Best day of my life

Best day of my life
TERENCE

I woke up grinning.

Today was the day.

Today, Shanella would finally be mine.

I sat up on the edge of my bed and ran a hand through my hair, my wolf snarling in satisfaction deep inside me. After all the trouble, the lies, the fights—it would all be worth it. No one could stop me now. Not Brad, not Alpha Ethan, not Billy, not even the King of the White Fur Pack.

When I stepped outside, the camp was already buzzing with activity. Rogues were stringing lanterns between the trees, laying out furs and wood tables, setting up the feast for tonight. The smell of roasted boar and burning pine filled the air, mixing with my own excitement.

“This will be the best day of your life, Alpha,” one of the older rogues said, bowing his head as I passed.

I grinned and clapped him on the shoulder. “You’re damn right it will.”

By the time I reached the reception area, I could hear the she-wolves laughing as they dragged Shanella from the prison. My chest tightened at the thought of her in white. Finally, she would look like what she was always meant to be—mine.

Joseph appeared from behind one of the tents, his face pale.

I frowned. “What’s wrong with you?”

He swallowed hard. “I… I don’t feel well.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re useless today, then. Go rest. But don’t miss the wedding. I want every pack member here when I claim her.”

Joseph nodded quickly and disappeared back toward his room.

I barely paid him another thought. I was too focused on the sound of approaching footsteps.

“Bring Shanella to me!” I barked.

Two rogue she-wolves appeared, holding her by each arm. She was dressed in a white gown, simple but beautiful, and a veil covered her face.

I couldn’t help the growl of satisfaction that rumbled in my throat. “Perfect,” I muttered.

They brought her to my side. She was trembling, and I leaned closer, breathing in her fear.

“Don’t worry, little mate,” I said softly. “After today, you won’t have to be afraid anymore. You’ll be mine forever.”

She flinched but said nothing.

I chuckled. “Silent treatment? That’s fine. You’ll have plenty of time to talk later… in my bed.”

I turned to the host, a grizzled old rogue who had performed every pack union we’d had in the last five years.

“Let’s start,” I ordered.

He nodded and began the ceremony. His voice droned on, but I barely listened. My eyes stayed on Shanella, on the delicate curve of her jaw under the veil, on the way her hands were clutched tightly together.

She looked so small, so fragile.

And soon, she would belong to me.

Finally, the host’s voice rose. “You may kiss the bride.”

I grinned, stepping forward. “At last.”

I reached up and grasped the veil.

And froze.

Something felt wrong.

My wolf snarled in my head, uneasy.

I ripped the veil away.

It wasn’t Shanella.

My entire body went cold.

“What the hell is this?!” I roared, my voice echoing through the clearing.

The fake bride—Marla, I realized with a jolt—shrieked and stumbled backward.

“I—I’m sorry—” she stammered.

I grabbed her by the arm, yanking her close. “Where is Shanella?” I demanded.

Marla’s lips trembled. “Sh-she’s gone.”

The clearing erupted in shouts. Rogues muttered among themselves, some looking frightened, others glancing nervously at me.

My vision went red.

“Gone?!” I bellowed. “You mean you let her escape?!”

Marla whimpered. “Joseph—Joseph told me—”

Joseph.

A snarl ripped from my throat, loud enough to silence the entire camp.

“JOSEPH!” I roared.

I turned on my heel and stormed toward his room, my claws already unsheathing.

He was standing outside, pale but calm, as if he had been waiting for me.

“You traitor,” I hissed. “You helped her escape.”

Joseph didn’t deny it. His jaw tightened, but he stood tall.

“She’s not yours,” he said quietly. “You were going to start a war that would kill us all.”

I lunged at him, shoving him hard against the wall of his hut. “I don’t care about a war!” I snarled. “I care about my mate!”

“She’s not your mate,” Joseph spat back. “You forced her here. You tied her up like an animal. You think that’s love?”

My hand tightened around his throat. “Don’t you dare lecture me, boy. You betrayed me. You betrayed this pack.”

Joseph’s eyes burned with defiance. “I saved this pack. If the Moon Crest Pack, Mystic Shadow Pack, and the King’s wolves had come here and found her, they would have wiped us off the map. You know I’m right.”

I growled, my wolf clawing at my control, demanding I rip him apart.

For a long moment, I almost did.

But then I shoved him away, breathing hard.

“Find her,” I ordered the rogues behind me. “Every single one of you. I want her back by nightfall. I don’t care if you have to search every damn forest in Westoria—BRING HER BACK!”

They scattered immediately, terrified.

I turned back to Joseph, my lip curling. “You think you’ve saved her? You’ve only delayed the inevitable. When I find her, I’ll make her my wife. And you—” I jabbed a claw toward his chest—“you will regret ever crossing me.”

Joseph didn’t flinch. “If you find her,” he said steadily, “you’ll have to go through me first.”

I snarled and stormed away, my blood boiling.

This wasn’t over.

Not by a long shot.

Shanella would be mine.

Even if I had to tear apart every pack in Westoria to get her back.