I was the pack's chief healer, but my fiancé Domine was just an ordinary warrior from the neighboring pack.

I didn't care about that because I believed in the guidance of the moon goddess.

I worked hard to earn money, bought a house, and supported us both.

But just a week before our Mating Ceremony, I discovered that Domine wasn't some ordinary warrior, but actually the Alpha of neighboring pack.

He hid his identity to get close to me just to seek revenge for his first love.

Three years ago, his first love secretly entered the forbidden zone and ate poisonous fruit. I fought with all my might to save her life, but she framed me for intentionally poisoning her and causing her to lose her wolf.

Domine believed her. He even promised to publicly extract my heart’s blood during the ceremony to supplement Ella's strength and turn me into a complete cripple.

He even stole my father’s life-saving medicine to make scented candles for her, which caused the death of my only relative.

After discovering the truth, I didn't hesitate to turn around and leave.

But Domine, who harbored a deep hatred for me, completely broke down.

He knelt in the snow for three days and three nights, begging me to look at him just one more time.

I’ve been with Domine for three years.

He claimed to be a Delta warrior from the neighboring Moonlight Pack.

I thought we were a match made in heaven.

Except in bed.

He always made me turn my back to him. He never let me make a sound. It felt like he was just carrying out a mission.

I wanted him to mark me—even just a small bite—but he always refused.

"Halen, you’re the Head Healer," he’d say. "I can’t mark you in private. I want to give you a formal Mating Ceremony so the entire pack can witness it."

I believed him.

But when I went to the house I bought with my own savings—our future home—carrying a strengthening potion I’d developed for him, I found him in our bed with another woman. Two bodies were tangled together. Domine was thrusting between her legs like a dog in heat.

"Domine… it’s too deep… ah! No… not there…" Ella’s voice was shaky.

"Can't take it? Well, you're going to take it anyway!" Domine bit her neck—a place he never touched on me—and gave another hard shove. "You owe me this. For three years, every time I touched her, I had to close my eyes and picture you just to get hard. She’s like a corpse."

"But… Domine… I’m not worthy…" Ella gasped, her hands clutching his muscular back. "The medicine Halen gave me… it killed my wolf… I’m useless… I don't deserve to be your Luna… I’ll only hold you back…"

Hearing my name, Domine paused for a second before becoming even more feral. "Don't mention that bitch!" Domine kissed away her tears tenderly.

The truth was, I saved Ella! She was the one who trespassed into the forbidden zone and ate poisonous fruit. I fought like hell just to keep her alive!

I was just about to rush in and explain the truth.

Someone stopped me, snapping a wolfsbane-infused suppressor onto my wrist.

"Let me go! Domine is being lied to!" I thrashed. "I'm the one who—"

The man kicked my hand away in disgust. "How dare you address our Alpha by his name."

Alpha? Domine?

"Domine Ashford is the great Alpha of our Moonlight Pack, and I am Lucas, his Gamma."

His words hit me like a sledgehammer.

"What Alpha?" I stared at him. "Domine is just a Delta warrior!"

"Wake up, Halen," Lucas sneered, dragging me away. "The Alpha has been posing as an ordinary Delta for three years just to get close to you and get revenge for Ella."

My mind went blank. Alpha? Revenge? Impossible.

Three years ago, I found a badly wounded Domine while on border patrol. He had silver burns, and his wounds were rotting. It took me three days to pull him back from the brink of death. The first thing he said when he woke up was, "You saved my life." A week later, he told me, "Halen, I want to be with you."

I thought it was fate. I thought the Moon Goddess had answered my prayers and given me a mate.

And now Someone was telling me it was all a calculated lie?

"No… that can't be…" I struggled, my nails digging into my palms. "He was so good to me… he said he’d give me a ceremony…"

"A ceremony?" Lucas laughed. "He was talking about his Mating Ceremony with Ella! The invitations went out three days ago. The whole Moonlight pack knows. But that has nothing to do with you!"

He dragged me to the basement, slammed me onto a surgical table, and chained my limbs with silver.

"What are you doing?!" I screamed.

"Executing the future Luna's orders." Lucas pulled out a large syringe with a cold smirk. "Ella lost her wolf because of your poison. She’s weak. You’re going to sustain her with your heart’s blood. This is the debt you owe."

"I didn't poison her!" I shook my head wildly. "Ella ate the forbidden fruit herself! I saved her!"

"Saved her?" Lucas scoffed. "Ella said you were jealous of her background and put wolfsbane in her medicine. She's about to become our Luna, and you must atone for what you've done. You’re finished, Halen."

The needle pierced my chest. Agony flared. I could feel my wolf howling, struggling, being drained away bit by bit.

"This is just the start," Lucas said, pulling the needle out. "You’ll be back every week to provide for Ella. Until you die."

He left. I forced my weak body up and stumbled back to the house. I reached the door just as I heard Ella crying inside.

"Domine… it’s all my fault… if I hadn't been so weak… if Halen hadn't poisoned me… you wouldn't have had to go through all this to get revenge…"

"It’s not your fault," Domine’s voice was gentle. "It’s hers. She was jealous and made you lose your wolf. I’ll never let her off the hook."

"But… look at me…" Ella sobbed. "I don’t even have a wolf anymore… I’m useless… You’re the Alpha heir… you need a strong Luna…"

"Don't say that." Domine cut her off firmly. "You are my fated mate. You saved my life. Even without a wolf, you are my only Luna."

The words shattered me. I collapsed by the door, shaking.

There is a card on the ground:

You are cordially invited to the Mating Ceremony of Domine Ashford and Ella Whitmore.

Time: Full Moon, seven days from now.

Location: Moonlight Pack Temple.

I looked up at the house—the home I bought with every cent I had. I thought this was our home. I thought he loved me.

It was all a lie. I stood up and tore the invitation to shreds. My chest was still bleeding, the silver poisoning my wolf, but my heart hurt far worse.

#

"Halen, your applicationhas been approved. In seven days, you can leave the Blood Claw Pack and head to the North."

I stared at the transfer order from the Healer’s Association on my phone and wiped the last of the tears from my eyes. Leaving was my only choice. I still had my father to think about. He was old and frail, living on my salary in a small cabin on the pack’s outskirts.

I knew how Domine operated. A man like him wasn't someone a person like me could fight. If he was determined to ruin me, I was too small to stop him. All I could do was take my father and run. I booked our border passes immediately. In seven days, I would be gone for good.

When I pushed open the door to our rental, Domine was busy in the kitchen.

"Halen, you’re back?" he said without looking up. "Dinner’s almost ready."

I looked at the dishes on the table. Every single one was a favorite of mine. Now, they just made me feel sick. The man in front of me wore a standard Delta warrior uniform, sleeves rolled up to reveal his powerful forearms. He looked so ordinary. It was impossible to reconcile this man with the Alpha of the Moonlight Pack.

"Halen, why are you just standing there?" He gently guided me into a chair, his eyes full of warmth and expectation. I coldly pushed away the plate he handed me.

"I’m not hungry."

Domine immediately dropped his chopsticks and reached out to touch my forehead. "What’s wrong? Are you feeling okay?"

I looked him straight in the eyes and spoke. "Domine, I want you to mark me."

Not some grand ceremony. Right here. Right now. One bite to let everyone know I belonged to him.

The air in the room turned to ice. Domine pulled his hand back, his expression hardening. "Halen, stop it. I told you,I've invited all my friends and family; the entire Moonlight Pack will witness our ceremony. This is exactly what I wanted."

His tone was commanding, leaving no room for argument. Since when did a Delta warrior carry that kind of authority?

Perhaps realizing he was being too harsh, Domine softened his voice and placed a piece of fish in my bowl. "Halen, I’ll give you anything you want... anything except marking you right now."

Buzz—Buzz—

Domine’s phone vibrated. His entire body went rigid. I saw the flash of guilt in his eyes. My heart sank.

"Halen, there’s an emergency at the pack. A rogue sighting at the border. I have to go." Domine scrambled to his feet, grabbing his jacket. "Eat without me. I’ll be back as soon as I can."

He practically bolted out the door. As it slammed shut, I looked at the dinner he’d made and laughed. It was a bitter, hollow sound. I had seen the caller ID clearly. It wasn't an emergency. It was a message from Ella.

I’d heard from my friend at the Moonlight Pack several weeks ago that Ella had returned. She claimed she’d been studying abroad. Now I understood. Domine had been with me for three years just waiting for her to come back.

Ever since Ella returned, Domine had been "working late" constantly. We hadn't had a real conversation in two weeks. We hadn't touched each other at all.

I went into the bedroom and pulled an old crate from under the bed.

It held everything of value I owned: a few rare healing potions, some silver coins, and a Moonlight Herb. I had found the herb by chance on patrol; it was worth a fortune.

I had planned to give it to Domine as a mating gift. Now, I’d have to sell it to fund our escape.

Seven days. That’s all I had. I had to get my father out of here before the Mating Ceremony.

I heard footsteps outside. Domine was back. I shoved the crate back under the bed.

"Halen?" Domine walked in, holding a small box. "I got you something."

He handed it to me. In the market, it was worth at least five thousand gold coins.

"I remember you saying you wanted one," he whispered.

But I knew the truth. This gift was likely just to keep me healthy enough to keep "providing" for Ella.

"Thanks," I forced a smile. "I love it."

Domine looked relieved and reached out to hug me. I instinctively flinched away. His arms froze in mid-air, a flash of hurt crossing his face.

"Halen, what’s going on?" he asked. "You’ve been acting strange all night. Are you sick? Should I take you to the medical center?"

I shook my head. "No, I’m just tired. You should get some rest too."

"Halen." Domine grabbed my hand, looking at me with dead seriousness. "Trust me, our Mating Ceremony will be incomparable."

"I know," I said flatly. "I 'believe' you."

Satisfied, Domine kissed my forehead. "Goodnight, my Halen."

He stepped out and closed the door. I heard him on the phone in the living room. His voice was low, but my hearing was sharp.

"Everything is going according to plan... she doesn't suspect a thing... in seven days, I’ll mark you in front of everyone... yes, I love you, Ella..."

I closed my eyes. Tears fell silently into the dark.

#

The next morning, my phone exploded with notifications.

"Blood Claw Pack Head Healer Halen Rhodes is under investigation for the unauthorized possession of banned substances. The Moonlight Pack Healers’ Association has suspended her duties effective immediately."

My name was there in plain black and white. But those drugs weren't mine!

"Dammit!" I called my boss and close friend immediately. "Emma, this is a mistake! Those drugs aren't mine!"

"Halen, I don't want to believe it either," Emma said, her voice heavy with concern. "But an anonymous tip came in. Someone claimed they saw you taking those substances from your locker, and they provided full evidence."

"Who reported me?!"

"It was anonymous." Emma paused. "Halen, the decision is final. You’re suspended until the investigation is over. If the charges are proven, your healer's license will be permanently revoked."

I sat on my bed, my hands shaking. My license was my life. I had taught myself healing at six, became an apprentice at eighteen, a full healer at twenty, and Head Healer by twenty-three. This job was the only thing I had to keep me afloat. And now, it was ruined.

Buzz—Buzz—

Another notification. This time from the werewolf forum.

"The True Face of the Blood Claw Pack's Head Healer! Not only did she poison her own kind, but she’s also hoarding illegal substances!!"

The post already had thousands of comments.

"I knew it! A sweet person like Ella wouldn't lose her wolf for no reason. This bitch did it!"

"Halen Rhodes should be exiled! She doesn't deserve to be a healer!"

"She treated me once. I feel sick just thinking about it. Did she use illegal drugs on me too?"

"Demanding full punishment for Halen Rhodes! Make her pay!"

The phone wouldn't stop vibrating with messages of pure rage. Some were from patients I had saved; others were complete strangers.

They didn't know the truth at all, yet they cursed me with the most vicious words imaginable.

I turned the phone off and buried my face in my hands. Tears leaked through my fingers.

Why? Why was this happening?

I forced myself to go to the medical center to find evidence. As soon as I walked in, the staff stopped talking, their eyes filled with suspicion and disgust.

"Halen, you shouldn't be here," Emma said, intercepting me. "I want to believe you, but you’re banned until this is settled."

"Emma, I need to check my locker! I’m being framed!"

"Halen," Emma whispered, "you need to lay low."

Before I could explain, a mob gathered at the entrance. They held signs that read: "EXILE THE SNAKE HALEN!" and "WE DEMAND JUSTICE!"

"There she is! Halen Rhodes!" someone screamed.

"Get out, you bitch!"

Stones, rotten vegetables, and clumps of mud flew at me.

I shielded my head and ran, the sounds of angry shouts and chasing footsteps right behind me.

My clothes were stained, and a stone gashed my forehead, sending blood trickling down my face.

I curled up in a dark alley, trembling, when a pair of red high heels appeared in front of me.

It was Ella.

She was wearing a cream Chanel dress, her hair perfectly styled—a sharp contrast to my bloodied, disheveled state.

"Halen," Ella knelt, her eyes shimmering with fake pity. Then she leaned in and whispered, "I’m the one who reported you."

"What?" I stared at her, stunned.

"I framed you," she said, her hand gripping my wrist. "I put those drugs in your locker. I bought the media. I forged the evidence." A flash of triumph crossed her face before shifting back to a look of vulnerability. "Did you really think you could stay by Domine’s side for three years? I’m going to destroy your reputation. Let’s see if Domine chooses you or protects me."

"You—"

Suddenly, Ella grabbed her own arm and raked her nails across her skin, drawing deep, bloody gashes. In her weakened state, she shouldn't have bled that much—unless she had taken anticoagulants beforehand.

"Halen!"

A roar of fury came from the end of the alley. Domine. He stormed over, his eyes colder and more disappointed than I had ever seen.

"Domine..." Ella threw herself into his arms, sobbing hysterically. "I just wanted to talk to her... to stop her from doing something stupid... but she said she didn't want my help... she tried to kill me... I don't have a wolf, I can't defend myself..."

Domine looked at the blood on Ella's arm, his face turning livid. He looked at me as if I were a total stranger.

"Halen, I am so disappointed in you."

His words pierced my heart like a blade.

"Domine, let me explain—"

"Explain what?" he snapped. "Why you framed Ella? Or why you’re hiding illegal drugs?"

"I didn't! She set me up!"

"Enough!" Domine bellowed. "Ella just returned to the country recently; how could she possibly frame you? Stop making excuses, Halen."

He swept Ella up into his arms. "It hurts..." she whimpered against his chest.

"I’m taking you to be treated right now," he said softly. "You’re going to be okay."

He had never used that tone with me. Not once.

As they disappeared, I stood in the alley, shaking. That’s when Lucas appeared, holding a black box.

"Halen Rhodes." Lucas looked at me with pure disdain. "The future Luna says you owe her more than just heart’s blood. You owe her your dignity."

He opened the box. Inside was a collar.

"What is that?" I stepped back.

"Your punishment," Lucas sneered. "Since you made Ella lose her wolf, you should feel what it’s like to be powerless. This collar is laced with silver powder and wolfsbane extract. Once it’s on, you’ll feel a constant burn, and your wolf will be suppressed."

"You can't—"

Lucas didn't give me a chance to fight. He lunged, pinning me down and snapping the collar around my neck.

The agony was instant. My wolf let out a pained howl before falling into a suffocating silence. I dropped to my knees, clutching my throat, unable to even scream.

"It’s the Luna’s order," Lucas said, looking down at me. "And of course, Domine authorized it. Consider this a down payment on the debt you owe. There's plenty more to come."

He walked away.

I collapsed on the ground. The collar felt like a ring of fire, charring my skin. I could smell my own flesh burning. It hurt—god, it hurt. But the despair hurt more. I had been discarded by the pack. I had lost my love, my career, and my name. Now, even my wolf was suppressed.

I curled into a ball as the rain began to fall. The cold water mixed with the blood from my neck, soaking into my clothes.

Six days left until the Mating Ceremony.

I struggled to my feet and began the long crawl back to my rental. Every step made the collar burn deeper. But I couldn't fall. I had to get my father out. I had to survive.

#