My mate, the supreme Alpha of the wolf pack, vows to be faithful to me for life. Yet on our anniversary night, I catch the scent of another woman on him.

Later at a gathering, he holds my hand and gazes at me with tender affection. He promises that I'm the only one he'll ever cherish in this life.

But moments later, I catch him outside the private room with his lover, who is wrapping herself around him. He's bragging to his friends about their thrilling hookup.

It's only after the family elders whip him within an inch of his life with silver-laced whips that he finally begins to understand. When he cries out my name in his fevered delirium, something shifts. He's finally learning what it means to truly lose someone.

His grandfather calls me, begging. "He's dying. Please, come see him one last time."

I keep my voice calm. "That was his choice."

He doesn't understand that some betrayals can never be forgiven. Not from the moment they happen.

My Alpha once moved my heart when I didn't believe in love. Under his sincere promises, we became mates.

On our anniversary, I saw his lover's kiss marks on him. He thought he hid it well, but he didn't know I would disappear from his world forever.

"This thing can really hide a mate's scent?"

I stared at the ancient gemstone pendant in my palm. In the dim antique shop, it glowed with a dark red light.

The shopkeeper was a hunched old werewolf, his cloudy eyes sharp with cunning. "It helps suppress it for three months. Long enough for you to disappear."

I fastened the pendant somewhere hidden. The burning sensation in my chest, the one connecting me to Derek Blackwood, vanished instantly.

"Deal."

When I left the shop, I checked my phone. I'd purchased many plane tickets, departing in two weeks. Flights to Fesmington, Arcanum, and Drobia, all at different times and destinations.

Even if Derek used his Alpha authority to track me down, he'd only find himself lost in a maze.

I walked home as memories flooded back like a tide.

Three years ago, at Glory Challenge, Derek fought a raging bear to defend my honor. He bled everywhere to protect me.

He collapsed in my arms, smiling weakly. "Katherine, no one insults you in front of me."

Two years ago, he named his tech company after me—Kath Tech. At the launch party, he announced in front of all the pack elites, "In this world, only one Katherine deserves all my glory."

When I was young, my parents had a loveless marriage. So when I discovered they both cheated, I swore I'd never choose a mate.

However, Derek pursued me for so long, and he never wavered after countless rejections. His sincerity won me over.

On the full moon night when I accepted the mate mark, I looked into his eyes and said slowly, "Derek, my loyalty belongs to you alone. Any betrayal ends everything."

He kissed my forehead and swore, "My wolf soul pledges before the Moon Goddess that you'll be the only one for me in this life."

How ironic.

Tonight was our bonding anniversary. Derek came home holding an exquisite gift box, looking apologetic. "Sorry, honey. The overseas project had some issues. I'm late."

I walked closer as he opened the box. Inside lay a beautiful badge engraved with our names, inlaid with the Moon Mark pattern symbolizing the mate bond.

"This is a limited edition. I pulled so many strings to..."

Before he finished, I caught it. That sweet scent unique to Omegas, drifting from his open collar.

My gaze fell on the side of his neck. It was a faint bite mark. A temporary mark, yet a claim of possession.

Derek didn't notice at all. He kept explaining, "Something came up at the company, so it took longer than expected. You're not upset, are you?"

"No." I took the gift box and smiled. "I prepared a gift for you, too."

I turned toward the bedroom and retrieved a wooden box carved with runes from the deepest part of my drawer. Inside lay the Mate Termination Agreement I'd already signed. The parchment glowed faintly with moonlight, the sign that the oath was taking effect.

"This is my anniversary gift." I handed Derek the wooden box. "But I have one small request."

"What request?" He took it curiously.

"Don't open it until two weeks from now." I looked at him seriously. "This is our seventh anniversary. It should feel special."

Derek paused, then laughed. "What are you playing at?"

"Promise me." I stood on my toes and kissed his jaw. "You have to wait two weeks to open it, okay?"

"Okay." He ruffled my hair affectionately. "I promise."

He held the wooden box in his palm. His Alpha power surged out, setting a time lock on the box's surface. Golden runes flickered to life, intertwining with the magic I'd already placed there.

"Now no one can open it," he said solemnly. "In two weeks, it'll unlock automatically."

"Mmhmm."

Derek carefully stored the wooden box in his study safe, like he was storing the world's most precious treasure.

He turned and went to the bathroom. Water was running as his humming mixed with the sound. It was the song from our bonding ceremony.

I stood in the living room, my hand on the gemstone pendant that hid my scent. It felt ice cold.

I hoped that in two weeks, this surprise would haunt Derek forever.

"Welcome, everyone, to tonight's auction."

The host's voice echoed through the luxurious ballroom. Elite werewolf families filled every seat around us. Derek held my hand as we took our seats in the most prominent spot.

"I'm going to make sure you have a wonderful time tonight," he whispered in my ear.

This top-tier auction was his way of making up for being late on our anniversary last night. Every item here was worth a fortune.

Halfway through the auction, the host's voice rose with excitement. "And now for tonight's main event. Lot 47, the Deep Sea Moonstone!"

Spotlight fell on the display platform. A fist-sized gemstone glowed with ethereal blue light.

"A legendary treasure said to enhance a Luna's power. The starting bid is 500 thousand dollars."

The auctioneer's voice rang through the opulent hall. Derek held my hand and raised his paddle under the envious gazes of every werewolf family present.

"Ten million dollars." Someone countered.

Derek raised his paddle again. "15 million."

"20 million."

"30 million!"

The entire room fell silent.

"30 million once, twice, three times! Sold!"

Applause and gasps of amazement erupted.

In the end, Derek won the moonstone for 30 million dollars. He put it on me in front of everyone and leaned down to whisper in my ear, "The entire werewolf world knows my Luna deserves the best."

The gem's blue light reflected on my face. Envious voices rose around us immediately.

"Alpha Derek is so thoughtful toward his Luna!"

"Katherine is the luckiest Luna in the world!"

"Now that's what you call a perfect mate bond!"

I smiled and accepted everyone's blessings and praise, feeling the cold weight of the gemstone. Inside, I felt only mockery.

During intermission, I went to the restroom. When I returned, I saw Derek standing in a corner with his back to me.

"Sorry, Katherine. There's a problem with that overseas investment." He turned around, looking apologetic. "I need to handle this. I'll be right back."

"Go ahead."

He turned back around but pulled out a different phone. I walked closer with my champagne, careful to look casual. From the corner of my eye, I saw his screen.

It wasn't an investment app, but a streaming platform.

On the screen, a curvy blonde woman posed coquettishly for the camera. She wore a low-cut bodycon dress, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. Behind her sat an eye-catching red sports car, its sleek body gleaming under the lights.

That was a limited-edition sports car. Only three existed in the world.

"See this. Is everyone watching?" Her voice was sickeningly sweet. "My Alpha just won a war for me, but he told me this car is my real prize tonight."

Comments flooded the livestream.

"Which Alpha is this generous?"

"Oh my God, that car costs at least 50 million dollars!"

"The streamer is so lucky!"

Then a username appeared at the top, pinned there—D's Wolf. The account had a golden verification badge and VIP status.

A comment from him appeared. "You're my only moon."

The livestream exploded.

"Oh my God! The big shot has appeared!"

"Streamer, look! It's D's Wolf!"

"Isn't that the mysterious tycoon?"

The blonde woman saw the comment, and a brilliant smile bloomed across her face. She blew a kiss at the camera, her voice flirtatious. "Thank you, my Alpha."

My fingers tightened. The champagne glass nearly slipped from my hand. Derek pocketed his phone and turned, a smile spreading across his face.

That smile held possessiveness and smug satisfaction, like he'd just won something. But it wasn't meant for me.

I looked up and met his eyes just as that smile began to fade. That's when I knew for certain. He was D's Wolf.

A sudden, searing pain tore through my chest. The mate bond tore at me, howling, demanding answers. My face went pale instantly, and my body swayed beyond my control.

"Kath!" Derek caught me immediately, panic flooding his face. "What's wrong?"

Nearby guests glanced our way with concern.

"I..." I clutched my chest, gasping for air. "I'm fine..."

"I'm taking you to the hospital!" His voice shook.

"No." I steadied myself with effort. "It might be... the moonstone's energy. It's overwhelming me."

"The moonstone?"

"Yeah." I took a deep breath. "Its power is too strong. My body needs time to adjust."

Derek hesitated, then pulled me close. "Let's go home first. If you still feel bad, we're going to the hospital."

I looked at his worried expression and found it almost laughable. He was such a good actor. Finally, I managed a weak nod.

In the car, I leaned back against the seat with my eyes closed. The gemstone pendant burned hot beneath my clothes, desperately suppressing the mate bond's furious reaction.

"Derek," I spoke suddenly.

"Mm?"

"I heard an old legend once."

"What legend?" He held my hand.

"Alphas who betray their mates have their power taken back by the Moon Goddess."

Derek's hand stiffened around mine. The air in the car froze for several seconds. A moment later, he laughed. "Then I'm perfectly safe."

He leaned closer, looking seriously into my eyes. "Katherine, I swear I will never betray you.

"You're the most precious thing in my life." He kissed my forehead. "How could I ever betray you?"

I closed my eyes and let his lies wash over me. If I didn't know the truth, I'd probably be moved to tears.

Halfway home, Derek's private phone rang. Only the pack's inner circle and his closest contacts knew that number.

He glanced at the caller ID, and his expression changed completely.

"Stop the car," he said to our driver, David Knight.

The car pulled over to the side of the road. Derek turned to me, apology written all over his face. "Kath, there's an emergency at the border."

"What kind of emergency?"

"Rival pack invasion. I have to get there immediately." He sounded anxious. "Go home and rest. I'll be back as soon as I handle this."

"Should I go with you?"

"No, the border is dangerous." Derek opened the car door. "Get some rest. Wait for me to come back."

I got out of the car, and he quickly flagged down a cab for me. I then watched his car disappear into the night.

"Ma'am, where are we..." the driver asked.

"Follow that car." I cut him off.

"But the gentleman just said..."

"Follow it."

The driver hesitated for a second, then pressed the gas pedal. We tailed Derek's car from a distance. It didn't head toward the border. Instead, it drove to the opposite end of the city.

Finally, the car pulled into a private airfield.

"Ma'am, this is..." The driver sounded surprised.

"Stop here."

I got out and hid in the shadows of the parking lot. Derek's figure appeared on the tarmac. That was when I saw her.

Her blonde hair whipped in the night wind, and she had a body that turned heads. She wore a fitted flight attendant uniform, the skirt short enough to show off her long, slender legs. Her heels clicked crisply against the pavement.

It was the woman from the livestream, Sheila Thorne. She ran toward Derek with a smile and threw herself into his arms. He didn't push her away.

He wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her. Under the moonlight, two figures clung tightly together. Then they walked toward the private jet together, climbed aboard, and entered the cockpit.

The cabin lights turned on. Through the window, I saw two silhouettes tangled together.

Their bodies intertwined. Her hands climbed up his neck, and he pressed her against the control panel. I turned away and stumbled back to the car.

"Ma'am, are you alright?" The driver looked at me through the rearview mirror.

I didn't answer.

"Ah." The driver sighed. "Ma'am, rich men like that are all the same. They have one at home, but keep one outside. You just... Just put up with it, and it shall pass. Making a fuss over this kind of thing isn't worth it."

I clutched the cold gemstone pendant at my chest. It felt like ice, just like my heart in this moment.

"No." My voice came out hoarse but absolutely firm. "I won't forgive this."