My Alpha mate has canceled our carefully planned honeymoon trips fourteen times for his Omega secretary.

The first time, because of the secretary's phone call about "lost territorial maps," he didn't hesitate to abandon me at a strange Nordic airport.

The second time, because of the secretary's plea for help, he drove back alone to the pack's core territory, leaving me alone in the dangerous hunting grounds.

For four years, I carefully planned fourteen honeymoon trips, but each time my mate would abandon me to choose to accompany his Omega secretary.

Finally, I stopped insisting and decided to give up this mating relationship that was never firmly chosen.

But when I joined the Alpha Council's secret research project and decided to leave forever, he cried and searched the whole world for me.

1

My Alpha mate has canceled our carefully planned honeymoon trips fourteen times for his Omega secretary.

When I learned the 14th honeymoon trip was ruined, we had just arrived in Finland.

Gabriel followed behind me irritably, constantly complaining: "Who told you to arrange the itinerary so quickly? When we got off the plane, I already said Victoria reported that rogue wolves invaded the pack. I'm the Alpha, I must go back!"

"It's just a trip, when can't we do it? Can't you be more understanding as a Luna? This concerns the pack's survival!"

I gripped the handle of my suitcase tightly, suppressing the sourness in my throat. I knew he was desperately eager to go back, definitely not because of any rogue wolves. But I didn't stop him.

"If you want to go back, then go back."

A few minutes ago, the plane had just landed.

Gabriel took out his phone the moment the plane landed and the network was restored. After connecting, multiple messages popped up.

I instinctively looked up, and several messages from the pack's internal group chat pierced my eyes like ice picks:

Victoria frantically tagging Gabriel:

"Alpha, my pet wolf suddenly fell ill. I really don't know what to do. As an Omega, I really can't handle this alone......"

Below was a glaring response:

"Don't panic, the Alpha will definitely come back immediately. Don't you know the Alpha cares about you the most? It's just a honeymoon trip, how many times has it been postponed? As for the Luna... she should be used to being left behind by now."

"Who told our Luna to be such a powerful healer warrior, unlike Victoria who's a delicate Omega and naturally needs more care. If you ask me, our Luna is just being idle, thinking about that broken honeymoon trip all year round. Doesn't she know the Alpha's time is precious? How can a Luna keep clinging to the Alpha and delay him from handling pack business?"

"They've been mates for so long, yet she still cares about such formalities. Some people just seek external validation because they're not loved."

Seeing these messages, my body became stiff inch by inch, and my mind quickly emptied. So in the eyes of my pack members whom I protected day and night, my expectations and efforts were so cheap and ridiculous.

This was our planned 14th honeymoon trip.

Every previous time, Gabriel would abandon me halfway for various reasons, and every time, it was because of Victoria.

His reasons were always legitimate - Alpha responsibilities, secretary's difficulties, pack safety.

But I knew these were all fake. He just wanted to go back to accompany Victoria.

Gabriel pretended to sigh, his gaze not even completely leaving his phone:

"The situation is urgent. Rogue wolves have invaded the pack. We'll talk about the trip next time."

My questioning almost burst out - was it really the pack in crisis, or was he eager to go back to find his Omega secretary? It finally turned into a suppressed sigh.

"This time is different... I spent a long time researching and booked restaurants and hotels you like... Can't the Elders handle it? The Gammas are all there too." I asked with a trace of humble hope, hoping Gabriel would stay because of this.

But he only glanced at me lightly.

"Are you done yet? When you became my mate, you should have known that I'm the Alpha, I have my responsibilities. The pack is my first choice. Do you know what consequences your words could cause? If our hunting grounds and mineral veins are seized by rogue wolves, our pack will face disaster."

His voice was loud, drawing strange looks from around us. Strangers exchanged knowing glances, silently passing judgment that "this Luna is too unreasonable."

Standing from an observer's perspective, they advised that mates should understand each other, and it's normal for an Alpha to be busy.

No one knew how bitter my heart was.

No one knew how exhausted my mate made me.

So, let him go. It's better to let go of things you can't have.

"Fine, you go." I heard my own dry voice.

"Sorry to trouble you. Rest at the hotel first, and come back tomorrow. I'll buy you a bag when we get home to make up for it."

Before he finished speaking, he had disappeared into the surging crowd like a weight lifted off his shoulders. I could see him urgently dialing Victoria's number.

He was rushing back to see his Omega secretary.

2

After checking into the hotel, I submitted an application to dissolve our mate bond via email to the Alpha Council. After being abandoned and hurt time and time again, I finally made up my mind to leave Gabriel and the Blackwater Pack.

Then I contacted Elder Marcus. I had worked under him when I first joined the pack. He was not only the head of the Blackwater Pack's research institute, but also the mentor who guided me to become a healer. He was my only family in this cold pack.

“Elder, thank you for your guidance,” my voice was hoarse but unusually firm. “I've made my decision. I want to join the Alpha Council's secret project to research anti-silver poisoning potions for werewolves. This is a great undertaking that can benefit the entire werewolf world. I'm willing to live in anonymity and dedicate my life to it.”

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds, followed by a sigh.

“That classified research project?” His voice suddenly lowered. “You know what this means. Once you successfully join the project, you must cut off all contact, erase all past traces... even leave the Blackwater Pack. There's no turning back. Are you... really sure about this?”

“I'm very sure.” I looked out at Helsinki's gloomy sky, raindrops winding down the window. “Researching anti-silver poisoning potions has been my childhood dream, to save countless pack members. This is the path I should take. As for other things...” I paused, swallowing the sob in my throat, “irrelevant people are not worth changing my direction for.”

“Sigh...” A long sigh came through. “Since it's your choice, I respect it. But dissolving a mate bond is a big matter. No matter what, before you leave... have a proper talk with your Alpha.”

His tone was full of heartache and reluctance. I hummed in response, silently wiping away the tears that spilled from the corners of my eyes.

“Yes, I'll handle it properly. Take care of yourself.”

After hanging up, I lay on the desk and cried hard.

Looking back on these years as Gabriel's mate, we had so many memories. When I first met him, his bold laughter on the training ground; his clumsy but serious appearance when he proposed to me...

I thought we would be together for life. I never expected that later there would only be his abandonment of me again and again.

The pitter-patter of light rain started outside the window. I took out the travel guides and dresses I had prepared from my suitcase and destroyed them without hesitation.

Shortly after we were bonded, war broke out at the borders. As Alpha, he worked tirelessly day and night. Often I would guard the empty house until dawn, when I'd finally hear him return covered in dust and the scent of blood. His uniform buttons would be undone, and he'd collapse on the sofa, falling into deep sleep within seconds.

Naturally, there was no time for mating ceremonies either. Even now, I've never had a proper Luna ceremony or mating photos. But I still understood his hardships as Alpha and focused on carrying out my Luna responsibilities behind him - caring for pack members, mixing potions to enhance warriors' physical abilities, comforting injured pack members emotionally, and keeping our safe house in perfect order. I only hoped to become the most solid support behind him.

I watched his exhausted back and swallowed back even my complaints. But there was always a small gap in my heart - we didn't have a single decent photo together, no record of our most solemn moment as mates.

I always thought that when he wasn't so busy, when the pack was completely stable, we would definitely go see the aurora once. Without wearing uniforms representing our status, without having to respond to emergency communications at any time. Just Gabriel and Aurora. I wanted to stand shoulder to shoulder with him and watch the beautiful aurora once.

I desperately wanted some shared memories that belonged just to the two of us - memories not mixed with territorial affairs, not interrupted by any emergency situations. That's why I was so persistent about honeymoon trips, always hoping to patch up our relationship more completely.

I just never expected that my expectations would be seen as a burden by him.

Perhaps he had complained about me in his heart more than once: As a Luna, why was I so keen on honeymoons?

In the past, I always wanted to see beautiful scenery with him and surprise him, so I couldn't tell him. Now I don't want to say it anymore.

Perhaps this is the best ending for Gabriel and me.

Early the next morning, I dragged my simple luggage through the thin mist and boarded the return flight.

The couple in the seat next to me cuddled together sharing aurora photos from their camera, laughing and whispering. Only I sat alone, looking down at this land - Finland, the place I once dreamed of most.

I will never come here again.

A few hours later, I returned home exhausted to the core area of Blackwater Pack territory.

In the entrance hall, my slippers that I had hastily kicked off yesterday still maintained the same angle as when I left, lying there lonely. The cold air was filled with deathly silence. Gabriel obviously hadn't returned all night.

This was as I expected, but irritation still rose in my heart.

In the evening, Gabriel finally stepped through the door.

Gabriel came in carrying dust and heavy fatigue, still wearing yesterday's clothes, all wrinkled. A pungent smell of disinfectant mixed with the sickly sweet scent of cheap fruit perfume hit me - that was Victoria's scent.

“You're back?” I stepped back half a step, instinctively holding my breath.

He pulled at his sweat-soaked collar somewhat awkwardly. “Don't mention it. The eastern outpost was torn open by rogue wolves last night. I spent until dawn with the team repairing and reinforcing it. I'm exhausted and haven't even had time to shower.”

“The smell is a bit strong, I'll go wash up.” He didn't dare look me in the eyes, grabbed a towel and flashed into the bathroom.

After entering the kitchen, I opened the refrigerator and paused while searching for ingredients - inside were neatly arranged strawberries and mangoes that Victoria loved to eat, while my usual herb bundles were carelessly piled in the corner, some even thrown out of the refrigerator.

I silently took out the few remaining ingredients. Just as I put the pan on the stove, Gabriel pushed the door open: “Don't bother,” he reached out to take the spatula from my hand, “I bought you a bag. Victoria said she'd bring it over on her way, just wait another ten minutes and we can eat together.”

3

I stepped aside to avoid his hand, pouring a spoonful of oil into the pan: “No need, you two eat together. I'll just cook some noodles for myself.”

“What kind of attitude is that?” He frowned, his tone suddenly turning cold. “I specifically arranged this, and you insist on giving me that face?!”

I turned my back to him, not stopping my noodle cooking. But this unexpectedly enraged Gabriel.

“Is this because I abandoned you and we didn't complete our honeymoon?” He suddenly stepped forward, water droplets from his wet hair splashing onto my neck and arms, cold and sticky. “The pack was invaded by rogue wolves! That's a matter of life and death! As Alpha, how could I not care?! It's just one honeymoon trip, do you have to make such an endless fuss?! I said I'd make it up to you later!”

His movements were large, water trickling down his hair and splashing all over me.

I raised my hand and clicked off the roaring stove with a “snap.” The kitchen instantly fell into tense silence. Turning around, I looked directly into his eyes that were churning with impatience: “Gabriel, was the pack really invaded yesterday? Did you go to resist the rogue wolf invasion or to accompany your Omega secretary?”

“What do you mean?!” He roared angrily. “What filthy things are you fantasizing about in your head all day?! Victoria is just a new Omega secretary! She's unfamiliar with pack affairs, so as Alpha, what's wrong with me taking extra care of her?! You're the one with a dirty mind, seeing everything as filthy!”

I didn't even have time to argue. He had already eagerly, almost reflexively, cleared Victoria of any involvement. This urgency was itself the loudest answer.

A sharp, hollow pain shot through my stomach. I collapsed weakly into the cold sofa, my voice hoarse from long hunger and exhaustion: “Gabriel, I haven't eaten anything all day.”

Instead of continuing to argue with him, I endured my hunger and went to the cupboard to find food. He brought out several packages of junk food from the room and placed them in front of me. “Just eat something to tide you over, don't eat too much or you won't be able to eat dinner later.”

The concern in his eyes was genuine. I truly admired his acting skills.

At this moment, I only felt ironic.

“Don't we need to wait until your... Omega secretary arrives to eat dinner together?”

Facing my inquiry, Gabriel, who had already turned around, immediately turned back. This time the hope in his eyes was real, bright with light.

“Is that okay?”

“Of course.”

In every choice, Victoria was always the priority.

How pitiful that I only see reality now.

After getting my answer, Gabriel hurriedly rushed into the kitchen.

I smiled bitterly and tore open a bag of chips, carelessly tossing them into my mouth.

My phone's social media contact page showed a new friend request.

It was Victoria. I recognized her profile picture immediately - it was a silhouette of Gabriel and her together.

The verification message read: “Aren't you curious why the Alpha wanted to give you a bag today? Do you know where he slept last night? I really admire you. Your mate has already fallen in love with someone else, yet you act like nothing happened.”

“The Alpha gave me a bunch of bags a few days ago. There was one I didn't like, and he just asked me to bring that unwanted bag to you.”

I clicked on her social media profile. It was full of photos with Gabriel. In several, the two were especially intimate, almost cheek to cheek. They looked like the real mates.

After accepting the friend request, Victoria sent many more photos. There were pictures of them making heart shapes under rare fireworks, holding hands watching the sunset. Finally, there was a kissing photo and prominently displayed matching rings.

Those were the ring designs I had seen on Gabriel's desk two months ago.

When we bonded, it was too rushed. We didn't even have a pair of mating rings.

When I saw the design, I didn't ask him about it. I just quietly hid this expectation in my heart. Sometimes when I glimpsed him staring thoughtfully at his drawer, I would secretly wonder when he might give them to me.

Last week, I saw him leaving with a ring box. He didn't say what he was doing, and I didn't ask. I assumed he was picking up the finished custom pieces. I even secretly planned in my heart what dress to wear when he gave them to me to make them look beautiful.

But now, the rings were on someone else's hands, given by him to the person he truly wanted to give them to.

“Oh my, when the Alpha went to get these rings, I thought they looked perfect on me when I saw them, so I casually asked about them. The Alpha ended up giving them to me. Luna, you're not angry, are you?”

She sent a bunch of passive-aggressive messages. I closed my phone and ignored them all.

4

It wasn't until complete darkness fell that Victoria finally arrived late, carrying the bag.

As soon as she entered, she proactively mentioned adding me as a friend, putting on a pitiful act: “Luna, I sent you so many messages, why didn't you reply? Am I being too annoying? I'm sorry, as the Alpha's secretary, I wanted to get to know the Luna better so I could do my job more effectively. I just wanted to get closer to you and become friends, so I talked a bit too much.”

She blushed with shame, and Gabriel glared at me before speaking with displeasure:

“Aurora, why are you being so cold? Victoria is just trying to get close to you! As Luna of the Blackwater Pack, you should be caring for pack members, especially when she's doing it for work.”

This dinner tasted like chewing wax to me.

Victoria seemed particularly happy though. Before leaving, she placed an invitation in front of me.

“Luna, this is tomorrow's banquet invitation. I negotiated the supply transfer agreement between Blackwater Pack and the Western Territory packs. The Alpha wants to throw a celebration banquet for me. You absolutely must attend!”

But the invitation clearly displayed Gabriel's and her names together, looking just like a mating ceremony invitation.

However, I didn't have time to dwell on it. Tomorrow I would be leaving to join the Alpha Council's secret research project. I couldn't allow any accidents to happen before then.

“I'll definitely be there,” I calmly agreed.

After she left, I hid in the room packing my belongings. Actually, I had spent the entire day organizing everything in the house, throwing all the couple's items Gabriel and I shared into the incinerator.

Gabriel sensed something was off and suspiciously walked around the house several times before tentatively asking:

“Are you redecorating the house?”

Every single detail of this home had been lovingly arranged by me.

He didn't suspect anything, nor would he. This was good - it avoided a lot of trouble.

“I noticed many things were getting old, so I wanted to tidy up. You should rest early. Tonight I'll sleep in the guest room - I still have many things to handle.”

Gabriel didn't mind and returned to his room early to start selecting tomorrow's banquet attire. Tomorrow was Victoria's big day, and I could tell he took it very seriously.

Watching his actions, I only felt desolate.

In four years of being bonded, Gabriel never cared about our mating ceremony anniversary.

For four years, I had carefully prepared mate gifts for Gabriel on every anniversary and holiday. Last Valentine's Day, I even spent a year's salary buying him an Alpha pin.

The only gift I ever received from my mate was a bag Victoria didn't want.

Yet I kept finding luxury item receipts around the house, and I never understood why. Until I saw Victoria's social media - the bags and cosmetics she flaunted had receipts that perfectly matched the ones in Gabriel's belongings.

Tears pattered onto the floor. I stubbornly lifted my head - this was the last time, the very last time I would be sad over Gabriel. Then I contacted the leader of the Alpha Council's secret research project and finalized the details of joining.

Soon I would be leaving.

The next day at noon, I set out alone for the banquet venue. Due to security and privacy concerns, only registered license plates could enter.

Gabriel had taken the car early in the morning without bringing me along.

Left with no choice, I had to walk in under the scorching sun. As a healer, years of testing experimental medicines on myself had made my body weaker and more sensitive to heat than the average wolf.

The brutal May sun made me dizzy all over, and my originally flowing dress clung stickily to my body.

“Luna, you finally made it.” Victoria ran over to greet me, wearing an elaborate gown that should have belonged exclusively to a Luna. As a secretary, wearing such clothing was extremely presumptuous. She clearly had no right to wear that outfit - obviously Gabriel had made an exception allowing her to wear it.

“Sorry Luna, today was my fault. You know, I haven't been working long and don't have a car yet, so the Alpha had to pick me up. Don't blame him - he was just being kind, thinking that since today is my spotlight, he couldn't let me lose face.”

I surveyed the luxurious castle where the banquet was being held, silently calculating the cost of this celebration.

So Gabriel could spend so lavishly for his Omega secretary, not hesitating to use money that belonged to the pack - and to both of us. Yet as my mate, he could use the excuse of needing to reduce expenses for pack development to repeatedly postpone the Luna ceremony that should have been mine.

I walked into the castle with Victoria in a daze. As soon as we entered, she stepped on the train of my dress, causing me to fall to the ground. In that instant, the spotlight that had been focused on the Alpha at the podium suddenly illuminated me, putting my embarrassment on full display for everyone to see.

5

Victoria suddenly screamed loudly: “This banquet is to celebrate my negotiation of the supply transfer agreement between Blackwater Pack and the Western Territory packs. You're the Luna - you can't deliberately fall down just to steal the spotlight!”

I struggled to get up, only to discover my dress had torn.

“Trying to grab attention this way at such an occasion? That's really desperate!”

The surrounding pack members were all whispering among themselves. Even though they could see my embarrassment, not a single person came to help me.

Gabriel stood beside the podium and frowned, but instead of approaching me, he gestured for his Beta assistant to handle it.

“As Luna of the Blackwater Pack, can't you be more dignified? Making such a scene at this kind of event?” His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly to my ears, full of reproach.

“Especially at Victoria's celebration banquet. Go stand in the corner and stop embarrassing yourself.”

After saying this coldly, he picked up his wine glass and continued socializing with everyone.

As my mate, he showed no comfort toward me throughout the entire incident - only deep disgust.

I wrapped my jacket around myself and calmly stood up, walking to the restroom to try fixing my dress. But through the door, I heard people outside discussing Victoria's intelligence and wisdom.

She had developed a werewolf strength enhancement potion that could dramatically boost werewolf combat abilities. She used this potion's formula to trade with the Western packs for supplies, which led to signing this supply agreement.

The more I listened, the more alarmed I became, because this werewolf strength enhancement potion was my research - something I hadn't even published yet. Today, it had somehow become Victoria's “creation.” She was just an Omega secretary who had never been involved in potion research. How could she possibly develop a werewolf strength enhancement potion out of thin air?

“Why did you give my research results to Victoria?” I found Gabriel and confronted him.

He was stunned for a few seconds, then angrily leaned close to my ear and whispered: “What do you mean why? Victoria is an Omega who needs this to establish her position in the pack. You're already Luna - what use is this bit of recognition to you? Besides, I was the one who gave her the formula. I'm the Alpha. Do you have any objections?”

I swallowed back the questions on my lips and softly hummed in agreement.

“I have no objections. I can give her the research results, and I'll give her this mate too while I'm at it.”

“What did you say?” Gabriel's fury reached its peak.

I took a deep breath and pulled out the mate bond dissolution agreement approved by the Alpha Council from my purse, throwing it in front of him.

“I said I have no objections. I'm giving you to her too. I reject you as my mate.”

The crowd surged toward us, but most were just watching the drama unfold.

“You know what, our Luna really made something of herself this time - actually daring to make a scene at the banquet.”

“Tell me about it. The only reason we came here was to give them face. Otherwise, a mere secretary wouldn't deserve us lowering ourselves to attend, let alone praise her. With her level of ability, how could she possibly develop a werewolf strength enhancement potion? Anyone can see that's the Luna's work.”

“Keep your voice down. Even if she doesn't have much ability, she's got strong skills at finding backing. Everyone in the pack knows the Alpha would practically tear out his heart and liver for her.”

The dense chatter was like death by a thousand cuts to my heart. Gabriel glared fiercely at them, his eyes showing slight guilt.

“Stop making a scene, Aurora. Whatever it is, let's go home and talk about it, okay? Give me some face.” He lowered his voice and carefully pleaded with me.

Victoria also chimed in pitifully: “Luna, there's no need to broadcast our private matters everywhere. Whatever it is, please go home and talk it through slowly with the Alpha, okay? If I've affected your relationship with the Alpha, then I'd truly be a sinner.” As she spoke, she tried to pull me toward her.

I irritably stepped back and walked toward the exit without hesitation.

“No need. You two enjoy your meal. I have things to do, so I'm leaving first.”

The car I had called was still waiting for me at the entrance. Today's trip was nothing more than coming to settle things with Gabriel. Who knew he had prepared such a big “surprise” for me. But if he wanted it, I wouldn't argue with him over it. As he said, I didn't care about this bit of recognition. Consider it my final gift as his former mate to him and Victoria.

The car slowly drove away from the castle.

My phone in my pocket rang incessantly. I pretended not to hear it.

Only after completely leaving Blackwater Pack territory did I press the power button, destroying all means of contact.

Goodbye forever, Gabriel.