I jolted awake to find Adrian pinning me down, reeking of alcohol, his lips smearing sloppily across my face. The stench of perfume clung to him, and there was a lipstick stain on his collar he hadn't bothered to wipe away—constant reminders that he'd been with someone else.

The thought of that mouth on another she-wolf made my stomach turn. Before I could stop myself, I slapped him across the face.

The slap sobered him halfway. He stared at me, bewildered. "Serena, it's me!"

Then, like a magician, he produced a bouquet of crystal roses from behind his back. "I'm sorry—the project meeting ran late. That's why I'm home so late. Here, these are for you. And cake."

A dainty little cake appeared before me.

Once upon a time, I might have cried with gratitude. Now all I wanted to ask was, Was your meeting in a bedroom?

But I held back, keeping my voice neutral. "Then stay out for the night. Don’t bother coming home just for me."

He pushed the cake toward me, his tone gentle. "I can't do that. I heard you were hurt and I was worried sick. Thank goodness it wasn't serious, or I'd never forgive myself."

"I need you to understand—as the Alpha, the pack has to come first."

He made himself sound so selfless, as if I were the petty one. But he didn't know I'd heard everything. His phone hadn't disconnected—every word he'd whispered to Vivian had come through crystal clear. I just hadn't seen the point in confronting him. His affair with Vivian was all over the internet; there was no way I didn't know. He saw my expression and assumed I was upset about the tabloids, so he pulled me into his arms with a laugh.

"The media will say anything for clicks. It's nothing like what they're reporting. I'm only using her family's connections to close a major deal."

"You're my only mate. Vivian's pack is hosting a celebration next week—all the major Alphas will be there. This is my one shot at turning our pack into a real power. I can't pass it up."

When I stayed silent, he played the Luna card. "You're about to become Luna. You need to think about what's best for the pack. Once I close this deal, I'll cut things off with her immediately. Can you just wait a little longer?"

Every time we argued, he pulled out the Luna lecture. I used to think he was doing it because he truly saw me as his Luna. But now? Whoever wanted that title could have it.

"Fine," I said. "I understand."

Adrian smiled and lit the candles on the cake. "Come on, make a wish."

The evening breeze slipped through an open window, making the candle flames dance and flicker across my face. This was the eighth birthday he'd spent with me. Every year, I'd wished for the same thing—a grand mating ceremony with Adrian, followed by forever.

Now the very thought disgusted me.

I closed my eyes and pressed my palms together: I wish that from now on, Serena Blake will have the courage to live for herself and never be anyone's puppet again.

I opened my eyes and blew out the candles, then looked up to find Adrian glued to his phone, typing furiously, brow furrowed like something urgent had come up. Suddenly he leaped to his feet and started throwing on clothes.

"Serena, I'm sorry—I can't stay for the cake. Something's come up with a project. I have to go."

He was out the door before I could respond. Some project. I'd seen the message—it was from Vivian, saying she was attacked by rogues in an alley and needed him immediately.

Same scenario—rogues—and his reaction couldn't have been more different. Who he truly loved was painfully obvious.

I looked at the wilting crystal roses and laughed coldly, then tossed them in the trash along with the cake.

The next morning, I went to the pack administration office to file for separation from the pack. The first thing I saw when I walked in was a wall of oil portraits—every Alpha and Luna in the pack's history. Three years ago, when Adrian took over as Alpha, he'd brought me here and pointed to a blank spot on the wall.

"Someday our portrait will hang right there. I'll have your name written in the pack's history books so you'll be remembered forever."

But I'd never wanted to be remembered. I'd only ever wanted to spend my life with the man I loved. That promised spot on the wall—I'd given up waiting.

The clerk at the desk looked startled when she saw my application. "Serena, you're the pack's Beta. You handle practically everything around here. If you leave, who's going to manage all of this?"

I smiled. "There are plenty of capable people in the pack. They'll do fine without me. Besides—I'm going home for my mating ceremony."

She studied the form, sighed, and finally relented. "I'll submit this to the Alpha. But I have to say—you're the best Beta I've ever seen. The Alpha values you deeply. Are you really giving up your career like this?"

Values me? Maybe. He felt nothing for me, yet went to such lengths to act deeply devoted in front of me—all just so I would help him run the pack, I suppose. In his eyes, that was probably all I was worth.

The sharp click of heels cut through my thoughts. Vivian swept in wearing a red bodycon dress, her waves bouncing as she marched up to the clerk. Before anyone could ask what she needed, she scanned the office with open disdain.

"This place is so drab. Get me the pack's top interior designer—I want it completely redone."

The clerk swallowed her irritation and explained patiently, "I'm sorry, this is the pack administration office. You don't work here, so the décor really isn't your concern."

Vivian lifted her chin with an air of superiority. She pulled a document from her bag and slapped it on the desk. "Who says I don't work here? From now on, I'm in charge. When I say renovate, you renovate."

It was an appointment letter, clear as day—the Beta position was being transferred to Vivian. Adrian's signature in the bottom corner was sharp and unmistakable.

I'd told myself I was past caring. I'd already decided to leave. But seeing it in writing still felt like a fist closing around my heart.

Vivian spotted me and feigned surprise. "Oh! Serena, you're here too? I didn't even see you."

"I'm so sorry about taking your position. I honestly didn't expect the Alpha to trust me with something so important. I'm a little overwhelmed, to be honest."

Her words said one thing; the smirk on her face said another.

Familiar footsteps sounded behind me. Adrian appeared, looking slightly taken aback to see me. "What are you doing here?"

Perfect timing. I held out my pack separation form. "I need you to sign—"

But he didn't even glance at me. He brushed past, heading straight for Vivian. Instantly, her whole demeanor shifted—the arrogance vanished, replaced by a warm, soft smile. Adrian put his arm around her in front of everyone and announced:

"Serena was injured recently. To give her time to recover, Vivian will take over as acting Beta."

As if he was doing me a favor. Everyone in the room could see through it.

He was only looking for an excuse to remove me from my position.

Vivian tucked a loose strand of hair behind her forehead and bowed deeply to the crowd.

"Thank you all for your support. "

The once arrogant Vivian was now humble and polite, her attitude doing a complete one-eighty.

Vivian clung to his arm. "I'm new here and still finding my way around. Could you show me the place?"

Adrian's eyes went so tender they could have melted ice. "Of course. Let's go."

As they passed me, he casually took my separation form, signed it without reading a single word, and handed it back. "From now on, all documents will be signed by Vivian. Her will is my will."

Then he walked away without looking back. As if we were nothing more than coworkers.

Vivian paused in front of the portrait wall, lingering before the blank space. Adrian came up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist—right there in front of everyone—and murmured in her ear, just loud enough for the room to hear:

"You like it? I'll have the pack's best artist paint our portrait."

The meaning was clear: Vivian would be Luna.

The sycophants circled immediately. "Vivian and the Alpha are a match made in heaven—no one in the whole pack is more perfect together."

"Is that a moonstone on her hand? Those are incredibly rare. Money can't even buy them."

"Forget the ring—if Vivian wanted the stars, the Alpha would pull them from the sky."

Every word was a needle in my chest. But there were a few voices of dissent:

"Serena's been Beta for years. The pack wouldn't be where it is without her. How can they just strip her title like that? It's not right."

"Keep it down. Do you know who Vivian's father is? His pack is one of the most powerful in the whole wolf world. If the Alpha mates with her, we'd have a permanent alliance. Serena's contributions are nothing compared to that."

I clutched the signed form in my hand and walked out without looking back, their laughter fading behind me.

True to his word, Adrian commissioned the pack's finest artist to paint their portrait, right there in the pack shrine, with a crowd of media covering the event.

"Vivian is stunning—no wonder the Alpha chose her."

"She's the daughter of the Oceanridge Pack Alpha, you know. A real heiress. She and Adrian are a perfect match."

Camera flashes lit up Vivian's face as she basked in the attention. Adrian had one arm around her waist, his expression radiating pure joy—a look I'd never seen in eight years together. Genuine, unguarded happiness. And that blank space on the wall had finally found its owner.

Later, while Vivian was admiring the finished portrait, she noticed me collecting my things.

"Serena, come help me—does this painting look a little crooked?"

She beckoned me like a servant. I ignored her and kept walking.

Undeterred, she raised her voice so everyone could hear. "Serena, I'm sorry—I don't know what I did to offend you. Why are you being so cold? Is it because I stole your Alpha?"

The media swarmed, cameras swinging toward me like silver blades.

Vivian let the tears flow, the picture of wounded innocence. "Adrian loves me. Please stop throwing yourself at him."

My head buzzed. My voice trembled. "If you're going to make accusations, bring proof. Who's throwing herself at anyone?"

But no one was going to believe an orphan over an heiress. No matter what I said, the rumors crashed over me like a flood.

"So Serena and the Alpha had something going on?"

"She's just an orphan. As if she'd catch the Alpha's eye. She's obviously delusional—chasing after him like some stalker."

"Quick, get this on camera! This'll be front-page news tomorrow."

Flashes exploded in my face. I shielded my eyes and tried to run, but Vivian grabbed my arm. She leaned in, her voice a whisper meant only for me.

"How does it feel? Having everything taken from you? Remember this—this is what happens when you try to compete with me."

Then she spun me around, blocking the cameras, and shoved her wine glass into my hand. "Serena! What are you doing? Why are you grabbing my wine?"

She seized my wrist and flung it toward the wall. Red wine splashed across the portrait—right over Vivian's face. She fell to the ground for good measure.

The room erupted. Everyone stared at the ruined painting.

Vivian's eyes glistened. "That painting—it was a precious memento between Adrian and me. Why would you destroy it? I know you still want him, but he chose me. Can't you just let us be?"

I kept my voice steady. "Vivian, why don't we check the security footage and see what really happened?"

She stamped her heel. "Everyone here saw it with their own eyes! Are you saying they're all lying? I had no idea your jealousy ran this deep—destroying our portrait like this."

The crowd murmured and whispered. "We all saw it. Serena pushed her and threw the wine."

Not because they'd actually seen it. But between an heiress and an orphan, they'd always believe the heiress. When power and money were on the line, truth didn't matter.

The commotion drew Adrian. He pushed through the crowd, saw Vivian on the floor, and his face went dark. He rushed to her, shoving me aside to gather her in his arms.

The force of his push slammed me against the staircase railing. My lower back hit hard enough to make me gasp. The bracelet on my wrist shattered on the floor.

Adrian heard my cry and glanced back. He saw the broken pieces. That bracelet—he'd gotten it for me at the Moon Tree in Moonlight Forest when we first started dating, a charm for protection. He'd knelt before me that day, placed it on my wrist, and looked up with eyes full of devotion.

"Serena, your safety matters more to me than my own life. If anyone tries to hurt you, they'll have to step over my dead body first."

Eight years later, his oath still echoed in my ears. The man who'd sworn to protect me was now the one cutting deepest.

Something shifted behind his eyes when he saw the bracelet—old memories surfacing. But after a moment of visible struggle, he chose Vivian. He wiped her tears with heartbreaking tenderness.

"Vivian. Don't cry. I'll have a better one painted for you tomorrow."

Then he turned to me, his gaze ice-cold. "Apologize to Vivian."

My throat burned. I forced the words out. "Adrian... it wasn't me."

He looked at me with disappointment. "Everyone saw you do it. What's the point of denying it? Just admit you were wrong and apologize. Vivian's generous—she'll forgive you."