flawless makeup. He had looked me dead in the eye and said, “You look like a cheap whore, go change your clothes. Do not embarrass me in public.”

I remembered my cheeks burning with embarrassment and I swore never to act like his precious Nina again.

At that moment, Nina pouted, her lower lip jutting out as she traced the reddened area on her shoulder.

"Kieran, sweetie, look at this. Selena's brutality is unbearable. Doesn't she know I'm fragile?"

Kieran's attention immediately snapped back to Nina, and his expression darkened. "Selena, you need to apologize right now to Nina."

I let out a derisive snort. "You're not my alpha anymore, Kieran. And I won't apologize. Do your worst!"

Gone was the timid, obedient Selena that Kieran had once known. I was all ready for him now.

Kieran's expression darkened, his brows furrowing in a menacing scowl. "Selena, I won't ask you again. Apologize to Nina, now."

The very thought made my blood boil. "No," I said firmly. "She's the one who deserves to apologize, not me."

"Selena, don't test me. You know what will happen if you disobey me."

I laughed bitterly. "Guess what? I don't give a damn about your threats anymore."

I could see the fury flash in Kieran's eyes, his control slipping slightly. "Guards!" he barked in a commanding tone. "Restrain her."

In an instant, two burly men in suits came from the shadows, their hands closing around my arms in a strong grip. I struggled against them, kicking and snarling, but their hold was so strong.

"Let go of me, you bastards!" I screamed, thrashing wildly. "Kieran, you coward! Fight me yourself, you fucking-"

My words were cut off as one of the guards landed a swift blow to my stomach, knocking the wind out of me. I bent over, gasping for breath, and the guards took the opportunity to tighten their hold.

Kieran stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "I warned you, Selena. Now, you will apologize to Nina, or there will be consequences."

Now I was made to apologize to his mistress for doing absolutely nothing wrong. I was the one hurt and yet he couldn’t defend me or protect me. I wasn’t going to give in no matter what.

I lifted my head, glaring at him through narrowed eyes. "Go to hell, Kieran. I'll never apologize to that bitch, no matter what you do to me."

Nina huffed. "Oh, Selena. You really are a stubborn one, aren't you? You know, I think it's only fair that you pay for what you've done. Kieran, she needs to be punished."

Kieran hesitated, his gaze flickering between us. I could see the conflict in his eyes. It was as if he was wondering whether or not it was the right thing to do.

Finally, he exhaled deeply. "Very well, Nina. You’re free to do what you must."

Nina's face lit up triumphantly, and she stepped forward. She raised a hand and I braced myself for the blow.

It came hard and fast, the sharp crack of her palm against my cheek. I tasted blood, and I knew my lip was split.

"Now, crawl on your knees, kiss my feet and beg for my forgiveness. Maybe I’ll forgive you."

I could feel the blood trickling down my chin, but I refused to show weakness. Instead, a mirthless laugh escaped my lips.

"You can keep dreaming, because it's not happening, not even in a million years." I spat.

Her eyes narrowed, and she hit me again. This time, the blow was even harder, sending my head snapping to the side. I could feel the sting of the impact, but I refused to cry out.

"I said, on your knees!" she screamed, her face twisted with fury.

"Go to hell," I growled, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the floor.

Kieran sighed impatiently. "Are you enjoying this Selena ? Just do as you are told so everything can be alright again. Or don’t you want to fulfil your dying mother’s wish? "

Did the bastard miss the part where I said my mother was dead? Or didn’t they believe me?

I shook my head, my lips curling into a sardonic smile. "Newsflash, Kieran – I don't give a damn about your engagement or your precious pack anymore. You made your choice, and I've made mine."

It made me realize how I had lived my entire life just to please him and the members of his pack. I had even neglected my real pack just to be with him and serve him and now I regretted that decision.

With a swift motion, he pulled out his phone, his fingers rapidly tapping across the screen. "You asked for it then. From now henceforth, you would no longer be a member of the Lunar pack. I am kicking you out”

“Well I accept! I prefer not to have a pack at all than to be under you for one more second!”

He looked surprised that I could easily refuse to be under his protection even though I needed it even more than ever right now.

His face darkened as he stated, “I'm going to make a little announcement, one that I'm sure will get your attention"

I watched silently as he typed out a post and hit send. Seconds later, series of notifications began to flood his social media accounts, drawing the attention of his pack and the wider community.

"There," he said, his lips curving into a smug smile. "Now everyone knows that our engagement is off, and that Nina Simone will be my true mate and Luna."

He was really doing this, publicly humiliating me again and replacing me with that conniving little bitch. As if abandoning me on the altar was not enough, he had to rub more salt on the wound to tell everyone we were no longer getting together again.

Kieran turned to his assistant, who had been hovering nearby, and barked out a command. "Joe, cancel all the plans for the Perfect Match wedding company. I'll be needing their services for my new bride."

Perfect Match wedding was one of the most popular and most expensive wedding company in the whole of New Orleans.

"And for her mother’s surgery," Kieran continued, his expression darkening. "you better make sure the surgery isn’t paid for."

Oh the nerve he had to say he wasn’t going to pay for my mother’s surgery. I didn’t even imagine he could stoop that low to allow an innocent woman suffer just because we were having issues.

Joe cleared his throat hesitantly. "Uh, yes, sir. I, um, I was just about to inform you that Selena's mother, well, she... she passed away yesterday. Her funeral was already conducted by the early hours of this morning."

Kieran had a mix of annoyance and disbelief on his features. "What do you mean, she's dead? Why wasn't I informed?"