I ran the brush through my hair for the third time, staring blankly into the mirror. The strands shimmered under the soft light, but my eyes... they looked hollow. Still, I smiled.

Maybe, just maybe, he'd look at me like he used to.

However, when the doors to the grand hall opened, it wasn’t just Marcus who walked in.

Standing beside him was Ariella. The rogue healer. Her hands cradled her swollen stomach. She looked serene. Radiant, even.

And Marcus... he looked proud.

“I want everyone to welcome Ariella,” he announced, his voice smooth and authoritative. "She’s a healer who has been under my protection for the past few months. She carries my child—the true heir of this pack.”

Whispers began rippling through the gathered pack members, but I couldn’t hear them over the ringing in my ears.

"From now on, she will live in the pack house and be treated with the respect she deserves,” Marcus added before turning to me.

"Esther, you should move out of the Luna’s quarters immediately. You’ll be assisting Ariella with her needs from now on.”

“What?” My voice came out sharp. “Marcus, what are you saying?”

His jaw tensed. “Exactly what it sounds like. This is for the future of our pack, Esther.”

“I’m still your bonded mate,” I said, my voice shaking. “You’re parading a pregnant rogue in front of the pack and asking me to serve her?”

“I’m telling you to,” he snapped. “Don’t make a scene.”

I laughed, a bitter sound that burned on the way out. “Nine years, and that’s all I am to you? A convenient servant for your mistress?”

“She’s not a mistress,” he hissed. “She’s carrying the heir—something you failed to give me.”

The words slapped harder than any blow could have.

I didn’t respond. I just turned, walked back to our quarters—the ones I once decorated with care and hope—and began packing. It took me less than an hour. When love dies, detachment is surprisingly fast.

I made it to the front door, with a suitcase in hand, when his voice stopped me.

“Esther.”

I turned slowly.

“You need to hand over the Lunar Crest.”

My fingers clenched around the strap of my bag. “What?”

“Ariella needs it for spiritual protection. The child she carries is the future Alpha.”

My breath caught in my throat. “That crest has been passed down by my mother. It’s mine, Marcus.”

His jaw hardened. “Do not make this difficult.”

I looked at Ariella. She offered a small, almost smug smile.

I knew he wouldn’t stop. And honestly, I was tired of fighting for someone who had already left me behind.

With trembling fingers, I reached for the chain around my neck, the silver crescent moon still warm from my skin. I stepped forward, placed it around Ariella’s neck, and fastened it gently.

“I wish you both a long, happy life with your child,” I said, words bitter with resignation.

The moment the clasp clicked shut, the silver heirloom split with a sharp crack. The pendant snapped clean down the center, clattering onto the marble floor.

Gasps echoed.

I stood there, stunned.

“What did you do?!” Marcus’s voice boomed.

“I—I didn’t—”

“It’s a bad omen!” he growled. “You did this on purpose! You’re jealous!”

“No! I swear—”

He unleashed his aura before I could finish. It hit me like a tidal wave, crashing down until my knees buckled.

“Apologize to her!” he barked.

I gasped, struggling to breathe, every cell screaming under the force of his dominance. My hands trembled as I turned toward Ariella, still clutching her belly.

“I’m sorry,” I rasped, my voice barely audible. “I didn’t mean—”

“Ahh!” Ariella cried out suddenly, doubling over.

Marcus’s fury vanished in an instant. “Ariella? What’s wrong?”

“My stomach—it hurts—Marcus!”

He caught her before she fell, shouting at the pack doctor. “Get help! Now!”

I tried to reach forward, instinctively—but he shoved me back like I was filth.

“Stay away from her!”

I stumbled back, heart in my throat, watching as the pack scrambled around them.

He turned to me once more, eyes filled with rage. “If anything happens to my child, I swear I won't forgive you.”

While the pack scrambled in chaos over Ariella’s cries, I slipped through the side gate and melted into the trees. My heart pounded as I reached the edge of the border.

Just a little farther, and I could finally leave behind everything.

“Where do you think you’re going, Luna?”

I froze.

Ashenclaw warriors—stepped out from the shadows. Their expressions were hard and cold.

“What is this?” I asked, my voice was low and controlled. “Marcus knew I was leaving. He said nothing about—”

One of them—Ronan—stepped forward. “Alpha’s order had changed. You need to come back with us.”

I narrowed my eyes. “No. I’m not coming back. He no longer needs me, and the pack will be welcoming a new Luna soon.”

None of them answered.

And without another word, they lunged.

I turned on my heel, ready to bolt—but their hands caught me before I could shift. Claws dug into my arms. I struggled, snarling, my wolf howling inside me.

“You’re making this harder than it needs to be,” Ronan growled.

“Let me go!”

Suddenly, one of them pulled out a vial.

The stench hit me first.

Wolfsbane.

“No—” I gasped, stumbling as the burning liquid splashed across my skin. It was like fire, licking through my veins, paralyzing me.

They grabbed my arms, legs, and yanked me down into submission. My vision blurred and everything went black.

—

When I woke again, my mouth was dry, my limbs numb. The ropes still dug into my wrists. I blinked slowly, the chamber swimming into view.

And then, as if on cue, the door creaked open.

Marcus stepped inside.

Calm. Composed. Like nothing had happened.

“You’re awake,” he said gently, as if we were still playing house. “How are you feeling?”

I turned my face away. “You have the nerve to ask that?”

He took a step closer and untied the ropes around my wrist. “Esther—”

“Let me go,” I snapped, my voice hoarse but steady. “Just let me go, Marcus. Sever the bond and be with Ariella. That’s what you want, isn’t it?”

"You can even kill me just for her," I added bitterly.

Marcus’s expression hardened. “Don't be overly dramatic. Aren't you fine? Ariella was in pain, and the baby—”

At that moment, my phone suddenly buzzed, and a few messages popped on the screen.

[Did you go back on your words? You’re not here.]

My breath hitched.

He waited for me...

Taking a deep breath, I pushed a reply with a trembling hand.

[Something happened. Sorry.]

Immediately, I received a reply.

[I’m coming to get you. Even if I have to rip through your Alpha to do it.]

For the first time in hours, my heart raced.

Marcus didn’t notice. He was too busy trying to explain something I no longer cared to hear.

[Just wait for me, I'll take care of my business here.] I smiled lightly.

Marcus’s gaze lingered on me longer than usual, his jaw clenched. “Why are you ignoring me? Who are you talking to?”

I didn’t even look up. “It’s just a friend.”

“A friend?” he repeated sternly.

Before I could react, his hand shot out. He snatched the phone from my grip.

“Marcus!” I snapped, reaching for it, but he was already holding it out of reach.

“Unlock it.” His eyes were sharp, demanding.

I folded my arms. “You already know the password.”

His expression darkened. “What is it?”

“Our wedding anniversary,” I said flatly, watching him like a hawk.

He scoffed and began tapping numbers. Once. Twice. Three times.

The phone vibrated, but it didn't unlock.

He frowned, tried again—reverse order, month first, but still nothing.

His fingers hovered. “This isn’t our anniversary,” he said slowly.

I said nothing.

Rage twisted his features. “What the hell is the password then, Esther?!”

I stared him down. “You tell me.”

My words seemed to touch a nerve. With a growl, he hurled the phone across the room. It hit the wall with a sharp crack, the screen exploding into spiderwebs.

I didn’t flinch. Just watched the pieces fall.

Marcus's gaze softened as he looked at me. "I didn't mean to break your phone."

I didn’t answer. However, my silence seemed to ignite his fury.

His lips curled into a sneer. “Tsk. Don't push my buttons, Esther. I'm already humbling myself, but you're still acting like a brat!"

Gritting his teeth, he added, "Well, I shouldn't have asked. You have no one, Esther. I’m all you’ve ever had.”

Hearing his arrogant words, I laughed bitterly. “You’re right,” I whispered. “I was an orphan. My parents died when I was young, and then you found me. Give me a title, a place—a home.”

He didn’t speak, but I saw the flicker in his eyes—pride, perhaps, in the power he wielded over me.

“My whole world revolved around you, Marcus. I made you my sun, my stars. Every decision I made, every effort I gave—was for us.” I looked down at my wrists, still raw from the ropes, at the dry blood along my arm. “And you still managed to betray me.”

He inhaled sharply and said, "Don't make it sound like it's my fault. You knew all too well why I looked for my fated mate."

"But I'm your mate! You swore under the Moon Goddess' altar! How could you do this to me?—"

I wanted to say more. I wanted to scream at him.

But his phone rang.

His hand instinctively went into his pocket. After looking at the screen, a gentle smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Without a word, he turned away.

“You can call the pack healer yourself,” he said as he walked toward the door. “Technically, you’re still the Luna. I’m sure they’ll listen to you.”

The door clicked shut behind him, and I was alone again.

—

Later that night, the dining hall buzzed with quiet conversation and clinking cutlery. I sat at the far end of the long table, staring into my untouched bowl of soup, the steam rising like ghosts.

Across from me, Marcus and Ariella were nestled close—too close.

She laughed softly, tucking a golden strand of hair behind her ear as she leaned into him. “You always know just what to say,” she purred, touching his arm.

Marcus chuckled. “Maybe it’s because I finally have someone worth saying it to.”

My grip tightened around the spoon.

Ariella giggled again and playfully bumped her shoulder against him. “You’re such a charmer.”

“Only for you,” Marcus murmured, his fingers brushing a crumb from the corner of her lips. Slowly. Intimately.

I looked away.

A sharp sting bloomed in my chest, and I forced down the rising ache. The bond flickered, an echo of everything I was no longer allowed to feel.

Ariella glanced at me briefly, then smiled wider, like twisting the knife just a little deeper. “You don’t mind if we sit here, do you, Esther?” she asked sweetly. “It’s just... Marcus and I have so little time alone these days.”

I opened my mouth, then closed it again. Words felt pointless.

Marcus didn’t even look my way.

—

For days, I holed up in the pack clinic just so I wouldn’t have to watch Marcus and Ariella fawn over each other like love-struck pups.

The bed was cold, too large for my frail frame. My blood had been nearly drained but they didn't care. I was the daughter of an Alpha, yes, but my body had always been fragile—a quiet curse I carried in secret. If not for my parents’ influence and strength, Marcus never would’ve looked twice at me, much less chosen me as his mate.

I curled onto my side, pressing a hand to the ache in my chest. The physical pain was nothing compared to the slow, seeping heartbreak that had turned to poison in my veins.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

My phone buzzed continuously, the screen lit with messages, alerts, and social media pings.

I opened it, and there it was.

Photos—dozens of them.

Marcus was beside Ariella. Walking with her through the marketplace. Laughing with her under the plum tree, holding her hand as she fed the pack pups.

He had never done those things with me.

Whenever I asked to go sightseeing, he scoffed. “You’re the Luna. You’re not some idle girl chasing dreams. Do your duty.”

But Ariella... she wasn’t even officially Luna, and yet he paraded her like a treasure.

Tears blurred my vision.

Then I saw her latest post—her hand on her belly, Marcus kissing her temple, the caption read. [My fated one, my forever.]

I didn’t think.

I clicked comment.

[Congratulations on claiming what fate handed you. I hope your forever is everything my nine years weren’t.]

The moment I hit send, I stared at the screen until the ache became numb.

Being a chosen mate meant nothing when fate chose someone else.

I opened my messages.

[I’ll be leaving soon. I just need to finish a few things first. Be ready.]

The reply came instantly.

[I’ll be waiting.]