~ NOVA ~
It's been a week since Damien rejected me in front of everyone, and hell yeah, I've become the pack's favorite entertainment. At work, because of course I still have to show up and pretend everything's fine, the whispers follow me like a shadow. They don't even bother being subtle anymore.
"Poor thing. She really thought the Alpha would choose her."
"I mean, what did she expect? A wolfless nobody?"
"At least she knows her place now."
And the laughter. Oh, the laughter. Open, mocking, cruel. It echoes in the hallways, erupts in the dining hall whenever I walk past. Every single time, I feel like the ground should just open up and swallow me whole. For the sake of the Moon Goddess, I can't even breathe without someone turning it into a joke.
I still can't face Damien. Not that he's made it easy to avoid him, he's tried to reach out twice since his spectacular public humiliation of me. Twice. Like two half-assed attempts at an apology are supposed to fix eight years of friendship and a shattered heart.
Fuck him sideways.
Meanwhile, Candace got her fairy tale ending. Her mate turned out to be Beta Kane, exactly like she'd hoped. They're happy together, all soft touches and inside jokes and that beautiful glow that comes with finding your other half.
Me? I got the reversal. The cautionary tale. The "what not to do" in the pack's relationship handbook.
And today? Today is Damien and that girl's wedding.
I don't give two flying fucks about her name. Seraphina, Serenity, Sabrina, whatever. She's just "the girl who stole my life" in my head, and that's how she's staying.
They didn't have the wedding immediately after the rejection because they wanted to do it "properly." Translation: they wanted to invite several Alphas from different packs since it's a union between two territories. A political power move.
I should skip it. I want to skip it. Every fiber of my being is screaming at me to stay home, hide under my covers, and pretend this day doesn't exist.
But I can't. Because as much as I hate it, I owe the Cross family everything.
Backstory time, since my life is apparently a tragic novel: My parents died when I was seven. They were part of Alpha Marcus's personal guard, and they died protecting him and his family during a rogue attack on pack lands. I still remember that night, the ruin, the screaming, my mother's last words telling me to run and hide.
They were heroes. And because of their sacrifice, Alpha Marcus took me in. Raised me alongside Damien like I was his own daughter. Gave me a home, an education, a place in the pack when I could've been shipped off to some distant relative or worse.
So yeah, I owe them. Which is why, despite every instinct telling me to run far, far away, I'm getting dressed for this godforsaken wedding.
"You don't have to go," Candace says from my doorway. She's already dressed in a pale pink dress that makes her look like springtime personified.
"Nobody would blame you."
"Everybody would blame me," I correct, pulling my hair into a simple braid.
"They'd say I was bitter. Jealous. That I couldn't handle seeing Damien happy."
"You are bitter and jealous."
"Yeah, but they don't don't have to see right through me..." I turn to face her, smoothing down my navy blue dress, simple, understated, designed to help me blend into the background.
"Besides, I owe Alpha Marcus. He took me in when my parents died. The least I can do is show up and pretend to be happy for his son."
Candace's expression softens. "Nova..."
"Don't." I hold up a hand. "If you're nice to me right now, I'm going to cry, and I've already done my makeup twice."
She sighs but doesn't push. "Okay. But I'm sitting next to you, and if anyone says anything, I'm going to accidentally spill wine on them."
Despite everything, I smile. "You're a good friend."
"The best," she agrees, linking her arm through mine. "Now let's go watch your ex-best-friend make the biggest mistake of his life."
I appreciate the loyalty, even if we both know it's a lie. Damien isn't making a mistake. He's following his destiny. And I'm just... collateral damage.
The wedding is being held in the grand clearing, the same place where I was publicly rejected a week ago. Because apparently, the universe has a sick sense of humor.
The space has been transformed. White flowers everywhere, silk drapes hanging from the trees, chairs arranged in perfect rows facing an elaborate altar. It's beautiful. Magical, even.
I hate every inch of it.
"Nova! Candace!" someone calls, and we turn to see a group of pack members waving us over. I recognize them from work, Sarah, Michelle, and Todd. They're friendly enough, usually.
"Hey," I say carefully as we approach.
"Can you believe this turnout?" Sarah gushing, gesturing at the growing crowd. "There must be over three hundred people here. I heard the Nightshade Pack Alpha came, and the Crimson Moon Pack, and even some foreign dignitaries."
"It's quite the event," I manage.
Michelle leans in conspiratorially. "I heard Seraphina's dress cost more than my car. Imported from some exclusive designer in Europe."
"Of course it did," I mutter.
Todd either doesn't hear me or chooses to ignore it. "You're being really mature about this, Nova. I mean, after what happened..." He trails off, wincing.
"After I got publicly rejected and humiliated?" I supply helpfully. "Yeah, I'm a real trooper."
Awkward silence.
"We should find our seats," Candace says brightly, tugging on my arm. "Come on, Nova."
As we walk away, I hear Michelle whisper, "By the goddess, that was awkward. Do you think she's okay?"
"Would you be okay?" Sarah whispers back.
"Poor thing. She must feel so pathetic."
I keep walking, chin up, refusing to let them see how their words land like arrows in my chest.
Pathetic. Yeah. That's exactly how I feel.
We find seats toward the middle, close enough that leaving early would be noticed, far enough that I don't have to watch every excruciating detail. The chairs fill up quickly, pack members filing in with excited chatter. I spot several Alphas I don't recognize, their power radiating even from a distance.
"That's Alpha Ashwood," Candace murmurs, nodding toward a tall, imposing man with silver-streaked hair. "Seraphina's father. He looks terrifying."
"Probably planning how to take over our territory through this alliance," I say darkly.
"Nova..."
"What? I'm allowed to be cynical."
The music starts before Candace can respond, a soft, melodic tune that signals the ceremony is about to begin. Everyone stands, turning toward the makeshift aisle.
I spot Damien. He's standing at the altar in a black suit, looking every inch the Alpha he was born to be. His dark hair is perfectly styled, his posture confident and strong. He's smiling, that same radiant smile from the night he met Seraphina.
He looks happy. The realization hits me like a physical blow. He's actually, genuinely happy. This isn't duty or obligation. He wants this.
I think I'm going to be sick.
The music swells, and Seraphina appears at the end of the aisle. She's a vision in white, her dress is indeed spectacular, all lace and crystals and flowing fabric that catches the light. Her auburn hair is swept up in an elegant style, and even from here, I can see her green eyes glowing with wolf and joy.
She's perfect. She's everything I'll never be.
I watch as she walks down the aisle, her father at her side. Watch as Damien's face lights up even more when he sees her. Watch as they meet at the altar and he takes her hands like she's so fucking precious, and I never fucking meant anything to him.
"I can't do this," I whisper.
"Yes, you can," Candace whispers back, gripping my hand. "You're the strongest person I know, Nova. You can do this."
But I'm not strong. I'm breaking apart, piece by piece, and everyone here gets to watch.
The officiant begins speaking, but I don't hear the words. I'm too focused on not crying, on keeping my expression neutral, on surviving the next hour without completely falling apart.
"If anyone objects to this union," the officiant says, and my heart stops for a second.
Say something, a desperate part of me screams. Stand up. Tell him he promised you. Remind him of everything you've been through together.
But I don't. Because what would be the point? You can't fight a fated mate bond. You can't compete with destiny.
I sit silently watching the boy I've loved for eight years pledge his life to someone else.
"I now pronounce you mates, bonded before the Moon Goddess and this pack," the officiant declares. "You may kiss your mate."
Damien pulls Seraphina close and kisses her, and the crowd erupts in cheers and applause.
I clap mechanically, my hands moving on autopilot, while inside I'm screaming.
"It's almost over," Candace murmurs. "You're doing great."
But it's not almost over. Now comes the reception. The dancing. The speeches. Hours more of watching Damien and Seraphina be blissfully happy while I sit here and wonder if I'll ever be worthy of love.
The ceremony ends, and people start moving toward the reception area, a massive tent set up with tables, a dance floor, and enough food to feed an army. I follow the crowd numbly, Candace stuck to my side like glue.
"Nova."
I freeze. I know that voice.
I turn slowly, and there's Damien, still hand-in-hand with his new wife, looking at me with something that might be concern.
"I'm glad you came," he says. "It means a lot. To both of us."
Seraphina smiles at me, a genuine, warm smile that makes me hate her even more because I can't even pretend she's a terrible person.
"Nova, right? Damien's told me so much about you. I hope we can be friends."
Friends. I want to laugh. I want to scream. Instead, I smile, a plastic, perfect smile that probably doesn't reach my eyes.
"Congratulations," I say, my voice surprisingly steady. "I hope you'll be very happy together."
"Thank you," Damien says, and there's relief in his eyes. Like he was worried I'd make a scene.
"That really means..."
"If you'll excuse me," I interrupt, "I need some air."
I don't wait for a response. I turn and walk away, ignoring Damien calling my name, ignoring the curious stares, ignoring everything except the need to get away from this nightmare.
I make it to the edge of the tent before the first tear falls.
Pathetic, I think again. They're right. I'm absolutely pathetic.
I'm so focused on not breaking down completely that I don't see the person in front of me until I crash directly into them.
"Shit... sorry, I didn't..."
Strong hands steady me, and I look up, ready to apologize again, but the words die in my throat.
The man in front of me is... I don't even have words. Tall, easily 6'4", with broad shoulders and a powerful build that screams predator.
Dark hair, sharp jawline, and eyes that are the most intense shade of silver I've ever seen. He's wearing an expensive-looking black suit, and he radiates power in a way that makes Alpha Marcus look like a puppy.
And he's staring at me like I just became the center of his universe.
He leans in, and I freeze as he smells me, actually breathes in my scent like it's the most natural thing in the world. His eyes flash, silver turning almost white, and his grip on my arms tightens.
"Mate." he says, voice so deep, rough, and absolutely commanding.