(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.