An undeserved second chance

~ Eleanor ~

“With the power bestowed on me as the high priest of the Moonshadow Pack, I now declare you both husband and wife. Applause to the new couple,” the priest announced.

The large, crowded hall was instantly filled with deafening cheering as Beta Victor and Isabella shared a kiss.

I trembled wordlessly. My expression stiffened in shock.

I still couldn’t figure out what was happening. Everything was just fine before I passed out after the rituals.

Why can’t I remember doing anything wrong? Beta himself had marked me. He even suggested that we consummate before the final ceremony, and I agreed.

So why am I not standing beside him at the altar? I have been waiting for this moment my entire life.

I secretly loved him and wished to be with him. I even prayed to the Moon Goddess in the hopes of becoming his mate.

Everything was going smoothly when I discovered my life partner was the Beta I’ve always had a crush on.

What went wrong, and why? What kind of tricks did Isabella Ashford use to take my place as Beta's wife?

Various thoughts kept running through my mind. I still could not figure out what was happening. We have already marked each other and spent days curled up under a sheet in bed.

He is supposed to be my beta, mate, and husband. Why is everything moving in the opposite direction?

I staggered backward as Isabella Ashford and Beta Victor walked forward hand in hand.

Isabella is my fiercest rival and the biological daughter of my adoptive father.

Her victorious expression made me feel uneasy.

Isabella chuckled at me, and I realized she was mocking my confusion and vulnerability.

"You have lost Eleanor. Beta Victor is mine, now and always," she sneered.

Isabella sauntered away with her hands in Victor’s—something I should be doing.

I felt discomfort, with hatred brewing in me. My stomach churned as tears brimmed in my eyes. I despise his silence. He looked as if he didn’t care, and everything was fine with him.

“Stop right there!” I said, ignoring the questioning and mocking stares directed at me as I fought back tears.

“Why did you choose to marry her? I am your mate. We’ve gone through the rituals, and you’ve marked me as your mate. So why did you get married to her?” I questioned, pointing fearlessly at our Moonshadow Pack's respected young beta.

I heard gasps from the crowd. Beta Victor turned around, staring deeply into my gray eyes.

“I choose whoever I want as my mate. And today, I choose Isabella Ashford,” he declared without batting an eyelash.

“But you've marked me and even dared to sleep with me. This means you've accepted me,” I retorted, not caring about the heavy tension in the ballroom.

“Then, I, Victor Darkmore, Beta of the Moonshadow Pack, reject you, Eleanor Sinclair, as my beta and my mate.

“Consider what happened between us to be a three-night stand. Now, accept my rejection,” he ordered, locking eyes with me.