"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.

#

I had to treat the wound on my neck. I didn't want to die.

I slipped through the side entrance of the medical center, avoiding everyone’s gaze until I found the ointment for silver burns. Just as I was about to leave, voices echoed from the end of the hallway. It was Domine.

He was carrying Ella in his arms, moving fast, with three medics trailing behind him.

"Hurry! Get the VIP suite ready!" Domine’s voice was thick with panic. "I want the best medicine and the best healers on this, now!"

"Yes, Alpha!" the medics scrambled into action.

They disappeared into the VIP suite at the end of the hall. I bit my lip, clutching my cheap ointment.

I crept toward the room and peered through the small window in the door.

Domine was lowering Ella onto the bed with agonizing care.

"Does it hurt?" He held her hand, his eyes full of heartache.

"It hurts..." Ella whispered, tears tracking down her cheeks. "Domine, it hurts so much..."

"It won't for long." Domine leaned down to kiss her forehead. "I'm going to make you better."

He turned to the staff. "Get the Moonstone Healing Essence."

A nurse gasped. "Alpha, that’s... that’s the most precious tonic . A single drop is worth a hundred thousand gold coins."

"I said get the best," Domine snapped. "I don't care about the price; I'll pay."

The nurse nodded and sprinted out. I ducked into the shadows as they whispered nearby.

"My god, the Alpha of the Moonlight Pack is so good to the future Luna..."

"I know. I heard that for his mate, he’s mobilized all the Moonlight Pack’s resources ... the gifts he's given these past few days alone are worth hundreds of millions..."

"I also heard he gave her Star-Moon Lake, the most beautiful spot on the Moonlight Pack's border..."

"He’s such a dominant Alpha! He'd give up anything for his woman!"

Their voices faded. I leaned against the wall, my nails digging into my palms. Star-Moon Lake. Domine had taken me there for my eighteenth birthday. We had watched the stars, and he told me, "Halen, when we have a home of our own, I’ll bring you to live here. This place belongs only to us."

Now I knew that place had never been ours. It was just another gift for Ella.

The nurse returned with the Moonstone Healing Essence. Domine took the vial and used a cotton swab to delicately apply it to the scratches on Ella’s arm.

"This might sting a bit. Hang in there," he said softly.

"Mm..." Ella bit her lip, her eyes welling up. "Domine, am I useless? Getting you this worried over such a small injury..."

"Don't be silly." He wiped her tears away. "You’re the woman I love. Taking care of you is my responsibility."

He continued applying the medicine with a touch as light as a butterfly's wing.

"Domine..." Ella suddenly caught his hand. A flash of calculation crossed her eyes, quickly masked by a pout. "I... I want the Moon-Tear Necklace."

The Moon-Tear Necklace. I’d heard of it. It took the most famous jeweler in the North three years to craft, set with a hundred and eight Moon-Tears—the most sacred gems for werewolves, capable of strengthening the soul. It was worth twenty million gold coins.

Domine went quiet for a second. "That's a bit much..." He frowned. "Ella, that necklace—"

"I know it's expensive..." Ella looked down, her voice small. "I'm sorry, Domine. I shouldn't have asked. I just... I just wanted something to help my wolf. Maybe then she’d have a chance to come back..."

She started crying again. "But I know I don't deserve it. I have nothing left. I'm just a burden to you..."

"You are not a burden." Domine sighed and pulled her into a hug. "Fine. I’ll buy it. I’ll head North tomorrow and pick it up for you myself."

"Really?" Ella looked up, her eyes gleaming.

"Really." Domine ruffled her hair. "I’ll pay whatever it takes to get your wolf back."

Ella threw herself into his arms, unable to hide her smug grin. "Domine, you’re too good to me..."

I turned away and slid down the wall until I was sitting on the floor. Twenty million. Just a casual gift for Ella. They say love is where the money is.

I looked down at my ointment— only fifty silver coins a bottle.

Why can Ella always destroy my life so easily?

I remembered high school.

Ella was the daughter of the former Elder on the Alpha Council, and I was just a scholarship kid from the bottom of the pack.

She hated that I had better grades, so she tormented me.

Dead rats in my bag, laxatives in my water, locking me in the freezing storage room overnight. Once, she pushed me onto silver equipment during training, burning my right leg so badly I nearly passed out. No one came for me. I spent three days in the infirmary, bandaging my own wounds in agony.

Later, I became a healer. When Ella ate that poison and was dying, I put our past behind me and pulled her back from the jaws of death.

Domine used to say he loved my "heart of gold." He said he loved my dedication to saving lives and my kind soul that remained pure despite the pain I’d suffered. But now, his eyes didn't see me anymore. He only saw Ella. He only saw the woman who used to torture me and was now framing me.

I stood up to leave. Just then, my phone vibrated. It was Emma.

"Halen!" Emma’s voice was frantic. "Something’s happened to your father!"

#