Kristine's POV

“I—”

“Just be here. Bring a gift. It’s your father’s birthday. He’s expecting you.”

And just like that, the line went dead.

I didn’t want to go.

The Edelworth Pack never felt like home. I always felt like a stranger in that place, unseen, unwanted. My mother didn’t want me. Only my father showed me some kindness…

If that’s even what it was. Alpha Robert Hemington gave Ellena everything his love, his pride, his name.

And me?

I was the stray dog at the door, begging for scraps I was never allowed to have. Starving. Desperate.

It’s been three days since Hunter signed the rejection papers.

Three days since my near-death. And I haven’t seen him once.

I knew where he was. Who he was with.

Back then, I would’ve begged. I used to call him, ask him when he’d return to the pack house, ask if he was okay, pretending I wasn’t breaking inside just hearing his voice.

I tried everything. I painted myself in every color, hoping maybe—just maybe—he’d see one that matched him.

But the color faded.

Turned red.

Then dark.

And darker…

Until all that was left was black.

Now? I don’t feel anything. I’m tired of feeling.

I tossed the last of the boxes into the garbage bin. I’d burn them later.

I wasn’t feeling well. Maybe I was still healing. My wolf… she was still weak.

She’d been dying slowly from the moment we married. The bond that should’ve strengthened her, kept her thriving, had only made her weak instead.

Hunter never accepted us neither did his wolf.

And mine? She was fading. I knew if I stayed, I’d lose her. And without her, I’d die too.

We fed off the scraps of affection from the mate who never wanted us. And I was done starving.

---

Edelworth Pack stood proud in the west of the werewolf realm, one of the elite packs trusted by the Werewolf King himself in Crescent City.

I wore a simple dress, nothing extravagant.

Even though I was technically the Luna of the Moonveil Pack, the most powerful pack in Crescent, no one outside the inner circle knew.

It was Hunter’s idea. His parents agreed. Even the council supported it for my safety.

But I knew the truth. He was ashamed of me.

Ashamed that I was his mate.

Because it was supposed to be Ellena.

Everyone around me wore luxury—shimmering dresses, velvet coats, silk ties.

They were Alphas, Betas, Lunas from known packs. No omegas allowed. No servants. No one here knew the truth. No one knew I was the Edelworth pack's real daughter.

My parents buried the truth to protect their reputation. They still let Ellena shine in my place. Still claimed her as their only daughter .

And me?

Just a mistake they were forced to accept.

How cruel.

I walked toward my father and bowed. “Alpha Robert… here’s my gift.”

One of his men took it from my hands. He gave me a nod. Nothing more.

I was used to it.

I thought the truth of being their real daughter would make me feel like I belonged. But it didn’t.

I remember standing her when I was ten, watching my parents laugh and adore Ellena. The one who stole everything that was meant to be mine.

I bit the inside of my cheek and turned to leave.

And that’s when I saw Ellena and Hunter.

Her hand curled around his arm like she owned him. He wore a sharp black coat, tie crisp, eyes calm. She wore lavender silk that shimmered under the lights.

They looked perfect.

Beautiful, even.

And maybe…

Maybe they really were a better match.

They were heading toward us.

My mother passed by me like I was invisible, eyes lit up at the sight of Ellena.

Hunter’s eyes met mine. I clenched my jaw and stepped forward.

To everyone else here, I was nothing but his personal servant.

How cruel. How unfair.

Once, I accepted it.

Just so I could be near him.

So stupid.

“Take this and give it to the Alpha,” Hunter said, holding out a gift box.

I didn’t move.

Ellena and my mother both turned toward me, eyes narrowing.

“Why didn’t you take it?” Ellena asked, her voice sweet but sharp.

Hunter’s tone hardened. “Are you refusing your Alpha now?”

I stared directly into his blue eyes. My voice was calm, empty, dead of all emotion.

“I’m done, Hunter. I’m no longer your servant.”

A gasp rippled through the room.

Hunter’s eyes widened.

And for the first time…

I saw fear in them.

Kristine's POV

Murmurs erupted like wildfire across the room. Gasps. Whispers. Judging eyes.

How could a servant speak that way to an Alpha—especially Alpha Hunter?

Hunter’s eyes narrowed. His jaw clenched. “What did you just say?” He tried to keep his voice calm, but I could hear the rage bubbling beneath it.

Everyone respected him for his strength, his power, his ruthless dominance.

No one dared to cross him. Because crossing Hunter meant living in hell.

But I already lived through hell.

Every moment I spent beneath his shadow—unloved, unseen, unloved—taught me that. All I believed about love, he shattered. And now, I had nothing left to believe in.

“I said, I don’t want to be your servant anymore,” I repeated, steady and firm.

A few people looked at me like I’d signed my death sentence. Maybe I had.

Hunter smiled. That cold, sharp smile that never reached his eyes.

“You don’t get to say that. You don’t have the right to walk away.”

Ellena, of course, had to insert herself.

“Kris, you need to think carefully about what you’re saying,” she said sweetly. “You could be punished by Alpha Hunter for this.”

My eyes burned as I stared at them. At her.

Then at him.

At the mother who stood off to the side, saying nothing. No defense. No words. Just cold silence.

I swallowed hard. Pressed my lips together.

Then smiled. Wide.

“A servant? I’m done with that lie. I’m done lowering myself just to be seen. I don’t deserve this treatment not from you, not from any of you.”

Gasps again. My parents looked horrified.

Finally, emotion from them.

“Let’s talk about this privately,” my father said, stepping in. “This is not the place.... especially not during my birthday celebration.”

My father.

How strange those words felt on my tongue.

Because he never treated me like his daughter. None of them ever did.

“You’re right, Alpha Luther,” Hunter replied, eyes shifting to him.

My mother raised her voice, announcing some surprise to distract the crowd. The guests' attention moved, but mine didn’t.

“My decision is final,” I said. “I refuse to live beneath you all. I am not a thing to step so low. I am done.”

I turned to leave but Hunter grabbed my arm.

“You can’t say that. Are you planning to tell them the truth?” he hissed through clenched teeth.

I calmly pulled his hand off my arm and stared him dead in the eye.

“It doesn’t matter anymore. I don’t plan on telling anyone anything… if that’s what you’re worried about.”

Then I walked away. He called after me. “We’re not done, Kristine!”

“Let her go, Alpha,” Ellena said from behind. “She’s probably just upset you never came home.”

I ignored them both as I passed through the hall doors.

The cold night air kissed my skin like a long-lost friend.

I breathed it in. Freedom.

I looked around and knew... I wouldn’t miss this place.

Not the people.

Not the pain.

A weight lifted off me.

No more bowing my head.

No more begging.

No more trying to be loved by people who had none to give.

I heard her voice behind me.

“Kristine.”

I stopped. Turned around to my mother.

The one whose face I shared—the copper-blonde hair, the same eyes.

And yet… no warmth. Only cold rejection.

I didn’t say anything.

Once, I would’ve looked at her with longing.

Now?

That longing was gone.

She stopped in front of me without words she slapped me.

The sting was sharp, but I didn’t flinch. I taste the metallic in my mouth.

“How dare you try to ruin your father’s celebration!” she snapped.

Then I sighed.

“Are you satisfied now? Will you punish me next?”

She froze.

Maybe she saw it—

The absence of tears.

The silence of a broken wolf.

No pleading.

No apologizing.

Just… nothing.

“You’re just like Timothy,” she spat. “He raised you to be a liar. Evil, like him.”

Uncle Timothy.

The man who actually loved me. He cared for me like I was his own. He told me he was sorry. That he regretted switching me.

I forgive him because I truly now understand how he live a life of false accusation that no one believe him even at his death. I long to be on his last day but they wouldn’t let me attend to his funeral.

“You may be my daughter,” she said bitterly, “but he poisoned you. I don’t know how to fix you.”

Fix me?

I almost laughed.

“Fix?” I echoed quietly.

Then I turned away.

“I don’t want to see any of you again.”

She called after me, but I shifted.

Let the pain pour into my paws, my speed, my sprint. And I ran. Tears stinging my eyes.

I did not deserve any of this.

And I would never forgive them.

Not in this life.

Not in the next.

Kristine's POV

I was just closing the book I’d been reading when the chamber door creaked open. I masked my surprise.

It was Hunter.

He smelled like alcohol and his eyes landed on me, and a crooked smile curved on his lips.

“Enjoying yourself after trying to humiliate me?” he said, half amused, half annoyed.

“Bad move, Kris. You dared me in front of everyone. What was that nonsense about not wanting to act like my personal servant? You want people to know you’re bonded to me?”

I let out a tired sigh as he stopped at the foot of the bed.

“I already told you—I don’t care about letting anyone know,” I said, standing up and walking past him.

“Where do you think you’re going?” His voice was clipped now, the bite unmistakable.

“You’re the one sleeping here. And if I remember correctly, you didn’t want me here if you are here.”

I reminded him of his own words, spoken so coldly after our wedding.

“Did I say you could leave?”

“What do you want from me, Hunter?” I turned to him. “You want me to stand here while you spit cruelty at me? No, thanks. I’d rather be in the other room with my peace.”

His eyes darkened, jaw ticking in frustration.

“You’re not like this… What are you mad about now? I don’t understand you.”

I met his gaze head-on.

“I’m not mad, Alpha Hunter. I’m just done. I’m not your servant and I won’t act like one anymore.”

“You’re my wife, Kristine. Have you forgotten what this marriage is about?” he growled.

Ah. The marriage. The one he never wanted.

The one forced upon him after Ellena ran off to chase her dreams of fame. He didn’t marry me out of love. I was married him to keep Moonveil from becoming an enemy.

Ellena left. And I was left to carry the weight of her choices… and the full force of Hunter’s hatred.

“I haven’t forgotten,” I said coldly. “Ellena’s back now. You can marry her, finally. But I don’t deserve this... this hate just because the woman you actually love didn’t choose you. I was dragged into this for the sake of the pack. I accepted it. What did I ever do to deserve your anger?”

He had no answer. His mouth opened slightly, but nothing came out.

“Kris…” he said softly, guilt flickering in his tone.

“You know I loved you,” I whispered. “I told you I loved you. And I endured all your hatred for it. But now… now I see what a fool I’ve been.”

I opened the door. And I walked out.

Tears welled up, but I wiped them away quickly.

I wouldn’t cry for him. Not anymore.

---

The next morning… Ellena stood in the main hall with a suitcase beside her.

She smiled like she owned the place.

“Sis! Where’s Alpha Hunter?” she asked brightly.

“I don’t know,” I answered flatly.

She moved to hug me, but I sidestepped. She pouted like a child.

“Sis Kris, are you mad at me?” Her sugary-sweet voice made my wolf snarl.

If I were still blind, I’d fall for her innocent act. Back then, I treated her like a sister even stood by her. But not anymore.

“No, I’m not mad,” I said with a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. I eyed her suitcase. “Looks like you’ll be staying a while.”

She beamed.

“Alpha Hunter told me to move in! He said he wanted me close. You’re not mad, right, Sis Kris?” Her eyes sparkled but behind that gleam, I saw the mockery.

“Suit yourself.”

I turned to leave but she grabbed my wrist.

I felt it Hunter approaching.

“You don’t seem too happy, Sis Kris,” she whimpered. “I think I should go…”

Her voice cracked with false tears. My jaw clenched. She wanted to paint me as the villain.

Then she stumbled backward and fell to the floor.

“Kristine!” Hunter’s voice thundered through the hall.

He rushed to Ellena, who was crying as if I’d shoved her.

“Don’t be mad at Sis Kris, Alpha. She didn’t push me. I just tripped,” she said between sobs, pouting and trembling like a child.

Hunter cupped her cheek like she was made of glass.

“Believe her, Alpha. I didn’t push her,” I said calmly.

But Hunter was already glaring at me. His jaw locked, fists clenched.

“I saw you, Kristine. Don’t lie to me! You have no right to drive Ellena out, she’s staying here. How many times have you hurt her? I won’t let you do it again. I’m the Alpha here! You are just a Luna.... and barely one!”

Ellena smiled behind him. That cruel, victorious smile.

I didn’t flinch. I stared at him, cold and unshaken.

“I know my place, Alpha Hunter. Believe what you want, I won’t waste my energy defending myself anymore.”

“You—!”

He grabbed my jaw in fury. “Kristine, remember this. If you ever hurt Ellena again, I’ll make you regret it.”

His grip tightened before he let go. My lips trembled with anger. My wolf howled inside, clawing to break free, to rip him apart.

“GUARD!” he roared. “Take the Luna to the dungeon. Let her rot there for a day!”

The guards approached. I straightened my spine. Lifted my chin.

“You don’t have to drag me. I’m going.”

I threw one last look at them—Hunter and his beloved Ellena.

My eyes cold.

Dead.

And I walked…