Amber's question stunned me.

It was her wedding night. This was supposed to be one of the happiest moments of her life, but instead she was worrying about death.

I put her out of her misery and said, "I don't see any Death Shades around your aura."

She blew out a long sigh of relief and whispered, "Thank the Goddesses."

Turning away from me, she moved to the tall glass window that overlooked the fields and mountains to the west of the ranch.

Outside, a distant howl echoed across the fields. Amber jumped at the sound, clutching the silver moon pendant around her neck.

"The constant howling is driving me mad. Morning, noon, and night, they search," she snapped.

"Peter mentioned that rogues had been stealing from us," I replied.

"Did he tell you what they stole?" She said, her eyes staring off into the distance.

"No, he was vague on details," I replied.

"They took Selene's Crescent Moon Medallion," she said.

My mouth dropped open, my mind connecting the dots from my earlier conversation with Sebastian.

No wonder Sebastian had been so stressed. It wasn't just his sister he was searching for, it was the sacred medallion that kept the pack safe.

"How did they get the medallion? I thought it was guarded in the caves under the house," I asked.

"Someone from the pack went into the caves and took it," she said, her eyes avoiding mine.

"Amber, does this have anything to do with the note that you sent me? You said that you were in deep trouble," I said.

A tear rolled down her check and she said, "I made a mistake, Mabs. I didn't have a choice."

I stared at my sister in disbelief.

"Why would you take the medallion and hand it over to a pack of rogues?" I asked.

Amber straightened up, raking a hand through her perfect auburn hair. "I didn't have a choice, okay? Their leader has 'compromising' pictures of me that could ruin me. He used them to blackmail."

"What kind of pictures?" I pressed.

"Explicit pictures," she said softly and then lowered her voice to a whisper, "I had an 'entanglement' with him over the summer."

"An 'entanglement'?" I echoed incredulously.

"Don't give me that look. Have you seen my husband? Isn't it obvious we're not fated mates," she replied bitterly.

Amber was right.

It was so obvious they were not fated mates.

The chemistry between them was non-existent. Unlike Sebastian, whose eyes tracked my every movement around the room, Jeremy seemed unaware of Amber. There were no longing looks between the two, no magnetic pull that drew one to the other.

The connection between them was dead.

"Then why marry Jeremy if you weren't interested in him?" I asked Amber.

Amber threw her hands up in the air and snapped, "Because I was scared no one else would want me. Who wants to marry the sister of a never wolf?"

Guilt clawed at my insides.

In a world fixated on pedigrees and strong bloodlines, having a never wolf in the family was a disaster. No self-respecting wolf would willingly mate with a bloodline capable of producing a never wolf.

Amber had been trapped into marrying someone she did care for because of me.

"I'm sorry, Amber. I wasn't judging you," I said softly.

Amber wiped the tears from her eyes and replied, "It's okay. I realise now how stupid I was for getting involved with Devon. But at the time, he was everything Jeremy wasn't. Artistic, funny, outgoing—and most importantly he made me feel loved."

"Then what happened?" I asked.

"Devon became moody, angry, and jealous. I ended the relationship, but he had these pictures and he said he would send them to Jeremy if I didn't bring him the medallion...so, I stole the medallion and gave it to him," she confessed.

Amber was right, she was in deep trouble. Having an affair was one thing, but stealing the sacred medallion was another.

"Amber, you could be executed for treason if anyone found out it was you who stole the medallion," I said in a low voice.

"I know, that's why I wanted you to check my aura. I wanted to know if we still had time left to fix this," she replied, grabbing my hands. "Mabel, please. You have to help me get the medallion back."

Her voice was desperate—her life depended on getting the medallion back.

"Do you know where the medallion is?" I asked.

"Yes, Devon and his cronies have set up camp in the old saw mill. The medallion has to be in there. If you could sneak in during the day and try to get it," she began.

I pulled my hands away from my sister, torn apart by indecision. Abandoning her was out of the question. I would stay and get the medallion back. But staying meant having to endure the pack that I hated, and a mate I wasn't sure about.

I was also worried about what Sebastian might think that I was staying for him, when I was only staying for my sister. It felt cruel to give him false hope where there was none.

"Look, I'll help you get the medallion back," I said.

"Thanks, Mabs. I can always count on you," she said gratefully.

Just then, from outside in the foyer, a dinner bell chimed, signalling the start of the wedding feast. Amber scrambled up off the floor and hastily dusted herself down. She reached into her bra, retrieving a wad of tissues to wipe away the running mascara.

"That's my cue," she said, mustering a forced smile. "I'll come find you after the meal, during the party."

"Sure," I said, waving a despondent hand.

Amber flashed me a grin and pressed a kiss into my cheek. "I'm so glad you're here," she sniffed.

She hurried away, leaving me with my thoughts. I paced the floor, trying to concoct a plan to get the medallion back and move Devon on.

Later in the evening, after the meal, the tables were cleared away and a live band was brought in. The lights were dimmed and the dancing began. I sat by myself in the corner, feeling thoroughly ignored.

The dinner had been pleasant, but the company had been quiet. The other guests at my table had made a point of keeping all conversation with me to a minimum.

After the first dance with the bride and groom, the other guests were invited onto the dance floor. Irritation bristled through me when I saw Sebastian gracefully leading a young woman in red onto the floor.

She was a young Selenite wolf, with long flowing brown hair and sparkling silver eyes. She stared up at Sebastian adoringly, completely enamoured by his handsome smile.

I felt sick watching the spectacle. He was my mate, and he was dancing with another woman. I gave my head a shake. I had to stop thinking like this. I barely knew Sebastian. I had no right to feel possessive over him, especially when I was planning on leaving him.

Sebastian's eyes flicked up from his dance partner to me. I stilled as his intense blue eyes interlocked with mine.

The music stopped, transitioning into the next song.

Excitement prickled across my skin. Was he going to come and claim the dance I had promised him?

He released his dance partner and took a step toward me, but before he could take another step, a young lady in a purple gown jumped in his path, asking for a dance. Remorsefully, Sebastian glanced up at me before agreeing to dance with this new lady.

Woman after woman, took their turn around the dance floor with him. I waited and waited, until it became too unbearable to endure.

I turned away from the dance floor, deciding it was time to get a breath of fresh air. If Sebastian wanted a dance, then he was going to have to come find me. I wasn't going to wait any longer.

I hurried towards the exit and stupidly didn't look where I was going. I bumped into a tall, heavily tattooed man.

I bounced off his chest and he reached out and caught my arm before I tumbled to the floor.

"Hey, watch it," he growled.

"Sorry," I apologised, bowing my head.

The man held onto my arm and studied me, dipping his head towards my shoulder and taking a deep breath.

I recoiled away from him and snapped, "What are you doing?"

"You smell different," he said thoughtfully. "You don't smell like a Selenite wolf. But, you don't smell like an Artemedian wolf either."

"That's because I'm neither," I said, yanking my arm out of his grip.

He gazed at me in confusion, not comprehending what I was saying. I was an anomaly amongst most wolves, who upon their sixteenth birthday would be blessed by either Artemis or Selene.

A wolf blessed by Artemis, the goddess of hunting, would be gifted with strength, speed, and unparalleled tracking skills. While a wolf blessed by Selene, the full moon goddess, would be granted beauty, grace, and healing powers for a lucky few.

For me, I was blessed by neither.

Shock registered on Lachlan's face, and he stopped walking. "Are you telling me you're a never wolf?"

"Bingo," I said, trying to move past him, but the stranger mirrored my footsteps, blocking my way.

"I've heard about you...you're," he started, clicking his fingers as he tried to recall my name. "Rollo's sister, right?"

"Yes," I sighed. It was a relief to be recognised as someone's sister rather than just another wolf in the pack.

"I'm Lachlan," he introduced himself, extending his hand.

"Mabel," I replied, giving his hand a polite shake.

"I've heard about you, Mabel. People say you're weird," he remarked, waggling his fingers at me for dramatic effect. "They say you can sense when someone in the pack is about to die. Is that true?"

"Maybe," I replied with a tight smile.

Fascination lit up his face. "Your scent is so unusual—like stars and moonbeams."

The analogy didn't quite resonate with me. I doubted stars and moonbeams had any scent, but I nodded pleasantly, eager to move.

Lachlan gestured towards the dance floor. "How about a dance?"

I glanced over to see Sebastian watching us intently as he danced with a lady in a green dress.

A soft smile of satisfaction touched my lips. Sebastian had spent the entire evening dancing with every female wolf in the pack. Now, it was my turn for a bit of payback.

"That sounds lovely," I said, placing my hand in his.

Lachlan's large hand enveloped mine as he led me onto the crowded dance floor. The band was playing an upbeat song and the atmosphere buzzed with energy. Despite the crowd and the pulsating music, I was acutely aware of Sebastian, who was still dancing with the lady in the green dress.

She swayed against him provocatively, trying to captivate his attention, but he appeared distracted, glancing across at me.

With a carefree grin, I surrendered to the music, throwing my hands up and moving with the rhythm. Laughter bubbled from my lips, as I pretended to be having a great time by myself.

Lachlan danced beside me, his movements stiff and awkward. The man was all muscles and no grace, but it didn't matter to me that he was a bad dancer. He was doing a good job so long as he made Sebastian jealous.

Sebastian's focus wavered from his dance partner to me. The woman's movements grew more daring, her attempts to entice him now bordered on desperate. But despite her best efforts, Sebastian's attention remained on me.

I smirked triumphantly, and let Lachlan playfully twirl me around the dance floor.

Sebastian's mouth pressed into a hard thin line. He didn't appear to be enjoying his dance anymore.

It was a small victory, but it served him right.

The song ended and we join the crowd in their applause for the band. Lachlan grinned at me,

"Do you want another dance, moonbeam."

Before I could respond, Sebastian appeared at my side, gently catching my elbow.

"I'm here to claim my dance for the evening," he said, ignoring Lachlan.

"I'm sorry, but it seems you have other admirers awaiting their turn," I replied, indicating the group of single women lingering nearby, vying for his attention.

"They can wait," Sebastian insisted, his eyes fixed on me. "I need you."

His words sent a flutter through my chest, and I found myself stepping away from Lachlan and into Sebastian's embrace.

A slow ballad began, and I wrapped my arms around Sebastian's neck. His hands settled on my waist, drawing me closer.

"Are you enjoying your evening?" I inquired softly.

"I am now," Sebastian replied, his eyes locked on mine.

"It seems you'll have your choice of lunas once I'm gone," I remarked, unable to hide the bitterness in my voice.

"I don't want any luna," Sebastian confessed, his voice a gentle murmur as he leaned closer. "I want my mate."

His words sent a thrill down my spine, and I could feel the invisible bond between us growing stronger and stronger.

"I don't want to leave you," I slipped.

"Then why leave at all?" Sebastian countered, intertwining our fingers and pressing my hand against his heart. "Stay here with me, even if it's just for a few days. See if you want to leave after that."

It would be so easy to say 'yes' and allow myself to get swept up in the moment. I couldn't deny my attraction to Sebastian. He was tall, well-mannered, handsome, and exuded effortless sophistication. There was nothing not to like about him—but then there was his pack.

As we swayed to the music, I could feel their disapproving eyes on us, silently furious that their alpha would choose to dance with someone so low. Glancing over Sebastian's shoulders, I could see Amber's new husband and the rest of his family scowling at me from the head table.

Amber attempted to placate her new husband, her hand resting gently on his shoulder. He, like the rest of them, thought I wasn't even worthy of a single dance with their alpha.

I lowered my gaze and distanced myself mentally from Sebastian. I couldn't allow myself to get distracted by him.

I was a lone wolf and he was an alpha. Our love story was doomed before it even began.

I withdrew my hand from Sebastian's, quietly acknowledging to myself that pursuing these feelings for him would only end in heartbreak. I had to bury these desires and focus on what really mattered—saving my sister's life.

"I was considering staying a few days, for Amber's sake," I said casually.

A glimmer of hope flickered in Sebastian's eyes. "Of course, you can stay in the guest suite here."

"I should probably stay with my family. It's been almost a decade since I've seen them," I stated evenly.

"Then I'll come and visit," he offered.

"Sebastian," I sighed, my tone heavy with resignation. "Please, let's be realistic. This isn't going to work."

"I'll make it work. I just need you to give us a chance," Sebastian pleaded.

"I'm sorry," I murmured, abruptly withdrawing from his grasp, leaving him standing alone in the centre of the dance floor.

My heart protested the separation as I pushed through the dancing couples, desperate to escape the suffocating atmosphere.

Before I could reach safety, the woman Sebastian had danced with earlier intercepted me, holding a glass of red wine. I attempted to pass by her, but she pretended to stumble, causing the wine in her hand to spill down the front of my dress.

I gasped in shock as the dark red liquid seeped into the fabric.

With a derisive smile, she sneered, "Remember your place, never wolf."

Holding back tears, I fled the ballroom.