CHAPTER 5

The sun was just beginning to rise over the mountains, reflecting it’s lovely light on the Rivers Pack territory. The air was heavy with tension and expectation. Today was the day. The wedding. And the girl in the ivory gown was not the one originally promised. Jennifer DeRyile had spent her morning pacing the halls of the guest wing. She felt like glass on the verge of breaking. Her hair was loose, her lips chewed raw. Her fingers twitched at her sides. “Stupid. Stupid!” she hissed to herself, fuming as she turned another corner.  She had given up the marriage—thrown it away in favor of convenience, mocking the idea of being shackled to some 'ancient, flea-ridden beast.' But now, now that she knew who the Alpha actually was… Zayne. He wasn’t some grizzled elder. He wasn’t an old man she couldn’t bear the thought of tolerating.  He was tall, powerful, devastatingly handsome, and carried an air of silent dominance that made her knees weak. The way his warriors respected him. The way the halls quieted when he passed.  The way people spoke about him. That was the kind of man a DeRyile should marry. Not Eva. Not the pathetic maid they dressed up like a noblewoman. She regretted her decision, ever bit of it. She wanted to marry him. Why didn’t they get the correct details about him anyway? If she knew Zayne was the person she was getting married to, she would have jumped at the opportunity. He was one of the most formidable Alphas in the continent, even at his young age.  “I’ll fix this,” Jennifer muttered.  She made her way toward the chamber where the bride was being prepared. Eva’s chamber. She didn’t get far anyway. Why? Because halfway down the corridor, Jennifer slowed as she heard a strange ripping sound. What was that? Frowning, she pressed her back to the wall and peeked through the open door. Her jaw dropped when she saw the sight in front of her. Inside, a girl – one she thinks is named Leah, was hunched over the wedding gown—Eva’s gown. Her hands worked like claws, tearing the lace at the shoulders, staining the hem with wine, and slicing seams open with a sharp pin she had hidden in her palm. Her face was twisted in hatred. She looked like a woman on a mission. Her breath was heavy as she hissed curses under her breath. Jennifer gasped “What the hell are you doing?” Leah froze when she realized someone was there. They locked eyes. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Jennifer stepped fully into the room, arms crossed. Her confidence grew with every step. “You psycho. You’re ruining the dress.” Leah scoffed. “She doesn’t deserve it.” Jennifer tilted her head. “Why do you even care? You’re not the bride.” Leah straightened slowly “And you are?” Jennifer’s smirk was sharp. “Damn right I am. I’m going to stop this farce and take my rightful place. I was the one promised to Zayne. This is my wedding.” Leah’s eyes narrowed, but she said nothing. Her fingers twitched slightly. Great. More competition for her. Wasn’t that what she needed? “You’re here to take Eva’s place?” “I should’ve never handed it over,” Jennifer muttered. “If I had known he wasn’t old and disgusting—ugh—” Then her gaze flicked to Leah’s neck. She stared at it and realized what it was.  A fading bite mark. Jennifer’s brows lifted. “That looks familiar,” she said without thinking. “Eva had one just like that on her neck when she got dragged back to the manor. A big ugly thing. I thought it was a hickey or something, but maybe not…” The blood drained from Leah’s face. “What did you say?” Her voice was barely a whisper. Jennifer blinked. “I said Eva had one on her neck. Looked like she got bitten by a dog or some guy sucked on her for too long.” Leah stepped closer, too quickly. Jennifer’s brow furrowed. “What’s your problem?” But it was too late. The realization had already settled like a blade in Leah’s mind. Eva. Eva was the girl Zayne bit. Leah started to panic. She just realized that Eva was the girl that Zayne bit. But how? Eva was human. There was no way that a human and a wolf could be mated. Humans couldn’t have mates. She couldn’t jump into the conclusion that Eva and Zayne were mates. It couldn’t be possible. Leah had other things to worry about.  Her magic mark was weakening by the day. If Zayne knew—if anyone knew—it would all be over. Oh no.  Jennifer didn’t even see the blow coming. Leah lunged forward with terrifying strength, striking her across the face. Jennifer crashed into the side of the vanity, crying out as she hit the ground, clutching her bleeding cheek. “What the hell?!” she gasped, scrambling to get up. Leah didn’t stop. She advanced again. This time, her fingers curled into claws. Her eyes glinted with cold murder. She wasn’t thinking. She was surviving. Jennifer was just collateral damage. Leah had to keep this a secret. Nobody could know about this. and to keep this a secret, Leah needed to kill Jennifer. Zayne was hers and she wouldn’t let anyone come in the way of that.  But before Leah could land another blow, the door burst open again. Eva stood in the doorway, eyes wide with shock. “What is going on in here?!” Jennifer pointed a shaky finger. “She attacked me! She’s the one who ruined your dress!” Leah looked at her, panting. Eva stared at the ruined fabric, at Jennifer on the floor, at Leah’s face.  “She lost her mind!” Jennifer shrieked. “She’s jealous or something. Probably wants to be the bride herself!” Leah’s voice cracked as she glared at Eva. “You don’t belong here. You’re a maid. Not their daughter. They sent a fraud into my pack!” Eva blinked, stunned. “I didn’t ask to come here. But they raised me as a DeRyile. I was born into nothing, and I’ve survived everything. This dress, this wedding—I didn’t ask for it, but I’ll walk into it with my head held high.” The fire in Eva’s voice startled Leah. Jennifer saw her chance and bolted for the door, still clutching her face. No one tried to stop her. Leah stood shaking in place, her breath coming in rapid bursts. Eva, chest heaving, watched her with a glare. But Leah smirked inwardly. No one had noticed what she’d almost done. Nobody knew she had tried to murder Jennifer. No one saw the intent in her eyes, the fury in her fists. As long as Jennifer kept her mouth shut, the secret would stay buried. She just had to survive this day. Then the air shifted. The door behind them creaked again, and this time, the tension changed. Zayne stepped inside. He stood tall, silent and as dominant as ever. He looked at the ruined gown. He saw the tear tracks on Jennifer’s cheek. The fury in Eva’s eyes. The bitter flush on Leah’s face. He didn’t ask what happened. His eyes locked onto Leah’s. As he spoke, his voice was cold and deadly  “Are you really… my true mate?”