I, Cora Crestwood, heiress to an ancient werewolf clan, gave up everything for Alpha Jaxon Ryker and became his mate.

On our fifth anniversary, I discovered Jaxon was having an affair with an Omega named Lilah. In his private study, he had her pinned beneath him, growling in her ear.

"You insatiable little thing…"

I saw Jaxon's bare torso. Beside the sacred mate-bond tattoo meant only for me, a new, serpentine mark—Lilah’s mark—was coiled. Lilah's fingers traced the serpent as she nestled against him. "If Cora finds out you tattooed my mark on you," she purred, "will she be angry with me?"

"I've just been feeling so unsettled lately," she continued, her voice a pathetic whine. "I needed this to feel secure…"

Jaxon’s grip tightened on her waist. "This is temporary," he snarled. "You know how important Cora is to me. If you breathe a word of this to her, you'll regret it."

The scene shattered what was left of my heart. I immediately contacted my aunt through the mind-link.

"Aunt, I'm going to activate the Blood Moon Covenant."

————————

1

I was once the revered ritualist of the Crestwood clan. Five years ago, for Jaxon, I gave up everything.

To prove his love, he had once conquered the entire Laurel Valley and laid it at my feet during a territorial war.

Once, during a winter hunt, he had gifted me the pelt of a rare snow wolf king.

"Cora, to make you happy, I would conquer the world for you," he had said, draping the warm pelt over me.

Back then, his voice was so powerful it made me swoon.

But now, it was all a cruel joke.

At my own anniversary party, I hid in the shadows, watching Jaxon tangled with Lilah.

Lilah's fingers slid triumphantly over the defiled tattoo on Jaxon's chest.

I knew that tattoo was the physical manifestation of our mate bond. To defile it was to fracture our very connection.

It was meant to bind our souls together forever.

He had smiled when he got it. "With this," he'd said, "no one can ever tear us apart."

And now, an ugly snake had been added to that sacred mark, glowing with a piercing light.

"You gave me something that was supposed to belong only to Luna Cora. She won't be angry, will she?" Lilah asked in a cloyingly sweet voice. "It's just that I've been feeling so unsettled lately. This was the only thing that could make me feel secure."

Jaxon’s movements paused. He gripped her waist harder, his voice a low growl. "This is only temporary. I'll have it removed."

"You know how important Cora is to me. If you dare let her find out, I'll make you pay."

I clapped a hand over my mouth, stifling a sob.

So this was the great love he had for me?

Even so, I didn't confront him or cause a scene. I simply shuttered my heart and waited for the blood moon to rise.

The blood moon appeared once a century. It was the only chance to activate the ancient covenant and completely sever the mate bond.

It would arrive in three days. It was my only path to freedom.

…

Later, Jaxon gave me a diamond necklace, his face a mask of guilt.

"I'm sorry, Cora. I was experimenting with a power upgrade and it... messed with the tattoo. But don't worry, I've already had someone look at it. It'll be fixed in a few days. I designed this necklace myself. For our anniversary."

I stared at him in silence, a storm of emotions churning inside me.

Jaxon reeked of cheap perfume, a clumsy attempt to cover Lilah's scent.

A mocking smile touched my lips. "Is that so? Then you'd better keep your word."

Jaxon followed, seemingly oblivious. He pulled me into a crushing embrace, as if trying to merge me into his very being.

"Of course. Cora, you're more important to me than my own life."

I closed my eyes, saying nothing. If I were truly that important, how could he have betrayed our sacred mate bond?

But it didn't matter anymore. I no longer needed answers.

I didn't need a connection built on lies. There was no future for us.

I closed my eyes against a wave of nausea, the filthy scent of his betrayal threatening to consume me.

Jaxon stiffened, his arms still around me.

"Cora, what's wrong?" he asked, a hint of panic in his voice. "Are you not feeling well?"

Every word dripped with affection, utterly sincere. Yet less than an hour ago, he had been holding another woman, lost in passion.

The image flashed in my mind, and my stomach churned violently. I shoved him away and rushed to the bathroom, dry-heaving over the sink.

He hurried in after me, patting my back and offering me a glass of water. "What is it? Are you sick?"

"I'm fine. I must have eaten something that disagreed with me. I just need to lie down," I replied, forcing a bitter smile.

With that, I retreated to the bedroom.

From the open door, I could hear the guests gossiping, their voices thick with envy. "I heard Cora gave up her birthright in her ancient clan for Alpha Jaxon. He must love her so much."

"Of course! He built the Moonlight Garden just for her, a perfect replica of her homeland."

"Gods, Alpha Jaxon spoils her rotten!" another she-wolf gushed.

"Exactly! They haven't had any pups in all these years, but he's not worried at all. He's always telling Luna Cora not to rush."

"And did you know? To ensure her health, the Alpha personally hunts the most powerful prey for her every time."

"He's too good to her!" one wolf exclaimed.

"And Luna Cora loves him just as much. She gave up her powerful bloodline and her status in the clan to be with him."

"It's unbelievable! They've both given up everything for each other! Their love is stronger than the bond between fated mates."

In the past, hearing those words would have filled me with joy. Now, they were just dripping with irony.

…

Just as I stepped into the main hall, a servant rushed toward me. He deliberately bumped into me, and my arm was jostled hard.

The tray clattered to the floor. Cocktails splashed onto my arm, and a searing pain shot through it.

"I'm so sorry, Luna Cora! I didn't mean to!"

The servant apologized tearfully, but I caught the flash of triumph in his eyes.

Jaxon was at my side in an instant, cradling my arm, his eyes filled with worry. "Cora, does it hurt?"

Then, his head whipped toward the servant, and he roared, "Get the pack's healer!"

His voice thundered through the hall, so loud the crystal glasses on the tables trembled.

A moment later, he turned on the servant. His gaze sharpened as he viciously gripped the man’s throat. "You useless thing! What the hell were you doing? If anything happens to Cora, I'll tear you to shreds!"

The servant, Lilah's accomplice, choked, his face turning purple as he clawed at Jaxon’s hand.

A cold dread seized me. Jaxon's panic, his fear, the love he showed when I was hurt—it was all real. But his betrayal was just as real.

How could a man love a woman so deeply, yet still betray her?

…

After the healer bandaged my hand, Jaxon stayed by my side. Only after I feigned sleep did he quietly slip out of the room.

I trailed him silently, my heart a stone in my chest, as he headed toward the singles' dorms.

Lilah was slumped on the ground, her face streaked with tears. The moment she saw Jaxon, she sobbed even harder.

She rushed toward him, trying to throw herself into his arms, but he shoved her away. "I warned you not to pull any more stunts! You're done here. Get out!"

Lilah wailed, "I missed you so much, Alpha Jaxon. I couldn't control myself, so I had someone… Please… don't make me leave."

"You hurt Cora. You have to leave. Get out on your own, or I'll have you banished from the pack."

Lilah blurted out, "I just wanted to tell you—I'm pregnant. Please don't make me leave!"

For a split second, Jaxon's expression wavered—a flicker of an Alpha’s primal desire for an heir crossing his face.

"Really? Fine. For the pup's sake, you get one last chance. But don't you ever appear in front of Cora again, or I won't hesitate to throw you out of this pack for good."

Lilah nodded obediently.

Seeing this, I turned and left. For a fleeting moment, a foolish thought had crossed my mind.

If Jaxon had kicked her out, I could have pretended none of this ever happened. After loving him for so many years, the thought of letting go was an agony I couldn't bear.

But he didn't. And worse, she was carrying his pup. What was the point of me staying?

…