That’s when my eyes caught Lucian’s leather jacket draped over the chair, something glinting in the soft light. My brows furrowed as I stepped closer, spotting the engraving on the inside tag.

‘LM&ST.’

Lucian Mcelvani and Selene Tramp.

My breath hitched. That wasn’t right! This jacket— our anniversary gift—was supposed to have our initials. I’d paid extra to have ‘L&T’ inscribed, triple-checking the order to make sure it was perfect! So why the hell were hers there instead of mine?!

What the!

I held it up, turning it over as though it would somehow explain itself. My heart raced as I walked into the living room where Lucian sat, scrolling on his phone.

“Lucian!” I called, holding up the jacket.

He barely glanced up. “Yeah?”

“Why does this have HER initials on it?” My voice wavered despite my effort to stay calm.

He frowned, setting his phone down. “What are you talking about?”

“This jacket!” I said, stepping closer. “The initials. LM and ST! That’s Selene’s.”

Lucian stood, running a hand through his hair. “It’s just a mix-up, Talia. I’m sure the engraver messed up! Don’t blow this out of proportion.”

“A mix-up? How does a mix-up like that even happen? Our initials were clear. I sent them myself!”

He sighed, his irritation showing. “I don’t know, Talia. Maybe it was a mistake. I’ll deal with it.”

“When? Because this—this isn’t just some mistake, Lucian. It’s—”

“Talia,” he interrupted, his tone sharp now. “It’s a fucking jacket. Let it go.”

I stared at him, disbelief and hurt crashing over me like a wave. Fucking jacket?

“You don’t even care, do you?”

“I said I’d handle it!” he snapped, grabbing the jacket from my hands. “Stop making everything about her. You’re being ridiculous.”

“Ridiculous? Woah! So I'm ridiculous here?” My voice cracked, but I refused to back down. “Lucian, you’ve been distant for weeks, and now this shows up? And you want me to believe it’s nothing?”

He rolled his eyes, already walking toward the door. “I’ve got a patrol tonight. Don’t wait up.”

And just like that, he was gone.

When the door clicked shut, I felt the tears sting my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Instead, I grabbed my phone and dialed the engraving shop.

“Hi. I ordered a customized jacket recently, but there’s been a mistake with the engraving. The initials are wrong.”

“Oh no, I’m so sorry about that! Can I get your name and the order number?”

I gave her the details, pacing as I waited.

“Hmm,” she said after a moment. “It looks like the initials were updated shortly after the order was placed. I can send over the request receipt if you’d like.”

“Please do.”

Minutes later, the email arrived. My heart sank as I opened the file. The receipt clearly showed Lucian’s signature authorizing the change. There was no denying it.

***

The next morning, I tried to focus on something else—my dress fitting. Lucian had promised to come, but after last night, I wasn’t exactly hopeful.

When his black truck finally pulled up to the house, a flicker of relief settled over me. Maybe today wouldn’t be so bad after all. I climbed into the passenger seat, buckling my seatbelt as Lucian started the engine.

We drove in silence for a while before he turned onto a different road. I frowned and glanced at him. “Where are we going?”

“Just a quick stop,” he said casually, keeping his eyes on the road.

A few minutes later, we pulled up in front of a sleek, modern house. My stomach twisted when Selene walked out, wearing a bold red outfit that clung to her like a second skin. Her heels clicked against the pavement as she made her way toward us.

I turned to Lucian, confused. “Why is Selene coming with us?”

“She’s helping you pick your dress,” Lucian said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

I stared at him. “What? Why would I need her help? I didn’t ask for this.”

“She’s got good taste,” he said with a shrug. “Figured it couldn’t hurt.”

Before I could respond, Lucian rolled down the window, and Selene leaned in with a bright, fake smile. “Good morning! Ready for the day?”

I clenched my hands in my lap, waiting for Lucian to put her in her place, but instead, he smiled back. “Of course. Hop in.”

Selene walked around to the passenger door, pausing when she saw me. “Oh,” she said, her tone overly sweet. “Talia, would you mind moving to the back? I really hate sitting in the backseat.”

I froze, glancing at Lucian, silently pleading with him to say no. He didn’t. He just nodded. “Yeah, Talia, can you? Selene doesn’t like the back.”

My chest tightened, but I swallowed my pride. “Sure.”

Selene gave me a sugary smile as I climbed out. “Thanks so much,” she said, slipping into the seat like she belonged there.

I got into the back, staring out the window and trying to keep my emotions in check.

As we drove, Lucian and Selene chatted like old friends, her laughter ringing through the truck. I sat there, my nails digging into my palms, wishing I could be anywhere else.

At one point, Selene gasped and turned up the radio. “Oh, I loveee this song! It’s so perfect for a wedding! Talia, you have to use it for your first dance!”

I raised an eyebrow, leaning back in my seat. “This song? You’re joking, right?”

“What’s wrong with it? It’s romantic, and everyone loves it.”

I snorted. “Yeah, maybe if you’re stuck in a cheesy rom-com. But for my wedding? Hard pass.”

Selene turned to Lucian, her lip trembling like she was one step away from full-blown tears. “I was just trying to help,” she said softly, her voice shaking. “I thought it’d be nice…”

Lucian shot me a look through the rearview mirror, his expression sharp. “Talia, was that really necessary?”

“Necessary? She’s trying to hijack my wedding playlist like it’s her ceremony!”

“She’s just being thoughtful. You don’t need to mock her for it.”

Selene sniffled, dabbing at her eyes dramatically. “It’s fine, Lucian. I’ll get over it. I just… I thought it would make her happy.”

“Oh, give me a break!” I muttered under my breath, crossing my arms as I looked out the window.

Lucian sighed, clearly annoyed. “Talia, can you at least try to be a little more considerate? It wouldn’t kill you to be nice.”

I whipped my head around, glaring at him. “Nice? I’ve been nothing but nice while she tries to take over my wedding! But sure, let’s make me the bad guy.”

Selene sniffled again, this time louder, and Lucian’s focus shifted entirely to her.

“Don’t let it get to you,” he said softly. “You were just trying to help.”

I rolled my eyes and bit my tongue, knowing anything else I said would only make things worse. Nothing I said would matter—not when Selene had the power to make even Lucian second-guess himself.

***

The sales assistant greeted us with a bright smile when we walked in, but her eyes immediately darted to Selene, like I wasn’t even there.

“Looking for something special?” she asked, practically glowing.

Selene smirked and waved at me like she was handing me off. “She is. I’m just here for support.”

Support. Right.

I forced a polite smile. “I’m looking for something simple.”

Selene snorted. “Simple is boring! You’re going to be Luna, Talia. You can’t just fade into the background.”

“I don’t need a dress to prove my worth,” I said quietly, stepping past her toward the rows of gowns.

Lucian stayed where he was, his intense gaze following me like he was waiting for a storm to break. But he didn’t say a word.

The assistant eventually brought me a gown—ivory, elegant, understated. Exactly what I wanted. She handed it to me with a warm smile, but before I could thank her, Selene chimed in again.

“I’ll take a look too,” she said, grabbing a sparkly emerald gown off a rack. “Might as well have some fun while we’re here, right?”

I swallowed hard and followed the assistant to the fitting rooms. Once inside, I took a deep breath and stared at the dress in the mirror. It fit perfectly, the simplicity of it grounding me in a way nothing else had today.

When I stepped out, Lucian’s eyes finally landed on me. For a second, I thought I saw something—approval, maybe—but before he could say anything, Selene burst out of her fitting room.

She spun in her shimmering gown like she was on a runway. “Wow! This is it. What do you think, Lucian? Do I look like a Luna or what?”

Lucian’s gaze lingered on her a moment too long.

“You look great, Selene,” he said finally, his voice flat. Then his eyes flicked back to me. “But Talia looks—”

“—plain,” Selene cut in, flashing a smug grin as she adjusted her dress straps. “Talia, don’t you think you should pick something with more... presence? You don’t want everyone forgetting who the ceremony’s about, do you?”

I locked eyes with her. “The people who matter won’t forget.”

Her smirk wavered for a split second, but she quickly covered it, turning her charm back on Lucian.

“You’re no fun,” she teased, nudging him playfully.

I turned and went back into the fitting room without saying anything else. As I slipped out of the gown, I pulled out my phone and snapped a picture. This was the dress. The one that actually felt like me.

When I came back out, Selene was fussing over Lucian, straightening the lapels of a suit she’d somehow talked him into trying on. He looked sharp—too sharp, really—the dark fabric highlighting his powerful frame and making him look every bit the Alpha he was.

“See?” Selene said, laughing as she adjusted his tie. “Doesn’t he look amazing? You’re welcome, Talia. Your Alpha needed a little upgrade too.”

The knot in my chest tightened, but I kept my face neutral. “You’re enjoying yourself, huh?”

She grinned at me. “Someone has to keep things interesting.”

Lucian’s gaze shifted back to me, his brows pulling together slightly. “Are you ready? If you don’t like this boutique, we can go somewhere else.”

I shook my head. “This place is fine. I’ll take the dress I tried on.”

His frown deepened. “Are you sure? You didn’t even try anything else.”

“I’m sure,” I said firmly, holding his gaze.

Lucian opened his mouth like he wanted to argue, but Selene looped her arm through his and pulled his attention back to her.

“You should trust her, Alpha,” she said sweetly, though her smirk ruined the act. “Talia knows what she’s doing.”

I didn’t wait for him to reply, I turned and headed for the door. The truth was, it didn’t matter. We weren’t having a real wedding, so why bother wasting any more time?

I couldn’t sleep. The sheets felt suffocating, my mind replaying every little thing Selene had said today. Her smug comments, the way she looked at Lucian like he was already hers—it was driving me insane.

So, I threw on a jacket and slipped out into the cool night air, hoping the woods would help me clear my head.

The forest was quiet at first, nothing but the rustle of leaves and the faint chirp of crickets. Then I heard voices.

Familiar ones.

I slowed, ears straining as I followed the sound.

“It’s time, Lucian,” Selene hissed, her voice sharp. “You can’t keep lying to her. Just tell her the truth—you’re my mate, not hers!”

My chest tightened, and I froze, the words hitting me like a blow.

Lucian’s voice came next, quiet but firm. “Selene, stop.”

“No,” she snapped. “This is ridiculous! You’re my mate, Lucian. Do you know how rare that is? And yet you’re wasting your time with her. For what? Some promise your father made? It’s pathetic.”

A branch cracked under my foot, and both of them turned toward me, their eyes wide.

“What’s going on?” I asked, stepping into the clearing, my voice surprisingly steady.

Lucian’s jaw clenched, his calm facade cracking just a little. “Talia, this isn’t—”

“—what it looks like?” I interrupted, glaring at him. “Then explain it to me.”

Selene smirked, folding her arms. “Oh, let him try. I’d love to hear how he spins this one.”

“Enough, Selene,” Lucian growled, his Alpha tone cutting through her smugness. She rolled her eyes but stayed quiet, though her smirk didn’t budge.

Lucian sighed, his shoulders tense. “I was going to tell you. I just… didn’t know how.”

“Tell me *what*?” I demanded, my voice breaking slightly.

He took a step toward me, his expression softening in a way that made my stomach churn. “Selene is my fated mate.”

The ground felt like it shifted beneath me. My breath hitched, and I stared at him, willing him to take it back. But he didn’t.

“So… everything between us?” I couldn’t even finish the sentence.

“It wasn’t a lie,” he said quickly. “I swear, Talia. It’s just—”

“Oh, don’t sugarcoat it,” Selene cut in, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. “He stayed with you out of duty. Go on, Lucian, tell her the *rest*.”

I whipped around, glaring at her. “Stay out of this, Selene.”

“Gladly.” She smirked, taking a step back. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Lucian pinched the bridge of his nose like he was trying to collect himself. “Talia, listen to me.”

“No,” I snapped. “No more excuses, no more half-truths. Tell me everything. Now.”

He hesitated, looking at the ground before meeting my eyes. “Your father and mine were best friends. Before he died, my father made me promise to protect you. To make sure you were taken care of. When he found out you’d… lost your mate, he told me it was my responsibility to step in.”

“Lost my mate?” I said, my voice rising. “Lucian, I never had a mate!”

His shoulders sagged, and he looked away. “You did. He rejected the bond before you ever met him. He was from a rival pack. Rejecting you was the only way to keep the peace.”

The world tilted, but I caught myself before I stumbled. Instead, I let out a sharp laugh, cold and hollow.

“That’s it?” I said, my tone ice. “That’s your big secret?”

Lucian frowned. “Talia, this is serious—”

“No, it’s not,” I cut in, shaking my head. “You want to be with her? Fine. But let’s get one thing straight.” I stepped closer, my eyes locking with his. “I don’t care who your mate is. You’re still marrying me.”

Selene’s jaw dropped, her smugness replaced with pure shock. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” I turned to her, smiling sweetly. “You might be his mate, but I’m the one wearing the ring. You can keep sneaking around in the woods like a coward. Have fun with that.”

Lucian stepped forward, his hand reaching out. “Talia—”

I held up a hand, stopping him. “Don’t. You made your choice when you decided to lie to me. Now, it’s my turn to make mine.”

Selene’s face twisted with anger, but I didn’t give her the satisfaction of a reaction. Instead, I turned on my heel and walked away and went back to the pack house, my heart pounding with something I hadn’t felt in months—purpose.

They thought they had the upper hand. They thought I was weak.

Fine. Let them think that.

By the time my wedding day arrived, Lucian and Selene wouldn’t know what hit them.

In my room, I packed a small suitcase, hiding it deep in my closet. I wasn’t leaving yet—not until the wedding was done. For now, I just had to act like everything was fine.

When Lucian came to talk that night, I cut him off before he could start. “It’s fine,” I said, forcing a tired smile. “We’ll still get married. The pack would be devastated if the marriage fell apart now.”

He looked unsure but eventually nodded. “Right.”

The next morning, Selene’s smugness was everywhere—even online. A notification lit up Lucian’s phone during breakfast, and his expression froze.

Selene had posted: “Excited for tomorrow. Some bonds are meant to last forever.”

Lucian muttered something about rogue trouble and disappeared shortly after, leaving me to pretend nothing was wrong. Tsk. Lies again. Let him think I believed him.

By the time he realized what I was planning, it would already be over.