Chapter 1 I don't accept

"I do not accept to marry him."

I said it loud and clear, right there in front of the altar. The words hung in the air like a bomb that just went off. Everyone stared at me like I had grown a second head. My white wedding dress felt heavy now, tight around my chest. I didn't even walk down the aisle properly earlier. I had stood at the back for a long time, thinking, before I finally came forward. And now this.

The big hall was packed. Pack members in their best clothes, important people from other packs, even some humans who worked with us. Lights shone bright on the flowers and fancy decorations. It was supposed to be the perfect day. But it wasn't.

Killian tightened his grip on my wrist. His fingers dug in hard. “Muna—”

“Don’t touch me,” I snapped, low enough that only he could hear, but with enough anger to make him let go fast. I pulled my hand away and looked at the crowd. Some people had their mouths open. Others tried to look calm, but I could see the excitement in their eyes. Gossip was already starting.

Before anyone could start whispering too loud or ask questions, I raised my hand and snapped my fingers. The lights in the hall dimmed a little. A big projector screen came down from the ceiling at the back of the hall. All heads turned, some people looked confused.

Then the video started playing.

It was clear as day. Two days ago. Killian’s house—the one I was supposed to move into after today. He was in bed with another woman. Her lips on his neck, his hands all over her waist. They were laughing and moaning like they didn’t have a care in the world. The sounds filled the quiet hall. No one could look away.

The room went completely silent. You could hear a pin drop.

My father, Alpha Ronan, stood up from his seat in the front row. His face looked red with shame and anger mixed together. I met his eyes for a second. My chest hurt seeing him like that. He had worked so hard for this pack. But I had to do this. I couldn’t let Killian ruin everything.

Killian stepped forward fast, his face pale. “That’s fake!” he shouted. “The video is doctored! She planned this because she didn’t want to marry me!”

He turned to me, pointing. His voice got louder, trying to sound hurt. “Why do this, Muna? Why ruin my name? You could’ve just said no in private instead of humiliating me in front of everyone!”

I laughed, but there was no happiness in it. It sounded bitter even to my own ears. “You think this is humiliation?” I stepped closer to him. My eyes locked on his. “You humiliated me for years, Killian. Cheating behind my back. Gaslighting me. Telling me I wasn’t girly enough, that I was too rough, too strong. While I was out there fighting for this pack. Bleeding for it. Leading soldiers when vampires attacked our borders.”

People in the crowd started murmuring. I could feel their eyes on me.

Killian opened his mouth, but I kept going. The words poured out like they had been waiting for years.

“In high school, when Alpha Marcus’ son beat you up, who stood up for you? Me. I used my strength to protect you. I lost friends because I chose you over them. When the pack needed warriors, who went to the front lines? Me. Not some girl with fake nails and perfume. I was there, covered in dirt and blood, making sure our people came home safe.”

More whispers now. Some older wolves nodded slowly. They knew what I had done, even if they never said it out loud.

Killian tried to speak again, but I didn’t let him. I slapped him hard across the face. The sound cracked through the hall like a whip. His head snapped to the side. A red mark appeared on his cheek right away. The whole room froze.

“Maybe you forgot,” I said, my voice cold and steady, “but I used to be called the craziest girl in school. I pushed that side down for too long. I tried to be what everyone wanted. The quiet daughter. The good future Luna. But today? I’m done pretending.”

The officiant stood there with nothing to say. He just held the book in his hands, looking lost. Killian stared at me, shocked. His cheek was already swelling a bit.

I turned to my father. “I refuse to marry him. And I refuse to let a lying coward become Alpha of this pack. I will prove I’m worthy. Not just because I’m your daughter, but because I’ve earned it through blood and sweat.”

My father looked at me for a long moment. The hall was so quiet I could hear my own heart beating. Then he spoke, his voice rough but strong. “This is serious, Muna. You know the rules. A female has never led SilverFang Pack. The elders—”

“I know the rules,” I cut in, but not rudely. “That’s why I want a fair contest. Let the best wolf win the right to lead. No more arranged marriages. No more fake bonds. Let everyone see who really deserves it.”

Gasps went through the crowd. An old elder in the back stood up. “This is madness! The traditions—”

“Traditions almost got us killed in the last vampire war,” I said, loud enough for everyone to hear. “I was the one who held the line. I trained with the soldiers. I made plans that saved lives. While some people sat back and waited for power to fall into their laps.”

I looked at Killian again. He was breathing hard, his fists clenched. But he didn’t say anything smart. He knew the video was real. Everyone did now.

My mind went back to two days ago. I had gone to his house to talk about last-minute wedding things. I wanted to make sure we could at least be partners, even if love wasn’t there. Instead, I heard the moans before I even opened the door. I saw everything. I didn’t cry, I didn’t scream. I just walked away quietly. But inside me, something broke that day. And then, something else woke up. 

Now, standing here in this stupid white dress, I felt stronger, and much more lighter.

Killian’s father, Beta Jude, looked disappointed. He had served my dad for over twenty years. I saw the shame in his eyes. He didn’t defend his son. That said enough.

One of the younger wolves in the crowd shouted, “She’s right! We need a real leader, not someone who cheats!”

Others joined in. Some agreed, Some argued. The hall started getting loud.

My father raised his hand, and everyone went quiet again. “Enough. We will talk about this. Muna, you have made your stand. The wedding is canceled. We will hold a meeting tomorrow with the elders. A contest for Alpha... it has never been done this way. But maybe it is time.”