A week before the marking ceremony, Ezra’s niece returned from overseas to be a bridesmaid.

I stumbled upon the fact that we had both recently received identical gifts: lingerie and a ceremonial gown. Same style, same size. The only difference was the note she received: "After you’ve had your fun, it’s time to come home. Don’t make me come and get you myself." The handwriting was unmistakably my mate’s.

Ezra Martinez, the Beta of the Crimson Fang Pack, went to pick her up personally when she arrived.

I secretly took Ezra’s backup phone and uncovered a hidden, forbidden affection. She playfully addressed him as "Uncle," and he affectionately called her "kiddo."

I spent a whole hour reading through Ezra’s romantic diary. My mind was numb, refusing to accept the truth. How could this happen? It’s unimaginable! But the relationship, which began when she was eighteen, the intimate photos, the undeleted chat records—they all testified to the reality. It was undeniable.

A week before the marking ceremony, Ezra unexpectedly confessed to me that there was an Omega from his pack, Jazmine, whom he had looked after over the years, and he wanted her to be part of our celebration. We had been together for three years, and it was the first time he mentioned her.

Thinking an additional bridesmaid wouldn’t be an issue, I happily agreed. After all, as the daughter of the Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack, I was expected to be gracious and accommodating.

The day Jazmine returned, Ezra went to pick her up personally, and later that evening, he organized a dinner gathering. The conversation revolved around her, highlighting her troubled past and how Ezra had been her guardian angel.

"Ella, her name was actually given by your mate," one of the warriors remarked.

I was slightly surprised, "Really?"

"Her father had an affair, which caused a scandal and led to her being left with a nanny. The family neglected her, even gave her a random, outdated name. But when Ezra was in high school, he found out she was being abused by the nanny, reported it to the authorities, and visited her weekly, urging the family to pay more attention."

"Yeah, if it weren’t for Beta Ezra, who knows what might have happened to Jazmine," another added.

I looked at Jazmine. She sat with her head lowered, appearing vulnerable and delicate.

"That’s enough," Ezra interrupted firmly, his alpha tone cutting through the chatter. "Men gossiping like pups? Let’s eat."

Later, I went to the bathroom and ran into Jazmine. She was splashing her face with cold water repeatedly, as if something troubled her.

I softened, offering her a tissue, "I spoke to them again. They won’t mention it in front of you anymore."

She looked up, her deep eyes meeting mine. "Auntie Ella, I wish you a happy marking ceremony."

I smiled faintly, reaching into my bag for a bracelet I had originally bought for my mother, the Luna of the Silver Moon Pack. "Thank you, and here’s something for you. I hope you’ll always be cheerful and carefree."

Feeling empathetic towards her situation, I offered her a rather valuable bracelet. And then, reality hit me hard.

Without my knowledge, behind my back, she called him "Uncle," and he called her "kiddo." That was how they flirted, and I was just their unsuspecting pawn.

Just then, a notification popped up on my phone through the pack’s private mind link channel:

[*Uncle, for the last time, I won’t be your bridesmaid.*

*Watching you mark someone else is unbearable.*

*I’m leaving on tonight’s flight. Don’t look for me.*]

The sound of the front door unlocking echoed from the living room. I hurriedly wiped the tears from my eyes and marked the message as unread, pretending nothing had happened.

Ezra stepped in, still in his formal Beta attire, though he had rolled up his sleeves, revealing the corded muscles of his forearms. His wolfish strength was evident in every movement, and his commanding aura filled the room. He smiled at me, his sharp features softening. “I’m in a good mood today. Let me cook tonight.”

“Ella, come and help me with the apron.”

I took a deep breath, trying to steady the tremble in my voice. “No need, I’ve already eaten.”

“What did you have?” Ezra asked, playfully wrapping his arms around my waist. His alpha tone, usually so commanding, was light and teasing now. “So, who did you sneak out to meet this afternoon?”

“No one, I just grabbed a quick bite at the pack’s training grounds,” I lied, gently pushing him away for the first time.

He didn’t notice anything unusual about me. “Alright then, I have something to take care of, you don’t have to wait up. Get some sleep.”

He went into the study, and soon came back out, his expression troubled but still smiling. “Ella, there’s something at the Crimson Fang Pack I need to deal with.”

“Oh, and the third version of the marking ceremony dress is ready. Let’s find some time tomorrow to try it on.”

He knew I admired a particular designer and had personally flown to Paris to commission the dress. Each version had his personal input, tailored to reflect the elegance expected of a Luna.

Yet, the truth was, there were two dresses: one for Jazmine, and one for me.

After Ezra left, I touched my face and realized I was crying. My wolf stirred within me, a low whine echoing in my mind. *He’s going to the airport to follow her,* she said, her voice heavy with sorrow.

Sniffling, I followed my instincts and went after him. The night air was cool against my skin as I shifted into my wolf form, my sleek silver fur blending with the shadows. I moved swiftly, my senses heightened as I tracked his scent.

Sure enough, Ezra sped all the way to the airport and went straight to the VIP lounge. He hurriedly grasped Jazmine’s hand, his voice firm but pleading. “Come back with me!”

I watched from a distance, my heart breaking as I saw the way he looked at her—his Beta authority faltering, replaced by something softer, something I had never seen directed at me. My wolf growled softly, a mix of anger and pain.

*He’s choosing her,* she whispered, her voice trembling. *Even after everything, he’s still choosing her.*

I shifted back into my human form, my hands trembling as I wiped away the tears. The bond between us, once so strong, now felt like a frayed thread, ready to snap at any moment. I turned away, knowing that no matter what, I couldn’t compete with the hold Jazmine had on him.

The marking ceremony was supposed to be our moment, the day we solidified our mate bond in front of the packs. But now, it felt like a cruel joke, a reminder of how easily I had been cast aside.

As I walked away, I felt the weight of my status as the Alpha’s daughter, the expectations that came with it. I had been raised to be strong, to lead, to uphold the honor of the Silver Moon Pack. But in that moment, all I felt was the sting of betrayal, the ache of a bond that was never truly mine to keep.