Chapter 1
~Lila’s POV~
“Happy birthday, Lila.” I forced a smile and looked into the mirror.
I wore a slightly worn-out blue dress that Derick gifted to me two years ago.
Today was my eighteenth birthday, the day I had been dreaming about ever since Melissa came back.
Today, I’ll finally become Derick’s mate and leave the Wildridge family.
“Miss Lila, the ceremony is about to start.” Mary, one of the few servants who still treated me kindly, said.
I smiled at her. “Thank you, Mary. I’m ready.”
The grand hall of the Wildridge mansion is already decorated with colorful flowers, crystal chandeliers, ribbons and balloons.
But they’re not for me. They’re all for Melissa.
I entered the room without anyone noticing me.
Why would they notice a fake daughter, when the true heiress is standing in the center of the room?
Melissa Wildridge, the real daughter of Beta James and Mary Wildridge, just returned nearly a year ago.
She’s also wearing a blue dress, which is of the same color as mine, but a hundred times more gorgeous, with pearls and diamonds decorating the hem and neckline, making her look like a real princess.
“There you are!” My father, or I should call him Beta James now, called out and passed by me. He didn’t even notice me, his eyes were fixed on Melissa, “My beautiful daughter.”
Melissa smiled and turned back to greet every one.
No one even remembered that today was my birthday too.
For seventeen years, I had been the cherished daughter of the Wildridges. Then Melissa returned with her powerful wolf, and I became nothing.
But I still have Derick, my fiance.
Despite losing everything I used to have, I still had him.
My rock, my future. Soon, we would announce our engagement, and I’ll finally be able to escape this nightmare.
Derick Randwulf, future Alpha of the Silver Crescent Pack. He’s tall, broad-shouldered, with brown hair and piercing blue eyes. Beside him was his twin brother Dylan, nearly identical except for the playful smirk on his lips.
Both brothers are attractive in a terrifying sort of way.
I and Derick grew up together, and have been engaged since childhood. When Melissa came back and everyone starts bullying me, Derick still treats me the same.
He promised me that after my 18th birthday, if I didn’t sense my mate, he’d marry me and get me out of this place.
Most wolves don’t have mates, and not to mention that I have no wolf. So I’m not worried about it at all.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Beta James raised his glass on the stage, “Tonight is a special celebration, it’s the first birthday at home for my lovely daughter, Melissa!”
Everyone applauded.
Then James invited Alpha Marcus, Derick and Dylan’s father, to the stage. “Now, our Alpha has another important announcement to make.”
The music stopped. Conversations died down.
All eyes turned to Alpha Marcus. Beside him stood Derick, looking devastatingly handsome in his tailored black suit.
I took a deep breath as I quickly checked if my appearance is okay.
This is going to be the moment.
After years of waiting, Derick would finally claim me publicly!
“As you all know, my son Derick will soon take over as Alpha of the Silver Crescent Pack,” Alpha Marcus spoke. “Every great Alpha needs a strong Luna by his side.”
I raised my head and got ready.
“That’s why I’m thrilled to announce the engagement of my son, Derick Randwulf, to Beta James’s daughter!”
I stepped forward and waited for my name to be mentioned.
“The extraordinary Melissa Wildridge!”
The room erupted in cheers and applause.
What?
Melissa?
I froze.
My ears rang.
Surely I’ve misheard, it should be “Lila”, not “Melissa”, right?
My eyes fixed on Derick, but he didn’t even spare me a single eyesight.
Before I could process what’s happening, Melissa walked on the stage in her perfect blue dress.
Derick took her hand and pulled her closer. His dark eyes, usually so cold and calm, filled with tenderness and adoration as he looked at her.
“I’m honored to accept this position,” Melissa said sweetly. “I promise to be a Luna worthy of this great pack.”
Then she threw me a triumphant glance.
“What is happening?” My head was spinning, I had to grip a pillar for support. My chest tightened painfully as Melissa and Derick accept congratulations from the crowd.
I pushed through the crowd and grabbed Derick’s arm.
“Derick!” My voice was trembling. “What’s going on? Something must be wrong, we’re engaged since childhood!”
“That wasn’t even official.” Derick looked at me coldly. “Melissa is my mate. She will be my Luna.”
“Your… mate?” I stammered. “But you promised—”
“I promised nothing,” he shook off my hand with disgust.
Melissa stepped forward and sticked herself on Derick “Oh, Lila. Did you really think he’d choose someone without a wolf? Someone who isn’t even a real Wildridge?”
She pulled down the collar of her dress slightly, revealing a small bite mark of golden color on her neck. “See? He’s already marked me.”
I stared at the mark and suddenly felt sick. This is indeed a mate mark by an alpha wolf.
Melissa laughed when she saw my face.
“Come, my love,” She said while she circled her arms on Derick’s neck. “Let’s not waste any more time on her.”
“Yes, my love.” Derick said, tightening his hands on Melissa’s waist.
Then, right there, in front of everyone. In front of me, Derick pulled Melissa close and kissed her.
My body started shaking terribly as Derick’s lips pressed against Melissa’s.
My heart broke.
But it’s not just that.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
A physical pain ripped through my chest, as if a hand was squeezing my heart.
“What...” I gasped in pain.
This wasn’t just simple jealousy or heartbreak.
This was something deeper, more primal… The pain when a mate bond is betrayed!
mate bond!?
I raised my head and fixed my gaze on Derick.
Derick is my mate?!
But how is that possible?
I didn’t have a wolf. And if Derick was my mate, how could he mark Melissa?
I staggered backward, bumping into someone.
“Woah, woah, watch out!” Dylan gripped my waist and steadied me.
His voice was impatient and unfriendly. His eyes were filled with jealousy and anger when he watched Derick kissing Melissa.
Right, Dylan loves Melissa, everyone in the pack knows it.
Ever since the day Melissa came back to the pack, Dylan had fallen for her.
But before his hands released me, another wave of sensation hit me.
But this time it wasn’t pain, and it wasn’t coming from Derick.
It was a primal desire that gives me goosebumps and makes my groin burns.
It was coming from… Dylan?
“Mate...” A voice echoed in my mind.
Dylan... is also my mate?
