Avery’s POV

I stood in my lingerie before the full-length mirror as the seamstress took the final measurements for my custom ivory wedding gown.

Three days from now, Liam and I would hold our marking ceremony.

“Don’t move, Miss Emerson,” the seamstress murmured softly while making the last adjustments to ensure the gown hugged my curves as if it were my very skin.

“Oh, you’re absolutely the perfect Luna for Alpha Liam,” she said excitedly once she was finished. “I bet everyone in the pack will think the same.”

I studied my reflection carefully, the corners of my lips curving into a satisfied smile. The stylist had brushed my chestnut hair into an elegant cascade down my back, the tips brushing against the silver-threaded gown. A diamond tiara glittered under the light—everything was perfect.

I couldn’t wait for Liam to see me like this. My future husband. My mate.

I snapped my fingers for the attendant to bring me my phone. Liam was supposed to arrive thirty minutes ago. Suddenly, my phone rang—it was Liam.

“Where are you?” I frowned. “Your suit, I need your final decision—”

Liam cut me off. “Avery, something urgent came up at the office. I can’t make it to the boutique—just leave without me.”

“What happened?” I asked anxiously, but the line went dead. He’d hung up. I dialed again, but it went straight to voicemail—his phone was off.

The unease inside me only grew. In five years together, he had never once cut me off mid-sentence. What could possibly be so urgent?

Liam was already the formidable Alpha of the Silver Pack. Our union would only cement his power. This marriage had been arranged since my birth. Yes, I had once gone missing, but the Goddess had brought me back. And shockingly, Liam and I weren’t just an arranged match—we were fated mates.

I would never forget our first meeting. The instant our eyes met, we both felt it—our souls locking into place. The Moon Goddess had made us for each other. Everyone knew it. Both our packs eagerly awaited our wedding. Even Liam’s mother had publicly voiced her support for me.

I couldn’t imagine anything that would make Liam turn away from our wedding. Unless—

No. Impossible. My parents and everyone close to Liam would never forgive the foster daughter who had once hurt me. Even after I returned, they hadn’t shown me much affection. But eventually, they had made their decision.

I called my mother. If she came, then maybe things weren’t as bad as I feared. Maybe Liam’s mother had simply fallen ill—her health had always been frail.

Forcing back my anxiety, I dialed. “Mom… you’re late.” I tried to keep my tone calm, not accusatory. Even after being back for four years, speaking to her still made me nervous.

Since my return, my mother had remained cold toward me. I was her biological daughter, while Riley was only adopted. Yes, they had lived together for twelve years, and their bond was deep, but she treated me like a target, always finding fault no matter what I did. Only after Riley left did our relationship ease somewhat—especially once my wedding with Liam was set.

But on the other end, silence stretched on. Just as I was about to speak again, her voice came, sharp and cold. “I’m not going to the boutique. I have something important to do.”

“W-what?” My throat tightened, the weight of her rejection crushing me.

“I’m busy. Don’t call again.” Before I could protest, the call ended.

I bit my lip, dread knotting in my chest. Something was wrong. Deeply wrong. Lydia, my wolf, let out a low warning growl inside me. Danger.

Without another thought, I bolted out of the boutique. I had to find Liam. At this hour, he should still be in his office.

I jumped into my car, took the VIP elevator straight to the top floor. Even before the doors fully opened, I stormed out.

Liam’s secretary shot to her feet. “Miss Avery, please, he’s in a private—”