The Alpha Never Stopped Trying To Claim Me Chapter 04

The Alpha Never Stopped Trying To Claim Me Chapter 04

Before Maya showed up, I always thought she was just another ordinary comrade-in-arms Lucian had talked about.

Chloe was pale as she steadied me and adjusted my skirt.

“Lucian is so out of line! He could barely even hold the moonstone necklace when he proposed, and now he’s throwing all the rules out the window just for Maya. Does she even look like she’s suffering from Moonless Night aftereffects?”

I got in the car in silence, and Chloe whispered to comfort me, “Don’t be sad. He probably just lost his mind for a second.”

I was grateful for her company, but I just shook my head softly right then.

I was making a huge choice. I had no idea if the choice I was about to make was the right one. The wolf inside me howled long and loud, like it was calling out for her real fated mate.

Damon, the best man driving the car, was Lucian’s childhood friend. He let out a sigh of relief the second we got in, and immediately started typing a message in their private group chat.

The group chat automatically cast onto the screen in the back seat—Chloe and I exchanged a glance, and didn’t say anything to tip him off.

Damon texted: [Told you Serena was too nice to make a scene. Lucian was right about her.]

Lucian replied: [She loves me, she’d never throw this all away over something stupid. Maya’s just always been blunt and carefree. Women are such a headache, it’s just a wedding for formality anyway.]

Maya sent a photo, a casual shot of a moon bloom. [Did Alpha use this flower in the ceremony because he remembered I like it?]

Then she shared a social media post.

Caption: [The necklace is so old-fashioned, I threw it away.]

In the photo, she and Lucian were pressed cheek to cheek, looking all cozy.

A flood of comments immediately popped up in the group chat.

Maya added: [Alpha really didn’t wear the necklace after all lol. Hope Serena isn’t too upset.]

Lucian replied: [Same rules as always, stop sending photos, Serena’ll throw a fit if she sees this.]

Damon’s turn. [Remember to lock the group album, don’t let the Luna find out you leave the pack every Moonless Night to stay with Maya.]

Lucian seemed a bit annoyed. [Watch your mouth and delete the history.]

I went cold all over.

So that was why he always “patrolled the territory” for half a month every Moonless Night.

That was why my Moon Festival gifts always arrived two weeks late but were extra expensive—it was all just to cover up his guilty conscience.

Right then and there, I had not a single scrap of lingering feeling left for Lucian.

Chloe’s hands were shaking with rage, and she tried to yell at Damon to stop the car. I pulled her back and shook my head. “Today, I’m not marrying him.”

Damon was still chatting enthusiastically in the group.

Damon asked: [Lucian, where’s Maya gonna sit with the guests?]

Maya replied: [You guys aren’t gonna make me sit in the Omega section, are you?]

Lucian comforted her. [Relax, I moved Serena’s parents’ seats to save you the Honor Seat.]

We were almost at the Longhouse when we hit sudden traffic. Lucian and the others had already gotten to the ceremony site first. Either Damon was bored and wanted to let me pass the time, or he had a guilty conscience, so he lent me his phone to play with, repeating over and over that I couldn’t look at his photo album. I didn’t even care about that.

During the half hour we waited, a video popped up automatically on Damon’s phone—it showed Lucian standing in front of the altar, practicing his vows with Maya. All their friends were standing around laughing. The laughter was painfully sharp.

Damon scrambled to grab the phone back. “Serena, this has to be a prank, magic or some tech glitch, I’ll yell at them right now!”

I laughed, a cold, sharp laugh. “Don’t bother. I never marry an Alpha who already has a mate. Just stop near the Longhouse, you don’t have to drive me in.”

The car pulled over to the side of the road. I got out holding my wedding dress.

The doors of the Longhouse across the road slowly swung open.

Seth stood in the entrance. He wore a perfectly tailored black robe, and a soaring wolf was embroidered on his collar—the totem of the Northern Pack, a symbol of the True Alpha’s authority.

He didn’t rush me impatiently like Lucian always did. He just stood there quietly, his eyes fixed on me—just like he’d done a hundred times when we were kids.

I’d known since I was little that Seth’s eyes were unusual, but I’d never seen them as clearly as I did right then.

Silver as moonlight.

The wind lifted my veil and brushed my cheek, and I realized I’d been crying this whole time.

My heart, which had frozen solid back in the car, finally started beating again the second I saw him.