Chapter 1
Judy’s POV
“Dad, didn’t you say my childhood fiancé came looking for me?”
“Yeah… why?”
“Tell him I’m getting married on the first of next month,” I said, staring blankly at the mirror. “And I’m short a groom. Ask if he wants the job.”
There was a long pause on the other end of the line. I could practically hear my father frowning.
“I thought you were marrying Alpha Simon? What happened-did he hurt you?”
I blinked hard, forcing the tears back. “Dad, just
do it. Please.”
“…Alright,” he said gently. “As long as you’ve thought it through. I just want you to be happy.”
“I will be,” I whispered. At least, that’s what I told myself.
Chapter 1
+ 5 Points
I had loved Alpha Simon with everything I had— heart, soul, and wolf. I really thought he was my real mate, even though we aren’t fated mate. We’d already set the date. I had picked the venue, the colors, the dress.
But that was all before everything unraveled.
One Hour Earlier
There I was, standing in front of a gilded mirror in a Moonhowl boutique, wrapped in the most stunning white gown I’d ever worn. The satin hugged my curves like it had been poured over me. I looked every bit the Luna-to-be.
“Miss Judy, the dress Alpha Simon had custom-made for you is absolutely
breathtaking,” the assistant gushed. “You two
are going to make such a beautiful couple.”
I gave a stiff smile, but inside, my wolf was growling.
Across the room, in a quiet corner near the floor-to-ceiling window, stood Alpha Simon. He was on the phone.
2/7
Chapter 1
+ 5 Points
“Miss Judy,” another store clerk said, stepping forward with a phone. “We’ve got a call. It’s the wedding planner.”
My stomach dropped.
“Miss Judy,” the planner began hesitantly. “Alpha Simon just contacted us. He said there
was an error with the bride’s name. He wants to
change it to… Wilona Hubbard. Are you aware of this?”
I couldn’t breathe. I felt like the wind had been
knocked out of me. My vision blurred.
Wilona Hubbard.
The name echoed like a curse.
She was his ex-his fated mate. The one who’d disappeared overseas five years ago. I’d heard rumors she’d returned to Moonhowl Pack last
month, but I hadn’t believed she’d dare crawl back into his life. Not when he was set to marry
But I should’ve known better. I had known
3/7
“Miss Judy,” another store clerk said, stepping forward with a phone. “We’ve got a call. It’s the wedding planner.”
My stomach dropped.
“Miss Judy,” the planner began hesitantly. “Alpha Simon just contacted us. He said there was an error with the bride’s name. He wants to
change it to… Wilona Hubbard. Are you aware
of this?”
I couldn’t breathe. I felt like the wind had been
knocked out of me. My vision blurred.
Wilona Hubbard.
The name echoed like a curse.
She was his ex-his fated mate. The one who’d
disappeared overseas five years ago. I’d heard
rumors she’d returned to Moonhowl Pack last
month, but I hadn’t believed she’d dare crawl
back into his life. Not when he was set to marry
But I should’ve known better. I had known
3/7
Just yesterday, I tried to surprise Simon with a new tie. I followed his scent trail to a private club. And there I saw him, on one knee.
Proposing.
To her.
“Simon, aren’t you getting married to Judy
soon?” someone had asked.
He’d just laughed, brushing it off.
“Wilona’s sick,” he said. “It’s her final wish. Ast for Judy… she loves me too much to leave. She won’t find out. And even if she does, she’ll
understand.”
Wilona leaned into him, her voice all breathy
and tragic. “I’m sure kind Miss Judy will
understand…”
Then they kissed. Right there in the middle of the damn club, as if I didn’t exist.
I walked away before I did something my wolf
4/7
“Miss Judy? Should we proceed with the name change?” the planner asked, still on the line.
The version of me who once worshipped the ground Simon walked on-the girl who thought her life would begin at the altar with him—was
gone.
“Change it,” I said coolly. “Also, book the hall next door. I’ll transfer the deposit soon. Just copy everything over.”
Another pause. “And the groom’s name?”
“I’ll send it to you shortly.”
“Should we keep the original wedding date?”
“Yes,” I said with a smile. “Don’t change a thing.”
The second I hung up, Simon sauntered over like nothing had happened and slid his arms around my waist.
“Judy, you look stunning,” he murmured
5/7
against my neck.
“Really?”
I stared at myself in the mirror again. The dress was perfect. I was perfect. But the man beside me? Nothing about him was real anymore.
“You’re the most beautiful Luna in the world,”
he said. “There’s just… something I need to talk to you about.”
Here it comes.
“I have something important next month-on the first. Can we… postpone the wedding?”
I nearly laughed in his face.
“Something important?” I echoed, keeping my
tone sweet.
He meant his other wedding. To Wilona. Using my date. My venue. My pack’s blessing.
“Sure,” I said. “Let’s postpone it.”
That threw him.
6/7
“I love you, Judy,” he said quickly, eyes darting. “I promise I’ll marry you. Just wait for me, okay? I swear-I’ll love you forever.”
Forever?
I didn’t even believe he could love me till next
week.
“I, uh… something’s come up at the office,’
he stammered, backing away. “Wait for me at
home?”
I nodded and watched him leave, knowing it
would be the last time he walked away from me
with that kind of confidence.
Because I wasn’t just going to leave him.
I was going to outshine him.
On the same day. In the same Wedding Venue. With a new groom.
