Without Kaelen's knowledge, I had his little plaything sent out of North America.

That same night, he cast a blood-vine curse on my parents, banishing them to the wilds—a wasteland prowled by rogues. He was going to trade my parents' lives for the whereabouts of his plaything.

Kaelen pushed a communication crystal in front of me. Inside it, my parents were ensnared by blood-red vines, the thorns digging deep into their flesh. Drops of dark crimson blood fell, one by one, onto the barren earth.

A countdown timer pulsed in stark red digits on their chests.

23:59:59

23:59:58

He sat across from me, a black suit tailored to perfection molded to his lean, powerful frame. His long fingers tapped a light, steady rhythm on the solid wood table, as if he were waiting for a trivial business deal to close.

"Estelle, you have twenty-four hours." His voice was low and calm, laced with a venomous tenderness. "Tell me, where did you send Cassandra?"

I cannot understand how, for the sake of what he calls a 'plaything’, he could hurt his own mate again and again, without any bottom line. My dignity, my body, and even my life—in his eyes, they were all completely worthless.

And now my breathing grew ragged and shallow, every syllable catching at the back of my throat.

This was the third time he had asked me that question.

The first time, he'd demanded to know where that "bitch" had gone. I didn't answer.

The second time, he had pinned me against the floor-to-ceiling window, his warm breath ghosting across my neck. "Estelle," he'd murmured, his voice a low rumble, "you shouldn't hide things from me. I hope you know better."

And now, he had chosen to use my parents' lives to force my hand.

I buried my face in my hands, tears welling in my eyes. "Kaelen… those are my parents. They're my own flesh and blood…"

"Oh?" A cruel smile touched his lips, his amber eyes glinting with an icy light. "And? Did you stop to think what she means to me before you got rid of her?"

I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails broke the skin of my palms, drawing blood. A wave of searing rage churned in my chest.

What she means to him?

He had sworn to me that the she-wolf was just a diversion, a toy he would discard when he grew bored.

He had sworn before the Moon Goddess that I was his fated mate, the one true light of his soul.

And now, for a so-called "diversion," he was going to let my parents die in the wilderness.

"Kaelen," my voice was raw, "please, don't hurt them. My parents… they're innocent."

He leaned forward, his powerful Alpha aura washing over me like a suffocating tide. "Then you'd better pray nothing's happened to her."

"No one is innocent. You have two choices: find her, or collect your parents' remains."

My body began to tremble uncontrollably. My inner wolf was howling in agony, and tears streamed down my face.

I didn't know when everything had gone so wrong.

Kaelen had once given me a love that set my world on fire.

When we first met, I was just an ordinary she-wolf from a small border pack. Kaelen was the heir to the Black Moon Pack, the most powerful in North America—a natural-born Alpha King, as proud as a god, who had never bowed to anyone.

But he had chosen to fall at my feet.

His courtship was the talk of the entire werewolf world—ninety-nine moonlit nights of heartfelt confessions, each more breathtaking than the last.

He filled the sky with silver Moonpetal flowers, bought out entire city blocks for giant confession billboards, and on my birthday, he had the entire city's lights extinguished and then relit, just for me.

I fell for him. It wasn't just his grand gestures; it was the fated mate bond, an irresistible pull I couldn't fight. I was certain Kaelen was my destiny.

But my father was uneasy. He knew the nature of Alphas—of male wolves. They were too easily lost in power, too quick to seek new thrills.

But when Kaelen shed every last scrap of his Alpha pride, begging for their blessing outside our pack house for an entire night, my father was finally moved.

After he marked me, he truly treasured me.

He would personally tend to the smallest scrapes I got during training. He would drive across half the city just to buy the dessert I loved. All the wolves said the Alpha was a deeply devoted mate.

But the moment the name "Cassandra" entered our lives, everything changed.

I didn't care at first. In both the wolf and human worlds, there were always countless others trying to latch onto a man like him.

When I overheard gossip about a low-born Omega frequenting the Alpha's office, I just laughed it off. I'd seen such pathetic ploys a hundred times before.

But the second time I heard her name was during our most intimate moment.

He was slightly drunk, pressing down on me, and in the heat of passion, he whispered her name. "Cassandra."

I shoved him off me instantly. But he held me close and said, "It's how it is with Alphas in our circle, Estelle. But you are my one true love. That will never change." Lost in his gentle embrace, I chose to forgive him.

I never imagined he would become even more brazen.

Jewels, mansions, private parties—he paraded Cassandra through high society, and the rumors flew. When I cried and argued, his old tenderness was gone. "I don't expect my Luna to be so difficult."

Unable to bear it any longer, I had Cassandra sent away from North America.

But I never, ever thought he would retaliate so viciously, placing a blood-vine curse on my parents and exiling them to their deaths, all to force her location out of me.

"She's in Switzerland," my voice was as fragile as shattered glass. "Zurich. In the mountain villa under my name."

Once he confirmed the details, he stood to leave, ready to go and retrieve her.

"Wait." I grabbed his arm. "Where are my parents?"

"The abandoned factory south of the pack lands," he said dismissively. "You want them? Fetch them yourself."

When I found them, there were only ten minutes left on the curse. My parents were bound tightly to crumbling stone pillars, their mouths gagged. The moment they saw me, their eyes widened, and they shook their heads desperately, silently pleading for me to stay back.

I rushed forward, my hands trembling as I clawed at the blood-red vines, but the sound of the countdown echoed through the cavernous mine like a death knell.

00:03:21

00:03:20

The vines were as tough as iron wire. I couldn't break them. Frantic, tears streamed down my face.

Suddenly, my father slammed his body against mine, sending me staggering backward. The next second, dozens of rogue wolves burst from the shadows.

"Dad—!!!"

In an instant, I shifted into my massive silver wolf form. Claws and fangs met the frenzied pack in a brutal clash. Blood splattered, staining the mine red and soaking my silver fur.

When I woke up, I was in a hospital bed.

My parents were both severely injured, but they had miraculously survived.

"Dad, Mom…" I grasped their hands, the tears finally breaking free.

"So, what are you going to do now?" my mother asked, her voice weak as she raised a hand to stroke my hair.

"But… he'll never let me go."

After discovering Cassandra, I had considered severing the mate bond. But every time I prepared the application, Kaelen would tear the papers to shreds. He said Cassandra was just for fun, that he'd toss her aside when he was bored. He insisted that I was his fated mate and he would never let me leave.

My father took my hand. "No, Estelle. There's something you don't know, something he has likely forgotten. The night we agreed to your union, your mother and I had him sign an ancient pact."

"If he ever betrays the mate bond," my father's voice was as light as a feather, "the pact is invoked. You can petition the Elders for a forced severance. And our family… will disappear from his world completely."

"The document… it's in the safe deposit box…"

…

The next day, I did two things.

First, my parents and I took the ancient pact to the Council of Elders. After reviewing it, the lead Elder nodded gravely. "The pact is valid. The Rejection Ceremony will begin immediately."

Second, my family and I filed the paperwork to leave the pack. Once it was processed, the wolf known as Estelle would cease to exist.

The Elders' ruling would take two weeks to be finalized. After discussing it with my parents, we decided I would return to the Black Moon estate. During this time, I had to act as if nothing had happened. I couldn't let Kaelen suspect a thing.

Otherwise, with his Alpha authority and obsessive nature, none of us would escape.

On my first day back at the Black Moon estate, I went to the backyard, a sharp, silver axe in my hand. Before me was the grove of Moonpetal trees Kaelen had planted for me with his own hands.

I raised the axe and chopped them down, one by one.

Silvery-white sap splattered all over me. The servants watched from a distance, not daring to approach. They knew I was the future Luna, and they knew I was on the verge of a rampage.

The next day, I went to the Sacred Lake alone. On the small island in its center stood a stone monument to the Moon Goddess. Our mating tokens—two resonant Soulstones, a personal gift from the Goddess herself—were set within it. Kaelen had placed them there, swearing to protect our bond with his life.

Now, I smashed them with a sledgehammer.

The monument shattered. The Soulstones rolled onto the ground, their inner light extinguished.

I walked away without a backward glance, my heart a hollow ache.

On the third day, I began to clear out the master bedroom. Hanging in the closet was the moon-white gown I had worn when we received the Goddess's blessing. Kaelen had said, "Estelle, this is the most beautiful gown in the world, because you are the one wearing it."

I took out a lighter and watched as the flame licked at the silk, consuming our past along with it.

Just as I was about to leave the room, I heard the familiar sound of an engine below.

Kaelen was back.

And he wasn't alone.

I peered through a gap in the curtains and, sure enough, saw Cassandra step out of the passenger seat.

"Estelle," Kaelen's voice called from downstairs. "Come down."

I took a deep breath, composed my expression, and slowly descended the stairs.

In the living room, Kaelen was seated on the sofa with Cassandra nestled against his side, their intimacy on full display.

"Apologize to Cassandra," Kaelen said without preamble.

I stopped midway down the staircase. "An apology? For what?"

"You drove her out of North America, which caused her health to decline. Don't you think you should apologize?"

I stared at them coldly.

Cassandra clutched Kaelen's arm timidly, but her eyes flashed with triumph. She knew she had won.

"And if I refuse?" I asked calmly.

"It's… it's okay…" Cassandra murmured, her voice trembling softly. "I don't want to cause any trouble. After all… Estelle is the true Luna."

Kaelen immediately pulled her tighter. "You don't have to speak up for her." He kissed the top of her head, a gesture so tender it made me sick. "I'll protect you from now on. You can do whatever you want."

I said nothing, just pulled my lips into a tight line.

Just then, Kaelen's phone rang, and he stepped out onto the balcony.

Only Cassandra and I remained in the room.

"You think you've won?" She stood up and walked toward me. "You're so naive, Estelle. Kaelen can't live without me. He was even willing to kill your parents for me."

"You may be his fated mate, but his body and his heart belong to me."

I looked at her, my expression placid. "You want him? Take him."

Cassandra froze, then her face contorted with fury. "I don't need your pity. He'll choose me over you. It's only a matter of time. The title of Luna will be mine, too!"

Kaelen's footsteps approached from outside.

A vicious glint appeared in Cassandra's eyes. She suddenly snatched a silver ornament from the coffee table and dragged it across her own arm, drawing several bloody lines.

"Ah!" she screamed, tears instantly flooding her eyes. "No… please, don't hurt me…"

When Kaelen rushed back in, that was the scene that greeted him.

Cassandra was huddled on the floor, her arm covered in bloody scratches that looked like they'd been made by claws. She was sobbing, her whole body shaking.

"Estelle!" Kaelen's eyes blazed with fury. "You dare attack her right in front of me?"

"I didn't do it," I said calmly. "Do you believe me?"

He glanced at the silver ornament by my feet and sneered, "Believe you? The evidence is right here at my feet."

Cassandra wept in his arms. "Kaelen, I was just trying to make peace with her. I never thought she hated me so much…"

"The security cameras," I said, looking straight at Kaelen. "Check the footage and you'll know the truth."

Kaelen held Cassandra, his eyes filled with rage. "There's no need! You want this to become a public spectacle? For everyone to laugh at me? She's an Omega, and you're the future Luna. If word of this gets out, whose reputation will suffer?"

I was stunned.

He wasn't even willing to look for the truth.

In his mind, I had already become the villain who preyed on the weak. And Cassandra would forever be the fragile, pitiable victim who needed his protection.

"Sophie, get the car ready," Kaelen said to the head housekeeper, lifting Cassandra into his arms. "We're going to the hospital immediately."

"As for you," he looked back at me, his gaze as cold and sharp as a blade, "go to the dungeons and reflect on your place. And maybe learn some damn obedience."

I didn't struggle. Instead, I smiled as the guards took hold of me. "Fine. I'll go."

As the guards escorted me from the living room, I heard Cassandra whisper weakly in Kaelen's arms, "Don't blame Estelle… Maybe… maybe she was right. I really shouldn't have come here…"

"Don't be silly," Kaelen replied gently. "This is your home."

The iron door of the dungeon slammed shut behind me.

I was so cold I could barely feel anything, my body wracked with shivers.

I don't know how long I lay there.

I'd always been afraid of cold, confined spaces. I remembered how, right after I became his mate, Kaelen had a sprawling, open-air garden built just for me, designed for the widest views and the best light. He said he would build me anything I desired.

Thinking back on it now, it all felt like a dream.

I was startled awake by the creak of the dungeon door. A guard stood there, his face impassive. "The Alpha says if this happens again, the punishment will be more severe."

Leaning against the stone wall, I staggered out.

There won't be a next time.

Soon, I will make him disappear from my world completely.

Kaelen was waiting at the dungeon entrance, his expression a cold mask. "That's enough time. Remember, this was just a simple punishment."

"Tonight is the annual Pack Alliance Gala," he said, holding out his hand. "As my mate, your attendance is mandatory."

I looked at him, and for the first time, I didn't take his hand.

At seven o'clock that evening, the Black Moon Pack's limousine pulled up to the Alliance Hall. I was wearing a black evening gown Kaelen had sent for me. Then, at the entrance to the ballroom, I saw Cassandra.

She was dressed in a magnificent silver gown, and around her neck was a dazzling necklace—the Moonstone Jewel, a sacred artifact that was supposed to belong to the Luna.

I was wearing a simple string of pearls.

All the wolves were whispering, their eyes darting between Cassandra and me.

"Kaelen!" Cassandra called out sweetly, hurrying toward us. "You're here!"

She linked her arm through Kaelen's other arm as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Kaelen didn't push her away.

I stopped and looked at him. "She's here too. Why did you even bother bringing me?"

His expression was nonchalant. "I wasn't planning on bringing her, but she's never seen an event like this and wanted to experience it." He paused, his tone casual. "Estelle, don't be so possessive. Show some grace."

The wolves around us began to murmur.

I heard their whispers:

"Is that Omega wearing the Luna's necklace?"

"The Black Moon's future Luna looks so worn out."

"I heard she was locked in the dungeons recently…"

"An Alpha's mate being upstaged by an Omega. How humiliating."

I took a deep breath and kept a smile plastered on my face. He hadn't considered my feelings for a single second, letting me become a laughingstock for all to see.

But it didn't matter. They wouldn't be laughing for much longer.

Midway through the banquet, the host announced the traditional Moon Hunt Challenge. It was an ancient ritual for werewolvenobility to display their strength and status. By tradition, the Luna was granted the privilege of the first pick of the prey.

But Cassandra spoke up in a saccharine voice, "Could I try? I've never participated in such a noble event before…" She looked at Kaelen, her eyes full of pitiful hope.

The host looked at me awkwardly. "According to tradition, the future Luna should go first…"

"Let her have it," Kaelen cut him off. "Estelle, be the bigger person. You are the Luna, after all."

The entire hall fell silent.

An Alpha, forcing his own mate to yield the Luna's privilege to an Omega. It was an unprecedented humiliation.

I stood up, my voice steady. "I refuse."

Cassandra's eyes immediately reddened. "I'm sorry… I shouldn't have been so presumptuous… I'm just a humble Omega…" She choked up and stood. "I'll leave now. I won't disturb anyone else…"

Kaelen's face darkened. My refusal had made him lose face in front of all the nobles. He grabbed my wrist. "Estelle, don't test my patience here. It's just one chance. Your status won't change because of it. As a Luna, you should be above this kind of petty jealousy."

All eyes were on me. There was mockery, pity, and confusion.

A Luna who lets an Omega walk all over her. A woman who couldn't even protect her own privileges.

"Experience what, exactly?" I sneered. "A lesson in trampling on a Luna's dignity?"

Cassandra cried even harder. "I really didn't mean it like that… Estelle, you've really misunderstood me…" She turned to leave, and Kaelen immediately chased after her, leaving me alone on the stage to bear the weight of everyone's stares.

But I had nothing left to care about. I would be leaving this nightmare soon enough.

I walked off the stage and left without a single look back.