Avery's POV

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

"Hold still, Miss Emerson," she murmured, easing the delicate fabric over my shoulders. The back zipper hissed shut, molding the dress to my curves like a second skin.

"Oh, you'll be the perfect Luna of Alpha Liam," the seamstress gasped. "In twenty years of tailoring, I've never seen a bride glow like this."

A satisfied smile curved my lips as I studied my reflection. The stylist had swept my chestnut hair into an elegant cascade down my back, the ends dusting over the gown's silver-stitched train like autumn leaves on frosted silk. With the diamond tiara catching the light, I could almost believe the fairy tales - the lost princess returned to claim her fated happiness.

I couldn't wait for Liam to see me so perfect. My husband-to-be, my mate.

I snapped my fingers for the attendant to bring my phone. Liam should have been here thirty minutes ago. As if summoned by my irritation, the screen lit up with his caller ID.

"Where are you?" My manicured thumb tapped the phone case. "The final fitting starts in—"

"Avery, emergency at the office." His usually smooth baritone crackled with tension. "Can't talk now—"

The call died.

I stared at the darkened screen, my half-formed protest dying on my lips. Five years together, and he'd never once cut me off mid-sentence. What emergency could it be?

Liam had already been the formidable Alpha of the Silvershroud Pack, and our union would only solidify his strength. The marriage alliance had been arranged since my birth. Although I once went missing, the Goddess brought me back. Even more surprisingly, we were not just an arranged couple, but fated mates.

I could never forget our first encounter. The moment our eyes met, we felt the bond. The Moon Goddess made us for each other. Everyone knew that, and both of our packs eagerly awaited our wedding. But why did I feel so restless now?

I exhaled sharply, my fingers sliding to another number. My mother, Luna of the Frostveil Pack. The other person who had promised to be here today.

I was only six when I was taken, but I still remember her warm scent of jasmine and snow. I had always dreamed of being back in Mom's arms, but when I finally returned at eighteen, her arm wrapped around another girl’s shoulders.

"Welcome back, Avery," she smiled at me, but the warmth in her voice wasn't meant for me. "This is your sister, Riley."

Riley Emerson. A replacement, adopted to soothe my mother’s grief after I went missing.

Riley hadn’t just taken my place as the Mom’s daughter—she’d grown up beside Liam, becoming his closest confidante. Had I never returned, she would have been the one standing at his side today.

I tried not to complain. I truly did—especially after Liam swore I was his one and only, his true love. I tried to accept Riley as a sister. But Riley… she hadn’t accepted that. To her, I was an intruder, stealing the life that should have been hers. And five years ago, she nearly ended me for it.

No. I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing the memories away. Riley had been punished. Liam was mine. Our wedding was finally happening. She couldn’t hurt me anymore.

Swallowing the bitterness, I dialed my mother’s number. We’d already missed so much—I wouldn’t let this moment slip away either.

"Mom… you’re late." The words tumbled out the second the call connected, my voice too eager, too needy.

"I’m not coming to the boutique." Her reply was ice, slicing through my fragile excitement.

"W-What?" My throat tightened, the weight of her rejection crashing over me.

"Something came up. Don’t call again." The line went dead before I could protest.

The dial tone buzzed in my ear like an angry hornet. My arm dropped limply to my side, the phone slipping from my numb fingers to land with a thud on the plush carpet.

What the hell was happening? A gnawing unease curled in my chest. My wolf, Lydia, snarled in warning. Something was wrong.

Without thinking, I bolted from the boutique, my wedding train forgotten. I needed to find Liam.

I took the private elevator up, my reflection in the mirrored walls showing a bride-to-be with fire in her eyes. The doors hadn't fully opened on the executive floor, and I dashed out.

Liam's secretary leapt up, "Miss Avery, please, he's in a private—"