THE ALPHA'S CURSED BRIDE

***VERA***

"Make sure you find your mate at the ceremony tonight. Don't come home early-stay. Your mate might be waiting," Mother said, tugging Tricia's braid into place.

"I'm not a party person, so yeah, I'll leave right after the hurdle," Tricia replied with a lazy smile. Mother pinched her ear anyway.

"My words weren't for you. I was talking to Vera."

I smiled because smiling used less breath than speaking. My fingers were steady, even though my heart felt like a trapped animal. I smoothed my lashes for the twentieth time and the mirror showed the image I had worked months for: a gown that caught the light in soft waves, hair pinned back to reveal my throat. I had practiced this entrance until the thought of it made my cheeks ache. Tonight would be the night.

"Why put so much effort into this? It's the Luna's ceremony, not a mate-hunt," Tricia teased, brushing a stray curl behind her ear.

"It just feels right," I said, twirling once in front of the dressing mirror. The silk whispered against my legs. Last week I'd spoken with the Alpha-two breathless minutes-and something in me had clicked. I'd felt it in my chest and along my spine. I'd known, and I had been certain he'd known too.

"Vera, your makeup was perfect five minutes ago. And ten. And fifteen-" Tricia sang, smiling. She nudged me, and I laughed, the sound brittle with nerves.

Outside, people gathered like a tide. I hopped out of the car and the world flooded with murmurs of admiration. "In!" I squeaked, taking Tricia's hand and racing for the front row. I wanted the Alpha to find me quickly, wanted every pair of eyes to see the moment he would take me. Pride had always tasted like a promise.

"We're an hour early," Tricia said as I dragged her across the empty chairs. "You're ridiculous."

"All the better," I whispered. I had a plan; I had a place in the very front so he wouldn't have to search. It would be quick, ceremonial, perfect. The pack would remember the night the Alpha finally claimed me.

Then Lana arrived like a sudden shadow. She flipped her hair, practiced smile set in place, and leaned just close enough for me to hear. "What's a disgrace doing in the front row? Trying to jinx the Luna ceremony?"

My stomach tightened into a small cold stone. Everything in me bristled. I had spent my life shrinking to make space for other people; tonight I had decided not to. "Who's she talking about?" I breathed to Tricia, too loud to be private.

"Who else but you?" Lana sneered before flouncing off. Her minions followed, eyes bright with malice. Tricia stepped between us like a shield. "Don't you feel ashamed, always humiliating my sister?" she demanded.

"You're pathetic, Vera," Lana said, as if her words were a verdict. "Your little sister has to defend you."

I drew a hollow breath and felt something cold tighten