Chapter 1 The Missing Bride

Luca’s POV

“Where the hell is Lucille?!”

My father’s roar shook the walls of the manor like thunder rolling through the mountains. I froze in the corridor outside his study, one eyebrow arched in reluctant curiosity.

Well. Someone was about to die tonight. And for once, it wasn’t going to be me.

I crept closer to the heavy oak door, careful to stay just out of sight, but close enough to hear. Not close enough to be dragged into whatever fresh nightmare my twin sister had created though.

Lucille Ashford.

Golden child and princess of the pack. The flawless omega daughter destined to become Luna of the powerful Vesper Pack by marrying its terrifying Alpha, Rodrigo Valente.

The same sister who had spent the last six months whining about flower arrangements, diamond-encrusted veils, and whether the cake was “sufficiently impressive” for a man who could snap necks with his bare hands.

What fresh disaster had she unleashed now?

“My Lord…” A maid’s voice trembled. “When we cleaned Young Lady Lucille’s room this morning, we found this.”

Silence swallowed the study.

I frowned. What did she leave in her room?

Then came the sound of paper unfolding.

A few heartbeats passed and it was still quite inside. I was dying of curiosity.

Then the sound of a CRASH!

Glass shattered and the scream of a woman pierced through. Chairs scraped violently against the floor.

“Alpha!”

“Call the doctor! Now!”

I didn’t hesitate. I shoved the door open and burst inside.

Chaos greeted me.

Father lay sprawled on the antique rug, face ashen, one hand clutching his chest. The Elders he was with hovered around him in panic. My mother stood frozen by the window, pale as moonlight. Guards scrambled to help the Alpha sit up while the head maid pressed a trembling hand to her mouth.

“What happened?” I demanded.

No one answered.

I pushed forward. “Will someone tell me what the hell is going on?”

Antonio, our longtime butler, finally met my eyes. His expression was grim.

“Young Master Luca… the Alpha collapsed after reading a letter left by Young Lady Lucille.”

A letter.

I scanned the room. Every face wore the same mixture of shock and dread. What was in the letter for them to look like this?

“She’s gone,” Antonio said quietly. “Young Lady Lucille has left the territory.”

For a second, the words didn’t register.

“Gone?” I echoed. “What do you mean, gone?”

“She ran away.”

The silence that followed was deafening. I was hoping it would be a prank.

Moon Goddess above… she actually did it.

My reckless, lovesick idiot of a sister had really run off with her secret human boyfriend the night before her wedding.

I shouldered past the cluster of bodies and dropped to my knees beside Father. His breathing was shallow, his skin clammy.

“Father,” I said, voice lower this time.

He didn’t respond.

Hurried footsteps thundered down the hall. The pack doctor burst in, medical bag in hand, and everyone stepped back to give him room. The examination stretched on in tense silence. No one dared speak.

Finally, the doctor straightened, wiping sweat from his brow.

“He’s stable. But he needs complete rest. No stress whatsoever.”

A few elders exchanged bleak glances. I nearly laughed out loud. No stress? The future Luna had vanished on the eve of an alliance-sealing wedding. Good luck with that.

Antonio began issuing orders with quiet efficiency. Two guards lifted Father carefully and carried him upstairs, followed by my mother, the doctor, and most of the elders.

Within moments, the study was nearly empty.

My gaze landed on the folded letter lying near the edge of the desk. Before anyone could stop me, I snatched it up and opened it.

Dear Father,

By the time you read this, I will already be gone.

I am sorry.

I know what this will do to the family and I know what it means for the alliance. But I cannot marry a man I do not love. I have chosen my own future. Please don’t look for me.

And tell Luca I’m sorry.

Lucille.

I read it once. Then again. Then a third time, slower.

Tell Luca I’m sorry?

That was it? After everything?

I folded the letter carefully, fighting the urge to rip it to shreds. My hands shook with barely contained fury.

“Unbelievable,” I muttered.

The door opened again. A guard stood at attention.

“Young Master. The Alpha wishes to see you.”

I frowned. “Already? The doctor just said...”

“He was very clear, sir.”

A cold weight settled in my stomach. My sister hasn't been gone long and I was suddenly important.

I handed the letter to Antonio and followed the guard upstairs. The halls felt longer than usual and the air thicker. Several elders lingered outside Father’s bedroom door. Their stares bore into me as I approached.

The guard opened the door.

I stepped inside.

Father was propped up against a mountain of pillows, his face still pale but his eyes sharp and calculating. While my mother sat rigidly beside him. The elders occupied every available chair, their expressions solemn.

Every single one of them was looking at me.I stopped dead in the middle of the room.

“I don't like the way this is going.” I said immediately.

Father narrowed his eyes. “I haven’t said anything yet.”

“You don’t have to. The looks already say enough, and it's not looking good for me.”

“Listen to me young man."Father drew in a slow, pained breath. “Your sister has disgraced this family.”

“If trying to live for what she thinks is real means disgrace then yes."

“ But the alliance with the Vesper Pack must continue.”

I crossed my arms. “Okay. How does that involve me? I have nothing to do with Lucille's disappearance."

Father’s patience finally snapped. He looked like he wanted to rip my head off.

“Enough.”

The room fell deathly silent. His cold, unyielding gaze locked onto mine.

“Instead of wasting away and being useless for once…”

My heart plummeted. I really don't like where he was headed.

“Why don't you make yourself useful and marry Rodrigo Valente in your sister's place?”