**Jarin**
I blinked at her dumbly. Not really knowing what to say.
“Oh…right…I mean that’s…excellent news!”
Was it excellent? For my species it was. But for me? I looked at her as if for the first time. This is to be my wife. She’s wonderful but she isn’t who I want. I shook myself. I couldn’t have any thoughts like that now.
“Can I ask what about meeting your father has helped you come to that decision?”
Her eyes looked cold and she wasn’t smiling. “I believe what my father is saying is true. There will be an attack from the mages. He explained how the pendant I was wearing was hiding me from them as well as supressing my powers. Now it’s gone they will be able to detect me. If what the seer said is true, then we should unite as soon as possible.”
**Atlas**I hadn’t slept all night. I could still taste her on my lips. My hands could still feel the cool skin of her bare thigh. And my heart was breaking over and over as I replayed in my mind how I told her our love wasn’t important.In truth, it was important. Before the revelation of Thea’s father, I was going to tell her we were mates. I would have told Jarin. But, after hearing of the impending mage attack, I knew I had to push her away. Jarin was the best person to protect her as Alpha. I would rather she live and hate me, than love me and die.When Jarin had sent the mind link to me, any last remaining happiness had been sucked out of me. I chastised myself. This is what I wanted. This is why I had so willingly crushed my mates’ heart. I decided if I couldn’t feel love, I just wanted to feel nothing. I willed myself to go cold. I rose out of my bed and
**Thea**Tomorrow. I was getting married. Tomorrow.I stood in my chambers, staring out of the window, but not really looking at anything. It had been an hour since Jarin’s announcement. While he’d been speaking, I’d made sure to keep my eyes fully focused in front of me. I knew if I looked at Atlas, even once, I may cry.I didn’t want to cry anymore. I’d had enough of it. I reminded myself that although the one I loved had rejected me, I was also incredibly lucky.I had been pulled from a terrible life in order to discover who I truly was. For the first time since infancy, I had been cared for by the people here. I had even been reunited with the father that I never thought I had. For this part, I was truly thankful.A soft knock at the door told me that Bessie was here to do my dress fitting for the wedding. I
**Atlas**The Red Moon pack was only an hour’s journey in wolf form. I hardly noticed where I was going. All I could do was focus on putting one paw in front of the other at high speed. Part of me wanted to keep running and running until I collapsed. Hoping that pure exhaustion may make me pass out and forget her. But I reminded myself that my duty wasn’t over yet. I just needed to get through tomorrow. Once Jarin had marked Thea there was no going back. I could return the pendant and leave.I arrived at the edge of the Red Moon pack’s territory. I shifted and dressed in the clothes I’d carried in my mouth. I knew by now their scouts should have already seen me. I moved out from the trees in order to be completely visible.Shortly after a man and a woman appeared, clearly dressed hurriedly to greet me.They both had the same light chestnut hai
**Jarin**I looked out at the scene before me. There were at least 30 different packs who had arrived here quickly. I was sure that others would be on the way. Despite their presence, I could definitely sense the tension within the room. Whether I liked it or not, my plan to try and restore power to our kind was never going to be popular.I rose out of my seat, signalling that I was about to talk. Gradually, the chatter in the great hall subsided.I took a deep breath.“Firstly, I want to give you thanks for coming here so quickly. I know the information my pack representatives gave you has probably shocked and concerned you. As you know, I will be getting married tomorrow to a hybrid called Thea. As a result, she will become the Queen Luna. I am sure many of you will not be happy with this, but I must remind you that I am making this choice in the best interes
**Thea**I hadn’t slept all night. I’d given up just before dawn, knowing that I would soon have to get out of bed anyway.Bessie had come in with breakfast and hot water for a bath. I declined the food and instead headed straight for the bath. The novelty of them hadn’t worn off just yet.I soaked in the sweet-smelling water for as long as I could. Being in the warm water somehow made me feel safe and protected. I also knew that as soon as I got out, Bessie would want me to put the dress on.All too soon she was knocking on the door.“Thea, you need to get out before you become all wrinkly! I’ve bought your dress now.”I sighed. I reflected how brides were meant to feel about putting on their wedding gown. To me though, it would be more of a shroud.Bessie
**Atlas**The whole hall was silent. I was panting as adrenaline coursed through my body. The only sound I could hear was my heart thumping against my chest.I couldn’t believe what I had just done. I was shocked by my own action. It was as if something had taken over my body. It had happened as soon as she’d looked at me. I wondered if she hadn’t done that, I would have allowed her to place the ring on Jarin’s finger. I realised it could only be my wolf that was responsible. Seeing her in a wedding dress but it not being me who she was marrying was horrific. It felt so unbelievably wrong.I stood, frozen to the spot. Staring into Thea’s eyes, I could not tell what she was thinking. I knew now the pendant was off, she would truly know who I was.Jarin was the first person to break the silence. He whispered something in Thea’s ear,
**Jarin**I knew my words were going to cause one of two reactions. Dead silence, or absolute uproar.It ended up being the latter. The emotions ranged from shocked, angry and confused. People were shouting questions at me so quickly I had no idea who was asking them.“This is outrageous, how can you step down at a time like this!?”“Is Atlas even capable of being our King?”“Will you still be part of the pack?”“What if the seer is wrong and you give up your throne for nothing?!”Atlas came up behind and whispered hurriedly in my ear, “Alpha what are you doing?”I raised my hand for silence, but there was not an instant quiet like there normally would have been. I guessed that they were beginning to disregard
**Thea**We’d come out into the garden. The same one we’d walked in some weeks ago. It was quieter here than inside the castle, and it meant something to the both of us. We stood in front of each other, him holding my hands in his. The fact we could do this and not feel guilty or ashamed was such an incredible happiness.“I feel as if I am dreaming.” I whispered.“If this is a dream, then I hope I never wake up.” He replied. He moved closer to me, and placed a gentle kiss upon my lips.I wanted so much more of him, but I didn’t know how to tell him. I was so unused to being this close to him, I didn’t know how to explain that I was tired of waiting. I wanted us to have each other. Then I remembered something from the first few days of being here.“Atlas?&rdq