When the Alpha Prince Chose Her Rival at Our Bonding Ceremony

Juliet Lawrence's eyes were red-rimmed, her gaze downcast as she spoke softly, "Milan, I know you saved Kai when we were young, but you can't force feelings. You’ve always been carefree, uninterested in pack affairs. When I become Luna, you can still accompany Kai on his pack runs."

Kai Mason's eyes softened as he looked at Juliet, his voice tinged with concern. "You’re always too kind, too considerate. That’s why she dares to push you around. When she becomes my chosen mate, you’ll have to teach her some discipline. She needs to learn her place after thinking saving me once makes her untouchable."

My adoptive mother, Georgia Rivera, stepped protectively in front of Juliet, her voice sharp. "You’ve always been reckless, Milan. Today is the day of the marking ceremony, and you still want to cause trouble?"

My adoptive father, Roger Moore, slammed his hand on the table, his voice booming. "Enough of this nonsense! Someone take her to her room and keep her there until she learns to behave."

As I was escorted back to my room, the whispers around me were impossible to ignore.

"I can’t stand the thought of that toxic she-wolf coming between Juliet and Kai."

"Don’t worry, Kai eventually sends her to a rogue pack. She’s just a stepping stone in their love story."

"Her parents are the real heroes. They knew their pack wasn’t as powerful as Juliet’s, so they switched them at birth to give Juliet a better life. And when the Moores rose in status, they fought to bring Milan back."

The pieces fell into place as I was dragged away.

This world, my life, was nothing more than a story.

I was the antagonist, the one destined to be cast aside. Juliet was the heroine, the one who would rise to be Luna. And Kai, the Lycan Prince, was the male lead, the one who would discard me without a second thought.

I clenched my fists as the door slammed shut behind me.

So, this was how it was going to be.

I thought of the years I spent in the outskirts of the pack, struggling while Juliet lived in luxury. Her wardrobe overflowing with the finest clothes, her every whim catered to by her doting parents. And all of it—every single bit of it—should have been mine.

And then there was Kai.

Before we returned to the main pack, he had sworn to me, "Milan, when I become the most powerful Alpha in the land, I’ll make you the most revered Luna."

His words still echoed in my mind, yet here he was, offering me nothing more than the title of chosen mate—a shadow of what he’d promised.

I let out a bitter laugh.

Over my dead body.