"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."

"You sold the moonstone?"

Derek burst through the door in the rain, clutching a jewelry box. Water dripped from his hair onto the expensive carpet below.

"Why? I bought that specifically for you! It could enhance your Luna abilities!" His voice rang with disbelief.

I looked at him calmly. "Because I don't need it."

"Katherine Vance." His voice took on that Alpha authority. "Why did you get rid of it?"

"I donated all the money to Pup Relief Foundation." My voice stayed light. "Anonymously. Abandoned wolves need the help more than I do."

Derek froze, then opened the jewelry box. Inside lay the Deep Sea Moonstone, glowing with ethereal blue light.

"I tracked it down at the auction house and bought it back." He walked toward me and grabbed my hand. "This belongs to you. It always will!"

He gently fastened the necklace around my neck again. The gemstone settled against my collarbone, feeling ice-cold.

"Katherine, you've been acting strange lately." He stared into my eyes. "Tell me what's going on."

I didn't struggle and let him do as he pleased. "Nothing. I just think money should be used for something meaningful."

Just then, his phone rang. It was his Betas.

"Alpha Derek, the inner circle is meeting tonight. Are you coming?" Noisy chatter came through the speaker.

Derek instinctively started to refuse, but I spoke up. "You should go. Spend time with them."

He looked at me in surprise. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'll go with you." I smiled. "I haven't seen them in a while."

An hour later, we sat in a private room at the city's most exclusive restaurant. Derek's three Betas and several core pack members were already there. The table overflowed with expensive dishes and fine wines.

Derek always acted especially attentive toward me at gatherings. Tonight was no exception.

He forbade anyone from shifting in front of me. "Katherine doesn't like seeing that wild side."

He wouldn't let them discuss bloody territory disputes. "We're only talking about light topics tonight."

All evening, he devoted himself to serving me. He cut my steak, peeled my shrimp, and poured my wine. Every gesture was meticulous.

"Katherine likes her steak medium rare."

He placed food on my plate tenderly. "She doesn't eat spicy food, but she loves sweets. I remember all her habits and preferences."

The Betas always marveled at Derek's attentiveness.

"Alpha Derek, the way you treat Luna Katherine is just..." One of them sighed. "We're genuinely touched."

"It's what I should do." Derek's tone was firm. "Katherine is the most precious person in my life. She deserves all my tenderness."

He turned to look at me, his gaze overflowing with warmth. "Right, my moon?"

I nodded, my lips curving into a perfect smile. "Derek has always been wonderful to me. He's never let me down."

The room erupted with teasing laughter.

"Alpha Derek, you're a role model for all male wolves!"

"No wonder Luna loves you so much! Look how sweet you two are!"

"This is what a perfect mate bond looks like! We should all learn from you!"

Derek beamed at the praise and pulled me closer. "Katherine deserves the best of everything. Nothing makes me prouder than being her Alpha."

He announced in front of everyone, "In this world, no one is more important than Katherine. She's my everything."

Applause and admiration filled the air. The Betas raised their glasses in toast.

"To Alpha Derek and Luna Katherine's eternal happiness!"

"A match made in heaven!"

"The perfect mates!"

I raised my glass and clinked it gently against Derek's. The wine sparkled under the lights, just like the devotion in his eyes.

If I didn't know the truth, I'd feel lucky to have someone so attentive. But now, I only felt disgusted.