I had been away from the pack house for three days now, yet my mate hadn't bothered to search for me. It was not the first time I went to my best friend's during our heated arguments about Amber. But this time, he was convinced it was just another one of my dramatic episodes. He didn't feel the need to pacify me, so he didn’t even bother to look.

At that moment, through a mindlink, Amber's voice trembled, "Alpha, there's a blizzard tonight. I'm really scared. Can you come and stay with me?"

I observed Chris's hand tighten momentarily before he replied, "I'm mated. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to come over." It was shocking to get that answer from him knowing he could not bear resisting his first love.

Just when I thought he was being reasonable, he continued, "Why don't you come to my place instead? She's not home."

Even Amber seemed surprised. "Chris, that's not right. What if she suddenly returns? We won't be able to explain."

I couldn't help but scoff inwardly. She knew exactly what she was doing. Here she was, feigning innocence.

However, Chris insisted, "What do we have to explain to her? This is my home, my pack at that, and you're my friend. I don't care what she thinks!" He paused, "So don’t worry, okay?”

“Fine. Besides, Hillary won't come back,” she confidently said out of nowhere.

Upon hearing her say those words, Chris suddenly fell silent, then after a few seconds, he cautiously asked, "How can you be so sure?"

As if realizing what she had just said, her tone had shifted, she added quickly, "I mean, did Hillary have another argument with you?"

Chris grunted, "On our ten-year anniversary, I told Hillary I was going to see you." He stopped talking through the mindlink, but it seemed like he could no longer contain his emotions. "Damn it, we're innocent, but she always doubts so much! Why did the Moon Goddess pair me with such a spineless wolf? Why couldn't my fated mate be you?"

"Amber, I'm sorry. I didn't reject her immediately at that time because she's the daughter of another pack's Alpha; rejecting her could lead to war between the packs. But now I've made up my mind. I don't care about wars and bloodshed anymore; you are what matters. When she returns, I'll reject her outright. Whether or not you're my mate, I want you to be my true Luna. She doesn't deserve to be my Luna!"

Hearing him say this, a bitter laugh almost escaped me.

The funny thing is, he would never get the chance to reject me in person because I was already gone. Too bad, huh? Perhaps death was better than being disrespected as his mate my whole life.

They claimed innocence, but no sane person would celebrate a ten-year anniversary with an ex-lover after having a mateship ceremony. And it happened to be my death anniversary.

Chris, next year on this day, will you celebrate your anniversary with your first love, or mourn my death?

Meanwhile, the same night, Amber rushed to the pack house. As soon as they met, she eagerly threw herself into my mate’s arms. Pain ran across my being as I witnessed their affection.

"Chris, it's so dark outside. I'm scared," she murmured.

I rolled my eyes silently, masking all the emotions I was feeling deep inside.

Chris held her close, reassuringly patting her back. "Don't be afraid. I'm here, okay?"

Amber leaned against his shoulder. "Chris, you're my light."

As the night grew deeper, Amber prepared for bed. She entered my bathroom, closed the door, and used my bathroom necessities, leaving them scattered with lids open. She was thick-faced enough to touch another person’s belongings.

She sneered, "Hillary, since you're not coming back anyway, I'm sure you won't mind."

In the mirror, I watched silently. My anger was already consuming me, and if only I could grab and pull her hair, I would.

Suddenly, the thunder rumbled, and in a flash of lightning, it seemed there was an extra figure on the mirror, making Amber scream her lungs out, calling Chris.

Out of concern, Chris rushed in like a knight, protecting Amber in his arms.

Trembling, she asked, "Is this okay? What if your mate suddenly comes back?"

"She won't," he replied firmly, still coaxing her.

After a moment's pause, he added with a determined look on his face, "Even if she sees us, she has no right to say anything. If not for her, you wouldn't have had to leave back then, and we wouldn't have spent all these years apart." He, then, kissed her forehead and proceeded, "You don't need to care about her at all. Even if she dies outside, it means nothing to me."

Well, my Alpha, your wish has come true. I hope my death truly means nothing to you.

On the third day following my tragic death, the witch arrived from a distant land, drawn to the place where I met my untimely end. The air crackled with somber energy as a vial containing a sample of my blood was handed to her. She took the vial, fully aware of the weight of the task before her.

All eyes, including those of the Alpha, the leader of Blue Moon pack, were fixed upon the witch as she retrieved a delicate orb infused with ancient magic. With a steady hand, she carefully placed a single drop of my blood upon its surface. The orb seemed to pulse with a faint glow, responding eagerly to her touch.

Whispering under her breath, the witch invoked the powers of her realm, her voice barely audible yet carrying undeniable authority. "My dear lord, grant me sight beyond the veil. Reveal to me the identity of this soul departed," she intoned.

As the last syllable of her incantation faded into the stillness, the drop of blood upon the orb began to shimmer. A subtle heat emanated from within, causing the liquid to bubble and swirl as if stirred by unseen hands.

Moments later, the faint outline of a woman's figure materialized upon the orb. It was as if time itself had momentarily bent to the will of the witch, offering her to see a glimpse of me.

A collective sigh of relief swept through those who were present as the witch, her eyes fixed upon the apparition taking form, nodded with a mix of satisfaction and empathy. "The image of the deceased has manifested," she announced. "Touch the orb, Alpha," she continued, turning to the leader of the pack. "And you will see her true face."

Just as Chris stepped forward, ready to reach out, Beta Robert, ever vigilant, interjected with a note of caution. "Alpha, I think it will be better if I test the magic first," he proposed. "There may be unforeseen dangers."

The Alpha, acknowledging Robert's words, nodded in agreement. "Alright, you go first," he commanded.

With a measured pace, the beta approached the orb. As his hand made contact with the cool surface of the orb, a ripple of energy seemed to pass through. The silhouette of a woman's back appeared as expected, shrouded in the glow of the magic imbued within the orb. Slowly, almost hesitantly, the figure began to turn...

At the sight of her face, Beta Robert's expression was frozen. His features registered a mix of shock, his eyes widening with a sudden realization. "A-Alpha," he began, his voice grave, "have you had recent contact with Luna?"

Confusion flickered across the Alpha's face at the unexpected question. "Yes," he replied slowly, his mind racing to recall the details. "She mindlinked me a few days ago."

"A few days?" Beta Robert pressed, his tone growing more urgent. "Has it been more than three days since that mindlink?"

Alpha's eyes widened as realization dawned. He shot up from his seat. "What are you saying?"