Chapter 1 Chapter 1 She's back.

Avery's POV

I stood in my lingerie before the full-length mirror as the seamstress took the final measurements for my custom ivory wedding gown.

Three days from now, Liam and I would hold our marking ceremony.

"Don't move, Miss Emerson," the seamstress murmured softly while making the last adjustments to ensure the gown hugged my curves as if it were my very skin.

"Oh, you're absolutely the perfect Luna for Alpha Liam," she said excitedly once she was finished. "I bet everyone in the pack will think the same."

I studied my reflection carefully, the corners of my lips curving into a satisfied smile. The stylist had brushed my chestnut hair into an elegant cascade down my back, the tips brushing against the silver-threaded gown. A diamond tiara glittered under the light-everything was perfect.

I couldn't wait for Liam to see me like this. My future husband. My mate.

I snapped my fingers for the attendant to bring me my phone. Liam was supposed to arrive thirty minutes ago. Suddenly, my phone rang-it was Liam.

"Where are you?" I frowned. "Your suit, I need your final decision-"

Liam cut me off. "Avery, something urgent came up at the office. I can't make it to the boutique-just leave without me."

"What happened?" I asked anxiously, but the line went dead. He'd hung up. I dialed again, but it went straight to voicemail-his phone was off.

The unease inside me only grew. In five years together, he had never once cut me off mid-sentence. What could possibly be so urgent?

Liam was already the formidable Alpha of the Silver Pack. Our union would only cement his power. This marriage had been arranged since my birth. Yes, I had once gone missing, but the Goddess had brought me back. And shockingly, Liam and I weren't just an arranged match-we were fated mates.

I would never forget our first meeting. The instant our eyes met, we both felt it-our souls locking into place. The Moon Goddess had made us for each other. Everyone knew it. Both our packs eagerly awaited our wedding. Even Liam's mother had publicly voiced her support for me.

I couldn't imagine anything that would make Liam turn away from our wedding. Unless-

No. Impossible. My parents and everyone close to Liam would never forgive the foster daughter who had once hurt me. Even after I returned, they hadn't shown me much affection. But eventually, they had made their decision.

I called my mother. If she came, then maybe things weren't as bad as I feared. Maybe Liam's mother had simply fallen ill-her health had always been frail.

Forcing back my anxiety, I dialed. "Mom. you're late." I tried to keep my tone calm, not accusatory. Even after being back for four years, speaking to her still made me nervous.

Since my return, my mother had remained cold toward me. I was her biological daughter, while Riley was only adopted. Yes, they had lived together for twelve years, and their bond was deep, but she treated me like a target, always finding fault no matter what I did. Only after Riley left did our relationship ease somewhat-especially once my wedding with Liam was set.

But on the other end, silence stretched on. Just as I was about to speak again, her voice came, sharp and cold. "I'm not going to the boutique. I have something important to do."

"W-what?" My throat tightened, the weight of her rejection crushing me.

"I'm busy. Don't call again." Before I could protest, the call ended.

I bit my lip, dread knotting in my chest. Something was wrong. Deeply wrong. Lydia, my wolf, let out a low warning growl inside me. Danger.

Without another thought, I bolted out of the boutique. I had to find Liam. At this hour, he should still be in his office.

I jumped into my car, took the VIP elevator straight to the top floor. Even before the doors fully opened, I stormed out.

Liam's secretary shot to her feet. "Miss Avery, please, he's in a private-"

"Out of my way," I snapped.

I was a grown Alpha wolf, soon to be their Luna. They knew better than to anger me. She swallowed hard and froze where she stood.

I shoved Liam's office doors wide open.

And froze.

The sight before me turned my blood to ice-Liam's broad back bent over a slender figure, their lips locked in a heated kiss. The woman's manicured fingers tangled in his hair.

"Riley." Her name tore out of my throat as Lydia roared inside me.

I had considered many possibilities-that Liam was in trouble, that he was keeping something from me to spare me worry. But betrayal? I hadn't dared imagine this. No-I should have. Before I came back, they had been lovers. But once Liam discovered I was his fated mate, he had ended things with her.

It was Liam himself who, three years ago, had convinced my father to exile Riley for nearly killing me.

Now it felt like a bullet had ripped through my chest. My lungs seized. The ground beneath me vanished. The room spun.

"No! Let us rip their throats out!" Lydia howled, propelling me forward.

But Liam was faster than I'd ever seen him. His hands clamped down on my shoulders. His wolf whimpered-I knew his wolf wanted me too. "Avery, wait-" Liam's voice was frantic.

"What!" I snapped, my fury burning through me. "Liam! Tell me you're not betraying me!"

"Five years ago, she schemed and nearly got me killed by rogues. And now your tongue is in her mouth? Explain to me-what the hell happened to turn you into this bastard?!"

"Avery! Stop being so dramatic!" Liam roared back, a bastard through and through. "Riley's been suffering. She's broken. I was only trying to comfort her. She needs someone to lean on."

Riley pressed herself tighter against his back, whimpering. "Please, Liam. she's scaring me." Her voice trembled, but her cold, calculating eyes met mine with a calm, triumphant gleam.

Lydia snarled inside me. My claws shot out with a sharp click. My wolf instincts recognized this for what it was: a challenge. This bitch was playing both of us.

"Shut up, Riley! You're a snake-you won't fool me with your act!" I roared at her.

Liam's claws dug into my flesh. "Enough." His Alpha power crashed over the room like thunder, searing like fire against my skin. But I was no low-rank wolf to cower before him. I was his equal.

"Then choose." My voice was icy. "Right now. Her or me."

"No," Liam's eyes widened. "Avery, it's not what you think-"

"Keep it." My voice was eerily calm. I shoved him away, slid the diamond engagement ring off my finger, and let it fall onto his desk.

"The wedding is canceled."

Liam's gaze darkened, his Alpha instincts exploding. "You don't get to decide that alone."

A bitter laugh escaped me, sharp and cutting. "I just did."

Then I turned and walked out-head held high, heart shattering inside me, while my wolf howled in grief.