---- Chapter 8 Becky's POV The morning of my bonding ceremony was quiet. I stared at my reflection in the mirror as the maids finished fixing my simple white dress. It was nothing extravagant, just a plain but elegant dress fitting for a Beta's ceremonial mating to a high-ranking wolf. My makeup was light, and my hair was pinned back neatly. "Are you ready, dear?" Grandmother's voice came from the doorway, her wolf aura calm but ever- watchful. I took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes." Grandfather stepped forward, his silver eyes sharp, the power of an elder wolf radiating from him. ---- "After today, you are Becky Blackridge Greenbrook. Bonded to Alpha Michael, heir of the Greenbrook line. No turning back." I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I know." With that, we headed to Alpha Michael's family estate deep within the pack's inner territory, where everything was already set up. A pack elder was waiting in the living room when we atrived, his robes marked with the crescent sigil of our pack. The butler stood stiffly in the corner, while Alpha Michael's nanny adjusted Alpha Michael's posture in his wheelchair. Alpha Michael-once a promising Alpha-sat blankly, the scars from his incident still haunting his dull golden eyes. He made soft, childish humming noises, unaware of the sacred rites about to occur. ---- I tried not to sigh as I took my place beside him. The ceremony was short, almost emotionless. "Do you, Becky Blackridge, take Alpha Michael Greenbrook as your bonded mate?" the elder asked. "T do," I said firmly. "and do you, Alpha Michael Greenbrook, accept Becky Blackridge as your Luna and bonded partner?" Alpha Michael blinked. Then, he let out a small giggle and clapped his hands together. Silence. I felt my face heat up in embarrassment. "He does," the nanny quickly said. The elder glanced at Alpha Michael, clearly uncomfortable, before moving on. ---- When it was time to sign the mating record, Alpha Michael just stared at the paper. The butler sighed and stepped forward, picking up the pen and signing on his behalf. I clenched my jaw. This was humiliating-for a Beta like me to be tied to someone with the mind of a pup, even if he was born an Alpha. Finally, the elder handed me the scroll. "May the Moon Goddess witness this union. Congratulations, Alpha Michael Greenbrook and Beta Becky Blackridge Greenbrook." It was official. I was mated... to an invalid. After the elder left, my grandparents turned to me. "Starting tomorrow, you will be introduced to the council," Grandfather said. "You will live here