Chapter 1

Amelia's POV

Today was my wedding day.

I almost couldn't believe it was really happening. I felt as though I were the spectator watching the weak, hated omega runt get married to the love of her life.

It was a dream come true and I knew everything was only going to become better for me. I would be married to the life of my life and be crowned Luna and—

The beeping sound of my phone jolted me out of my thoughts. Who was trying to blow up my phone with so many texts?

I grunted as I brought out the phone but in that split second, a sound drifted out of the phone's speaker.

It was so loud that I started getting weird glances from the wedding guests because it was the unmistakable sound of flesh slapping against flesh, accompanied by moaning and groaning.

Who had the guts to send me a pornographic video on my wedding day? My face flushed with embarrassment as I tried without success to switch my phone off.

It was as though it'd been hacked because the video wouldn't stop playing.

"Do you like how you feel, baby?" A husky voice drifted out and I froze.

It was the unmistakable voice of the life of my life and the man I was about to get married to in just a few minutes.

Zach, the Alpha of the Silver Moon pack!

The noise level in the wedding hall rose but louder than that, was the thumping of my heart in my head. I felt like my head would burst any minute.

No! That couldn't be Zach's voice. Someone was trying to mess with me!

My breath shuddered down my lungs as I brought the phone to my face. And there he was in the video, Zach, in his naked glory, pounding his shaft into a brunette who was on all fours.

For a split second, I felt like someone had just dumped cold water over my head— just before ripping my heart out.

No! This couldn't be happening! I screamed but no words were forming in my mouth. All eyes in the hall were on me, full of spite and mockery.

"Could it be that the Alpha had abandoned her?" A voice sneered and the noise level in the hall increased.

"I knew he would never marry a weak and filthy omega like her."

I gritted my teeth as I listened to their negative remarks. I was about to retort when my phone beeped again.

It was a text message: "I can't make it to the wedding. Something urgent came up. — Zach."

My legs faltered and I slid to the floor, trembling uncontrollably. What in the moon goddess' name was happening?

Was this a nightmare? This couldn't be real! Jack wouldn't intentionally try to humiliate me this way. He would never hurt me.

With trembling hands, I dialed him. The line kept on redirecting me to voicemail, increasing the dread that had crept up my spine.

The possible reality of my situation clawed at my heart but I refused to believe it. I trusted Zach and I was sure there was a mistake somewhere.

There wasn't any reason to call off the wedding. Even when he found out about our mate bond, he accepted me with love despite being an alpha, so why would he want to call off the wedding now?

Myriad thoughts crossed my mind as I ran out of the hall. Still, I couldn't wrap my head around what was happening.

Could Zach be in danger? He could be held hostage by some rogue wolves and the message was his call for help.

Then it crossed my mind. The location tracker! I installed a location tracker on his phone last month. I quickly logged into the app and checked for his location.

MOONLIGHT HOTEL. It read and I felt a light squeeze at my heart.

No! I was overthinking it. I assured myself as I crossed the road to get a taxi. I was so absorbed in my thoughts that I didn't realize that a car, driving at an insanely high speed was heading towards me.

Too late! The car's blinding headlight blotted my vision and I couldn't run so I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting to be crushed to the tarred road.

But in that split second, I felt strong arms wrapped around my waist and whisk me off the floor. The next minute, I was sitting on the pavement by the side of the road.

I glanced up to see my savior towering over me. Even in my perplexed state, I had to admit he was breathtakingly handsome.

However, I had much more trouble than bothering myself with a man who looked too hot to be real. I threw a quick glance at the road and realized there weren't taxis incoming.

"Do you have a car?" I asked the man and he seemed taken aback for a minute.

He scoffed incredulously as he narrowed his eyes on me. "Is that how you thank someone who just saved your sorry life?"

I ignored his words and glanced at his hand. Oh! Thanks for the moon goddess. He was holding a car key.

"Thanks for the help!" I muttered quickly as I snatched the keys from his grasp even before he realized what was happening.

I clicked the key and the headlights of a car on the opposite side of the road blinked and I quickly got into it and turned on the ignition.

I drove like a mad woman, barely stopping at red lights. Every second I spent on the road felt like spending a year inside a fiery furnace.

I soon got to the hotel, barely turning the ignition off as I hurried out of the car and up the elevator in a frenzy.

The red dot on my screen stopped blinking as I got out of the elevator on the third floor. My feet felt heavy as I dragged them towards the room in front of me.

With my heart palpitating in my chest, I turned to the doorknob but at that same moment, a peal of boisterous laughter drifted out of the room and my hands froze.

It was undoubtedly Zach's voice.

"Babe, you are cruel. How could you give the poor omega high hopes of marrying an alpha?" A female voice dripping with mockery drifted out next.

The voice sounded familiar in a strange way but it was too low to place a finger on who the speaker could be.

"Like I care!" I heard Zach scoff and the knot in my chest tightened.

"You could have just rejected her from the get-go. Now, you've just destroyed her entire life." The voice said, followed by a sneering laughter.

"If I had, how else would the company have gotten such a business idea? She was the perfect dumb girl to use to get the fashion designs."

All the blood drained from my face and my bones went numb. I clutched my chest as if it was going to stop the pain I was feeling.

The perfect dumb girl? Fashion designs? No, I was imagining all these. It can't be real. I had to see for myself.

I pushed the door open now, feeling my blood roaring in my ears. The moment I laid my eyes on Zach, my whole world came crumbling down.

He was sitting on the bed, straddled by the same brunette I had seen in the video like he had no care in the world— like his damn wedding day wasn't today!

I was about to speak when the brunette turned.

"What the hell!" She yelled.

My gaze trained on her face and my breath caught in my throat

"Ria?"

Chapter 2

Amelia's POV

Tears burned my eyes as my gaze flickered between their faces. My lips trembled as I struggled to form words.

"How— how could you do this to me, Zach." My voice came out as a whimper. "Why?"

Turns out my ex-best friend was the "something urgent" he had to attend to while I was here, being all so trusty and even thinking he was in danger.

"What are you doing here?" Ria asked casually as she got up to wear her clothes.

For a minute, I didn't know if I should cry or laugh. Rage burned true me like a fiery furnace.

"How dare you?" I hollered furiously, struggling to push back the years that were threatening to fall.

I would never give them the satisfaction of hurting me.

Zach quickly leaped off the bed, slipped into a pair of trousers, and approached me. "Let's just settle this amicably, okay? I can explain."

I couldn't believe my ears. Settle it amicably? He just cheated on me on our wedding day and he wanted us to settle this?

And if I was connecting the dots well, he also had something to do with the reason I and Ria had separated. Anger and pain seared through my heart as I recalled those painful memories.

Ria and I had been best friends in college and luckily after graduation, we got employed by the same fashion company.

Eventually, she stole my clothing designs and presented them as hers then later framed me for stealing them from her and when I tried to take action, she blackmailed me with my secret.

I shut out the hurtful memories as an incredulous scoff escaped my lips.

"You want to explain, Jack? Explain that you ditched me on our wedding day so you could sleep with Ria?" My voice crescendoed. "What other explanation do you have?"

"Shut your trap!" Ria yelled. "Do you actually think you deserve Zach? Do you want to be Luna when you couldn't even satisfy his sexual desires? Don't you think you're selfish?"

Anger coursed through my veins and blinded me. How could anyone be as brazen as this? Sanity deserted me completely as I lunged at her.

"I'm selfish? Who are you to call me that?" I bellowed. "You destroyed my career and now, you slept with my mate but I'm the selfish one?"

My hands shot out impulsively towards her face and she shrieked in horror as her face turned red instantly.

"Amelia, how dare you lay your filthy hands on her?" Zach growled as he closed the distance between us.

"A filthy silver wolf like you had the guts to slap the Alpha's woman?"

My heart leaped out of my throat and my face blanched immediately. Ria had finally exposed my secrets. The same secret I had sacrificed my career for.

But for some strange reasons, it out me at ease. I knew it could get me sentenced to death but I was just past caring.

"Yes, I slapped her!"

He suddenly grabbed my neck. "How dare you deceive me and still be so brazen? For that, I will make you suffer so much that you'll beg for death!"

Before I could react, four burly guards came in, carrying heavy metallic chains.

"Bind the criminal!" He ordered them.

The men tackled me to the floor before binding my hands and feet with heavy chains then chained me to a chair.

The sharp edges of the chain tore at my skin and the spasm of pain shot to my head but I held it all in.

I refused to give them the pleasure of seeing me in pain. There was no use begging them.

"Do your worst! But, I'll make sure you regret this!" I spat.

Both of them laughed mockingly and the next minute, Ria was kneeling before Zach and unzipping his trousers.

I squeezed my eyes shut as I realized what she was trying to do. The moment she had him in her mouth, I knew because my wolf groaned within me.

"Open your eyes, bitch!" Zach hollered. "Watch how I mark her!"

I didn't open my eyes. The pain would be too much and I wouldn't be able to hold in the pain.

He must have sunk his canines into Ria's neck because the next moment, a sharp pain spasmed from my chest through my body.

Almost immediately, I felt a tug at my heart as the matebond snapped apart and my wolf let out a loud howl in my head.

The howl escaped my lips, followed by the sound of metal hitting the ground. I didn't know how it happened but the chains had broken.

I didn't need any more warning as I bolted out of the room and out of the hotel, literally jumping into the car and driving off at an insanely high speed.

I didn't know how far I'd gone but I just kept driving. Anything to get away from the haunting environment.

Dusk had fallen now and I had no idea where I was. I sighted a bar just down the road and relief washed through me.

A few minutes later, I was sitting down at the counter, downing a glass of whiskey. It dampened my nerves and I finally felt my muscles relaxing again.

I gestured to the barman to bring me another glass and from the corner of my eyes, I saw someone settling into the seat beside me.

"You look like you could use my company."

I heard their voices so close to my ears and the anger I felt towards Ria and Zach came flooding my mind. I might as well vent my anger on whoever it was who wouldn't mind their business.

I turned now. "Who the hell do you---?"

My words caught in my throat as my gaze zeroed in on the man's face. His ice-blue eyes pierced into mine relentlessly, sending a slight chill down my spine.

My gaze stole over his perfectly sculpted face, taking in his straight nose, high cheekbones, and made-to-kiss lips.

For a minute, I forgot the hurt and pain in my heart. Were men still allowed to be as perfect as this?

He was wearing a white shirt and it molded over him like second skin, marking out every muscle and giving him that perfect image of a Greek god.

I quickly caught myself and barely managed to suppress the urge to shudder as a knot tightened in my stomach.

"I don't need your company, so fuck off!" I yelled angrily then turned back to grab my drink.

Suddenly, I felt his hand on my wrist as he held it in place, took the drink from me, and placed it in front of him.

Seriously? Oh moon goddess help me! This fucking nose poker had to be kidding me!

"Who the hell are---?"

"I think you want to use my company." He cut me off bluntly, his voice brooking no further argument.

Wait a minute! His face looked so familiar but the alcohol had jumbled up my brain I couldn't even remember where I had seen him. Was he a stalker or something?

"What the hell do you want from me?"

"Good question!" He said, smiling stiffly. "Because I would also like to know why you ran off with my car!"

Realization hit me hard in the face now. Good going! I berated myself.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know it was---"

"You could keep your sorry to yourself!" He cut me off bluntly. "Just give me my key and I'll be off."

A frown immediately formed on my face. So, what if he helped me and I failed to recognize him, did he have to be so rude about it?

I scoffed silently as I dug into my pocket for his car keys but to my horror, I couldn't find them. Now, This was more embarrassing.

With a tight smile, I faced him. " I'm sorry but I can't seem to find your keys."

The silence that followed my words was almost deafening as something cold flashed in his eyes before his lips twitched into a sinister smile.

"I don't know how you'll do it, but I need my car key in thirty minutes." He slipped a card onto the counter.

"I'll be waiting in this room." He finished, his voice brooking no further argument as he left.

My fuzzy brain cleared immediately. The man looked like someone who shouldn't be trifled with.

I quickly went back to the car and the key was on the dashboard. I went back to the bar and traced the room number on the card.

Room 215. As soon as I saw it, I barged in without a second thought.

"I found your car keys. I'm so---"

And then everything changed the moment my gaze trained on the nearly nude man who had his tattooed back to me.

He turned now, anger evident in his face. But it wasn't his anger that made my blood quicken in my veins— it was the way he was gazing at me like a beast about to devour his prey.

I quickly made to run but he was suddenly standing in front of me and staring down at me, his gaze lingering on my lips.

"Not so fast, honey."

Chapter 3

Amelia's POV

"What—what are you doing?" I stuttered.

A mischievous grin crawled up his face. "You should have expected the worst when you chose to barge in instead of knocking."

Was I going crazy or was it the alcohol because ordinarily, I should be scared? But why did his breath sear my skin and fan flames through my body?

Get a grip, Amy! I chided myself as I shook my head to regain my composure.

"I don't know what you are trying to do, but this," I shoved the keys at his face. "This is your car key!"

"And I want to be out of here immediately!" I added with an edge to my voice.

"Liar." He snorted as he lowered his head towards me and I quickly squeezed my eyes shut in panic.

"I can smell your arousal." His arms slid to my waist— wrapped around it firmly as he pinned me against the door.

"What-- what are you doing?" I managed to ask in a voice that sounded nothing like mine.

"What do you think I'm doing?" He breathed against my ear, sending a wave of desire spiraling down my spine.

Without warning, his head descended towards my lips and he claimed my lips in a hungry kiss.

Every coherent thought tumbled out of my mind and I couldn't tell whether it was still the alcohol working or if it was just my lust taking over.

Either way, I just wanted to remain hopelessly lost like right now. He deepened the kiss and a tsunami of need flooded me—warm and wet.

My limbs weakened and he seemed to get my message as he whisked me off the ground and lowered me into the bed.

My brain flickered on and off and my subconscious mind screamed in between desire and warning. No! This was wrong. He was a stranger and I shouldn't be doing it.

Maybe you could call me a deaf person again because the next minute, I was sliding off my blouse, feeling the warmth of his body against mine as he climbed atop me.

I was completely nude now as his hands explored my body like I was some delicate piece. His fingers circled around my twin peaks and I felt them tightening as I arched my back, pushing my wetness against his erection.

Finally, he slowly pushed his erection into my moistness and his face went wide in horror the moment he met the restriction.

He shot me a questioning glance and I bit my lips hard.

"Please, just do it."

It was as though that was all he needed for his beastly side to turn loose. A low growl tore out of his throat as he thrust into me again.

I felt a spasm of pain at my core as my muscles snarled to adjust to his size. In no time, both of us were dancing in the same rhythm and I felt like I was about to lose my mind.

The feeling was so foreign. It was nothing like what anyone had ever made me feel. Not even Zach.

And the last thing I saw before pleasure racked my body and sent me out of my mind was the man's face twisting and contorting with pleasure.

****

An alarm went off in my head and my eyes peeled open. The room was so bright that I didn't see anything for a while until my eyes adjusted to the brightness.

I wasn't in my room. I leaped off the bed immediately, glancing sharply around the luxurious space. The wall was painted a soft lavender with a vanity mirror that was no doubt gold close to the bed.

Where was I? I screamed inwardly as I walked to the mirror and stared at my reflection. Why was I in this ridiculous dress and why--;

Shit! I bit down on my lips as the memories of the last night came flooding in. Wait a minute, this wasn't the hotel we'd spent the night.

Could the man have kidnapped me? Panic flooded my mind as I picked up my phone from the dressing table and scowled at the screen.

11 am. Just how long have I been sleeping? I had to leave immediately before Zach or Ria found me. I quickly went out of the room and walked stealthily down the stairs.

"Sneaking out like a criminal?" I heard a frosty voice behind me and I froze.

I slowly turned to see the man from yesterday, sitting at the dining table, seemingly engrossed in a magazine he held.

"Why did you bring me here?" I shot out angrily.

"Good morning to you too and you're welcome." He said without glancing up.

I glared at him as I closed the distance between us. "Why did you bring me to your house and why am I in this ridiculous dress?" I demanded angrily.

He finally looked at me now and if I had by chance forgotten how handsome he was, I was once again reminded.

"If this is the thank you I deserve for bringing you home after you puked on my dress and yours, then you can take off the clothes and leave naked."

A faint heat stole over my face instantly. Did I really ruin his clothes and mine? I was lost for what to say.

"I'm sorry for ruining your dress," I said quietly then started towards the door.

"Actually, I think you will have to move in with me."

My movement halted and I turned to face him in shock, furrowing my brows.

"What— what are you even saying?"

A disturbed look crossed his features but soon disappeared. "Well, things got a bit complicated and I didn't intend to---"

The sound of my phone ringing cut him off. Without the caller ID, I answered the call and I soon regretted it as a voice sounded from the other end.

Zach!

I brought the phone away from my ear quickly, a scowl forming on my face. His voice drifted out of the phone's speaker again.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, huh?"

I furrowed my brows. "What are you talking about?"

He snorted angrily. "How dare you feign ignorance? What's with the article that's been trending online? Do you think you can escape by doing that? Come back here in five minutes!"

"What the hell are you talking----"

The sound of the dial tone cut me off and my frown deepened. Who did he think he was to tell me what to do and what was the gibberish about an article?

I quickly looked up the trending news of the morning and what I saw next had a gasp tearing out of my throat.

It was a picture of me and the man I just had a one-night stand with and it had a caption that read:

"Alpha Xavier of Phoenix Blood pack caught with his secret girlfriend. Who is she?"

Chapter 4

Amelia's POV

My brain buzzed as I stared at the text until my eyeballs hurt. Apparently, my one-night stand was the Alpha of the wealthiest pack in Canada.

How could I not know him when he was a thorn in Zach's flesh since his company took first place in the country's economy, directly making him Zach's rival?

And what's worse? He was notorious for being a ruthless playboy who toyed with women's hearts and discarded them like trash.

A pang of regret shot through me and I felt disgusted at the thought that I had joined the group of women he slept with and trashed.

I felt so ashamed that I continued staring at my phone until my gaze landed on another video titled; "Interview with Alpha Xavier."

I quickly clicked on it and the video started playing.

"We were going to keep our relationship secret before," he was saying, an annoying smile plastered on his face.

"But since it's now out," he continued. "Then, I might as well clear the air. "The lady in the picture is Amelia Donovan, the love of my life and my chosen mate."

I sneered inwardly. The love of his crazy life? How did he even know my name? I didn't bother watching the video to the end, as I turned to glare at him.

"What the hell---"

"Before you begin," he shot in. "You must know that I only helped you!"

I couldn't believe my ears. "Helped me?" I scoffed. "Are you joking? You just put me in danger. Now, Zach would---"I trailed off.

"Do you think you had any right to release such---"

Before I could complete my statement, he snagged at my wrist and pulled me flush against him.

"I will never put you in danger." He said hoarsely. "I'll always ensure your safety."

For a split second, I was ruffled and distracted by the serious look on his face that I almost believed he meant.

How would he ensure the safety of a lowly omega like me? When he's out with different women he would eventually trash out?

No, he wouldn't care about me. He was a jerk! I reminded myself and wriggled out of his arms.

"I don't care about that now because you are going to release another interview and tell them the truth!"

"I wish I could." He said and I could have sworn I detected a smirk on his face.

My breath came out in one explosive puff. "You wish you could? The hell you would!"

He moved closer to me, occupying my personal space and I once again forgot how to breathe as I subconsciously took a step backward.

"The whole thing is complicated. I found out about the article this morning and you might not know but if I hadn't held the interview things would have gotten worse."

"And who said it hasn't already gotten worse!?" I bellowed, gradually feeling my control snapping out.

"I'm sorry but I can't let anything ruin my company's status. I can't avoid upsetting my father plus, I was trying to kill two stones since I happen to need a girlfriend too."

I couldn't actually believe I was listening to all this gibberish but before I could curse at him, he was speaking again.

"Actually, I need a pretend girlfriend for a month to make my father grant me exclusive ownership of our conglomerate. I was going to hire one but since the article came out, I figured I could just hire you."

"Selfish jerk!" The words escaped my throat, taking even me by surprise.

But I was past caring as I continued. "Who the hell do you think you are to push people around the way you like?"

My voice glittered with ice. "I don't care what is going on in that dumb head of yours, but I'm not one of the girls you can buy!"

I said as I turned the doorknob, but his next words had my steps coming to a halt.

"I'll give you enough money to start up your own fashion company. I know you want your career back!"

I would be damned to say I didn't consider it for a minute. Having a fashion company of my own had been my lifelong dream, plus, he was Zach's rival and if I wanted revenge on him and Ria, he was the best shot I had at it.

However, I've got my pride to consider.

Without uttering another word, I jerked the door open and went out. As I walked out of the huge gates of the mansion, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I might have just lost the biggest opportunity in my life.

Suddenly, I heard the screeching sound of a car and before I knew what was happening, someone pulled my wrist and slammed my back against the walls of the mansion.

I glanced up to see Zach's face. His eyes didn't hide the malicious intent in them.

"You're more shameless than I thought," he started, "you couldn't even wait to get healed from the breaking of the mate bond before hopping on to another alpha?"

"That is none of your business!" I shot back frostily as I tried to wriggle from his hold.

"Are you serious right now? The whole of Canada is talking about you and in no time, the press would find out that you were once my mate and--"

He broke off, forking his fingers through his hair. "Do you know how much damage this would cause to my company? Let's just go and clear the confusion."

I knew all I had left towards Zach was rage but I felt a hard squeeze in my chest at his words. All he would ever care about was his company-- his image.

He would never see the pain I was going through. Anger flared in my muscles again. Why did he think he could still push me around after hurting me?

I jerked his hands off. "I can make decisions on my own! And if there's any problem with your company's image, that's entirely your cross to bear!"

Shock flashed through his eyes as his hands shot out again to grip mine but I quickly sidestepped him.

He glowered at me with disgust now. "Do you still think I'm asking for your permission?"

He snapped his fingers and four men jumped out of the car and lunged towards me with murderous looks on their faces.

"If anyone so much as lay a finger on her hair, I'll make sure they are never able to walk out of here." A cold voice bellowed behind me.

Alpha Xavier.

Murder was evident in his eyes as he narrowed his eyes at Zach. "Goodbye, Zach!" He said.

Fury flashed in Zach's eyes. "This is none of your business, Alpha Xavier!"

Alpha Xavier stepped forward until he was eye to eye-with Zach. He extended his arm towards me and wrapped it around my waist.

"It is my business!" He enunciated every word. "And in case you didn't see the news, she's my woman."

For some reason, I didn't feel annoyed now that he was actually calling me his girlfriend in my presence. If anything, I felt a rush of both excitement and wicked satisfaction.

Blood drained from Zach's face as he glanced at me. "You're fooling yourself if you think he would ever see you as a woman. He's only trying to use you!"

"Use me?" I cackled with laughter. "You thought you were the only one who was cheating? I only used you to pass the time also. I've been with Xavier even before I met you!"

A shocked gasp tore out Zach's throat as he stared at me in horror. Even Alpha Xavier had a surprised look on his face.