Married my Alpha's brother

"Turn around, Brenda."

I shifted on the wooden pedestal. The heavy white silk rustled around my ankles.

"The veil is crooked," Clara muttered, jamming a pearl-tipped pin into my scalp.

"Ouch. Watch it."

"You're marrying Alpha Neo today. The future Luna of the Eclipse Pack cannot look like a mess."

I stared at my reflection in the floor-to-length mirror. A wolfless girl. The Beta's daughter. Yet, in less than an hour, I would stand beside the most powerful man in our territory.

"Are you nervous?" Clara asked, smoothing the bodice.

"No. I've waited for this day since Neo proposed last spring."

"Some people say you don't deserve him."

"People talk," I replied. "But Neo chose me."

The heavy oak doors of the bridal suite slammed open, cutting our conversation short.

It wasn't Neo coming to check on me.

Marcus, the Gamma, stood in the doorway. His chest heaved, and his eyes darted around the room before landing on me.

"Stop the preparations," Marcus ordered.

Clara dropped her silver comb. It clattered loudly against the floorboards. "What? The ceremony starts in ten minutes."

"There is no ceremony."

I stepped off the pedestal. "Explain."

"Alpha Neo has made an announcement in the Great Hall," Marcus said. His gaze avoided mine entirely. "He requests your presence. Immediately."

"Did something happen at the border?" I asked, grabbing the edges of my skirt.

"Just go to the hall, Brenda."

I pushed past him. The long train of my dress dragged across the cold stone hallway.

When I entered the Great Hall, hundreds of pack members turned their heads. The string quartet had abruptly stopped playing.

Neo stood at the grand altar.

He wasn't looking at me. His eyes were locked on the woman standing right next to him.

Jessica.

His first love. She had left the pack two years ago to train with the northern covens. Now, her fingers were perfectly intertwined with my fiancé's.

"Neo?" I asked. My voice echoed in the cavernous room.

He finally turned. His expression held absolutely no guilt.

"The wedding is canceled, Brenda."

"You are wearing your ceremonial suit," I pointed out.

"I am taking a Luna today," Neo stated. "Just not you."

Laughter rippled through the gathered crowd. Someone in the back row whistled a sharp, mocking tune.

Jessica smirked, leaning her head against Neo's broad shoulder. "Sorry, Brenda. The Moon Goddess makes the rules."

"My wolf recognizes her," Neo announced, projecting his booming voice to the upper gallery. "Jessica returned this morning. She is my true mate."

"We have been engaged for a year," I said.

"And you still haven't shifted," Neo shot back. "A wolfless Luna makes our pack look weak. I cannot lead the Eclipse Pack with a human at my side."

"She's just a girl playing dress-up!" a warrior shouted from the left flank.

"Take off the gown," a woman sneered near the front.

I looked toward the front row. My father, Beta Miller, sat rigid in his chair.

"Dad?" I called out.

He