Chapter 1: The Coronation

I walk down the aisle, parting through the crowds of Red Valley and Blue Silver Wolves gathered to witness this remarkable moment in my history. My father, Alpha Ivan Everdeen, has called a truce between the two packs. I was the sacrifice offered. Now I must mate with Chase, the Alpha of the Red Valley pack. 

A month ago, my life changed, and I wasn't even eighteen yet. Responsibility weighed on my shoulders. After my mother, the fallen Luna, I am the next bloodline silver wolf and many Alphas will kill to have me. I'm a wolf with healing abilities and with far greater strength and abilities. The moon goddesses prophecy has described my title as a blessing to any pack that will have me. 

My father holds power because of this. Our pack is one of a kind and in the wolf world, we are top ranked, but the bloodline mark only appears once in a hundred years. It is my turn now and Alpha Chase is the one my blessing will fall on. It's too bad he doesn't feel happy about mating with me so suddenly. 

"All hail Marelyn Everdeen!" The voice of Loki, the beta of my alpha, booms through the arena, deep and resonating. 

The crowd roars like a stormy wind. I feel the cheers carry my feet and strengthen me. They were wobbly a minute ago, but now, courage has found me. With my chin up, I advance in slow, elegant steps, roving my gaze through every corner and axis of the room. My dress drapes behind me and rolls out on the floor. The tiny diamonds looped around the fabric jingles with each step I take, and the pearls adorning my hair and face complement it. Just like my eyes, my dress is blue like the sea, and the blood running through my veins is silver.

When it clocks midnight, I will turn eighteen and my Alpha will place the crown on my head and make me his forever. I catch the stare of my father through the throng of people and he spares me a subtle nod. My eyes say it all. I will carry on with this because I know what it means for us and for our pack. 

Charles Erikson, Red Valley's Gamma, is my father's good friend, but to avoid the war and bloodshed that was bound to happen, my father offered a gold like me in exchange for peace. There is no other way around it. This is something I must do.

Loki extends his palm and takes the tip of my fingers in his hold. He leads me up the stairs of the dais and to where the Luna's throne is. Beside it is my Alpha's seat, but it's still empty, and my heart thrums with dread at the sight. 

The ceremony spurs on. My father steps into the spotlight, intending to break the ice and give his blessings to our union. Contrary to what many would think, I like all that is happening now. Mating with Chase makes my heart sing. When I saw him a month ago, he sparkled like the stars in my eyes. My alpha is a lot older than me, and he has really broad shoulders that can hide my petite frame away from danger always. His arms are big and strong to lift me away from the ground during a storm. 

In my eyes, he is a god-like Prince that has swept me off my feet and has eyes only for me. 

My father says, "It is with great honour I stand here in your midst, offering my daughter as one with the Alpha of the Red Valley pack and his wolves. This is an epic moment our packs will never forget because on this day, we make history." 

The crowd roars passionately again. The sounds they make ignite a fire in my heart. This is the right choice and I have never been more sure of anything else. 

"My child, Luna of Red Valley, I present you with the Carodian precious stones, scouted from the deepest waters." My father kneels before me on the first riser and raises the box of sparkling rare stones above his head. 

My voice is weak. It will fail me, but my wolf has a mind of its own. It nudges my side and the words roll out, ever confident. 

"Alpha Ivan, I'm honoured! Thank you for your kind gesture." I respond and my father stands on his feet. A Red Valley wolf comes and takes the gift from him.

He disappears into the crowd and Blue Silver Wolves come forward, one after the other, bearing gifts. Some offer gold and silver, even maternity clothes and clothes for the baby's gender. I can see they are all hoping for a boy child. A boy who will be an heir to the throne after Chase. 

Loki climbs the short stairs during the while and whispers in my ear and to my hearing alone. 

"Where is he?" He asks and the tears threaten to roll out like a fall because I know neither.

My eyes search the crowd frantically. Fifteen minutes. The clock says I have fifteen minutes to find my mate or else the ceremony will not hold and these preparations will be void. 

"I have not seen him since last night. Loki, what do I do? It's also bad luck to let him see me in my dress." 

"Mare, this is more important than baseless myths. The ceremony must hold or else." He grips my shoulder blade and squeezes in a manner I read as a warning. 

I'm on my feet faster than a heartbeat. I bunch the skirt of my dress up in my hands and I run. All eyes follow as I slip out through the back door. The murmurings behind me are as loud as their roars, but I can only think of my alpha at this moment. 

My heart drives me forward and the Alpha's Manor's only a few distances away from the throne room. I'm running as fast as I can to meet time. My wolf speeds up and in less than a second, I arrive at Chase's door. I want to knock, but the sounds I hear stop me halfway. 

I shove the door open and find the unthinkable. My hand slips over my mouth as a gasp leaves me.

Instead of being at my side at the coronation, Chase is naked in bed, and underneath him is my step-sister Ruby.