Chapter 4

I stared at the sleek black timer in my hands, my heart pounding as the numbers ticked down.

10, 9, 8...

What was this? A bomb? Had Alpha Emmett planted explosives in the Blue Moon Pack?

My wolf bristled, ready to lunge into action. I clenched my jaw, eyes darting around for an escape.

Then—

Boom! Boom!

The sky exploded.

Not in fire and destruction, but in the most breathtaking display of fireworks I had ever seen. The night lit up in dazzling hues of crimson, sapphire, and gold, the bursts reflecting in my wide eyes. The air smelled of burnt gunpowder and the crisp autumn wind, carrying the distant gasps of onlookers.

A deep chuckle rumbled from the man beside me.

“Gamma Audrey, these fireworks were specially arranged by Alpha Emmett just for you,” the messenger said, his tone laced with amusement. “Do you like them?”

I swallowed, still dazed.

“…I do.”

And I hated that I did.

Emmett Wright—the infamous Rogue Alpha feared across the Mississippi—was a man of chaos, but even his madness had a strange sort of charm.

I turned the timer over in my hands, tracing its edges. I should’ve tossed it away, forgotten about it. Instead, I slipped it into my pocket and took it home.

The next morning, I was rudely yanked from sleep by an overenthusiastic maid.

“My Lady, wake up! We have to get you ready!”

I groaned, half-shifting in protest, my wolf growling low in annoyance.

But reality slammed into me when I caught sight of the white wedding dress laid out before me.

Right. I was actually getting married today.

Not to the fated mate I had foolishly dreamed of for years.

Not to the Alpha who had once held my heart in his hands, only to crush it like brittle glass.

But to him.

The rogue Alpha who climbed my walls with a lazy grin and demanded I pay for another man’s debts.

The infamous Emmett Wright.

I exhaled slowly, steadying myself. My choice was made. Whatever the future held, I would see it through.

By the time I was fully dressed, my nerves had settled. My wedding convoy should have been arriving any moment now.

Except—

The door swung open.

And standing there wasn’t Alpha Emmett.

It was Alpha Lawrence.

I blinked. Then blinked again.

The so-called wedding procession behind him was laughable—one lone car and a truck, clearly meant to carry the 25 chests of gold.

I folded my arms, my patience already wearing thin. “What are you doing here?”

The moment his gaze landed on my white gown, his expression turned thunderous.

“Audrey Gilbert,” he growled, stepping closer, “who told you to dress like that?”

I arched a brow. “You mean…my wedding dress? For my wedding?”

His jaw clenched. “I’m marrying you as a mistress, not my Luna. You’ve overstepped. Go change. Now.”

I let out a short, disbelieving laugh.

“Alpha Lawrence,” I said, my voice calm but cold, “I’ve told you many times—our engagement is off. The person I’m marrying today isn’t you.”

“My husband will be here soon. Take your people and leave.”

A muscle ticked in his jaw. Then, to my absolute lack of surprise, he sneered.

“Fine. Keep up this act, and I’ll really leave,” he scoffed. “Sandra and I are already registered at the Civil Affairs Bureau. She’s officially the Luna of the Blue Moon Pack. But after you bear me a pup, I’ll bring you back to the main estate.” His eyes darkened, his voice dropping lower. “Don’t be so eager to climb ranks, Audrey.”

I rolled my eyes so hard my wolf whined in my head. When had I ever agreed to any of this?

Just as I was about to retort, a sharp honk interrupted us.

Alpha Lawrence turned, frowning. “Is someone else from the Gilbert family getting married today?”

Before he could finish his sentence—

SCREECH.

A sleek black Bugatti drifted smoothly to a stop right in front of me.

The air crackled with rogue energy.

The door swung open, and Alpha Emmett stepped out, looking every bit the menace he was rumored to be—windswept dark hair, piercing amber eyes, and an infuriating smirk curving his lips.

His gaze flicked from Lawrence to the weak excuse of a wedding convoy behind him.

Then he turned to me, his smirk widening.

“Well, well, Alpha Lawrence,” he drawled. “Are you here to steal my Rogue Luna again?”