I couldn't take it anymore. I blasted the image to the entire pack through the mind-link: my mate, Alpha Cassian Valerius, intimately kissing and scent-marking his subordinate, Lorelei Finch, in the park.

After a tense silence, Cassian's commanding Alpha voice finally cut through the link. "This is a psychic illusion, a lie born from Althea's jealousy. Her mind is fracturing. She is not fit to be your Luna."

The mind-link erupted with the pack's thoughts, a chaotic buzz of speculation. Had I lost my mind?

But I knew better. I knew how Cassian, a master of psychic manipulation, twisted reality with his Alpha authority.

I shut out the clamor in the mind-link, my gaze falling to the moon marking on my wrist. The symbol of our mate bond, which should have been a searing brand, was now just a cold, dim smudge.

How was I ever going to escape this gilded cage he called destiny?

————————

1

Even wolves whose names I didn't know were mocking me in the hidden corners of the mind-link.

When my best friend, Briar Lowell, found out, she didn't take my side. To my shock, she tore into me.

"Althea Thorne, have you lost your mind? You should be on your knees thanking the Moon Goddess that you're Cassian's mate! Do you have any idea what it looks like, treating him this way? You're betraying the entire pack!"

"If I were you, I'd get on my knees and beg for his forgiveness without a second thought! You'll regret this!"

All the while, my Alpha mate, Cassian Valerius, simply watched. The faint smirk on his lips told me everything—he was savoring my public humiliation.

After all, I was just a puppet, and he held all the strings.

To the pack, he was the perfect Alpha—strong, charming, and considerate. He was the dream mate of every unmated she-wolf.

But it wasn't until our mate bond formed that I discovered the master manipulator lurking beneath his perfect facade.

In public, he was the epitome of refinement and charisma, a performance that earned him their unwavering devotion. Yet, in private, he used the crushing weight of his Alpha presence to torment me.

He especially loved pushing my quiet nature to its breaking point, watching me struggle under his thumb.

And when he finally provoked an outburst, he'd twist the story, painting me as the unhinged one to our friends and family. He turned them all against me, branding me a traitor.

Every single time, I fell for his gaslighting. I would submit, begging for his forgiveness. Then, with an air of superiority, he’d feign tolerance and say, "See? Only I can put up with you. My love for you transcends even fate itself."

For years, everyone believed I was the ungrateful, unhinged she-wolf in this mate bond.

Even with proof of his betrayal with his subordinate, Lorelei Finch, Cassian still managed to twist the narrative and make me the villain.

My hands trembled as I felt the deluge of malice and insults in the mind-link. With a heart full of despair, I severed the connection.

My head throbbed, the chaos inside threatening to shatter my skull.

Late that night, the front door was thrown open. Cassian burst in, reeking of Lorelei's cloyingly sweet scent.

He sank into the sofa, crossing one leg over the other, his glare a venomous mix of anger and disdain.

"Feeling bold, are you? Who the hell do you think you are to defy me?"

He poured himself a glass of wine, his eyes stabbing at me like daggers, as if I were a disobedient possession.

"So you spread that image. Isn't it time you stopped? A smart she-wolf knows when to back down."

His condescending tone and sharp gaze made me feel like a misbehaving pup.

The old me would have crumpled, dropping to my knees to beg his forgiveness. This time, however, a cold wave of determination washed over me. I wanted to see just how far I could push him.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. "What if I refuse?"

Cassian unleashed his Alpha power, the force slamming into me and pinning me to the floor. It was so immense, I couldn't even twitch.

"You want to negotiate with me? Take a good look at yourself. What are you even worth?"

And what did I ever ask for in return? So little.

I endured his abuse in private, hoping only for his love and a place in the pack.

He gave me neither. He saved his protection for Lorelei, because she was his "choice."

I pulled up the pack's social feed, and her latest post was right at the top.

The photo showed Lorelei holding a rare Moonlight Orchid, a precious flower only an Alpha could harvest on the night of a full moon.

The sheer audacity of it made me laugh—a bitter, hollow sound.

Of course. The reason he was home so late was that he'd been off on a romantic escapade with her.

And after his little adventure, he came home to trample on my dignity, as if disciplining a defiant pet.

Was I nothing but their after-dinner entertainment?

I crushed the herbs in my fist. "I won't be the second choice for an Alpha who reeks of another she-wolf!"

It was the first time I had ever spoken to him with such defiance.

His brow snapped down, fury igniting in his eyes. He grabbed my chin, and in the next second, the sharp crack of his hand against my face echoed in the room. He’d used his wolf’s strength. My vision went black.

"Althea Thorne! Your food, your clothes, your home—even your talent with potions—it all comes from the pack! How dare you raise your voice to me! Who the hell do you think you are?"

I was terrified, struggling against his grip.

Then came the routine I knew all too well: the blow, then the balm.

He enveloped me in his calming pheromones, gently nuzzling my bruised cheek in a twisted mockery of comfort.

"I only do this because you step out of line. Do you understand now? You must be an obedient mate."

Faced with his terrifying, disgusting performance, I dug my nails into my palms, forcing myself to remain calm.

I was slowly realizing weakness would get me killed.

Just then, an encrypted mind-link requested a connection—one from an unfamiliar source.

I accepted. A voice came through. "Althea, it's me, Rhys Sterling."

I froze. The name sent a jolt through me, memories of an ancient alliance between our families flooding my mind.

Rhys was the Alpha of the Silver Creek pack. Our families had an old pact, which must have been why he could sense my extreme distress.

I remembered his constant concern, the way he'd watch over me at inter-pack gatherings. It had been obvious to everyone he had feelings for me.

But back then, I only had eyes for Cassian.

After my bonding ceremony with Cassian, Rhys and I had lost touch.

I thought I'd found my destiny, my forever home. I had no idea I was stepping into an abyss.

"Althea!" Rhys's voice was urgent in my mind. "I sense you're in danger! Are you okay?"

I said nothing, just letting the sound of his voice wash over me. A sudden ache of nostalgia for the simpler days of our youth tightened my chest.

He seemed to sense the taste of blood on my lips and the chaos in my emotions through the link. I felt a flash of his own anger and heartache.

His voice was a low growl. "Wait for me, Althea."

Just then, Cassian emerged from the bathroom, fresh from a shower with water glistening on his skin. He strode toward me.

I instinctively took a few steps back, severing the link with Rhys.

"If I remember correctly," Cassian's lips twisted into a smirk, his tone dripping with sarcasm, "today... is our mate anniversary, isn't it?"

He turned, retrieved a box from the closet, and flung it onto the bed as if tossing a coin to a beggar.

"See? The gift you wanted. I wasn't wrong, was I?"

Just as I moved toward the box, he said, "I'm going to be busy with a project, so I won't be around much. Just let me know if you need anything."

Then, he stroked my neck as if soothing a pet, his touch a mockery. A second later, his fingers tightened, and he pressed a cold metal ring against my skin—a collar embedded with silver flakes. The searing pain of the silver made me gasp.

"There is nothing between Lorelei and me. We are superior and subordinate. She's a capable assistant, nothing more. Stop being so petty and jealous."

His voice was dangerously low. "Do you understand?"

His words, as cold and sharp as the silver collar against my skin, pierced me to the core.

His presence was so oppressive that tears welled in my eyes. I could do nothing but nod in submission.

I was terrified that provoking him further would only earn me more pain.

Just then, a summons pinged in his mind-link.

He recognized the sender and opened the channel immediately. His voice softened, full of a tenderness he never showed me. "Lorelei? What's wrong? Are you okay?"

Because he hadn't shielded the link, her sickeningly sweet voice echoed in my mind too.

"Alpha Cassian, I'm not feeling well. All this pack business has worn me out. Could you... come check on me?"

"Stay put. I'll be right there," Cassian said, rushing for the door without even closing the link properly.

He paused at the doorway, turning back to issue a sharp command.

"Brew a pot of nourishing herbal soup and bring it to Lorelei's place tonight. Make sure she eats. I won't have her going hungry."

...

I wanted to sever the mate bond. The thought had been a desperate mantra in my mind for a long time.

Shortly after he left, I did as he ordered and went to Lorelei's apartment building alone.

I steadied my breathing and slipped inside.

The first thing I saw was Cassian carrying Lorelei into the private elevator, her arms wrapped around his neck. The intimate sight was a knife twisting in my gut.

I ducked into a corner, raising a memory crystal. I activated it, aiming it directly at them.

Lorelei playfully twirled Cassian's tie, her every move a seductive provocation.

"Alpha Cassian, I keep taking up all your time. Althea won't mind, will she?"

A flicker of disgust crossed Cassian's face. "Don't mention her name when we're together. You're a buzzkill."

Lorelei just giggled. "You're right. This is our time..."

The elevator doors slid shut, the sound echoing like the gavel of the Council of Elders sealing my fate.

Even though I was determined to leave him, witnessing their intimacy firsthand sent a fresh wave of pain through me.

I swallowed the nausea and despair, making sure the memory crystal captured everything. I would need this as evidence for the bond-severing ceremony.

Then I stumbled away, fleeing the scene.

I didn't even notice when the tears started streaming down my face.

Lost and helpless, I sent a distress signal to the one lifeline I had left, the only person who might save me.

"Rhys, I was so foolish. I should have listened to you."

"Choosing to enter a mate bond with Cassian was the worst decision of my life."

A second later, a familiar figure appeared before me.

I froze, looking up in confusion.

Rhys?

He looked frantic, his eyes wide with concern.

Before I could react, he pulled me into his arms, holding me tight. He sighed, a sound of profound relief and sorrow.

I sagged against him, the storm in my heart finding a moment of peace in the warmth of his embrace.

Then, he gently took my wrist, his gaze firm. Without a word, he led me back toward Lorelei's apartment.

I knocked softly on her door.

The door opened to reveal Cassian, who looked shocked to see me. Behind him, Lorelei was lounging on the sofa, her clothes in disarray.

The air crackled with tension.

"Althea?"

Cassian had clearly not expected me. Panic flashed in his eyes as he scrambled for an excuse.

"I can explain, Althea..."

He was desperate to salvage the situation.

But before he could utter another word, Rhys stepped out from behind me and landed a vicious punch that sent Cassian flying.

A cold glint flashed in Rhys's eyes. "Watch closely, Cassian Valerius."

Rhys grabbed my wrist. "I'm taking your mate."