How convenient was it for Karen?

She fell on the ground unscathed, wine spilt all over herself and seizuring like a fish. However, her seizure stopped immediately when Nate stepped in.

I couldn't take it anymore. There was no other reason for Karen to randomly have a seizure at the entrance of the balcony. Stupidity has a limit and Karen always crossed it naturally.

I watched Nate pick her limp body bridal style and leave the party. I knew he wasn't going to come back. He'd spend sweet time alone with her. So, I left the party to go to my room as well.

My room was a small compartment inside a study. Karen had taken over my chambers upstairs. She needed to stay close to Nate at all times, even if it was on the first floor rather than on the ground floor for guests.

Karen and Nate were childhood best friends. Our Graymoon Pack and Crimson Pack were part of the Trilogy alliance - the strongest werewolf alliance in the world.

A joint attack on Crimson Pack wiped out everything about the pack from the face of the Earth. Except for Karen Weaver. She was the girl who lived.

She was young and exceptionally talented in medicine and healing. She was born healer rank to her alpha and Luna parents.

She was barely eighteen when she sought our pack for help. Nate and I were twenty-two, three years back. Nate consoled her and took her in. That must've been the biggest mistake of his life.

And now, Karen grew more confident in taking over my place as Luna of Graymoon.

It was around midnight. I tossed around to sleep, but couldn't. My mind was a mess. The cake was stuffed into the dustbin, and the damn pillowcase was cold beneath my head. I didn't know what to do.

I received a text message in our group chat. My eyebrows jumped.

- My safe haven...He keeps me warm, healthy, and happy. He's going to be a great father one day! -

Karen's picture with the IV drip and Nate next to her in the healer's hut was posted. Many members of our pack wished for her well being.

I added a comment as well.

- Get plenty rest. I'm going to sleep after anniversary night too -

Texting quickly, I shut the phone off and turned away. Almost immediately, countless notifications from a number pissed me off. I switched the phone off and let slumber take over. Things will be dealt with the next day.

Following a long night of restful sleep, my soul awakened to the sight of countless gift boxes surrounding the room. There was barely any space to walk.

"Beta Ray!" I called loudly. The man rushed in and was awed at the sight.

"Please get rid of them," I said sharply, astounding him.

"But they were from—"

"I know who they're from." I cut Beta Ray off and said. Maybe I was a little too harsh, but my moon was ruined first thing in the morning. I woke up too hungry so I decided to grab a plate from the kitchen.

Nate and Karen were at the dinner table for higher-ranked wolves. Unfortunately, the guests from last night huddled up around the table as well. I lost my appetite.

"Excuse me." Saying, I turned on my heel to leave. However, Nate caught sight of me and rushed to me.

"Hey. Good morning, gorgeous." Nate said and tried to brush my hair behind my ear. I moved away, folding my arms on my chest.

"What do you need?" I inquired formally. His eyebrows furrowed at my indifference.

"Why are you being so distant?" He asked, knowing the answer.

"Because you decided to fuck your best friend and impregnated while keeping me in the dark?" I flashed a fake smile and tried to leave again.

"You're overreacting again. Do you see why I like being around Karen more than you? This is the reason. Everything has to be a bickering for you. I can't." I widened my eyes at his words.

"I'm your bloody mate, Nate. You should've just told me about planting your seed in Karen without making me feel like shit." I exclaimed.

"But it was for our pack, wasn't it? We both have duties and we found a way to keep the lineage. What's the problem?" He replied. Wow. How can he be this dense?

Suddenly, the horrible memory resurfaced like a reminder.

It was my birthday three months ago. It was around mating season, during the peaks.

The elders were discussing whether it was perfect for Karen to be bred by Nate as the breeder. The decision was already made and I had no say in it.

Nate was chained by chrome steel chains as I passed down the hall to go to my room. Karen, then in heat was sent to Nate's room, our master bedroom.

I was right next door and I heard it all. Nate couldn't stop himself for the entire night. He must've knotted her countless times for he ensured her pregnancy in one night.

I remember closing my ears with pillows and tears streaming down my eyes. I could hear everything that night. I was in heat too, my senses heightened. It was an awesome birthday gift.

"Anyway, get over it by today evening 'cause Karen wants you at the dinner we booked. She insists." Nate quickly pecked my cheeks and walked away.

I realized Karen wasn't doing this because she wants to be cordial with me. Karen wants to see me suffer.

Fine then.

Two can play this game and I know I'd win.

Revenge was to be served piping hot or freezing cold. There was no in between. And I wanted to play the game of hot and cold with Karen.

I showed up at the venue in my revenge dress. For the first time in years, I flaunted my dark wavy hair that reached my waist. Unlike Karen, I had a tall athletic body. Karen was more womanly, but I boasted the A-Line black dress pretty fashionably.

With confidence, I walked inside the hotel exclusively seating Alpha and Luna ranks.

I was a head turner to say the least. Men and women ogled over my sight. Nate was a victim too, undeniably. So far, I was winning over Karen already. She looked jealous in her hideous lime green outfit.

"You know my order, darling." When the waiter came, Karen ran her hands over Nate and urged him to repeat her 'most frequented order'.

"Green salad with lots of kale, steak and mashed potatoes, with exactly three ounces of gravy. Same for me." Nate smiled giddily at the waiter as he said.

The waiter, unaware of the situation blurted out while pointing to Nate and Karen,

"You two look fabulous as a couple."

My smile fell.

Karen's eyes lit up. Before Nate could correct the waiter, Karen beamed with an obnoxious "Thanks!"

The waiter then stared at me, eyes starry as he asked if I'd take the same order. Nate attempted to say my order to get my trust back but failed terribly.

"Sorry, I'd not prefer crab soup. I'm allergic to seafood. Make it chicken instead with chicken broth. No cilantro, just lemon." I said and watched him walk away with the order.

I turned to Nate. He looked ashamed, as he should be.

"So! When is your wedding?" Karen asked, adding fuel to the fire. Nate pinched her thigh to shut her up. But I was going to go ahead and amuse her.

"Soon. Very soon. Sooner than you think." Karen's eyes lit up fakely at my announcement. Nate was confused but pleased to hear.

"I'm so going to wed you in the grandest venue on earth, my love," Nate promised yet another empty promise. He tried to sneak a hand hold over the table, but I subtly withdrew mine.

Karen, taking the opportunity flashed their interlocked fingers over the table. She smirked when I noticed and looked at her. But I was looking at something else.

"Nate? Where's our engagement ring?" My question caused panic in the male, who's usually calm and composed.

"In the car. Sorry." He replied guiltily, Karen and him exchanged knowing glances. Not that I cared.

"Well, throw it away." I said nonchalantly.

"W-Why?" Nate asked suspiciously. He smelled danger, but he had nothing to worry about as I lied through my teeth,

"We'd need wedding rings soon, right?" Saying, I took mine off and presented it on the table. He let out a nervous laugh.

"There's no need to give it so soon, baby. K-Keep it until I replace with a wedding band." Nate said and pushed the ring back to me.

With an angelic smile, I took the ring and tossed it in the nearest dustbin. My wolf Rexi chimed in my head, amused, 'Nice shot, babe'.

After dinner, Nate was caught up with few guests which left me with the wrench. We waited for him at the parking.

"You know he would leave you soon, right?" Karen was showing her true colours. I turned to her, unamused and replied.

"I know. I've started my preparations." I said and folded my hands over my chest.

"Ladies! I'm so sorry. We've got guests coming back to the pack house with us." Nate showed up suddenly. Karen's demeanour took a 180.

"Hello, Alpha Jane! It's so nice to meet you!" Karen beamed. Alpha Jane and her beta greeted us.

"Well, I can't have my guests take another transport home. Baby, could you come back in another car? I'll send Ray your way as soon as I get home." I jumped my eyebrows at Nate. He was indeed insisting on me, not Karen. Our packhouse was an hour away, in the woods.

I nodded and let the four take off without me in Nate's matte black Supra.

I let out a shaky breath and walked out of the parking lot alone. The heels were eating my feet away. The lift wasn't working right on time.

I waited three hours for Ray or someone to pick me up. I couldn't even book a transport to go back home.

It was around 2 am when I decided to walk by foot back to the packhouse. I held the heels in my hand and walked barefoot.

I passed by a bar down the highway.

I attracted their attention, all of them were rogues and human thugs. One held a knife openly and threatened me,

"Lady... that's a very pretty dresss. You look beautiful. Mind showing some more to us?"

"Lady, ah...we will keep you good company all night long..."

Two men advanced out of the group of six. The other four were prepared to take me down.

I shut my eyes tightly.

Where was Nate when I always needed him?

Their aura trickled a nervous sweat down my back. Rexi was convinced she couldn't take them all down at once. Damage would be predictably high.

My life was going to get dark real soon.

In a flash, all bodies laid dead in front of me. Their heads were plucked out of their skulls.

"Delinquents."

The familiar man's voice sent a chill down my spine. I didn't fear him. It was another emotion. I sighed heavily in relief and turned around.

His scent was intoxicating, filling the air around us with the strong pine and citrus scent. Rexi was howling in happiness.

Despite the blood spewing everywhere and other drunk men gazing from the distance, horrendously confused, I jumped to hug my best friend.

"Goddamn you, Zade! You're always gone!" I hugged him tightly. We both chuckled, and agreed to move to a different location. Thank Goddess I had my amulet, or I'd flash Zade as Rexi would have torn my revenge dress during shifting.

My brown Luna wolf and his black alpha wolf glided through the forest. The heavy steps of our paws hitting the floor were soothing. I almost forgot about the betrayal inflicted on me.

Zade called to stop at the centre of the forest. It was a barren patch with just green grass and a pond by the edge of it, revealing the vast density of the woods further.

"Ah...I miss going on a hunt with you." Zade sighed heavily.

"I do too." I smiled, letting myself fall flat on the grass patch.

"Nate is cheating on me." I confessed. At once, Zade's smile faded as he propped on his elbows.

"On you? Is he serious?" He asked. I rolled my eyes and nodded.

"He's cheating on me with Karen." Zade's jaw dropped even wider at my reveal. The news was a great shock to Zade since Karen was related to him.

They were first chance mates.

"I'm sorry." Zade's voice was soft, which was rare. He scooted closer and pulled me in a hug. I needed that. Everyone in the pack ignored me for the new event coming up. The Alpha's Assemblage.

Parting from the hug, I hid my blush from Zade. Then he spoke.

"I couldn't have expected anything less from Karen. She's always needing someone's attention. That's why I had to reject her. Maybe she didn't take it so well and found Nate right away to keep her warm." Zade said atrociously about his previous mate. It was rare that he badmouthed someone too.

"It was Nate's choice, too. The elders decided she was to bear his heir. For the benefit of Graymoon." I said, my heart squeezing itself as the betrayal was still fresh. Worst part? It was a planned betrayal by everyone in the pack against me. Everyone knew they were fucking behind my back every night and day, trying to make a baby.

That explained why there were always stenches of sex erupting from corners of my room and corridors. I felt my stomach kick my chest up. I was about to throw up when I connected the dots.

"Are you alright? Do you need me to break his face?" I heard Zade and chuckled. He stood up, realizing it was too late for me to stay awake. That's when I noticed his toned body under the moonlight.

"Not so soon, Zade. But thank you. He's keeping his distance and is actually taking good care of me otherwise. It's just Karen who keeps polluting him. No offense." I said.

"None taken." Replying, Zade wore his amulet back, and we shifted to our beautiful wolves, who danced on their paws until we reached my packhouse.

"Stay for the night. I insist." I asked Zade to stay over. He raised his eyebrows and sighed.

"Nate would kill me and my pregnant ex-mate would try to force herself onto me again. Hard pass." I crushed my eyebrows at his reasoning. I sympathized with him. I hugged him tightly. His hug felt warm for the early morning coldness.

"Don't forget about the Alpha meeting with Prince Zyke tomorrow." He reminded, winking and walking backwards.

"I won't. Goodnight." I said and watched him disappear.

When I turned back, my soul jumped out at the silhouette. It was someone unexpected.

"Mother Luna," I said, bowing to my soon to be mother in law, Nate's vicious mom - Janet.

"Was that Zade Silverstone?" She asked, her tone condescending. I nodded, not fearing her anymore.

"He is bad omen. Do not associate with him or you will end up rejected like he rejected poor Karen." She said and walked away. I looked down at my feet. She still cared about the one who produced an heir and her son's best friend. I didn't even matter to her, even if I had the same rank as her in the pack.

After her mate's demise at a young age, she raised Nate by herself against all odds. I held respect for her. But for some reason, she hated me. She was the one who declared I was indeed...an un-mothering Luna.

The next day at Alpha's Assemblage, I sat next to Zade when two unexpected guests showed up. One was Nate, because he's the Alpha, and his pregnant mistress.

"Oh~ Look who's here. The handsome green-eyed Alpha of Grimstone! So nice to see you again, mate." Karen flirted with her ex mate shamelessly. She ran her hand down Zade's back suggestively. It sent shivers of disgust down my spine. Zade was uncomfortable, but he didn't even turn around to respond to her. I was proud of Zade.

"All redundant guests must leave." The harsh voice of Prince Zyke's beta was heard. Karen grumbled and walked away but with Nate.

Behind me, I heard Nate and Karen muttering to themselves.

"You're not sitting next to that bitch!" Karen declared. I rolled my eyes.

"She's our Luna! She has to be beside me so I can take her notes and present it properly, baby. Understand me for once." I held in a scoff at Nate's reply to her.

Nate always stole my notes at meetings and presented them awfully. He often blamed me for the poor explanation, saying I could 'ideate better'.

With Zade on my left and my pissant mate on my right, the meeting commenced. We were having a serious discussion when Karen suddenly let out a blood curdling scream behind the curtains. Alerted, Nate ran to her at the speed of light and yelled,

"I'm cancelling the meeting for us!" My eyes widened.

"Wait—!" Nate didn't even listen to me and dashed out with the limp woman in his arms. I turned to look at Zade, teary eyed.

Nate embarrassed me yet again. The Prince kicked me out of the meeting and we lost our chance to present our pack's problems to the royals.

Damn you, Nate.