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.

I didn't sleep a wink. The next morning, I was jolted awake by a flood of notifications on my phone.

[SHOCKING! Black Moon Pack's Future Luna's Most Private First Shift Video to be Auctioned on the Black Market!]

The blood froze in my veins.

Because those videos… only Kaelen had them.

My hands trembling, I opened our mental link. "You did this?"

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end, then his nonchalant reply. "I did. So what?"

I clenched my fist. "Why?"

"I was disappointed in you last night, Estelle," he said, his tone lecturing. "A future Luna should understand the bigger picture. You shouldn't have embarrassed Cassandra."

"So you took my most private video to be auctioned off?" My voice was shaking with rage.

"Those videos were always mine to do with as I please," he replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Since you won't listen, you can deal with the black market yourself. Remember this, Estelle. This is the consequence of disobedience."

The mental link snapped shut.

I stared at the auction information on my phone and took a deep breath.

Ten o'clock. Less than two hours to go.

I changed into a black tactical suit, tied up my hair, and drove straight to the black market.

The market was located in an abandoned warehouse district on the edge of the city, a place where the filthiest deals in the werewolf world were made.

When I pushed open the warehouse doors, the place was already buzzing with noise. Rogue wolves, bounty hunters, all sorts of lowlifes were gathered here, the air thick with the stench of blood and cheap alcohol.

On a giant screen, they were playing the video of my first shift at eighteen.

The agonizing contortions of my first transformation, the screams as my bones reshaped, and the helpless, terrified figure I became, huddled in a corner afterward.

"Look at that body, tsk tsk…"

"The Black Moon Luna, ha! Now everyone can get a look."

"Starting bid ten million? Worth it."

Filthy whistles and lewd comments came from all directions.

"Enough!" I threw back my hood and strode toward the stage.

The hall fell silent instantly. Every rogue wolf and bounty hunter recognized me.

The auctioneer swallowed hard. "Miss Estelle, you… what are you…"

"I'm buying back all the master copies."

A scar-faced rogue wolf stepped forward. "So what if you're the future Luna? In the black market, money talks. Status means nothing."

"I'll say it again," I said, my voice human but my posture radiating the threat of my wolf form. "Stop the auction."

"Thirty million dollars. Is that enough?"

I scanned the room, my cold gaze enough to intimidate these desperados. The aura of an Alpha's mate still carried immense weight.

The auctioneer's face went pale. He nodded repeatedly, and under the pressure of the enormous sum and my unspoken threat, he quickly terminated the auction and handed all the master copies over to me.

After handling everything, I got back in my car, my hands still shaking. The funds I had set aside to help build the Black Moon Pack with Kaelen were now being used to clean up the mess he had created.

The irony was crushing.

The mental link opened again.

"Finished so quickly?" Kaelen's voice came through, tinged with surprise. "I thought you'd be crying and begging me to call it off."

"I handled it," I replied, my voice dangerously calm. "With my own money."

"With money?" he scoffed. "Estelle, do you think money can solve everything? This was a lesson for you, to teach you what obedience means."

"I understand," I said, feigning submission.

"Good." His tone was more satisfied now. "Remember this lesson, Estelle. As long as you accept Cassandra's presence, our Luna Ceremony can proceed as planned. You will still be my Luna. She is just a… diversion."

I didn't respond.

"Stop sulking," he continued. "I'll give you time to think it over. In one week, I expect to see a more compliant Estelle."

I severed the mental link.

Sitting in the empty living room, I suddenly remembered my eighteenth birthday. It was the day of my first shift. Kaelen had been by my side, gently stroking my hair, telling me not to be afraid.

"Estelle, you are the most beautiful wolf in the world," he had said then.

Now, he had turned that beauty into a commodity. He had used my vulnerability as a tool to punish me.

I opened my social media.

A new post from Cassandra: a photo of a fifty-million-dollar diamond necklace, with the caption, "Thank you to my Alpha. I'm the happiest female in the world."

The comments below were all fawning praise:

"You're so lucky, Cassandra!"

"The Alpha is so good to you!"

"That necklace is absolutely stunning!"

I closed my phone, my face a mask of indifference.

There was no jealousy, no anger, not even sadness.

Because I knew it was all about to end.

The next evening, Kaelen came home. But he smelled wrong. It was no longer the familiar scent of pine that I knew, but a cloying sweetness mixed with cheap perfume.

It was an Omega's scent. Cassandra's scent. He had been staying with her, and her smell had completely saturated him. The scent of our own mate bond had faded until it was almost imperceptible.

"Estelle," he said my name, but his eyes were glued to his phone. "There's a business gala tomorrow night. You're coming with me."

The same commanding tone as always.

"Alright," I replied calmly.

He looked up, frowning. "You've been… different lately."

"How so?"

"I can't put my finger on it," he shook his head. "It's like you've become… very obedient? And the scent of our bond isn't as strong as it used to be."

I smiled faintly. "I'm probably just tired."

He didn't seem to doubt it. Just then, his phone lit up with a notification. He glanced at it, and his expression immediately softened. The flicker of concern he'd shown me vanished into thin air.

"It's Cassandra," he said casually, typing a reply. "She saw a new limited-edition bag she wants. I have to go order it for her."

As I watched his retreating back, I silently counted the days.

Three more days.

In three days, the Elders' ruling would be final.

And he hadn't even realized the true reason our bond was fading. He probably wouldn't notice until it had withered to nothing.