Chapter 1 One

KARINA

He's not really looking at her? Is he?

I've been asking myself the same question for over five minutes. And the answer remains YES. He's indeed looking at her.

The smiles on my face were beginning to fade so fast and my hands were getting sweaty. My mate, Alpha Chase, was up here on the podium addressing the crowd in this hall-filled, beautiful ceremony.

It's the annual Alpha ceremony, held on one of the crescent moon nights here in our Pack. Every single person who makes up our Pack is right here tonight. And of course, our well-wishers and allies. They're all literally looking at us, because well, we're standing on a podium.

That's why I find it very reckless and mean that he's boldly staring at her while reading out his speech. The tiny smiles stained on his face weren't so subtle either.

I'm standing right next to him and he's not in the least way acknowledging my presence. He couldn't even bother holding hands with me. I had to link my hand to his, just to avoid looking really stupid and unloved. But deep down, that's exactly how I feel.

Unloved. Stupid. Scared. Hurt. Miserable. More tonight than ever.

On our way here tonight, I wasn't hoping that something so magical would happen here that would suddenly make him start loving me better. Or make him treat me a little nicer like I deserve. But at the very least, I'd hoped it'd be a normal night where I get a break, drink, and have fun with other prestigious women here. A night where I can briefly forget that I lived with a man who doesn't love me in the slightest.

But I got the shock of my life when we walked in and halfway through greeting the guests, Chase's eyes stayed in a certain direction. On a woman. Dressed so sluttishly elegant in a red, silk, backless, and thigh-slitted dress. With a woolen shawl over it and her blonde hair in a messy bun. When I got to see her face, my whole world exploded in front of me.

Ashley Renn. Chase's first love. The only woman who ever brought out his soft side. People say they were the iconic teenage couple. Chase would shut down the malls just for her. He'd flaunt her at events and literally everywhere. He was very smitten by her and showed it in everything he did. He loved her loudly and extravagantly. And they had the whole Pack swooning over them. Everyone loved them.

But then she dumped him for whatever reason and left. It was around that time that I returned to the Pack after graduating from college in a different Pack.

Chase was single when I met him. He was a cold, laconic but sweet man. Sweet, when he wants to be. But for some reason, I was head over heels for him just like every other girl was.

I heard of his ex and did my research. Seeing what a gorgeous girl she was, I was convinced I could never win Chase's heart because I didn't look anything like her.

I was shocked out of my mind when Chase proposed to me, asking me to be his chosen mate. That day, in that quiet leisure park, remains the happiest day of my life.

But the days, months, and years that followed were sad and heartbreaking. The man I loved had a heart made out of stone. And I was suffering from the pain of an unrequited love.

Even though I was suffering, I never showed it. I maintained a spotless image as the perfect Luna in a perfect union with her mate. But tonight, I fear I might break down into tears in front of everyone if we stand here much longer.

“Thank you to everyone who honored this invitation. Have a good night!” Chase finally ended his speech, took one last dragged glance at the audience before we began, and stepped down from the podium.

We were swarmed by a couple of well-wishers who wanted to greet us but I couldn't be here much longer. I needed to go fix myself.

“I need to use the restroom,” I whispered to him. He was so engrossed in shaking them and exchanging pleasantries that he couldn't bother replying to me.

I hurried off to the restroom, made sure all stalls were empty before locking the door, and broke down in tears.

Ashley Renn. I can't even hate her. That's what hurts the most. I don't hate her. I wanna be her. I wanna be as radiant as she is. I wanna be able to make Chase melt as effortlessly as she does. And the fact that I'd never have that power makes me feel more miserable.

“Why is it locked?” Female voices whispered from outside as they pulled the doorknob.

I quickly dried up my tears and fixed up my face with a smile before opening the door. They were shocked at the sight of me and they quickly bowed.

“Greetings, Luna.”

“Sure. Please go ahead. I'm really sorry.” I mumbled, hurrying back to the party.

The hall had gotten rowdier and merrier than it was earlier. Everyone was having fun drinking and chatting. There wasn't any sign of Chase and there wasn't any sign of Ashley either.

I hated the thoughts my rotten mind was trying to cook up. I shut those thoughts down quickly and went to sit at our table.

A waitress made her way past me and I grabbed a glass of champagne from her tray. I drank it gently, even though all I wanted was to gulp it down. Ask for more until I get drunk.

“Ugh, she's so pitiful.” The voices whispering behind me got my attention. I glanced at them subtly. They were women from the neighbouring Pack. Wives of a Beta, a Gamma, and a head general.

I was used to people gossiping about me. And this was just one of those occasions. I was determined to ignore them. Not until they said something that crushed my heart to bits.

“I can't believe she stayed with the man all these years just to be tossed aside at the return of his first mate.”

“Right? Some men are such scums. Why would he wanna embarrass her like that?”

“Well, rumors have it that he never loved her and he never will. And she knows that. She chose to keep shoving herself down his throat. The poor man.”

I drank the last of my drink, with tears dropping down my face. How could they be so cruel?

No, scratch that. How could CHASE be so cruel?