Switched Fate: Tangled In His Body

Being cast aside by the entire pack and my husband after dedicating my life to this pack wasn’t in any of my plans. All just because of the real mate’s arrival.

She took everything I worked hard for in the palm of her hands. My reputation, the entire pack, and my husband.

Now, I’ve planned to sever everything, yet how did it come to this?

“I want you to suffer as I did, to feel the pain as if they were your own; every agonizing second of it.” I smirk as my throat stings, coughing up more blood. Tears streamed down my husband’s bloodshot eyes, a satisfaction I never expected I’d feel at my dying moments. 

“N-no! I’m sorry, please . . . Please I’ll be good, okay? I’ll chabge.” he held me close to his trembling chest, his sobs reverberating through the air — the last I breathed in before I gave in to death’s arms.

Or so I thought. 

“Do you really want him to feel the same pain you endured?” The blinding light asked. It was no doubt, The Goddess. 

“Yes.” I answered before I felt myself waking up.

Three Months Ago

“You are invited to George and Milly’s union.” I read the invitation once again. A rushed wedding from our Gamma, instantly marrying her mate after finding her on one of the nearby packs three days ago. 

To which, I was unfortunately invited. Ugh, great. 

Alone on a special table designed to where the Alpha and Luna should be sitting side-by-side as the entire reception was overflowed with chatters of the bride, I sighed, sipped on the wine in my hand before raising the glass up to my face, the girl on the glass’ reflection stared back at me, its auburn eyes glowering. My auburn eyes. 

It didn’t take long before my gaze was pulled away as the wine glass fell down from my grip, down the shining marble floors before it shattered loudly into pieces as someone pushed me to the side, leaving me staggering for balance. 

What a way to induce some bad luck on this wedding, Morana. 

“Oh Goddess, Luna! I am so sorry. Please forgive such a grave mistake!” I look down at the Omega on my feet, now begging for me to spare her life. 

I raised my gaze unto the crowd, eyes, both from strangers and my very own pack members, glowered down at me, waiting to see how I would react. 

Alright then, you wanna see someone kind? You get to see someone kind.

I’ve been living my life trying to appease everyone in this pack. I’ve done it so much it’s already been an integral part of me: being a people pleaser. I’m doing this to stay beside Logan, to always be the Luna they wanted me to be. Someone perfect with no flaws in sight.

I would do it even more if that’s what it takes to stay where I am now.

I smiled down at the sobbing woman, pulling her up to my level. “It’s alright. Stop apologizing.” I muttered and her eyes were wide as she picked up her tray on the floor.

She stammered a few more apologies and was about to walk away before I stopped her halfway. 

“Make another mistake with all these other invited packs around and it will be your last carrying a tray around with those hands.” I subtly whispered, not taking away my gaze towards the large crowd. 

She swallowed her fear before nodding quietly and walked away. I sucked in a deep breath before flashing a warm smile to everyone in the room.

“Everyone, please, pardon the commotion and enjoy Milly and George’s wonderful day!” I exclaimed, quietly looking around. 

Someone important should be here, sitting beside me, and yet is nowhere to be found. I gnaw on the insides of my cheeks, trying to spot him from the masses. I use my senses. 

“You,” I called one of the Omegas taking dirty dishes back to the kitchen. She halted and bowed her head after hearing herself being called. “Where is your Alpha?” I asked, or rather demanded. 

The teacups on her tray rattled from her nervousness. I rolled my eyes. “I do not — I do not know, Luna.” She replied. I sigh, rubbing my aching temples. 

She’s overreacting for someone who’s simply being asked a question. “Find him.” I ordered and she instantly nodded her head, walking off. 

Where is he? He should already be beside me as we’re a minute away from making a speech. We talked about this last night.

Gamma George was already marching towards me, a large smile etched on his face. 

Here we go.

“Luna, it’s so good to see you here in my humble wedding. You look marvelous again in this—um . . . your usual get up.” He eyed me from head to toe, seemingly unable to form words to explain my appearance yet is trying his best to be nice about it.

Leather boots, leather corsets, armored sleeves, and braided hair as though we’re heading for war. I have always dressed up differently, which in turn has provided me with both comfort and convenience, and unfortunately, criticism. For a Luna should always be lady-like — elegant. 

And I was by far, the exact opposite of how their ideal Luna should look.

I roll my eyes at him, “Congratulations, Gamma. I’m so glad to see you finally getting tied, yet you still got those insecure comments in you. Perhaps you were rejected by the blacksmith again in your request to have well-designed armor like mine?” I retorted, which he replied with a lighthearted chuckle. 

He’s used to the nasty tongue his Luna has, thankfully. 

“Shouldn’t you be on the stage, as the very groom yourself, announcing our supposed speech?” I raised a brow and he straightened, as though forgetting about his entire purpose of being in this party.

“Right, of course! I hope you didn’t bring any script! I’d be disappointed. Where’s the Alpha?” he asked, fixing the white rose on his suit’s pocket before looking back up at me. I flashed him a smile. “Oh, he’s just wandering around. I’ll go get him.” I replied, avoiding his eyes.

“Got it, you’ll be on queue.” he winked before heading towards his bride. I looked around, biting the thumb nail as anxiety rose inside me.

Where is he?

I waited for a couple more minutes before I noticed George kissing his newly-wedded wife mumbling something before he unhinged his limbs away from her body for once. 

He took a glance at me, signaling that it’s my turn — it’s me and the Alpha’s turn to give a speech. 

I look around once more, annoyed. One more minute passed before I decided to give up. Wherever he was, he’s surely getting some beatings later for wandering around too much.

“Now, to hear the final speech of the night, coming from the rulers of Dark Moon Pack, Alpha Logan and Luna Morana!” Everyone applauded, or maybe most of them.

Some eyed me up and down. 

“She is not even wearing a dress to a wedding! Disgraceful.” 

“Look at those leather boots, what is she, a garden gnome trying to act as a warrior?” 

“Good Goddess, is that blood on her sleeves. How barbaric!” 

I roll my eyes as it took a couple of seconds for those murmurs to subside before they finally realized the real missing feature I should be having by my side right now, not the jewelries, nor the fact I didn’t wear any heels, or that my armor is stained with wine,

but the fact that George announced the Alpha should be walking beside me and yet is nowhere to be found.

Where in the goddamn hell is he?

“Who knew, we’re in a wedding, the Luna, like a bride walking down the aisle, obviously the groom would leave her. What a pity.” 

I bit back the urge to slap the mouth of the person who said that before walking in a faster pace towards the stage. It did seem as though I was walking on an aisle as the crowd parted to let me through.

I sighed, looking up at George who stepped back from the microphone and flashed towards me a warm smile. I walked around the stage and to the stairs on the side. 

The platform was well designed and packed wIth decorations from its backdrop to the floor. Balloons lined up the edges, adored with the prettiest flowers.

Despite this wedding being rushed, there’s no doubt that any guest examining the place wouldn’t think so.  Everything looks thoroughly planned.

 I gathered my senses before stepping up the stairs. Even from this angle, I can still hear the murmurs from those who have the guts to talk about their Luna, yet I can’t be sure whether it came from the mouths of the pack members or the outsiders invited to this wedding.

Who knew, it could be from both sides. Afterall, a Luna wearing armor rumored to be stained with blood but actually wine, in a pretty wedding, is something worth talking about.

I smiled at everyone when suddenly, an ominous feeling wrapped around my senses. It’s not anxiety from all the eyes glowering over my every movements nor the fact that I actually didn’t prepare a speech in hopes that the Alpha would be the one talking and I’ll simply stand by his side,

No, it’s a dark, itchy feeling in my chest malicious enough to crawl up my throat. The horrible feeling isn’t radiating from the crowd, but in the walls, behind the assembled stage. 

Before I knew it, I staggered back, stepping on the hanging fabric covering the stage as a background. I inhaled and exhaled, trying to fill back the air in my lungs. 

My gaze stayed down at my feet as gasps covered the reception room.

What, they haven’t seen a person having a panic attack before? I bite my lip before looking down at Gamma George now below the stage.

“George, I’ll excuse myse—what . . .” I looked at the crowd and their eyes were not fixed on me, the person that seemed to need the attention — perhaps medical attention — but rather, they were staring on the ruined stage.

What are they looking at . . .

I turn to the stage, the situations behind it were now revealed. The speakers on the side that’s been blasting the music for the audience, the unused chairs stacked tight and hidden, and another bewildering sight to see,

Alpha Logan, my husband, kissing a girl, eyes closed as they were deep in lust with each other. Logan was pulling her sleeves down, trying to touch even more skin. 

They were so into it that they did not notice the spotlight placed on the two of them as they continued kissing. The panic attack I had seemed to have subsided by the sight.

I turn to the audience and sadly enough, they also turned to me. Some with a worried look on their faces, some with smirking lips. And for once, I was too numb to even wish I could slap the faces of those brave enough to smirk at my situation right now.

George looked at me, speechless and still shocked. The maid I ordered to call Alpha Logan over arrived panting, carrying a look of fear in her eyes. Ha, of course she knew the person I was looking for was sucking someone else’s face off.

I turn back to the two, still lost in the world only each other’s lips can give before marching over to them. A growl so loud slipped past my lips and with bloodshot eyes, I pulled them apart.

The spotlight was on the stage, on us. The crowd was waiting as to what scene will happen next, as though we’re spectacle — a movie worth watching, providing good-quality drama.

The girl fell on the floor, finally grasping the situation she’s in. Her eyes were wide and she turned to her elbow, blood trickled on it as she scratched herself from falling.

“Who-who are you and how dare you seduce my mate!” I shouted. She only responded with a whimper, staying seated on the ground.

I turn towards Logan, his eyes were drowsy and I instantly shook his shoulders. 

“Logan! Logan, wake up!” I yelled at him. His eyes were unsteady, bloodshot and almost red. He looked at me before his gaze landed on the girl behind me. His eyes watched over to her wound and before I knew it, I felt a stinging sensation on my face and I staggered as his palm connected with my skin.

And for the first time, it wasn’t because he was going to kiss me that he touched my skin. No, it wasn’t that. Because for the very first time it was intended to hurt me.

I stepped back and watched him rush over to her, carrying her up in bridal style.

“No one can touch my mate!” He loudly commanded the entire room, hugging the girl tightly as though he’s more than willing to protect her with the cost of his life — with the cost of everyone’s. I could hear the gasps, the glasses, and the walls of the room clattering from the immense power his voice and his commands carry.

Yet out of all the other things in the room, the loudest clatter I could hear was my shattering heart.

Morana’s POV

Shivering with fury and betrayal, I held my swelling cheeks. Everyone looked at Logan and his now so-called mate on the floor as he tended to her in front of the entire pack.

I sucked in a breath before turning towards everyone. Their eyes were all over them. A lump formed in my throat, which I tried to swallow down, together with the tears that were threatening to fall.

Fuck! What the hell was happening? He’s my mate! And how dare he slap and humiliate me in front of the entire pack?

My breath was getting ragged as I turned towards the pack warriors. “What are you guys doing? Get Logan away from her!” I growled.

Everyone hesitantly looked at me before turning their eyes back to Logan, and that woman, and yet no one dared to move.

They were too afraid to mess with their Alpha’s current state. I scoffed. Of course, they’re afraid. Logan looked like he’s ready to rip everyone’s head off if they got close enough.

“Can’t you see? He’s bewitched! T-this woman did something to him!” I shouted once more, pointing at the girl in Logan’s arms, and still, no one moved a muscle.

My chest constricted at the sight of the crowd’s gaze slowly softening as they stared at the two of them. It was scary. It felt as though everything I had was slipping right through my fingers just from that sight.

As if this was just the beginning of something grand.

I stared at Logan again, whose back was on me. He’s heaving up and down, covering the woman as though he’s holding the most precious thing he had in the world – the same way he held me in bed before.

I’m the one that should be in his arms! It’s always been that way!

I wipe the tears threatening to slide down from the corner of my eyes and push the wave of hopelessness in the back of my mind before stepping closer to them. Logan turned to me with bloodshot eyes, growling like a threatened animal.

“Logan…” His name didn’t come out of my mouth as determined as I wanted it to be. I want to be strong for us.

I want to think that this was merely a challenge to test our love for each other. I want this to be just that and nothing more.

And yet, somewhere in me, I knew that this wasn’t all about us anymore. This involved our fates.

“Logan, look at me,” I called out in a determined but soft voice.

My wolf was hiding in the back of my mind, and had already lost hope. All she’s doing was calling out to him, whimpering.

All I could feel was my heart heavily pounding inside my chest.

With our great memories together in my mind, I gently touched his shoulders.

Everyone was silent as they watched the entire thing unfold under the moonlight when mate bonds were the strongest.

The girl in Logan’s arms started stirring and furiously sweating but remained unconscious. Logan held her even closer before his eyes turned red, and his fangs plunged out.

My eyes instantly widened when I registered what was going to happen.

“No!” I panicked. I fisted my hands, frustrated with my helplessness. Goosebumps rose in my skin as his canines were about to lower down the girl’s neck.

‘This can’t be happening! He’s going to mark her!’

“Logan, please!” I ran to them, pulling my husband away by his shoulders, but I was instantly lunged backward as he shook me off of him.

“Ah!” I winced as I felt some of the flower vases from the decorations shatter, their shards penetrating through my skin.

I didn’t mind my bleeding wounds or my blurry eyes from tears as I stared at them.

‘Please, no!’ I prayed.

Logan lowered his head, and before I knew it, a scream came out of my lips as I closed my eyes. “Stop!”

The entire place rumbled, and I slowly peeked at what was happening. The crowd had their eyes on me, and Logan’s back straightened. His canines retreated back.

He turned to me, and those terrifying red orbs returned to their peaceful teal color. Confused, he turned to my state before looking at everyone and down to the woman in his arms.

My eyes widened as I saw those orbs soften at the sight of the sleeping lady. Once more, a lump formed in my throat.

I cleared my throat to get his attention.

As though he realized he had more matters to attend to, he instantly broke his gaze from that woman and turned to me. He gently pushed her away, nodding at George from the crowd to take care of the situation.

Logan held my face in his hands, assessing my state.

“Fuck, what have I done?” he murmured before pulling me up from the floor.

I stared at him, speechless.

“Shit, Morana, I-I’m so sorry!” He panicked, his eyes unsteady.

“What happened?” I tried to get his attention once again.

“Something just struck in me with the moon and all, and I was drawn to her like a madman—”

That’s the matebond. So… she’s indeed his mate… His fated mate.

“I don’t want to hear that,” I muttered, looking away. The memories of everything that happened played back to me like a broken cassette tape.

“R-right, of course, Morana. Of course, my love.” He forced a smile, the panic still behind his voice. I pursed my lips together before giving him a light smile.

He turned towards the crowd, still in shock and somewhat awe at the drama that had just finished before their eyes.

“Let’s go back,” I said with indifference, holding his hand and pulling him out of the venue.

“Everyone, return to your quarters. The reception is canceled,” Logan announced. Everyone grunted and whispered to themselves about how I ruined this all.

Being this close to him, I could smell the musky and woody scent he usually carries.

But unlike before, it was mixed with another scent. A feminine one. A sign that I wouldn’t be the only woman he’d care for in the future.

I shook the thoughts off of my head, relaxing at the idea that at least today– at least today he’s with me.

“Alpha,” Logan turned to George, who’s carrying the woman Logan was kissing earlier.

Despite the darkness of the night, her red curly hair still seems to be glowing. Her eyes were closed, and sweat dripped down her temples; her skin was pale, not from the fact that she was unconscious, but it looked naturally pale.

She looked like Snow White. But what does that make me? The Evil Luna, the envy of the girl deemed to be the fairest of them all?

My thoughts were interrupted when I felt something rumbling in Logan’s chest, almost as if he was suppressing an angry growl. I looked between them, and my eyes widened as I saw where my husband’s eyes were wandering.

He was glaring at George’s hands sticking onto the girl.

“Put her in an empty room,” Logan commanded.

George glanced at me in respect before nodding and walking off with the unconscious girl in his arms.

I pulled his hands, waiting for Logan to walk away, when I felt no movement at all. I peeked at him to see his gaze still fixed on the two. I swallowed the heaviness rising in me.

He had that look again. It wasn’t as aggressive as earlier, but it had something else in it. That longing gaze on her told me that I would never be able to escape my faith in being the third party.

“Logan?” I called. He looked back at me as though he had forgotten he still had another woman to worry about. He flashed a light smile before we got into the car and returned to the pack house.

“I’m sorry,” he repeated.

Looking outside the car’s window, I uttered in exhaustion, “Let’s just go home.”

While I was on the bed, Logan sat beside me and held my cheek warmly. “I hurt you, Morana. That’s unforgivable.” he turned to me, eyes full of guilt.

What happened earlier was something that’s not so easy to forgive. I wasn’t hurt during one of the trainings. This time, I was hurt because he actually wanted to.

“She’s my mate,” he mumbled after a long moment of silence. I stared at him, too speechless to notice that he had touched the subject I’d been trying to avoid.

“I know,” I muttered, pain glinting in my eyes. How could I not know after he growled it out to the crowd earlier?

We stared at each other before I avoided his hesitant eyes. “What are you going to do now that she’s here?” I asked, biting off my tongue from continuing my sentence with a “—just reject her.”

Logan didn’t reply, so I turned to him, his eyes telling me all the answers I needed.

“Logan, we chose this bond three years ago,” I muttered, breaking his silence. I took his face in my hand to keep his eyes on me. “If you’re going to break this, then I’ll leave.” Tears threatened to fall, and I didn’t try to stop them.

“No, no. You’re the only one I love. I can’t afford to lose you, Morana.” He pulled me to him, breathing in my scent. I closed my eyes, my chest still heavy.

“Of course. I’m not going to leave you either,” I mutter. Not until you want me here, not until I’m still the one…

I silently scoffed at myself. Who am I kidding? How could I compete with a bond written in the stars? No matter what I do, I’d always be his second-best.

“Alpha!” A knock on the door broke us apart. His Beta, Vincent, entered while panting with a panicking look lingering on his face.

“Your fated mate—” My eyes widened at the mention of her.

“Your fated mate’s father is here. He says that if you do not marry his daughter,” I look up at Logan, who stares at him with worry and anticipation.

“—war would break out.”

What?!

Morana’s POV

I raised my gaze towards Logan, his eyes brimming solemnly. He was deep in his thoughts. That’s the look in his eyes I could never overlook.

“What do we do?” Vincent asked. His gaze shifted between the two of us.

Logan stood up from the bed and turned towards his Beta.

“Who is she, exactly?” he muttered unknowingly.

“She’s Violet Harrison, daughter of the Hallow Hunter’s pack,” Vincent simply replied, and that single sentence said it all.

Their pack name speaks for themselves, like where I came from. They were known hunters. Unlike us warriors who were driven by principles, discipline, and rules, they were driven by goals.

Once they set eyes on their prey, they’d do anything to kill or achieve it.

I sneered. So, not only was she from a powerful pack, but she was also the Alpha’s daughter.

Way to make me feel even more unfit for Logan.

Vincent interrupted as I was about to shake my head to burn that thought.

“We’re going to fight, right?” Looking at me with those determined and hopeful eyes, he asked again, “Right?”

Fisting my hands so tight that my nails dipped in my palms, I could only look away.

“Every warrior of our pack is willing to fight with us! We can’t just let them trample everyone down with this simple threat,” Vincent added, justifying his words.

I stared at him, patriotism in his eyes.

“Vincent . . .” I mumble, my heart warming at his words.

“We’re all willing to fight for you here, Luna Morana.” His lips curved slightly. I looked away before everything could get emotional.

I never thought they were all that loyal to me.

As a heart-wrenching suggestion as it was, a fight was nowhere near an option. Casualties could break out — the entire pack would suffer, especially the youngsters.

“Vincent, it’s just—we can’t have any more people dying when this could be prevented,” I mumble, looking up at Logan as I emphasize the word ‘prevented’.

Yes, this could be stopped -- this potential war would end once Logan accepts his fated mate and threw me aside.

My mind wandered back to yesterday's kiss and Logan's closeness to having her right there, and doubts instantly brewed inside of me.

Was he really capable of rejecting her when it seemed as though a simple kiss from her would never be enough to satisfy himself?

“You’re thinking too much again.” I look down at my hand, which Logan held. The warmth it carried instantly pushed all the worrying thoughts to the back of my head.

He smiled at me. His teal eyes carried assurance in them.

“Beta Vincent—” With a stern voice, he commanded, “Go and tell them I will talk to the elders about this tomorrow morning.”

Vincent left with a nod, and the room was once again covered in silence. We stared at each other and the three years we’ve shared flashed right back into his eyes, as though I was seeing it again in retrospect.

I couldn’t lose all of that.

“Morana, whatever it is you’re thinking—it will never happen. I’ll reject her and kick her out of this pack. Out of your sight — out of everyone’s sight.” He tucked a stray hair covering my face.

I didn’t even know what to think about this situation. It’s like battling with the world itself . . . for things I greedily want. For the love, I could never have.

I squeezed his hand in mine as though it would be the last time I’d ever do it.

“That woman is your mate, Logan. Your real mate, destined to you by the Moon Goddess,” I gritted my teeth, looking away as hopeless tears slid down my eyes. I instantly wipe them away.

I was never this pathetic over another girl. I tell myself that. However, something in me was chanting that we all know she’s not just another girl. She will never be just another girl.

“Morana, it’s you I want. It will always be you,” he whispered, his teal eyes penetrating through all my thoughts as he pulled my face towards his and gently kissed my forehead…

“Ah!” I shouted, beads of cold sweat dripping on my forehead as I abruptly sat up on the bed, awoken by excruciating pain.

I thrashed around as I tried to get a hold of myself. “Ah! Fuck . . .” I tried to catch my breath, feeling my lungs malfunctioning.

I gripped the bedpost as the pain struck another wave. The pain was demanding to be felt. Like a hot boiling water was poured right into my chest and through my heart.

“Logan!” I yelled, my throat burning as I searched for the only person who could give me any sense of comfort, but he was nowhere to be found.

I clawed onto my nightgown, trying to rip it off my chest.

“Please, whatever this is, make it stop.” I silently begged.

“Agh! Please, Logan!” Tears brimmed down my face as another wave of pain rushed. This time, it was as though I was getting burned.

What was this?

I tried to remember what I ate at George’s wedding. I smelled shrimp soup, wine, and flowers, yet nothing came to mind that could cause this.

All until my mind drifted back to my last moments before falling asleep. I was in the hands of Logan.

“Morana, a mate’s touch is comfort. But a mate’s touch to another is suffering. Do not ever forget that.”

My eyes widened at the realization of what my aunt once said to me.

Of course! Who was I kidding? I believed everything he said last night, and here he was, with the exact girl he told me not to worry about.

I closed my eyes, waiting for a pain so much worse than earlier. A deadly pain once he marks and mates with his fated mate.

I lay down on the bed, grunts coming out of my lips. The moment I’d feel that specific burn, the burn where it may tell me if he had finally fallen to the lust their mate bond was pulling, I knew it would be the end of the both of us.

And so I patiently wait. Waited for the painful truth of my mate’s betrayal.