Chapter 1 Rebecca's POV I couldn't contain my excitement as I twirled in front of Sofia's full - length mirror . Even in my lounge pants and oversized t - shirt , I felt beautiful . Tomorrow I'd be in my wedding gown , walking toward William , starting our life together . " Tomorrow , I'll be Mrs. William Moretti , " I said , my voice high with excitement . My heart pounded against my ribs . After five years together , I was finally joining the Silver Moon Pack by marrying one of their future Deltas . The thought made me almost dizzy with happiness . Sofia stood in the doorway , wine glass in hand , her short black curls messy around her face . Her dark - rimmed eyes watched me with an expression I couldn't quite read . " You should get some sleep , Rebecca , " she said , taking a sip . " Big day tomorrow . " " I'm too excited to sleep , " I said , feeling the happiness bubble up inside me . " And it's so stupid that I can't see William tonight . Who actually follows that tradition anymore ? " I felt a flash of irritation mingled with longing . I just wanted to be with him . Sofia made a dismissive sound . " You're marrying into the Silver Moon . They follow traditions that make zero sense to humans like us . " I touched the custom - made wedding dress and felt the smoothness of the silk with my fingertips . William had given me access to a world I'd never imagined I could reach . Even Sofia's place , where I was only staying for tonight , was in a neighborhood I couldn't have afforded on my old teaching assistant salary . " I still can't believe this is happening , " I said quietly , gratitude washing over me . " Five years ago I was drowning in student debt , living in that terrible studio apartment ... " " And now you're marrying up , " Sofia finished . There was something sharp in her tone that made my happiness waver for just a moment . I turned to face her , noticing the frown lines between her eyebrows . " You don't like him , do you ? " My stomach tightened with anxiety . Sofia sighed and sat on the edge of the bed . " It's not that I don't like him . It's just ... he's a werewolf , and you're human . The Silver Moon Pack isn't exactly friendly to outsiders . " 1/4 7:50 Sat , Sep 20 Chapter 1 : ( 90 ) " I'm his destined mate , " I said defensively , sitting beside her . I felt protective of our relationship , of the future we'd planned . " And they respect the mate bond - it's sacred to them . " I needed her to understand how special this was . Sofia's expression softened . " I know . It's just their hierarchy ... the Alphas , Betas , Deltas ... it's all so rigid . I don't want you to get hurt . " Genuine concern filled her eyes . " William would never hurt me , " I said with absolute conviction . " And this marriage means I can help my dad with his medical bills . " My voice cracked slightly . " No more choosing between treatments and food . " Sofia nodded slowly , raising her glass . " Then here's to you becoming the most beautiful bride tomorrow . " She touched my cheek gently . I smiled to her , then focusing on my wedding checklist instead of the unease her concern had stirred . " Shit , shit , shit , " I muttered , dumping the contents of my overnight bag onto the bed for the third time . My pearl necklace wasn't there . My stomach dropped as I checked my wedding checklist app- I'd left it at our apartment after picking it up from the final sizing . I checked William's social media . He'd posted a gym selfie thirty minutes ago with the caption " Last workout as a free man ." The green dot next to his profile picture showed he was still online . He was definitely still at the gym . Perfect timing . I could slip back to our apartment , grab the necklace , and return before Sofia even noticed I was gone . William had insisted I stay with Sofia tonight - some werewolf tradition about building anticipation - but what he didn't know wouldn't hurt him . I left a quick note for Sofia , who had fallen asleep after her third glass of wine , and called a rideshare . Twenty minutes later , I stood in front of our luxury high - rise , feeling the warm summer night air on my skin . The doorman nodded as I entered . This was my life now - access cards , private elevators , people who recognized me . Five years ago , I'd been teaching summer school just to pay rent . Now I was about to move into this luxurious building . Sometimes I still couldn't believe it . The apartment was quiet when I entered . William's obsessive neatness meant everything was exactly where it should be - spotless countertops , perfectly arranged throw pillows on our leather sofa . I 2/4 7:50 Sat , Sep 20 Chapter 1 : went straight to our bedroom to check my vanity , where I'd last seen the ring box . ) ) 90 It wasn't there . My heart beat faster as I searched the closet , checked drawers , even looked under the bed . Nothing . Where else could it be ? Maybe William's study ? I hesitated at the door . William didn't like me going in there without permission . It was his " sanctuary , " he always said , where he handled business calls and Pack meetings . But this was an emergency . I pushed open the door and turned on the light . The study looked exactly as it always did - leather - bound books he never read , expensive walnut desk , high - backed executive chair that cost more than my first car . I started searching the cabinets where we sometimes kept important items . As I moved past his desk , I accidentally bumped it . His laptop screen lit up - he hadn't shut it down completely . I was about to turn away when a message caught my eye . [ My darling ... ] I froze . William had never called me " darling " in his life . He called me " babe " or sometimes " sweetheart " when he wanted something , but never " darling . " I knew I shouldn't look . This was private . But my eyes were already reading the message . It was an encrypted messaging app I'd never seen before . The contact was just labeled " O. " The messages were clearly intimate . The most recent one , sent an hour ago : [ Meet me at our usual place after the gym . Can't wait to kiss you . ] My stomach twisted painfully . My hands shaking , I scrolled up through more messages . Each one felt like a slap . [ Don't worry about James's private school tuition . It's been taken care of . Everything continues as normal after the wedding . She'll never know . ] My knees buckled . I scrolled , each message a knife to my chest.James ? My mind reeled . Who was James ? All I know was that my bridesmaid Olivia had a nephew named James . " O " , Olivia . That's it . But Why was William paying for her nephew's tuition ? With trembling hands , I opened the desk drawer . A folder marked " Personal " held dozens of photos- William , Olivia , and a boy who looked too much like them both , James , living a life I'd never known . Smiling on beaches , laughing at ski resorts , cozy in matching pajamas on Christmas morning . Each 3/4 7:50 Sat , Sep 20 Chapter 1 image was a shard of glass in my heart , slicing through the future I'd built in my mind . At the bottom , a single report card , crisp and official , bore the boy's name . Tears blurred my eyes , and I pronounced the name in a trembling voice , " James Moretti ... " Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!