Free Web NovelChapter 1: THE WRONG NAME
KEISHA’S POV
I had prepared for this moment for three years.
Yes. Three whole years. Now, standing here in front of the mirror, fingers gripping the hem of my gown, I felt my heart nearly thudding out of my chest.
I couldn’t believe it. I was finally going to be publicly announced as Riven’s mate. Where he would tell the pack that we were in love and had been in a relationship for several years. This had to be a dream.
"I think you look pretty. But we’re running late, come on, Keisha. Don’t want to miss your big day." A voice from the doorway sounded through my tiny room.
I whirled around to see Nadia ㅡ my best friend and truly the only person I could rely on ㅡ leaning on the doorway, her dark hair packed up into a bun decorated with flowers. "I just wanted to do a final check." I twisted the edges of the green silk I was wearing, trying to make sure it looked perfect.
Couldn’t have anything less for today.
I had planned it so meticulously that I had gotten this dress down two months ago. I couldn’t wait to get married to Riven. Oh goddessㅡ
My wolf huffed in my head, her presence overwhelming in my mind. "You’re a bit too excited."
I rolled my eyes inwardly. So was she. But she wasn’t going to admit that.
Nadia pushed herself off the doorway and came to stand behind me, a smile pulling at her lips as her hands came to clamp down on my shoulder. "Keisha. You look great. Now, let’s go."
My heart raced in my chest as I stared back at my reflection in the mirror.
She was right.
Riven would love this. He loved the color green. And he loved me.
A smile tugged at my lips at the thought of throwing myself into his arms again. "Let’s go."
***************
The hall was bustling with an energy I was yet to decipher. I stood off the side of the crowd, fingers gripping the cold glass of my champagne flute.
Where was Nadia?
Someone approached me, an Elder with graying hair. "Keisha..." he greeted, inclining his head slightly at me.
I forced a smile immediately, giving a courtesy to him. "Elder Sen. Lovely evening, isn’t it?"
He looked up at the sky. "I’d say it was. How are you finding it? You seem excited."
My cheek flushed and I looked away wistfully. I couldn’t say it. Not yet. Not until after Riven had announced it.
I let out a small laugh. "Oh, you know...the usual. I’m just having a fun time."
"Alone?"
My smile faltered. "Ah, no. It’s complicated."
He hummed something under his breath as though he could sense what I was talking about. "I totally understand what you mean. I should go greet the others. Have a great day, Keisha." He didn’t wait for a response before he was already walking away.
I had spent the last thirty minutes greeting every dignitary present at the annual ball, trying to perfect my public appearance. After all, this would be my life after I got married to Rivenㅡ
"There you are." Nadia appeared out of nowhere, holding a plate of sliced cake in her hand.
I felt myself let out a sigh of relief as my wolf stirred inside me, also feeling the tension leave my shoulders. "Where did you go? I was worried." I hissed at her.
She shrugged, taking a bite of the chocolate cake in her plate. "I got hungry. Hm, it’s starting." She nodded off to the podium and I turned in time to see Riven mounting the podium with a blank look on his face.
My heart fluttered in my chest as I watched the man I loved clear his throat, looking down at his pack members and guests alike. "Good evening..." He began, his voice low and hard. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
My ears were perked up as I struggled to listen when I felt Nadia nudge me slightly. "Mara is here..." Her voice sounded tight. ƒгeewebnovёl.com
I brushed her off. "So what?"
She hesitated. "No reason. I didn’t expect her to be here."
I finally turned to her. "Why does that matter? Her father is literally the top member of the council. Of course she would be here."
"ㅡ and that is why I want to use this event to announce my new Lunaㅡ" Riven’s voice snapped me back to reality as my heart lurched.
This was it...
I waited for his gaze to meet mine in the crowd. It didn’t.
Instead, his gaze darted to the other side of the crowd and he broke into a small smile. "Mara Winston."
The crowd cheered and hollered as the Elder’s daughter walked up the podium, dark hair flowing down the back of her golden dress.
My smile dropped almost instantly and my knees buckled. What?
Tears stung my eyes as I stared at Riven. But he wasn’t looking at me. He was helping her onto the stage. I tried to blink the tears away. What was happening?
My wolf let out a pained howl, feeling the bond chip a little between us.
No. This couldn’t be happening.
Nadia was also still beside me. "I can’t believe he actually went through withㅡ"
An ugly feeling stirred in my guts as I slowly turned to her, lips wobbling as I remained oblivious to the chaos around me. "Actually? What do you mean by that?"
Her expression softened into one of guilt and I let out a choked sob. "Did you know about this, Nadia?"
Her silence told me everything.
My boyfriend just...ditched me for a woman he was apparently cheating on me with. And my best friend knew.
Oh shit.
I staggered back.
Nadia took a step forward. "Waitㅡ"
But I wasn’t listening again as I turned around and pushed my way past the crowd, itching to get out of here.
I didn’t care where.
Tears blurred my vision and my feet stumbled.
I just needed to be alone right now.
