Mallory and Henry had once been promised to each other.

But when Henry's pack fell into ruin after a devastating rogue attack, Mallory abandoned the territory without looking back, leaving for the prosperous northern kingdoms in search of a better future.

I was the one who stayed.

I used my own family's wealth to pay the blood debt the Baker Pack owed to the High Council, saving them from losing both their lands and their Alpha title.

Out of gratitude, Henry accepted me as his mate.

I gave everything to this family.

My parents-in-law were growing old, so I cared for them as though they were my own parents.

Nicole had been only ten winters old when I entered the pack. For five years, I watched over her training, prepared every meal, mended her clothing, taught her pack traditions, and accompanied her to every gathering of the young wolves.

Though I was only her sister-in-law, I had raised her like a daughter.

Every moon, I supplied the household with enough silver and grain that they never worried about food or clothing.

I managed the pack hall from dawn until long after sunset.

Sometimes I wondered whether I had become this family's Luna or merely their servant.

I never expected repayment.

Yet after everything I had sacrificed, they still treated me as less important than an outsider.

Mallory approached me with a bright, triumphant smile.

"I'm truly sorry, Camille. If I hadn't decided to join the pilgrimage at the last moment, you wouldn't have lost your place in the Alpha caravan."

She lowered her eyes with practiced innocence.

"I even offered to travel with the merchant caravan instead. But Henry refused. He said he couldn't bear the thought of me making such a dangerous journey alone."

She smiled again.

"So... I suppose I should thank you for giving up your place."

Nicole immediately wrapped an arm around Mallory.

"Exactly. The merchant caravans are full of wandering rogues and strangers. A delicate she-wolf like you would never be safe among them."

Then she looked me up and down with open mockery.

"But Camille is different. She's fierce enough to frighten anyone away."

The two of them laughed together.

Seeing my expression darken, Henry finally spoke in a gentler voice.

"Enough. I know this isn't what you wanted, but it's the only solution. Didn't you mention wanting that moonstone necklace from the artisan market? Go ahead and buy it."

I extended my hand.

"Fine. Give me five thousand silver crowns."

His expression changed immediately.

"Five thousand? That's ridiculous. I've already agreed to let you buy it. Now you expect me to pay for it too?"

A cold smile touched my lips.

"Since when have I ever needed your permission to spend my own silver?"

I paused before adding,

"And tell me, Henry. How much tribute do you actually bring into this pack each season?"

His face reddened.

"That's hardly fair."

It was the truth.

The tribute Henry earned as Alpha barely covered his own expenses.

The wealth sustaining this household came almost entirely from my family's trading caravans and silver mines.

When we completed our mating ceremony, Henry had offered me nothing.

I had cleared the Baker Pack's enormous blood debt, presented generous gifts to every elder, and even built the pack hall they now called home.

Everything this family enjoyed existed because of me.

If they truly believed Mallory was the Luna they had always wanted, then they were welcome to give her my place.

"Camille, it's nearly nightfall. The whole family is hungry. Go prepare the evening meal," my mother-in-law called.

I didn't answer.

Instead, I looked at Mallory with a faint smile.

"Mallory, you and Henry grew up together. I imagine you spent plenty of evenings eating in this hall."

"Of course," she replied brightly. "Back then, I practically lived here."

I nodded.

"Then after so many years away, you must have missed Mother's cooking."

I turned toward my mother-in-law.

"Mother, shouldn't you prepare a proper welcome feast for Mallory?"

With that, I walked to the firepit and settled into one of the carved wooden chairs.

Moments later, Henry strode over, his expression dark.

"How could you ask Mother to cook? You know she isn't as strong as she used to be. Get up and prepare dinner."

I blinked in surprise.

"Mother, are you ill? Why didn't anyone tell me?"

She glared at me.

"Who said I was ill? I'm perfectly healthy. Stop talking nonsense."

I smiled.

"Then why wouldn't you cook for Mallory? I thought you simply didn't want to."

Her face stiffened.

"Who says I won't?"

Without another word, she disappeared into the kitchens.

Two hours later, the feast was finally prepared.

As everyone gathered around the long table, Nicole eagerly pulled Mallory into my usual seat beside Henry.

"Sister, Mallory is our guest. You don't mind giving her your place, do you?"

My mother-in-law handed me a wooden bowl.

"If the end of the table is too crowded, you can eat in the servants' kitchen. And tidy up afterward."

So even my place at the family table had disappeared.

I set the bowl aside.

"That's unnecessary. An old friend invited me to dine at another hall."

Henry frowned.

"We leave for the pilgrimage tomorrow. You're still going out? Have you even packed your things?"

I looked at him calmly.

"You have two hands. Pack your own belongings."

For a moment, he simply stared at me, speechless.

Then I walked out of the pack hall.

I spent the evening at the Moonfang Tavern, enjoying roasted venison, fresh river trout, honeyed wine, and warm bread beside the great hearth.

Everything was purchased with my own silver.

I stayed until the moon stood high above the forest.

When I finally returned, the pack hall was completely dark.

No one had searched for me.

No one had sent a messenger.

Apparently, they had all gone to sleep without a second thought.

I quietly entered our chamber.

The room was dark.

Feeling my way toward the bed, I had barely sat down when a sharp scream shattered the silence.

"Ah!"

I immediately lit the crystal lantern.

Mallory was lying beneath my furs.

The sight froze my blood.

Before I could stop myself, my hand struck her across the face.

She cried out instantly.

Henry woke at once and pulled her into his arms.

"Camille! Why would you strike her?"

He glared at me.

"We were waiting for you. We talked for a while and accidentally fell asleep. That's all."

I let out a cold laugh.

"So you accidentally fell asleep in our mating bed... holding each other?"

Henry's expression darkened.

"You came back far too late. Mallory stayed to keep me company. We lost track of time. You're making this into something it isn't."

I stepped closer.

"If you were waiting for me, why didn't you send a messenger? Why not wait in the great hall? Why did your conversation have to continue in our private chamber?"

His jaw tightened.

"You're being unreasonable, Camille."

I no longer cared to argue.

I looked directly at Mallory.

"I'm back now."

"You should leave."

"Or were you planning for the three of us to share this bed?"

Mallory ignored my words.

Holding her reddened cheek, she looked pitifully at Henry.

"Henry... it hurts."

His expression immediately softened.

"I'll fetch the pack healer's salve."