Because Aldric wasn’t just anyone—he was the son to be Alpha, the sole heir to the Silverclaw Pack's leadership, destined to take over once his father stepped down.
And me? I was Selene, an omega from a humble family. I had no prestigious bloodline or ties to the elite pack circles. The mate bond between us was a blessing from the Moon Goddess, but it felt more like a curse to some.
Before our bond was made public, I had never been a part of the inner elite. I didn’t know the pressures that came with being linked to someone like Aldric. I had thought love was enough—thought our bond would be enough.
Aldric’s closest friends had always been Eamon, a fierce warrior from a powerful lineage, and Seraphine, a graceful omega with a long history by his side. They had grown up together, inseparable since childhood. Seraphine, in particular, was adored by the pack. Her family’s influence stretched across territories, and many believed she should have been Aldric’s mate.
It was no secret that the pack had expected Aldric to choose Seraphine. They were the perfect match in the eyes of many—both powerful, both beloved by the pack. So, when it was revealed that Aldric’s mate was not her, but me, an outsider, the backlash was swift.
Rumors spread like wildfire. I became the subject of gossip, of disdain. Some were curious, but many were hostile. They believed I had stolen something that should have belonged to Seraphine.
And while Aldric stood by my side at first, publicly defending our bond, Seraphine never left the picture. She and Aldric continued to attend pack gatherings together, always close, always surrounded by admirers.
The latest dagger came tonight, with a post from Seraphine that went viral within the pack. She had tagged Aldric in the post, showing them together at a pack gathering high in the mountains.
The caption beneath the images was enough to shatter what remained of my hope.
"Thank you, Aldric, for always making me feel like the only one that matters."
I stared at the screen, my heart breaking all over again. The comments beneath the post were even worse.
"They should be mates—Seraphine and Aldric are perfect together. Why settle for someone like Selene?"
"It was always meant to be Seraphine. The bond with Selene? It’s just a mistake."