After my ex-alpha cheated on me, I remarried.

“I’m ready to accept your condition and return to the Silvermoon Pack,” I said into the phone, my voice flat. Before my father could reply, I hung up.

For a long time, I just stood there, staring at the bedroom I had lived in for eight years. Eight years of loyalty, love, and silent endurance—and I had nothing to show for it.

Nothing except scars that refused to heal, both on my body and deep within my soul.

A shrill voice broke my thoughts.

“How dare you wear my mother’s ceremonial gown, you filthy omega!”

I turned slowly to find Aiden, his golden eyes burning with fury—the same eyes as his father, Alpha Liam Russo. My throat tightened.

“You aren’t going to say anything?” he barked, his young voice already carrying the dominance of a future alpha.

I exhaled softly. “Go to your celebration, Aiden. Your friends are waiting.”

“No!” he shouted, and before I could move, he grabbed the crystal jug from the table and hurled its contents at me.

The scorching pain came instantly. I screamed as the herbal wolfsbane brew I’d just prepared for his father splashed over me, searing my skin.

“Yes! That’s what you deserve!” he yelled, his fangs glinting for a brief second. “You’ll never replace my mother! You killed her with your cursed blood and now you dare to wear her sacred gown?”

The door burst open and a maid rushed in, gasping as she saw me clutching my arm, my skin blistered from the burn.

“I’m sorry, Miss Clara! Aiden ran off from his guards. I’ll take him away right now,” she stammered and dragged the boy away—he was smiling, triumphant.

When they were gone, I slumped against the wall, trembling. I stared at the dress now ruined with dark stains. This gown—white and embroidered with silver moons—had once belonged to my step-sister Seraphina, the former Luna of this pack, who had died giving birth to Aiden.

Eight years ago, I was supposed to be Liam’s mate. We were childhood friends, promised to each other by the Moon Goddess.

But fate, or maybe betrayal, changed everything.

Liam rejected me the night before our mating ceremony and chose Seraphina instead. Within months, she was pregnant and wearing the Luna mark that was meant for me. When she died giving birth, the pack whispered that it was my curse—my jealousy—that killed her. The Elders stripped me of my Beta lineage and branded me an outcast omega.

To atone for my “sins,” my stepmother forced me to stay here and raise Aiden—the pup of the she-wolf who stole my mate. For eight long years, I obeyed. I loved him as if he were my own son. I served Liam as if I were still his mate. But love never softened them.

Liam only saw me as a shadow of the woman he’d lost.

Aiden saw me as her murderer.

The burn on my arm throbbed as I entered the bathroom. Cold water hissed against my skin, steam rising from the contact.

If that had happened three years ago, I would’ve begged for forgiveness, begged Liam not to punish Aiden. But now, I was done.

Today was Aiden’s eighth birthday—the same day Seraphina had died. The pack would celebrate the heir of Silvermoon. And I would finally walk away.

Funny thing was, this gown was never Seraphina’s. It was mine—a gift from my late mother, the former Beta female. Seraphina stole it from my wardrobe the day Liam announced their bond. Just like she stole everything else.

“Clara,” Liam’s voice called from the other side of the door, deep and commanding.

“The party’s starting. Where are you?”

I stepped out, dressed now in a simple gray robe, and met his eyes as he entered. The years had barely touched him—broad shoulders, sharp jawline, and that aura of dominance that made every wolf bow instinctively. I used to shiver under that power. Now, it only made me feel sick.

He frowned at the sight of my burn. “I heard what Aiden did. Don’t take it to heart, Clara. He’s just a child. He loves you, in his own way.”

A bitter laugh escaped me. “Love? You call hatred love?”

His brow furrowed. “Don’t talk like that. He’s my son—and he’s your responsibility.”

I turned away, grabbing the silver healing balm from the dresser. The ointment shimmered faintly—it was made from moonflower essence, used only for wolves of high rank. I dabbed it on the wound, watching the swelling slowly fade.

“Let me help you,” Liam murmured, taking the jar from me before I could protest. His touch brushed over my skin, gentle, familiar. Too familiar.

His fingers lingered, tracing circles that once made my heart race. Now they made my stomach twist.

“Be patient with him,” he whispered, his breath hot against my neck. “You know the Moon Goddess tests us in cruel ways.”

I stepped away, breaking his hold. “Liam, I have something to tell you.”

He sighed, irritation flickering in his eyes. “Can’t it wait? Aiden’s ceremony begins soon.”

“No,” I said firmly. “It can’t. Today marks eight years since Seraphina’s death. I’ve fulfilled my duty. I’m leaving this pack tonight.”

His head snapped up, a low growl rumbling from his chest. The air thickened, the weight of his alpha command pressing against my lungs.

“You swore to stay until Aiden came of age,” he snarled. “You can’t just walk away.”

I met his gaze unflinchingly. “I didn’t swear to be your slave.”

For a moment, silence filled the room. Then his eyes softened, his tone turning almost pleading.

“Clara… you know you belong here. You’re part of this pack. You’re part of me.”

“No,” I said quietly. “You rejected me. Remember?”