(Elara's POV)

I woke up to the sound of my cell phone buzzing and vibrating. It was Cherry Wilson, my assistant at Moonlight Design Company, calling.

"Ellie," Cherry's voice was shaky and uncertain. "I'm sorry to bother you, but I just came from Alpha Ethan's office. He asked me to help him find some files about pack business."

"Okay," I said, my brain still in a daze." You didn't find what he needed?"

"Ellie..." Cherry hesitated. "In fact, while looking for files, I discovered a wedding invitation."

My mind hadn't turned a corner, "So what?"

"It has Ethan's name on it, but... Ellie, the bride's name isn't yours. It's Aurelia's."

The words hit me like ice water. I sat up straight in bed, suddenly fully awake.

"What did you say?"

"The invitation says Aurelia Thorn and Ethan Moonhaven. I don't understand. Your ceremony is supposed to be in a few days. I thought maybe it was a mistake, but-"

"Cherry," I interrupted, my voice tight. "I need you to do something for me right now. Go to my studio and check on my ceremonial gown. Make sure it's still in the protective sleeve."

"Of course, but Ellie, what's going on? Why would there be an invitation with Aurelia's name?"

"Just check the gown, please."

I heard Cherry moving, her footsteps echoing as she went to the studio. My heart pounded as I waited, the wedding invitation news spinning in my head. Aurelia. My half-sister. Isolde's daughter. The girl who had been setting me up for misery since we were children.

"Ellie?" Cherry's voice came back, worried and confused. "The gown is gone."

My heart sank. "Gone?"

"I checked the security footage. Ethan took it yesterday evening."

The pieces fell into place with horrible clarity. The invitation with Aurelia's name. My missing gown.

"Cherry, I have to go," I said, ending the call.

My fingers trembled as I dialed Ethan's number. This had to be a misunderstanding. Ethan wouldn't take my gown without telling me. The gown I'd spent two months making with my own hands, every stitch filled with my hopes and dreams for our future. The white fabric with traditional werewolf symbols woven throughout - protection, fertility, eternal bonds. All the things I'd hoped for with Ethan.

He answered on the fourth ring. "Elara," his voice was hoarse.

"Ethan, Cherry says my ceremonial gown is missing from the studio. Did you take it?" I tried to keep my voice steady.

Silence stretched between us. Then, "Yes. We need to talk, Elara."

"About my gown? Why would you-" I paused, remembering what Cherry had told me. "And the invitation with Aurelia's name on it."

"Elara, our mating ceremony" His voice was flat, emotionless. "It's off."

The words hit me like a physical blow. I grabbed the edge of my bed to steady myself as the room seemed to tilt.

"What?" My voice came out as barely a whisper.

"Aurelia has been diagnosed with heart failure and has a maximum of three months to live."

I was a little shocked and wanted to laugh a little, it seemed the Moon Goddess had heard my prayers.

"I'm sorry to hear that," I managed to say, "But what does that have to do with our ceremony?"

"Her dying wish is to form a mate bond with me."

I was suddenly speechless at what to say at his ridiculous comment.

"Elara? Are you there?"

"You can't be serious," I finally said, my voice rising with each word. "You're breaking our engagement because my sister, who has always wanted you, suddenly has a terminal illness?"

"Ellie, can you have some compassion?" Ethan's tone carried impatience as if he were speaking to a difficult child. "She doesn't have much time left. I'll give you fifty percent of Moonlight Design Company as compensation."

"Compensation?" The word tasted bitter on my tongue. "You think business shares can replace a mate bond? Six years together means nothing to you?"

"It's a generous offer, Elara. " His voice hardened like steel. "Don't make this difficult."

"What if I say no?" I tightened my grip on the phone.

"Ellie, you've always been a kind woman, haven't you? Aurelia is your sister, she's dying and you can't grant her last wish?" Ethan's tone was growing impatient.

His words made me want to laugh. I couldn't help but be sarcastic." Alpha Ethan, so what are you going to do when she dies? In werewolf lore, loyal mates will martyr themselves for their other half."

"You're in the mood for jokes now?" he said in a light tone as if he was tolerating a child who didn't know any better.

"And my ceremonial gown? Why take that?" I demanded, anger beginning to replace shock, burning hot in my veins.

"Aurelia needs a gown for our ceremony. You're similar in size, and there's no time to make a new one."

"You asshole, you know, this is the gown I made for myself with my own hands, and I embroidered it until three o'clock at night every day for two whole months!"

"It's just fabric, Elara. Don't be dramatic." He sighed, impatient. "This is happening whether you like it or not. Aurelia needs this."

"You asshole, what about me?" I yelled, my anger finally exploding. "What about me? What about your promises to me?"

I didn't hear his answer when a familiar voice came over the background sound-Isolde. "Ethan, Aurelia's awake now. She's asking for you."

"I've got things to do now," said Ethan, eagerly. "Think over my offer, Ellie, and get back to me as soon as you can."

Without waiting for me to speak, the phone was hung up.

I slumped back on my bed, my cell phone slipping from my numb fingers.

How ironic that years ago, Isolde stole my father from my mother. Now, her daughter has stolen my mate.

The memories flooded back with painful clarity. Years ago, when my mother, Olivia, found out about my father Knox's affair with Isolde, she angrily severed their mate bond and left my father.

After she left, Isolde took Aurelia and Thomas, who are only two years younger than me, into the pack house.

And my shameless father not only didn't leave my mother alone after she left, but he took over the business of my maternal grandfather, William Brooks, causing him to die of heart failure.

My mother's spirit crumbled with it. She was crushed by successive betrayals and heartbreak. She became ill and died, leaving me to face my father and stepmother alone.

I remember the day I stood at my mother's grave, the pouring rain soaking me, and I swore to the moon goddess that I would take revenge and reclaim everything that was mine.

I worked hard to become a werewolf dress designer and was about to mate with Alpha Ethan Moonhaven, which would have strengthened my position in the pack. Little did I know that I would be robbed of my mate by Aurelia before the mating ritual!

When did Aurelia enter Ethan's heart?

Was it because she confessed her feelings to him at her 18th birthday celebration and announced that she wanted to be his mate?

Or was it because when Ethan was injured in the territorial war, she stayed at his bedside all night caring for him?

But I've done so much more for Ethan!

Six years ago, when he was first wounded on the battlefield, we had blood transfused countless times, because only the healing power in my blood could alleviate his silver wound.

I brewed healing tonics for him night after night using my mother's family's secret recipe, even when the thorns of the Moon Shadow Grass stuck my fingers until they bled.

I remember the first blood exchange, I fainted because I couldn't withstand the silver poison in his blood, when I woke up he held my hand and said he loved me and would take care of me for the rest of my life, don't promises like that count anymore?

As I felt tears welling up in my eyes, my wolf Cora growled in my head, "Stop crying and let's go get our mate back!"

"I have no tears," I said to her in my mind. "I will not shed tears for a wolf who betrays me so easily. He is not worth it."

Years of enduring mistreatment within the Thorn Pack had taught me that tears were useless. Strength was the only currency that mattered. I would not break. I would not bend.

I picked up my phone again and called Ethan back.

"That was quick," he answered, sounding pleased with himself. "I knew you'd see reason."

"I have a counter-offer," I kept my voice steady. "I'll give up my position as your mate."

"I'm glad you're being reasonable---"

"In exchange for full ownership of the Moonlight Design Company."