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Ivy

“Stop pretending you’re taking in the scenery, Ivy. Your stud muffin is right in front of us.”

“ Emery ,” I whisper-hissed.

Her bright emerald eyes blinked with well-practiced innocence.

“What?”

I shook my head.

“You know what .”

Emery shrugged and turned her attention forward.

Following her line of sight, my gaze landed on the Alpha.

His tall, muscular build towered over most of the wolves present, making him impossible to miss.

Short black hair framed his chiseled features.

His pale blue eyes held an air of command and dominance.

Briggs was every bit the formidable Alpha one should be, and my heart thumped at the thought of belonging to someone like him.

His eyes swept over the gathering, pausing when they met mine.

A flicker of emotion flashed briefly before he hardened his stare on something over my shoulder.

The cloying scent of azaleas agitated my nose, distracting me from ogling the glorious male specimen.

I hated azaleas, hated them nearly as much as I hated the she-wolf who carried their scent.

Ruby sashayed by.

Her long blonde hair cascaded down her back like a silky waterfall, accenting the kind of curves that drew envious stares from both male and female wolves alike.

She moved like a jungle cat as opposed to a wolf.

Sexy and self-assured, which I admired.

It was her personality that ruined the package.

Ruby's tiny red dress left nothing to the imagination. Skin tight and short, I wondered if we'd see her underwear if she had to tilt her upper body in any direction.

I could never pull off such a look.

Though, if I had a body like Ruby’s I’d have been tempted to try.

A few more of her tiptoed steps and I got a look at the back of her dress.

Or, lack of one.

Not only was it backless, it dipped down to just above the crack of her ass.

How did she get her butt so perfectly round?

Hard as it was to admit, I understood the appeal.

Physically, at least.

Close behind the female was her petty posse.

The small group of backbiting females were always together, always thinking they were hot shit and better than everyone else.

I did my best to never interact with any of them.

Emery, however, loved to call them out.

"Of course they’re dressed to go clubbing when we’re in the middle of the woods," Emery rolled her eyes.

"Jealous?" Caleb, my brother, teased and she punched him in the arm.

I shook my head but did so smiling.

They had the worst sibling rivalry and they weren't even real siblings.

"How do her boobs stay up so high without a bra?" I wondered aloud.

Caleb coughed into his hand and Emery eyed the she-wolf critically, tilting her head in thought.

"Adhesive bra," she decidedly answered. “Silicone.”

I'd never heard of an adhesive silicone bra, but Emery would know.

She owned more clothes than anyone should.

To be fair, she made most of them herself.

I didn't own the kind of clothes worn to clubs or fancy parties. Nor did I want them. Clubs and parties weren't my scene.

Then I noticed Ruby's sparkling heels. They matched her red dress perfectly. Some serious strutting talent prevented them from sinking into the ground as she moved.

She really didn’t need to try so hard. Ruby was gorgeous no matter what she wore. And the ceremony didn't require anyone to dress up.

Even Emery, who was the most fashionable wolf I knew, had gone with sensible boots, flat with traction.

Of course, her black shorts and hot pink tank actually looked amazing with her footwear.

I’d come here in a simple gray t-shirt dress and my black hiking sandals.

Comfortable.

Sensible.

Like me.

As much as I didn't want to, I couldn't help but compare myself to Ruby.

Tall and blonde with a rack I'd kill for, she exuded confidence and sensuality, where I was petite, brunette, and reserved.

Sure, she was unkind on a good day, but I could see why so many males wanted her underneath them. In fact, Ruby was one of the Alpha's many fuck-buddies, rotating in and out of his bed faster than a harem on steroids.

The thought made my wolf growl but I tamped her down.

Shifters were known for their sexual appetites, especially Alphas.

It wasn't like Briggs had committed to any of them.

When a wolf committed, it was to his or her mate—and matehood was so much more than sex.

I was no blushing virgin myself. Yet, being old enough to feel the threads of a mating bond on the night of the Mating Moon brought on a case of the jitters.

Nervousness gnawed at my insides as I waited for the moment Briggs would make his announcement. An element of uncertainty made my stomach churn. Waiting was hell.

Neither of us had made any formal acknowledgement of the faint hum connecting our wolves to one another. Sometimes it was so weak I worried I was imagining things.

Other times I worried that I wasn’t imagining things and Briggs was purposefully restricting the bond, preventing it from becoming obvious. Not everyone welcomed destined connections with open arms.

I’d always been told rejecting one's mate was like cutting off a piece of your soul and throwing it into the abyss, leaving behind a wound that would never fully heal.

It was rare, but it happened.

Though, I supposed, if my fated mate was a complete waste of existence, I would dig deep and find the strength to cut out that cancer as best I could.

Briggs stepped forward, demanding everyone's attention. The pack hushed.

Again, his attention fell upon me, weighty and unnerving, pausing briefly before moving on. It did nothing to settle my nerves.

"Wolves of Darkwood, we gather here tonight to honor the sacred bond between mates," Briggs began, his deep voice resonating with authority.

It made me wonder what he would sound like while he moved inside me, his mouth at my ear. I bet he liked to talk dirty. My core tightened and my wolf panted.

"The Mating Moon graces us with its presence, symbolizing the powerful connection we share not only with our loved ones but with our pack."

I couldn't help but admire the way he spoke, effortlessly holding the attention of every wolf present.

It was like a spell had fallen over the small, moonlit clearing.

There was an undercurrent of tension in the air as everyone waited for his next words.

"As I declared I would, just days ago, I stand before you to make my choice," Briggs continued.

Choice?

my wolf, Rieka, questioned.

It was an odd word to use.

True mates were bound by the Goddess when they entered the world.

I came of age, 23, just months ago and knew the closer the Mating Moon came, the closer I was to finding my true mate.

My feet inched forward, a ray of moonlight kissed my skin.

Rieka sat up as the bond flared brighter than ever.

She urged me to charge towards him.

Down girl!

I scolded.

"I have spent countless hours on the mountain, meditating, giving this decision much thought. I believe I have come to the most suitable choice, the best outcome possible, not only for me but for our pack."

The cadence of his speech had altered, feeling rehearsed.

Forced, even.

My heart raced as I clung to his words, desperately seeking any trace of confirmation that he felt the same pull towards me as I did to him.

Every fiber of my being screamed that we were meant to be together.

I no longer had any doubt under the light of the full moon.

Instinct never lied to a wolf.

Sometimes it hid, but it didn’t lie.

I held my breath, fighting Rieka to stay put.

"Tonight is a night of celebration," Briggs continued, "for the joining of unmated wolves who have found their mates, and for the union of me, your Alpha, and my chosen Luna, a bond that has always strengthened packs over time."

The pack cheered and howled in response.

I glanced around, meeting the excited gazes of Emery and Caleb.

Neither were old enough to feel a mating bond yet, but this time next year they would.

Caleb and I were all that was left of our family.

Emery’s parents had basically adopted us when our parents died and the three of us had become inseparable.

I'd confessed to Caleb and Emery about the feelings I'd been getting, how I was drawn to the Alpha and not in the normal way I was drawn to a partner.

The Mating Moon was only making that fledgling connection more obvious and I hoped Briggs would hurry his ass up and cease with this torture.

Caleb took my hand and squeezed.

“You okay?”

I nodded and returned his squeeze.

Rieka huffed in irritation.

Her hackles were up but she wasn’t communicating much else.

"For fuck's sake," Emery whispered, her blue eyes shining with determination. "Why is he drawing this out? Just say her damn name."

As if he'd heard her, Briggs's head swung in our direction. His gaze locked onto mine making my stomach do somersaults.

"The choice I make tonight will shape the future of this pack, and I, alone, take this responsibility with great care and consideration for what that future holds."

Our gazes met once more, his wolf flashing in his eyes, possessively. This was it. He was going to call me forward.

"I, Alpha Briggs McClellan reject Ivy Bardot as my fated mate and take Ruby Pierce as my chosen mate and Luna," he proclaimed confidently.

Time stopped. The forest went silent. Not a soul moved.

Betrayer! my wolf howled.

I stumbled forward, hunched in agony. My lungs seized. A deep burn ate through the center of my chest, charring the bond.

I didn’t understand. Did I hear wrong? Did he really choose someone else?

I’ll kill her! Rieka vowed, confirming what my heart didn't want to accept. It wasn’t my name he called.

It was hers .