Chapter 7

(Kane’s Perspective)

Contract Ceremony Day.

5:30 AM.

Kane stood in front of the full-length mirror in the dressing room, letting the attendants smooth out every crease in his ceremonial suit.

The black suit was tailored to perfection. On the left lapel, silver thread embroidered the ancient wolf-head sigil of his family. It was a symbol of his authority over the Shadow Pack.

He should have felt satisfied.

After today, Ilya would officially become his mate. They would form the mate bond, and she would share in his power and glory.

She was a Silver Moon bloodline heir—beautiful, intelligent, and powerful. Every Alpha dreamed of a Luna like her.

But in the mirror, his golden eyes held a flicker of unease.

Because of yesterday.

Because of Ilya’s public retaliation at the celebration.

She had stood calmly on stage and torn Serena’s lies to pieces. And in doing so, she also tore apart the “dignified image” he had carefully crafted for her.

All those data points about the families from the southern border, the details he had never once heard her mention.

She had prepared so much. Traveled so far. And never said a word to him.

Then there was that final sentence.

“You can’t even see my blood anymore.”

Kane instinctively looked down at his right hand.

Yesterday, when he had grabbed her wrist, her blood had stained his palm red.

Beta Rhodes asked cautiously, “Alpha, should I adjust your tie?”

“No need,” Kane said, turning to face the window.

The contract ceremony venue had already been set up in the distance.

White blossoms. Silver moon banners.

Wolves were taking their seats in the audience, murmuring to one another. Even from this far, he could faintly hear their voices.

Everything was ready.

All that was missing was the bride.

He opened the communicator and sent Ilya a short message:

"Your dress has been delivered to your room. Nine o’clock. Don’t be late."

No reply.

Kane frowned, then added another line:

"We’ll talk about yesterday after the ceremony."

Still silence.

7:40 AM.

Kane was now standing in the preparation area beside the ceremonial stage.

He called her directly.

Busy signal.

He called again. Still busy.

“Perhaps Miss Ilya is making her final preparations,” Elvira said gently. “Lunas are always especially nervous on the day of the mate bond ceremony.”

Kane forced himself to accept the explanation.

But the unease inside him was beginning to spread.

8:10 AM.

The audience seats were nearly full.

Kane saw Ilya’s father seated in the front row on the left, laughing and chatting with others.

On the right sat Lia, Ilya’s closest friend, her face cold and unreadable.

8:30 AM.

The elders began their final checks.

The ceremonial moonfire blazed to life. Silver flames rose, casting a chill glow in the morning light.

Kane dialed Ilya’s number for the third time.

This time, not even a busy tone.

Her communicator was turned off.

“Go find her,” Kane said quietly to Rhodes beside him. “Check her room.”

“Alpha, the ceremony starts in thirty minutes. If you leave the stage now, it might—”

“Go!”

Rhodes hurried off.

8:50 AM.

The entire hall fell silent.

All the wolves had taken their seats. Every gaze was fixed on Kane, then flicked toward the petal-covered stone path meant for the bride’s entrance.

The path remained empty.

Only the wind stirred a few white petals.

Rhodes came running back, breathless. He leaned close and whispered, “Alpha… there’s no one in her quarters. The dress is untouched on the bed. Most of her personal belongings… are gone.”

Kane’s eyes widened. His chest tightened.

“What?!”

Ilya… how dare you.

9:00 AM.

The official start of the ceremony.

Music began to play. The elders chanted the ancient blessings.

But the path reserved for the Luna remained empty.

Whispers rippled through the crowd.

Kane stood at the center of the stage, feeling like a complete fool.

He was dressed in his most formal attire, standing before the entire pack, waiting for someone who might never show up.

9:10 AM.

The blessings ended.

By now, the bride should have walked down the aisle to stand beside him, ready to receive the blessing of the moon.

Silence.

A cruel, humiliating silence.

Kane’s fists clenched at his sides. His nails dug into his palms.

He stared at the stone path, as if sheer willpower could pull Ilya from the shadows.

“Perhaps…”

An elder hesitantly spoke. “Perhaps the Luna isn’t feeling well, or is too nervous. Should we—”

“She’ll come,” Kane cut him off, his voice cold and sharp. “We keep waiting.”

He refused to believe Ilya had left.

She wouldn’t abandon her Luna title.

No. Ilya would never abandon him.