The Alpha’s Regret Claiming His Luna novel Chapter 1

Olivia arrives at a dinner party to pick up Ethan Grey, her destined mate and Alpha heir of the Grey pack, but overhears a disturbing conversation through a slightly open door. Ethan’s friends reveal that he still harbors feelings for Cassandra, his first love, and considers Olivia merely a substitute because she resembles Cassandra. The harsh truth shatters Olivia’s belief in their three years of love, leaving her heartbroken and betrayed. She quietly leaves the party, tears streaming down her face, and calls her father to tell him she’s ready to accept an arranged marriage and return home.

Olivia reflects on her past—how she fled her own pack to be with Ethan, only to realize she was never truly his priority. Later, at Moonlight Manor, she finds messages on Ethan’s computer from Cassandra, who has returned to town and is rekindling their relationship. Ethan’s quick and affectionate replies to Cassandra contrast painfully with his distant attitude toward Olivia. Despite her pain, Olivia tends to Ethan with a healing broth she prepared, only to eat it alone when Ethan leaves abruptly for an urgent errand, telling her he probably won’t return that night.

Meanwhile, Olivia receives a message from Connor Rivers, her childhood friend and the Alpha she was originally betrothed to, who offers support and reminds her of her roots. Olivia’s wolf, Cora, senses the turmoil and seems relieved that Olivia is moving toward standing up for herself. When Ethan’s friend Sophie invites Olivia to her birthday party, Olivia chooses a meaningful gift and attends the event, hoping for some normalcy.

At Sophie’s elegant birthday party, Olivia witnesses Ethan arrive with Cassandra, his first love, arm in arm. The sight of them together, laughing and intimate, shocks Olivia and exposes Ethan’s betrayal. Their eyes meet, and Ethan is stunned to see Olivia there, uneasy and strained as he questions why she came. The chapter ends with this tense confrontation, highlighting Olivia’s pain and the deepening conflict between love, loyalty, and betrayal.

Chapter 1: Just a Substitute

(Olivia’s Perspective)

The night air was cool and crisp as I approached the grand entrance of the dinner party, my heart beating with a mix of anticipation and nervousness. I had come to pick up Ethan Grey, my future mate, and the Alpha heir of the powerful Grey pack in Harbor City. As I neared the door, I suddenly caught the murmur of voices slipping through the narrow crack where the door stood slightly open. I hesitated, my hand pausing just inches from the doorknob, curiosity and dread swirling inside me.

Ethan was not just any mate—he was the destined one, our wolves had recognized each other three years ago when I first arrived in Harbor City. Since then, we had been deeply in love, or so I believed.

“Ethan, Cassandra is back in town. What about Olivia?” a voice asked, tinged with concern.

His reply was cold, almost dismissive. “What about her?”

My breath hitched, my heart faltering at the tone he used. From behind the half-open door, a faint haze of cigarette smoke curled around Ethan’s face as he confessed quietly, “I don’t know. I don’t want to hurt Olivia, but I can’t let go of Cassandra.”

A collective sigh came from his friends. One leaned forward, his face partially visible through the gap.

“I don’t get it, man. You’ve been with Olivia for three years—three whole years! And you’re still on the fence?”

Another voice cut in sharply, biting and blunt. “Because she’s nothing more than a substitute. You found her only because she looks like Cassandra.”

The words struck me like a physical blow, my throat tightening painfully. Ethan took a long drag of his cigarette, making no effort to deny the accusation.

“Yeah, I was drawn to the faint resemblance. All these years, I’ve been chasing Cassandra’s shadow in her.”

“So she’s just a stand-in,” someone sighed in disappointment.

“When will you break up with her?” another asked bluntly.

Ethan flicked the ash from his cigarette with reluctance. “Not yet. Olivia is obedient and sensible. I’m actually reluctant to lose her.”

His friend clapped him on the shoulder. “You can’t have your cake and eat it too. Think carefully.”

Another voice chimed in casually, “Hey, what’s the big deal? Just keep dating both. If you feel bad for Olivia, just buy her more gifts. She-wolves are easy to coax.”

Ethan scoffed. “I’m not that kind of guy.”

Outside the door, a bitter smile curled on my lips. Three years of love, reduced to “obedient and sensible.” Three years of devotion, and I was nothing but a placeholder.

Without a word, I turned away and melted into the darkness of the night.

The chilly river breeze tangled my hair as I stepped out from the restaurant, tears silently tracing down my cheeks. The weight of realization crushed me: for three years, I had believed in a love that was real and mutual. Now, I understood I was merely a shadow of his first love, a substitute filling the void left by Cassandra.

I stood alone by the riverside, the city’s vibrant lights flickering on one side while the dark, endless river stretched on the other. My wolf, Cora, whimpered softly inside me, sensing my pain but also understanding the necessity of what I was about to do.

Taking a deep breath, I pulled out my phone and dialed my father’s number. The call rang three times before his gruff voice answered, laced with surprise. We hadn’t spoken in months.

“Olivia?” he said.

“Hello, Dad. I’ve decided to come home and accept the arranged marriage,” I said quietly.

There was a pause. “What happened?”

Beneath the dim glow of a streetlamp, I lowered my voice. “Nothing happened. I’m just tired of running in circles. I want to settle down and get married.”

Though my tone was calm, my heart trembled as I admitted, “I was wrong before—childish and rebellious. I shouldn’t have argued or run away. I’ve thought it through.”

“Olivia…” His voice softened, a hint of relief in it.

“I’ll return to Riverdale once I wrap things up here in Harbor City,” I promised.

The truth was, I was the daughter of the Alpha of the Winters pack, one of the oldest werewolf bloodlines in Riverdale. Three years ago, my father had arranged a mating for me with Connor Rivers, my childhood friend and a powerful Alpha. But because I resisted the idea, I fled secretly from the Winters pack and settled under a hidden identity within the Grey pack. That was when my wolf discovered that Ethan Grey was my destined mate.

After hanging up, I wandered the streets alone, the night stretching endlessly as I replayed those harsh words in my mind. Harbor City’s glowing lights blurred around me as I walked without direction, my heart aching with betrayal.

When I finally returned to Moonlight Manor well past ten, Martha Jenkins greeted me warmly. Martha, the beta werewolf who had served the Grey household for years, always treated me kindly.

“Miss Winters, you’re back,” she said, offering me a bowl. “This is the healing broth you made for Mr. Grey. I reheated it since it had gone cold. I was about to bring it up. Would you like to take it instead?”

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