Chapter 1

I admit it—the moment Alpha Jasper knelt on one knee, my heart skipped a beat.

But now, all I feel is confusion. I don’t understand why Sienna Burrows is here, nor why she’s wearing the exact same red gown as me.

Sienna Burrows—Alpha Jasper’s ex-girlfriend and his once-destined mate.

My wolf stirred uneasily. She never liked Sienna.

"Cynthia."

Alpha Jasper’s voice brought me back to reality. I swallowed, forcing myself to focus on him rather than the seething growl bubbling in my chest.

"I..."

I’d secretly admired Alpha Jasper for two years, dated him for three, and spent five years dreaming of this very moment. Yet, in every version of my fantasies, Sienna was never supposed to be part of the picture.

Faced with Alpha Jasper and the intricate ring in his hand, I opened my mouth but found myself speechless, courage nowhere to be found.

When I didn’t immediately answer, Jasper raised his eyes to meet mine, a rare flicker of pleading and vulnerability in his usually impassive gaze.

"Cynthia, will you marry me?"

My wolf whimpered. The mate bond between us wasn’t strong—not like what he’d once shared with Sienna.

In that instant, my heart softened. My human side wanted this. Wanted him.

"Jasper, I..." I steadied my voice, trying to hide the tremor. "I will."

The moment those words left my lips, cheers erupted from the friends who had gathered for the birthday party. Rose petals rained down on us, the scene unfolding as if plucked straight from a dream.

Except for one detail: Sienna stood just a few feet away, arms crossed, a cold smirk playing on her lips.

"I will? How ridiculous," she said, her tone dripping with disdain.

With confident strides, Sienna made her way over, her heels clicking against the floor. She carried herself as though she were the one being proposed to, gracefully taking a seat without so much as an invitation.

Her red gown was identical to mine. Her mid-length curls, the color of her hair, even her deep red lipstick—everything mirrored me. Yet, under the lights, her bold makeup enhanced her striking blue eyes and radiant beauty, making her appear nothing short of breathtaking.

But the look she directed at me? Pure contempt.

I pursed my lips. Unlike Sienna, I wasn’t the seductive, attention-grabbing type. My wolf bristled, feeling the weight of the comparison. I had always been more of the steady kind—the quiet presence beside Alpha Jasper, not the storm that shook his world.

Her gaze was searing, as if she were looking at a cheap imitation, a clumsy replica that failed to capture the original’s brilliance.

In the midst of the awkward atmosphere, Alpha Jasper’s friends stood up first, clapping and cheering loudly to shift the focus.

"Jasper, you finally did it! We were starting to think you’d never propose!" one of them exclaimed, raising a glass in celebration.

"Finally?" Sienna clapped along, her sly smile as sharp as a blade. She lifted her glass gracefully, exuding elegance. "Jasper, do you really think your proposal was a success?"

"This has nothing to do with you," Alpha Jasper cut her off, his tone laced with irritation.

He cast her a cold glance before pulling me to sit down beside him, avoiding her gaze like it burned.

Sienna’s seat was strategically placed—perhaps intentionally or maybe just coincidence—directly across from ours. Everything about her—her poised gestures, her effortless charm—drew attention.

Even when she leaned over to whisper something to the person beside her, her radiant smile lit up her face, turning her into a masterpiece under the golden lights.

Her casual movements, like resting her manicured fingers on the edge of the table, sent dazzling reflections of light from her nails that stung my eyes.

And suddenly, I understood why her gaze was so condescending.

It was laughable, really. Even dressed like her, with the same hairstyle and color, I lacked her bold confidence and magnetic allure.

The phrase "trying too hard" echoed in my mind.

My wolf growled softly, unsettled. She didn’t like how this felt.

The red gown felt suffocating, the makeup on my face as heavy as a mask.

Unable to meet Sienna’s gaze, I turned to Alpha Jasper and whispered, "Why did you give me this dress?"

I’d never liked bold styles. This gown was something I wouldn’t have glanced at twice on any other day.

Yet, this morning, Alpha Jasper had handed me a beautifully wrapped box, his expression laced with anticipation as he urged me to wear it.

"...Because," Alpha Jasper paused, lowering his eyes for a moment, "I thought it would suit you."

Suit me? Really?

My wolf scoffed. It suited Sienna more.

I stared at him, speechless, a strange mix of emotions swirling in my chest. My temples throbbed, and my throat felt tight with unspoken words.

And then, without warning, my mind wandered back to that Saturday a few weeks ago.