99 Times He Left Me Mid-Moon for a Fake Omega – The 100th? I Marked His Rival Alpha Chapter 08
Next time I saw Maddox?
1
My mating day.
Cassian and I stood in the moont chapel. The doors opened wide. I walked toward him in my white dress -step by step.
He was supposed to wait at the altar. But I barely took one step before he strode över and grabbed my hand.
“Arden. I can’t wait any longer to make you mine.”
Looking at him, my wolf shivered. Not from fear. From something I’d forgotten existed.
No one had ever held me like I mattered.
After my parents burned, I never thought there’d be another wolf who’d keep me in their heart.
Someone who waited ten years. Silent. Just for me.
I turned my face away. Blinked hard. Then we walked hand in hand to the end of the aisle.
The pack Elder’s deep voice rang out.
“Cassian Steele, do you take Arden Ashwood as your chosen Luna?”
Cassian looked at me. His voice shook.
“I do,”
“Arden Ashwood, do you take-”
“SHE DOESN’T!”
The doors burst open. Maddox stormed in.
“Arden! I finally found you!”
His eyes were bloodshot. Desperate. He looked wrecked.
One month apart and I barely recognized him. Haggard. Broken. Nothing like the Alpha who threw me away.
He ignored Cassian standing there. Reached out and pulled me into his arms.
His voice came out hoarse as gravel.
“Arden. Thank the Moon you’re okay. Thank the Moon you’re alive…”
He held me so tight. Like he wanted to shove me back inside his wolf.
I felt his wolf shaking.
But me? Nothing. My wolf didn’t even twitch.
I pushed him away. Calm. Too calm.
“Alpha. You’ve got the wrong wolf.”
Maddox stared at me. Shocked.
“Arden…”
Cassian stepped forward. Shoved me behind him.
“If you’re here for the ceremony, you’re welcome. If not, leave.”
Maddox saw our hands intertwined. His wolf lost it.
“Let go of her! Arden is my Luna. How can she bond with you?!”
Cassian’s face went cold. Before he could speak, I squeezed his hand and stepped forward.
Looked Maddox right in the eye.
“Today is Cassian’s and my mating ceremony. I don’t want trouble.”
Maddox’s eyes stayed bloodshot.
“Arden. We’re not even severed yet. How can you mate someone else?”
“Maddox.” I held his gaze. “Your Luna Arden died in that lake a month ago.”
“The wolf standing in front of you? Not the one you’re looking for.”
His face went deathly pale. Pain flashed through his eyes.
I didn’t want to see his late regrets. I turned and nodded to the enforcers.
“No. Arden. You can’t bond with him…”
Maddox fought them. Tried to rush at me. But four wolves grabbed him fast.
Even as they dragged him out, he kept twisting around to look at me. Eyes red as fresh blood.
I didn’t look back once.
Finished the ceremony.
After all the rites, Cassian pulled me into his arms.
His gaze burned. Tears shimmered in his eyes.
“Arden. I finally have you.”
I smiled. Stood on my toes. Pressed my lips to his.
My wolf howled-but this time? Happy.
