Chapter 1 Disgraced Wedding

The crystal chandeliers stabbed at my eyes. The fancy wedding dress sticking to my skin felt like a cold, heavy chain. I’m Emily Baker—today’s bride, a defective Omega who can’t even hold her wolf form in a pack.

“Relax, Emily,” Dana Shadowclaw said, adjusting my veil with a smile. She’s my best friend and maid of honor. “Marrying someone like Carter is every Omega’s dream. You’re so lucky.”

Her smile was sweet, but her fingernail brushed the back of my neck—the most sensitive spot for any Omega. A shiver ran down my spine. Was I imagining it?

“Lucky?” I echoed softly. Yeah, a defective Omega like me getting picked by Carter Gray—a powerful Alpha—was everyone’s idea of a miracle. They called it “marrying up.” Even I doubted myself sometimes.

Carter walked over—handsome, strong, his silver-gray eyes always cold. He touched my face like he was reading a script. “Ready?”

His pine-scented pheromones should’ve felt comforting, but they just made me colder.

“Yes,” I nodded, my palms sweaty.

The wedding was at the Moonlight Altar on pack grounds. The place was packed—every important person in the pack showed up. Their stares felt like spotlights curious, judging, and worst of all, full of plain disgust.

“Is that her? The one who can’t keep her wolf form for five minutes?”

“I heard her bloodline’s totally watered down. No clue what Carter sees in her.”

“Maybe she’s got… other skills?” Someone whispered, and snickers followed.

Every word felt like a needle in my chest. I forced myself to stand tall—just get through this for Carter.

Then came the Moonlight Blessing. Mates need to release their scents together under the full moon to get the moon’s approval. Carter stood in the altar’s center, moonlight gilding his silhouette. But the second I stepped up, the light around us dimmed.

A quiet gasp went through the crowd.

The officiant cleared his throat awkwardly. “Looks like the moon’s being shy tonight.”

Snickers broke out. My face burned. Even the moon didn’t want to bless me. I really was a defective Omega, not worth anyone’s notice.

Carter’s brow furrowed for a second before smoothing out—but that flash of irritation felt like an icicle in my chest. He said nothing, just nodded for the ceremony to keep going.

Dana grabbed my arm, her voice sickly sweet. “Emily, you okay? You’re probably just nervous. Let’s go to the lounge for water.”

I was too humiliated to think. I nodded, letting her lead me away from those suffocating stares.

The lounge was quiet, hidden behind the main hall. Dana poured me a glass. “Sit here. I’ll be right back.” She closed the door gently.

I sank into the couch, covering my face. Tears finally came. Why me? Why did I have to take all this?

Then I heard soft moans from the next room, plus a man’s deep laugh.

That voice… it was Carter’s.

Wasn’t he supposed to be greeting guests?

Like I was possessed, I stood up and walked to the half-open connecting door. Moonlight streamed through the window, and I saw everything.

My fiancé Carter had Dana pinned to the couch. His suit was unbuttoned, Dana’s bridesmaid dress straps slipped down her shoulders.

“Mmm… Carter… be gentle,” Dana purred. “It’s your ‘special day,’ after all.”

Carter chuckled—warm, intimate, a tone he’d never used with me. “A defective like her doesn’t deserve a special day. This is just checking a box. You, though… my little wildcat…”

“Don’t forget me later,” Dana said.

“Never. Once the marking’s done and I get what I need, that defective’s useless,” Carter said.

My mind went blank. My blood turned to ice. It felt like someone was squeezing my heart until I couldn’t breathe.

So that’s it. The “luck,” the “obligation”—it was all a lie. He didn’t want me. He wanted what a “fated mate” could give him. And I was just a stupid, manipulated defective Omega.

Cold rage burned in my chest. A heat I’d never felt before surged from my core, spreading through my body. My veins felt like they were on fire, my bones humming softly. Everything around me glowed silver.

I bit my lip until it bleed. My nails dug into my palms, but I didn’t feel a thing.

Defectives don’t get blessings. And the truth? It’s brutal.