(Eirene’s POV)

Layton spoke gently while his fingers brushed against my cheek.

There was once a time when my wolf responded to him without thought. A simple touch from him could shake my entire heart.

Now I felt absolutely nothing.

"I noticed Kiera always gets everything she wants. Her family buys her anything immediately. Today she was sitting beside a pink enchanted piano while holding a crystal tablet and smiling happily."

I spoke on purpose, making sure the meaning behind my words reached him.

Layton stiffened for a moment before suddenly losing his temper. He stood up quickly, his brows tightly furrowed.

"Why do you always compare Elion to other pups? It is only a gift. Just one gift. Why are you speaking in such a sarcastic way? Are you trying to start an argument?"

"Does Elion really want the presents, or is this actually about you?"

I stayed silent. I only lifted my eyes and looked directly at him.

The air between us instantly became tense.

Layton seemed to lose confidence first. He looked away and when he spoke again, his tone became much softer.

"Moonlight, let’s not fight. The day after tomorrow is Elion's birthday. I promise I already prepared a huge surprise for him. Just stay happy these next few days and prepare for your journey to the Northern Moon Kingdom."

I nodded lightly before leaving for the study under the excuse of handling pack documents.

***

The next day…

During the council meeting of Blackhollow Pack, Renzia suddenly spoke, "While Luna Eirene is away on her trip, someone will need to manage her responsibilities, correct? Then I would like to take over."

A smile curled across her lips while her eyes stayed fixed on mine, filled with clear provocation.

The entire hall fell silent. But then everyone turned toward Layton, waiting for his answer.

It was only a seven-day journey. Layton himself or one of the deputy Alphas could easily manage things.

No one expected Renzia to openly demand authority right in front of me.

How ridiculous.

"Do as Renzia suggested."

Layton inhaled deeply before looking at me.

"Eirene, simply enjoy your vacation. Leave the pack matters to Renzia. She is capable enough."

Silence filled the room once more.

This time, every gaze landed on me.

"Eirene, you don’t truly believe I am trying to steal your position, right?" Renzia smiled wider, her voice full of challenge.

Everyone could feel the tension spreading through the hall like fire.

In ten years within Blackhollow Pack, everyone knew I was decisive and not someone easily bullied.

Even Layton looked nervous. But I simply smiled.

"Fine. I agree."

Nobody expected me to give up authority so easily. Only Layton looked visibly relieved as a faint smile appeared on his face.

Before Renzia could speak again, I stood up and walked out of the council hall, but Layton quickly chased after me and grabbed my hand from behind.

"Moonlight, please listen to me first…"

"Listen to what? That this entire council meeting was arranged to humiliate me?" I turned around and interrupted him immediately.

Even without my words, anyone could see that Layton was clearing a path for Renzia by stepping over me. And it all began with the journey to the Northern Moon Kingdoms.

His plans were far deeper than I imagined. I could not believe I failed to notice it before.

"Moonlight, let me explain."

Layton opened his arms and tightly hugged me while speaking sincerely, "Renzia is talented. She deserves a chance to prove herself and bring new strength to the pack. I had no other option. This was the best solution I could think of."

"When you return, I will make you Vice Leader of Blackhollow Pack. I hope you understand my position."

Vice Leader?

What a joke.

Since the founding of Blackhollow Pack, that title had never existed. Just like all his promises about Elion's birthday surprise.

Nothing more than empty words.

"Layton, for ten years, all I ever did was understand you. Compromise for you. Accept every difficult position you pushed onto me."

I paused for several seconds before finally speaking with a quiet sigh, "But I think you are right."

"Moonlight, you truly are the best."

Layton actually believed I was no longer upset.

After throwing out that praise, he immediately turned around and walked back into the council hall.

(Eirene’s POV)

I was packing my things inside the Blackhollow Pack Hall when Renzia stepped into the chamber.

“Tonight, I’m treating the whole pack to a feast. You should come too!”

She smiled proudly.

“I’m busy,” I answered calmly, picked up my belongings and turned to leave.

Behind me, Renzia’s voice followed, “You stayed beside him for ten years, yet it means nothing. One look from Alpha Layton is worth more than all your years together.”

This time, I stayed quiet.

That afternoon, Renzia sent a message in the Alpha Council group.

[I finally became Luna Advisor today! Feast is on me tonight, everyone!]

Layton did not stop her. Instead, he was the first to answer. Soon after, he sent me a private message.

[Do not think too much about it, Moonlight.]

I never replied.

That night, Layton and Renzia celebrated with the whole pack. Meanwhile, I was inside our territory manor, packing suitcases.

“Mother.”

Elion ran toward me and pulled my hand. “Mother, are you leaving? Can you wait a little longer?”

“Tomorrow is my birthday. You promised there would be a big surprise, remember? I’m going to wish for you and Father to stay together forever. And for Father not to choose Aunt Renzia as his Luna. He’ll agree. I know he will!”

His little face was full of fear as his words came out in a rush.

“Okay.” I nodded softly.

But Layton never returned that night, while Elion and I stayed awake the entire time.

“Father must be preparing my surprise.”

Elion stared outside the window while pale moonlight slowly faded into dawn.

But one hour passed. Then another. The sun rose and fell again and darkness covered the territory once more. Layton still did not come home.

At last, I could not hold back anymore and called him.

“Today is your son’s birthday. Where is the surprise you promised him?”

“Oh, right… Look inside the drawer beside the bed. There are portal tickets to the Northern Moon Kingdom. Take Elion there for a trip!”

Layton laughed lightly. “I’m overloaded with pack matters today. I have to go.”

The crystal call ended immediately.

I turned around and pulled the tickets from the drawer.

So this was the truth. Elion had already become another obstacle standing between Layton and the life he truly wanted.

At nearly the same moment, Layton’s secret account updated again on MoonNet.

[Engaged! When you truly love someone, you give her everything she desires.]

Attached was a picture of a territory transfer contract.

My hands tightened into fists.

Ten years…

For ten whole years, I exhausted myself for the Blackhollow Pack, carrying the burden of ten council divisions alone. From pack laws to kingdom expansion plans, from choosing allied packs to searching for silver mines and sacred lands, I gave every piece of my soul to build everything.

Yet all I ever received was the pay of an ordinary council manager.

And now, everything I created was handed directly to Renzia, a woman who contributed nothing at all.

“Mother, Father isn’t coming back, is he?”

My son’s crying voice pulled me back.

I turned around. Elion was holding his crystal communicator with shaking hands. On the screen, Renzia’s daughter Kiera had updated her MoonNet page too.

[Thank you, Father, for the little mooncake you baked for me yourself!]

For a pup, it was a cruel wound.

“Mother, I don’t want to stay here anymore. Please take me with you?”

Elion wiped away his tears while speaking.

“Okay, Son.”

I nodded through my own tears, finished packing everything, left the mating bond dissolution papers on the table and walked out of the manor with Elion.

We boarded the portal carriage bound for the Northern Moon Kingdom.

***

Layton and Renzia held their mating ceremony, spent several days on their moon blessing journey and never bothered returning home afterward. Instead, he went directly back to the Alpha Hall for a regular council meeting.

His eyes swept across the room before he frowned.

“Where is my Luna? Why isn’t she here?”

Everyone shook their heads.

“She probably lost track of time while traveling through the Northern Moon Kingdom.”

Layton muttered to himself, stood up, walked out of the council chamber and activated his communication crystal.

“Hey, Moonlight. You’ve never missed a council meeting in your life. Why aren’t you here? Are you still not back from the Northern Moon Kingdom?!”