The Alpha’s Traded Mate

Zeva’s POV

The night of the mating ceremony was supposed to be every she-wolf’s dream. For three years, I’d watched others stumble into destiny’s arms, their lives ignited by a single spark that bound wolf to wolf, heart to heart. And for three years, I’d walked away with nothing but a hollow chest and a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes.

Tonight, I told myself, would be different.

The hall glimmered with soft golden light, chandeliers dripping down like frozen stars, laughter weaving with music, and the scent of roses mixing with roasted venison. It was beautiful, extravagant… a fairytale made flesh. But I was not the princess in silk gowns or jeweled crowns. I was the shadow behind them.

“Hold still, you useless girl!” Thalyn hissed, yanking her hand away as I fastened the final clasp on her crimson gown.

I bit my tongue until I tasted copper. One and a half hours—an eternity spent painting her face, curling her hair, tightening her corset until she gasped dramatically about how worthy she looked. Thalyn, daughter of Elder Mael, wanted to be Luna so badly she could already taste the crown.

She turned to the mirror, eyes glittering like polished stone, and smirked at her reflection. “Look at me. No Alpha would be able to resist. Especially not Darian.”

Her words jabbed at me like thorns. I smoothed my plain sapphire dress, one I’d borrowed from another omega and altered myself. The fabric clung awkwardly to my frame, but it was the best I had.

“You should fix your hair,” she added cruelly, flicking her gaze toward me. “Not that it’ll matter. No one notices omegas, especially the lowlifes like you.”

Her laughter trailed her as she left the room, her perfume choking the air.

I exhaled shakily. Leah, my wolf, stirred within me, her voice a low growl. “Ignore her. She’s nothing but insecurity wrapped in silk.”

“I know,” I whispered. But it didn’t stop the sting.

When I finally stepped into the packhouse’s grand hall, my pulse quickened. Wolves from every corner of the East had gathered—betas, warriors, ranked families, and hopeful she-wolves shimmering like gemstones. Music pulsed, filling the air with expectation, while on the podium, the high-ranking seats gleamed with power.

That was when it hit me.

The scent.

Wild, sharp, undeniable. My breath caught as Leah surged to life, her excitement flooding me. “Mate!”

My heart leapt to my throat. For three long years, I’d waited for this moment. My feet carried me before I even thought, weaving through the crowd, skirts brushing against strangers as my eyes frantically scanned the high table.

And then I saw him.

Alpha Darian Kaelith.

Tall. Commanding. His raven-black hair gleamed under the lights, his sharp jawline set in authority. His eyes, a piercing silver, swept the room… and landed on me. For one heartbeat, recognition flickered there. A tether snapped into place between us, invisible but unbreakable, and Leah howled in triumph.

“He’s ours.”

I trembled, tears