HAPTER ONE: THE PERFECT BRIDE
By Jack Dense
Selena Hart had always imagined she would feel it-some deep, unshakable certainty-on the morning of her wedding. She had thought she would wake with joy fluttering in her stomach, the sweet quiet of destiny humming in her veins, the world suddenly brighter. But as she opened her eyes to the soft glow slipping through her bedroom curtains, she felt none of that. No excitement. No glow. Just an ache she couldn't explain.
The room was colder than it should be, even though the sun had barely risen. Her silk robe brushed against her skin as she sat up, but even that softness couldn't chase away the weird chill crawling beneath her ribs. Today should have been perfect. Today should have been the commencement of the life she had always been promised. Instead, she was unsettled, like some invisible thread tugged at her heart and pulled her toward something she couldn't understand.
She stood slowly, her feet brushing against the polished wooden floor. The mirror near her wardrobe reflected her pale face and thoughtful eyes—eyes she barely recognized. She looked beautiful, it was said, with her long dark hair and delicate features, a rare kind of softness in a world that was often sharp. Yet even her reflection seemed distant today.
"Selena?" her mother's voice drifted in before the door opened. "Sweetheart, how are you feeling?"Selena tried to smile. "Nervous, I guess." Her mother crossed the room with an excited swish of her lavender dress. "Every bride is nervous."But this wasn't nervousness. It was something deeper. Something older.Still, Selena nodded because that was what everyone expected.Her mother cupped her face. "Lucian adores you. You're going to be so happy."
Lucian. The name itself came with an ache she couldn't quite describe. He was kind, handsome, a man of status and strength. The whole Silverclaw Pack adored him. And she… she had tried to love him. Truly. He was everything a husband should be. He offered her safety, protection, a life of respect. Yet when he kissed her, something inside her felt quiet instead of alive. "Your father is already at the ceremony grounds," her mother continued. "The moon is full tonight, can you imagine? Your wedding beneath its light. It's a blessing."
A blessing. That's what everyone kept saying. But somehow, it felt like a warning.
Hours later, as she slipped into her wedding gown, the anxiety had clawed tighter around her chest. The dress was exquisite—white silk embroidered with silver vines that glittered with each movement. She looked like a bride out of some fantasy. Yet the moment the fabric settled onto her shoulders, her skin tingled, almost to the point of burning. Her heart was racing, breath catching as if her lungs suddenly struggled to keep up."Selena, breathe," her maid whispered.
She tried, she really did, but that pulling sensation returned—like a hand reaching for her through time, through memory, through something she couldn't name. Her fingers found and touched the crescent-shaped birthmark on her shoulder, the one she'd had since she was a child. Today, it felt warmer. Her mother noticed her touch. "Nerves. Nothing more." Yes. Nerves. Nothing more. Except she didn't believe that.
When the carriage came to collect her to take her to the Silverclaw Fortress, Selena forced herself to climb in. The wheels rolled over stone, and the forest passed by, the branches swaying as if to whisper secrets. The world outside felt alive in a way she didn't understand-almost aware of her. The closer they got to the fortress, the more visible it was that the guests had congregated outside. Lanterns were hanging from the trees, casting soft golden halos on the path. Flowers lined the walkway. Music played somewhere beyond the gates. Everything was beautiful. Magical. Perfect.
So why did she feel like she was walking toward something she was never meant to face? When she stepped out, the crowd gasped softly. Selena Hart, the beautiful bride. The chosen Luna-to-be. The woman who would unite the pack and bring honor to her family. Lucian stood at the altar, his silver eyes warming when they landed on her. He looked regal, powerful, his blond hair gleaming beneath the moonlight that had just begun to rise. He reached out a hand toward her.
She forced herself forward, each step echoing with a heaviness she couldn't explain. When her fingers touched his, his grip tightened comfortingly. "You look stunning," he whispered. Thank you," she managed. But even as she smiled, her heart twisted.
In an instant, a strong gust of wind blew across the courtyard. Selena shivered. Above the mountain ridge, the high moon cast its silvery glow on everything it touched. She felt its touch on her skin, felt its pull deep inside. A throb of heat spread from her birthmark and coursed down her arm.
Her vision blurred for a moment, and an image flashed through her mind-a pair of storm-gray eyes staring at her with breathtaking intensity. Eyes she didn't know. Eyes she somehow felt. She gasped softly. Lucian's brows knitted. "Are you alright?" "Yes," she lied. "Just overwhelmed." The ceremony continued. The priest's voice rose and fell in soft, rhythmic chants. The crowd watched, enraptured. Lucian held both her hands now. Selena stared into his steady gaze, willing herself to feel something certain, something strong. But her heartbeat felt wrong-out of rhythm, as if calling for something that wasn't here.
"Selena Hart," the priest said, "do you take Lucian Vale as your bonded mate and Alpha?" Her breath caught. Her chest tightened sharply. For a moment, she couldn't speak. Then—her world cracked open. Lucian's grip suddenly tightened painfully. He gasped, his body jerking forward. A low growl tore from his throat. Selena stumbled back, eyes widening as he fell to his knees. His bones began to twist beneath his skin, his spine arching unnaturally. "Lucian?" she whispered. His head snapped up—eyes no longer human, but glowing silver like molten light. Gasps echoed through the crowd. Someone screamed. The priest stumbled back, dropping his ceremonial moonstone. Lucian's jaw shifted, bones cracking as fur sprouted along his arms. His hands—no, claws—dug into the stone floor. His entire body convulsed violently. Selena froze, terror paralyzing her. This couldn't be happening. Not here. Not now. But the transformation intensified. Bones snapped loudly. His suit tore apart. His growls deepened until they became a monstrous roar. The guests scattered in panic. Chairs toppled. Music halted. The air filled with screams and chaos.
Lucian—her groom—was turning into a beast before her very eyes. Selena stumbled backward, heart pounding wild and desperate. Her breath came in sharp, broken gasps. The nightmare unfolded faster than she could process. Her fingers trembled. Her vision blurred. Something inside her screamed— Run. Her legs obeyed before her mind did. She turned and fled, the material of her gown tearing as she sprinted toward the forest entrance. Behind her, Lucian's wolf roared, a sound so raw, so tormented, it echoed through every bone in her body. Branches whipped against her arms as she pushed deeper into the woods. Her breath came in ragged bursts. Her bare feet stung against the forest floor. Every instinct told her to keep running. But then— She collided with something solid. Someone. Strong hands caught her arms before she fell. Selena gasped, lifting her eyes— And met the storm-grey eyes from her vision. A stranger stood before her, tall and fierce, moonlight carving sharp lines along his jaw. His touch was warm, grounding, as if it had always belonged on her skin. His eyes searched hers with an emotion she couldn't name—but felt deeply, painfully, in her soul. "Selena," he whispered her name like it was a memory. Her breath caught. How… how do you know my name?"His thumb brushed against her arm, a touch too familiar for a stranger. "Because I've known you long before this life." Her pulse thundered. Who are you?" she whispered.The wind stirred around them. His voice dropped to a low, aching rumble.My name is Kade."Something inside Brianof her broke open. And though she didn't know why… Her heart whispered back— I remember you.