The Last Lunar Phoenix

The Blackwood mansion reeked of old money and older magic. The scent of pine and leather crawled under my skin as I walked the marble hall. Every step screamed to run, but I forced myself forward.

"The ceremony begins in twenty minutes," a voice called.

Valta Tallis leaned on the doorway. She stood there in platinum hair smirking. She was Avalon's real mate. She looked at me like I was something rotten.

"You must be the bride." Her eyes lingered on my black dress. "How... unconventional."

"You must be the other woman," I said sweetly. "How predictable."

Her smile faded. Behind me, Osilus snorted and her eyes turned red. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me." I stepped closer. "Touch what's mine, and I'll bury you."

Her brows lifted. "Is that a threat?"

"It's a promise." I said as the air thickened with power. Then Avalon's voice sliced through it.

"Valta, leave."

He appeared instantly standing in-between us.

"She insulted me," Valta hissed.

"I said leave." His tone made the walls hum.

Valta's jaw locked as she brushed past him. "You'll regret this, little girl." She said as she got close to me.

I smiled. "Get in line."

Her palm cracked across my face so hard the sound echoed.

I didn't flinch, instead I returned the slap hard enough to turn her head.

"That's for last time," I said.

She froze, then stormed off, heels clacking like gunfire.

Avalon's brow furrowed as he turned to me slowly. Power rolled off him, but I met his gaze head-on.

"What game are you playing, Zephyr Delphine?"

"I am not here to play games. Just setting boundaries." I shot back.

His eyes darkened. "You're different."

"People change..."

"Not overnight." He stepped closer and my pulse jumped.

"Just yesterday you were crying to your father, begging him not to marry me. Today you're threatening my..." he stopped.

"Your what? Your true mate? The woman you'll reject me for tonight?"

His expression shattered. "You know about that."

"I know everything."

He went still. "Explain."

"No."

His hand shot out again, catching my wrist and the surge of electricity seared through me. We both gasped as he dropped me like I burned him.

"What are you?"

"Your bride. At least for the next twenty minutes, anyway." I brushed past him as my heels echoed down the hall.

"Zephyr...come back here..."

"Save it." I waved my hand.

The ceremony hall doors loomed ahead and as I pushed through, I was greeted by white roses and whispers.

"Is that what she's wearing?"

"Human trash."

"Alpha Avalon deserves better."

In my first life, I cried. This time, I smiled.

Avalon waited at the altar, while Osilus stood beside him, and Valta sat in the front row simmering.

"Dearly beloved..." the officiant began.

"Let's skip it," Avalon said. "We both know why we're here. This is purely business. Nothing more." And a wave of gasps rippled through the church.

"Do you, Zephyr Delphine, take Avalon Cary as your husband?"

"I do."

He didn't look at me. "And I take you as my wife only for the alliance."

"Only for the alliance," I repeated.

"I... I now pronounce you..."

"We're done here." Avalon turned and walked off before the words finished.

Murmurs exploded as Valta stood smiling victoriously. I stood alone, the humiliation almost familiar but this time, fury burned instead of tears.

And just then, the chandeliers flickered as the air shimmered. The very next second, every wolf stiffened.

"Zephyr?" Osilus's voice carried.

I smiled. "Thank you all for coming," I said, voice sharp and echoing. "As you can see, my husband treasures this union. I'm sure we'll be very happy."

The whispers died as every eye widened and then I turned and walked out. The crowd parted like I carried fire.

Avalon caught up in the hall, hand clamping my shoulder. "What the hell was that?"

"Your wedding. Did you enjoy it?"

"You did something. Every wolf felt it."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

He blocked my path, voice rough. "You're hiding something, and I will find out."

"Good luck."

I shoved his chest and he stumbled back. For a split second, shock flashed between us because I'd just moved an Alpha.

His voice dropped to a growl. "This is your last chance. What are you?"

"Your wife. That's all you need to know."

I ducked past him and ran.

The guest room door slammed behind me and my chest was heaving.

"What's happening to me?" I whispered.

Heat pulsed beneath my skin. And those strange pulls grew stronger. The nearest one throbbed through the wall. Was it to Avalon?

I squeezed my eyes shut trying to calm myself down when a knock interrupted me.

"Zephyr?" Osilus's voice was gentle. "Please let me in."

I hesitated for a while, then opened the door.

He stepped inside. "We need to talk."

"About what?"

"About why every wolf in that room submitted to you."

"I didn't..."

"And why do you smell like a mate bond, but not to Valon." He came closer, jaw tense. "Why is my wolf losing his mind right now?"

I froze. "What?"

"You feel it too, don't you?"

His voice dropped, soft but rough. "This pull."he traced my shoulders.

"No. You're imagining..."

He touched my face and sparks shot down my spine.

"Osilus..." I groaned.

"Zephyr," he whispered. "What are you?"

I met his eyes. "I don't know all I remember is me dying and when I woke up, everything changed."

His breath caught. "You're a..."

Suddenly, the window shattered causing us to duck for safety.

Then a huge black wolf crashed through the window, shards raining across the floor.

This wasn't Avalon for sure this was much bigger, wilder, with eyes like burning coals.

He shifted mid-lunge to reveal Severus Zane. Alpha of Shadow Crest. My killer.

"Found you," he growled, then sniffed, stopping mid-walk. "Mate." he growled.

The world froze.

"Severus..." Osilus started, stepping between us and his growl deepened.

That was when the door exploded open and Avalon stormed in, eyes glowing gold, teeth snarling.