On the day of my mate ceremony, my brother, Lucian Jenkins, future Gamma of the Blue Moon Pack, splashed red wine all over my ceremonial gown.

"Zendaya, you know Amina has feelings for Beta Kyler. Why are you making such a fuss about this ceremony?"

My intended mate, Kyler Jordan, Beta of the Silver Fang Pack, stood there nonchalantly, leaning against the door frame, his voice calm and composed:

"I'll give you two options: first, wear this stained gown and proceed with the ceremony."

"Second, apologize to Amina, cheer her up, and then I’ll announce the ceremony is postponed."

But I chose a different path. I stood before our pack members and allies in my ceremonial gown and declared that I was rejecting the mate bond with Kyler Jordan.

Brother, mate, sister... I decided I didn’t need any of them.

But as soon as I left, I heard that the two most influential packs in the region had gone into a frenzy.

They sought out the world’s top designers in a futile attempt to salvage a gown stained with red wine.

Just as I was changing into a ceremonial gown I had cherished for ten years, Lucian barged into the dressing room.

Before I could admire myself in the mirror, the young man who bore a striking resemblance to me kicked open the dressing room door.

"Zendaya! Have you lost your mind? I warned you so many times, yet you insisted on going through with this ridiculous ceremony!"

"You know Amina has feelings for Beta Kyler. Are you doing this to intentionally hurt her? Do you have any idea how upset she is at home?"

He shouted at me, completely unaware of how the spark of joy in my eyes quickly faded.

So it was about Amina again...

Feeling defeated and burdened by the lavish gown, I reminded myself that today was not a day for arguments.

I sighed softly, choosing not to retort as I usually would. Instead, I raised my head and spoke calmly:

"Lucian, can we not argue? At least not today... It’s my mate ceremony, and I want to be happy."

Lucian's expression grew darker, and he stepped closer, scoffing.

"Zendaya, can you stop being so selfish? It’s just a ceremony. Is it really more important than Amina’s feelings?"

"She’s so understanding and gentle, enduring the pain to give you and Beta Kyler her blessings. All she asked was for the ceremony not to be so extravagant. A simple pack gathering would’ve sufficed. Why do you have to be so stubborn?"

His self-righteous tone made my hands tremble with anger, and I couldn’t care less about it being a "special day." I retorted immediately:

"I’m the one forming the mate bond. What’s wrong with wanting a ceremony for myself? Why should I be responsible for Amina’s feelings?"

"Shut up! Amina is your sister. You have a duty to care for her and accommodate her!"

My vision went dark momentarily, and I almost shouted, "Sister? She’s your sister, not mine! My mother had only one daughter, and that’s me!"

"Shut up!"

Cold red wine dripped down my hair, staining the pristine ceremonial gown I wore.

At that moment, both Lucian and I were stunned.

He seemed to regain his senses, the hand holding the wine glass trembling.

"Zendaya, I didn’t—"

He hastily grabbed tissues from the table, awkwardly trying to wipe my face, but I dodged him.

Feeling like the life had been drained from me, I looked down at the dark red stain over my heart, lost in silence.

Wine continued to drip from my hair, and perhaps finding the scene too grotesque, Lucian pressed a tissue to my forehead.

"Hah—Lucian, why do you even bother with her!"

"We said no ceremony. She still dragged me and my parents here, making Amina cry all this time! Let her remember this!"

Both Lucian and I turned to see Kyler Jordan, standing leisurely at the door, a cigarette in his mouth and a smirk on his face.

That’s when I noticed he wasn’t even wearing his ceremonial attire.

Instead, he wore a white jacket adorned with a crudely drawn bear across the chest.

A birthday gift from Amina last year...

Kyler tilted his head, laughing lightly at my disheveled appearance.

"Zendaya, do you think appeasing the Alpha means you can control my life? Dream on! I’m telling you, no matter how many schemes you pull, you’re not even close to Amina!"

Watching the disdain in his eyes, I found it laughable...

Our mate bond was arranged when we were children by both packs.

He never, not once, protested. Even when he seemed more attentive to Amina than me, he never brought up rejecting the bond.

The ceremony was pushed by the Silver Fang Pack.

When Amina found out, she cried and refused to eat, causing distress to both Lucian and Kyler.

Both avoided me to console her.

In my last mind link to Kyler, I asked, "Beta Kyler, do you even want to form this bond?"

He remained silent until Amina’s tearful voice came through: "Beta Kyler, who are you talking to? Is it my sister?"

Only then did he speak hurriedly, "Stop this nonsense. The pack’s already decided. Stop bothering me!"

Alpha Jordan assured me I had nothing to worry about; he’d handle the ceremony, and Kyler... he’d make him come around.

But seeing Kyler now, it’s clear he must’ve been reprimanded by Alpha Jordan and was venting his frustration on me...

I chuckled softly, taking the tissue from Lucian’s hand to gently wipe away the wine on my face.

"Sloane, is your mate here yet? The officiant is arranging for you two to go on stage! Oh—your gown!"

My maid of honor, Sloane Thompson, a Delta in the Silver Fang Pack, rushed in, nearly fainting at the scene before her.

Her almond eyes widened in disbelief as she looked between me and the two men, immediately grasping the situation.

"You two jerks, bullying Zendaya again, aren’t you!"

Before she could claw at Kyler’s face, I quickly grabbed her arm.

Sloane’s father serves as a healer for the Silver Fang Pack.

It wasn’t worth it, not at all...

But Kyler seemed to misinterpret something. Seeing me step in, his eyes flickered for a moment.

Then, he lowered his voice:

"I’ll give you two options: wear this stained gown to complete the ceremony, or apologize to Amina, and I’ll publicly announce the ceremony’s postponed. We can have a new gown made for you, your choice."

His words were framed as if offering choices, but his expression was taunting, waiting for me to argue...

Sloane, on the verge of tears, looked at him as if she wanted to tear him apart.

But as for me... I hadn’t been angry from the start.

I lifted my gaze, staring directly into his eyes.

"No need, Beta Kyler. This gown—my mother made it for me before she passed. I doubt you could find a designer more brilliant than her."

Thud—

Behind me, Lucian stumbled back into the vanity. I turned around and met his shocked eyes.

He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Ignoring him, I continued with Kyler, "So, neither of your options—I’m taking neither!"

With the bouquet in hand, I walked onto the stage alone, facing only Kyler Jordan’s parents. My parents had passed away years ago, and aside from my brother, Lucian Jenkins, who had just splashed wine on me backstage, I was without any family in this world. The grand hall of the Silver Fang Pack’s territory was filled with pack members and guests, their eyes sharp with curiosity and judgment. I could feel the weight of their stares, the unspoken whispers about the Gamma’s daughter who was about to make a scene.

Under the surprised gaze of everyone present, I calmly took the microphone from the emcee. My hands were steady, but my heart pounded in my chest. The scent of wildflowers—my scent—mingled with the tension in the air, a stark contrast to the floral arrangements decorating the hall.

"I apologize for meeting everyone under such circumstances. Let me first offer my apologies."

Kyler had already reacted and rushed onto the stage, grabbing my arm. His grip was firm, his presence as commanding as ever. As the Beta of the Silver Fang Pack, he exuded an aura of authority that made even the Alphas around him pause. But tonight, his usual calm demeanor was shattered.

"Zendaya, what are you doing?" he demanded, his voice low but edged with panic.

"I'm doing what you probably should have done!" I shot back, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me.

"As everyone can see, my fiancé, Beta Kyler Jordan, didn’t even bother changing his clothes..." I gestured to his casual attire, a stark contrast to my wedding gown. The dress, a masterpiece crafted by my late mother, was now stained with dark red wine, a cruel reminder of Lucian’s outburst backstage.

"He said this wedding was something I engineered, so I'm deciding not to meddle anymore. I hereby announce that Kyler and I are calling off the engagement! From now on, we go our separate ways!"

With those words, I tossed the microphone aside and shook off Kyler’s hand, leaving the stage. Behind me, the venue erupted into chaos. The pack’s hierarchy was strict, and public displays of discord were rare. My actions were a breach of protocol, but I didn’t care. Not anymore.

Before me stood Lucian, looking panicked and pale. He reached out to grab me but hesitated when he noticed the glaring dark red stain on my wedding dress. His eyes flickered with something—guilt, perhaps—but it was too late. Without slowing for anyone, I cast the bouquet aside and walked past him.

At the entrance, Sloane Thompson, my loyal friend and a Delta in the Silver Fang Pack, had the car ready. Her eyes were wide with worry, her usual fiery demeanor subdued.

"Zendaya! Get in the car!" she urged, her voice tight with concern.

Only after settling inside did I notice my hands trembling. In the rear-view mirror, my tear-streaked face stared back, makeup slightly smeared. The weight of the evening pressed down on me, but I refused to break. Not yet.

Sloane handed me a couple of tissues, muttering curses about Kyler.

"He used to be such a charmer back in the day. What happened to him?" she fumed, her voice tinged with anger and disappointment.

"He was so infatuated with you! Men can change faster than the weather!"

Her voice softened when she noticed me burying my face in the tissues, remaining silent for a long time.

"Zendaya..."

"I'm okay, Sloane, really. I’m just... thinking about my mom."

The car grew quiet. I leaned my head against the window, watching the scenery blur past, feeling like times had truly shifted. It turns out, I was the only one foolishly stuck in the past.

Actually, Lucian and Kyler were really kind to me when we were kids... really kind...

My mom was a famous wedding dress designer. She once promised to design the most unique dress for me, seeing me wear her love and blessings when I married the person I loved.

The year Kyler and I were betrothed in childhood, he shyly reached out to hold my hand, only for my brother to shove him aside.

"Get lost! You're supposed to hold hands when you’re grown, not now!" Lucian had barked, his protective instincts kicking in even then.

The adults burst into laughter, and I shyly hid in my mother’s embrace, where she gently stroked my hair. Back then, my mom hadn’t been diagnosed with stomach cancer, and there was no Amina as my sister.

Everyone I cherished was with me. Mom passed away when I was twelve. Unable to guess my adult measurements, she modified the last wedding dress she made countless times, adding adjustable zippers around the bodice and waist.

This was the final gift my mom left me. But I almost lost this wedding dress too.

The same year she passed, Dad brought home a little girl, explaining she was the child of his old friend, fulfilling his friend’s dying wish.

"Lucian, Zendaya, this is your little sister now. Be kind to her, alright?"

I thought I understood, but Amina clearly didn’t...

I’d never encountered a child like her. One moment she fiercely snatched a doll from my hands, the next she was shedding tears in front of my brother and Kyler. Are people naturally inclined to sympathize with and trust the weak? I don’t know.

What I do know is that the two who used to back me slowly began to side with Amina.

"Zendaya, you can’t do this! Amina lost her parents; she’s so pitiful!" Lucian would scold me, his tone laced with frustration.

"Exactly, Zendaya, you need to be kind to Amina. You have your brother and me; Amina has no one," Kyler would add, his voice soft but firm.

"..."

I can’t even recall how many times I’ve had such arguments with them. Every fight ended with them angrily accusing me of not being as gentle or sweet as Amina.

Gradually, I stopped wanting to argue altogether. But this compromise only made Amina more relentless.

She even tried to steal my mom’s wedding dress!

When I saw her dragging that white dress down the stairs, I was beside myself with anger. It was the first time I ever laid a hand on her.

She stormed into my room with Lucian, a bright red handprint on her face.

I was still carefully wiping the dust off the skirt’s hem with clear water.

"Brother, don’t scold Sister. It’s all Amina’s fault for upsetting her. Sister hit me because of that; it’s me who deserves to be hit!" she sobbed, her voice trembling with false sincerity.

Lucian’s expression was unforgettable. Disappointment, bewilderment, even... a hint of disgust.

He said, "Zendaya, I never thought you’d turn so cold-hearted!

"Amina had never seen such a beautiful dress before; she only wanted to look at it. How could you do such a thing?"

I was so enraged my hands shook, arguing heatedly with Lucian. This commotion brought Dad into the room.

He glanced at the tearful Amina and gently consoled her, "Don’t cry, Amina. Dad will get you an even prettier princess dress, okay?"

After soothing her, he turned and saw me still standing there, his face suddenly awkward.

"Ahem, you both will get new dresses. How’s that sound?"

Watching him and Lucian carefully wiping Amina’s tears finally hit me... I was the outsider.

I didn’t want a new princess dress, and even the wedding dress I cautiously locked away in a cabinet. It was then I realized... in this world, there was no one left who loved me...

"Zendaya, we’re here. I’ll go in with you so that brat doesn’t bother you again!" Sloane’s voice brought me back to the present.

Looking at Sloane, whose eyes were as red as mine, I hesitated and shook my head.

Over the years, just to defend me, she’s taken countless hits from Amina. Sloane is impulsive and naïve, unable to see through Amina’s traps even when they were right in front of her.

Kyler, meanwhile, with his privileged position, blindly favored Amina, often driving Sloane to tears of frustration.

I’m about to leave here, and I can’t drag her into any more conflicts.

"It’s okay, Sloane. I’m just going to grab my ID and passport, and I’ll be right out."

I took a deep breath, lifted my expansive wedding dress, and walked into the Jenkins family home. As soon as I entered, I saw Amina, whom Lucian and Kyler had said was crying sorrowfully, lounging on the sofa, playing with her hair and smiling at me.

"Oh, Sister’s back? I thought Beta Kyler had only left an hour ago. Is the wedding over already?"

Feigning surprise, she covered her mouth, "What happened to your wedding dress? Beta Kyler’s so awful; even if he hates you, he shouldn’t have spilled wine on it. That was Mrs. Jenkins’ gift to you."

As I maintained my composure, the smile in her eyes slowly faded. I truly felt no anger towards her, only profound sadness. She even remembered it was the dress Mom had given me, but Lucian... seemed to have forgotten.

Before she could speak again, I cut her off.

"It wasn’t Beta Kyler."

She was taken aback, and I continued, "It was Lucian."

Amina’s expression froze, her mouth opened several times, but no words came out.

"You don’t have to bother competing anymore; Lucian and Kyler are yours. I want nothing from them."

I sidestepped her to enter my room, but she caught up, grabbing my wrist. Something I said must have struck a nerve, because Amina became incredibly agitated.

"Give it to me? What do you mean, give it to me? You lost it all by yourself; you were never good enough!" she spat, her voice rising with anger.

Her words stung, but I didn’t flinch. I had already made up my mind. Tonight, I was leaving this world behind—the world of packs, hierarchies, and mate bonds. I was done being the outsider.