Fated To Fall: The Alpha's Mark

Emeryville's standpoint.

I glanced at Sarah's concerned gaze in the mirror as I fumbled with my necklace clasp.

“I've got it, Sarah. Just pre-wedding jitters making my fingers clumsy.”

The delicate chain finally secured, my eyes lingered on my reflection. The white dress embroidered with silver thread was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen—a stark contrast to my childhood's patched-up hand-me-downs.

My mind drifted to Damien's proposal. We'd been cloud gazing in our favorite meadow when he'd turned to me, eyes sparkling. “Hey Em, want to cloud gaze together forever?”

The memory lodged in my throat. Sixteen years of friendship, love, and dreams had culminated in this moment—an Omega from the pack's poorest family marrying the Alpha. It felt surreal.

Sarah's voice pulled me back. “Miss? Everyone's so excited for you!”

Her enthusiasm eased some of my tension.

Despite our strict hierarchy, our pack felt like family. Even as Damien's fiancée, I was still just Em to most.

“How are the preparations going downstairs?” I asked.

Her eyes lit up. “It's breathtaking! The great hall's transformed, and the cake—I've never seen anything so grand.”

I smiled, imagining the austere hall's transformation. “I can't wait to see it. And Sarah? After today, you'll need to call me Luna.”

A blush crept across her cheeks. “Of course, Luna Emeryville. It'll take some time getting used to.”

As Sarah tidied up, I twisted my engagement ring, a familiar unease growing. I'd dismissed it as wedding nerves, but now it felt suffocating.

“Sarah?” My voice sounded small. “Have you seen Damien today?” She paused, frowning slightly. “Not since yesterday. But I'm sure he's just busy with Alpha duties. You know how he is, always putting the pack first.”

I nodded, my chest tightening as I gulped down hard, making it hard to breathe. Damien's dedication to our Pack was admirable, but lately, it felt like a bridge between us.

A knock startled us both. “Come in,” I called, smoothing my dress.

Mrs. Holloway, one of the Beta warrior's wives, entered. Her usual warmth was replaced by concern, making my stomach churn.

“Emeryville, dear,” she said gently. "Alpha Damien is asking for you. He's in his study room.”

Confusion and worry warred inside me. “But we're not supposed to see each other before the ceremony.”

Mrs. Holloway's face softened further, pity in her eyes. "I think it's best if you go now, dear. It seemed… important.”

With trembling hands, I donned my robe, suddenly feeling exposed. As I walked through the pack house, hushed whispers died away, replaced by pitying glances.

Outside Damien's study, I paused. The air felt heavy, charged with an unspoken tension. I knocked, steeling myself.

“Come in,” Damien called, his voice uncharacteristically cold.

He stood by the window with his posterior faced at me. When he turned, the look in his gaze made my blood run cold.

“Em,” he said hoarsely. “There's something I have to tell you.”

Those seven words nearly brought me to my knees. “Damien,” My voice came as a whisper. “What's wrong?”

He gestured for me to sit, but I remained rooted in place. “Please,” I begged, “just tell me.”

He ran a hand through his hair, avoiding my gaze. “I can't go through with the wedding.”

The words hit like a punch to my gut. “What?” I breathed, certain I'd misheard.

“I'm sorry, Em,” he continued, each word sharp as glass. “I've found my fated mate.”

A choked laugh escaped me. “That's not funny, Damien. We agreed years ago—if neither of us found our fated mates, we'd choose each other. You promised.”

“I'm not joking,” he replied sharply, finally meeting my eyes. The anguish there confirmed this wasn't a cruel prank. “The bond… it's too strong to ignore. I have to honor it, for the pack's sake.”

I gripped his desk for support, memories flashing through my mind—our first kiss, the night he comforted me after my father's death, the day he defied his parents for me.

“When?” I demanded, barely above a whisper. “How long have you known?”

His silence spoke volumes.

“How long?!” I screamed, composure shattering.

“A week,” he admitted quietly.

The betrayal left me reeling. A week of smiles and nods as I planned our future. Two nights ago, he held me, whispering promises of forever.

“Who is she?” I asked, voice trembling.

He shook his head. “It doesn't matter. What matters is that I can't be with you anymore, Em. I'm sorry.”

“It doesn't matter?” I echoed incredulously. “Sixteen years, Damien. And you won't even tell me who?”

“Please,” he pleaded, reaching for me. I jerked away. “This is hard enough.”

A bitter laugh bubbled up. “Oh, I'm so sorry this is difficult for you,” I spat. “How inconsiderate of me to make your betrayal uncomfortable.”

Damien's jaw clenched. “I never meant to hurt you.”

“But you did!” I shouted, tears streaming.

“You're destroying everything we built. Was any of it real? Did you ever truly love me?"

“Of course, I did!” He roared, eyes glistening. “But this is bigger than us. I have a responsibility for the pack.”

I shook my head, voice breaking. “Don't use the pack as an excuse. You're a coward, Damien.”

His face hardened, and suddenly, I faced not my loving fiancé, but the Alpha. “I'm trying to do the right thing here, Em. For everyone involved.”

“The right thing?” I echoed venomously. “The right thing would have been telling me immediately. The right thing would be giving me a real explanation."

His shoulders slumped. “You're right. I handled this all wrong. But my decision… it's final."

I stood there, my white dress, a cruel mockery. My dreams, my future—all crumbling before my eyes. And with it, my place in the pack. As an Omega, I had no status without Damien. The thought of facing everyone's pity and whispers made me physically ill.

“So that's it?” I whispered. “Sixteen years, and you're just… done with me?”

He wouldn't meet my gaze. “It's best if you leave the pack, Em. Make a fresh start somewhere else.”

The world tilted on its axis. “Leave the pack?” I repeated, disbelieving. “This is my home, Damien. My family, my friends—”

“Seeing you every day will only make this harder for everyone,” he cut in, his voice taking on the Alpha's authoritative tone. “As the Alpha, I have to do what's best for the Pack.”

At that moment, I didn't recognize him. This cold, calculating creature was a far cry from the boy who'd stolen my heart, who'd promised to always protect me, to never my status define me.

“You bastard,” I hissed, shaking with fury and grief. “You'd cast me out, just like that? After everything?”

Regret flashed across his face, but his voice remained firm. “I'm sorry, Em. But this is how it has to be.”

I stared at this stranger wearing my lover's face. Part of me wanted to scream, to beg, to make him see reason. To remind him of every promise, every dream we'd shared. But my last shred of dignity wouldn't allow it.

Without another word, I turned to leave. His voice stopped me at the door.

“Em, wait—”

I paused, my hand on the doorknob. For a fleeting moment, hope bloomed in my chest. Maybe he had changed his mind. Maybe this was all some horrible misunderstanding.

I looked back, heart in my throat.

His eyes were sorrowful, but his words shattered any last illusion. “Don't tell anyone about this. Let me handle it.”

A broken laugh escaped me. “Your secret's safe with me, Alpha,” I spat the title like a curse. “Wouldn't want to tarnish your precious reputation.”

As I slammed the door, his final words followed me:

“Emeryville, I truly am sorry.”

But sorry wasn't enough to mend my shattered heart.