The End Of An EraBook1-Chapter One
Aria POV
I was getting married, but my mate of eight years still didn’t know.
Lately, Nicho had been busy with his new secretary, Selena, a rogue wolf who recently joined his pack. They bonded immediately, their laughter echoing down the corridors of the packhouse. For her birthday, he even ordered a ten-layer moonflower cake, despite knowing my severe allergy to moonflower essence. At the party, they smeared cream all over each other, completely forgetting my presence.
When the scent of moonflower hit me, my throat closed up, and I shifted partially in a desperate bid to breathe. My wolf, Nyra, howled in distress as I collapsed, unconscious.
I woke up in the pack healer’s quarters, a bitter feeling blooming in my chest. That’s when I agreed to the arranged mating bond my family had proposed years ago.
Mom wasted no time. As soon as I got back to my quarters and swiped my keycard to enter, my phone buzzed relentlessly. Opening it, I saw dozens of wedding plans flooding the screen.
I scrolled through her messages, stopping at the last one:
“I always knew Nicholas wasn’t your fated mate. If he truly wanted to claim you, why would he delay for eight years? It’s not too late, Aria. I’ve already prepared everything for the ceremony.”
“The bonding ceremony is in three days. Take your time packing. No need to rush.”
The truth was as clear as a full moon now. While I clung to Nicho’s empty promises, the rest of the pack had seen through his lack of commitment.
Sighing, I sent her a voice message. “Mom, pick whatever you think is best. I trust your judgment. Let’s keep it simple.”
I didn’t hear Nicho approach. His sharp hearing must have picked up my words because his voice sliced through the silence. “Wedding? What wedding?”
I stiffened and quickly hid my phone, but Nicho reached for it. Before he could snatch it, his phone rang, the shrill sound cutting through the tension.
A panicked female voice came through, loud enough for my enhanced hearing to catch every word.
“Nicholas! Someone’s following me! I’m so scared. I tried circling back, but I can’t shake them!”
Nicho’s expression darkened, his protective instincts kicking in.
“Selena, stay in a well-lit area near the pack’s patrol routes. I’m coming!”
Without another word, he shifted into his wolf form and bolted into the night.
I kept my face calm, even as Nyra growled low in my mind.