Alpha's Moon Howls in Regret

The night before my mating ceremony with Alpha Garrett Northwood of the Silverpine Pack, he held a grand Luna ceremony for my silver-poisoned stepsister behind my back.

He held Serena close under the starlit sky, his smile tender in a way I'd never seen:

"You're the only one I truly love, Serena."

"Even though Maya and I are already registered as mates with the Alpha Council, she'll never have my heart. You're the only one I recognize as my Luna."

The pack members cheered and blessed them as they completed the ceremony with joy.

I watched it all without crying or screaming.

Instead, I quietly scheduled an abortion appointment.

I've loved Garrett Northwood for twelve years, ever since I first shifted as an adult.

But his heart still only had room for my stepsister Serena.

If that's how it was, I'd let go.

Later, I joined the secluded Herbal Research Center of the Alpha Council.

I left Garrett nothing but a mate bond dissolution agreement.

But for some reason, Garrett—who had always treated me with disdain—suddenly went crazy begging me not to leave.

The night before my mating ceremony with Alpha Garrett Northwood of the Silverpine Pack, he held a grand Luna ceremony for my silver-poisoned stepsister behind my back.

The sound of cheering voices carried through the forest wind, making me stop in my tracks.

I ran toward the noise and found them on the ceremonial grounds. My heart stopped.?

There was Garrett, placing a shining ring on Serena's hand. The ring sparkled under the moonlight - that expensive healing stone he bought last week. I thought it was for our ceremony tomorrow.

Serena looked up at him with shy eyes, her cheeks pink.

Garrett didn't wait. He grabbed her face and pressed his lips to hers.

The pack members around them started clapping and shouting. Some wolves howled in celebration.

I watched them kiss. It went on and on. Serena's hands gripped his shirt, and her knees started shaking.

When they finally broke apart, both were breathing hard.

The torches around the ceremony circle lit up their faces. That's when I saw who else was there.

My brother Max stood at the front of the crowd. He was the one leading the ceremony.

Max, who I saved from rogues when we were kids. Max, who promised he would always protect me.

Now he was smiling as he watched Serena and Garrett together.

He had forgotten how Serena and her mother tried to sell us to those rogue wolves years ago.

"I declare Alpha Garrett and Luna Serena bonded for life!" Max shouted.

The Gamma next to him set off fireworks. They exploded above us in bright colors.

Garrett picked up Serena and spun her around.

Max threw his hands up in the air. "The ceremony is done! Serena is now our pack's Luna!"

I stood there alone, watching. The rain started falling on my face, but I couldn't move.

I raised my hand and dialed Max's number.

I