“Yes. Send the bond severance papers through moon mail.”

I spoke softly into the crystal communicator, my back turned to the chamber door as I stared out the tall window at the glowing Alpha city beyond our territory. Pack towers and watch fires lit the night. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it would break my ribs.

I ended the call and turned around.

Axton was standing there.

I almost dropped the crystal. He leaned against the doorway, still dressed in his Alpha council suit, his face drained of color, eyes wide with panic I had never seen before.

He had heard everything.

“Bond severance?” he rasped. The words felt sharp and dangerous in the air. He stepped closer, his hands trembling. “Lunessa, what does that mean? Why would you say that?”

Cold fear rushed through me. If he realized I was leaving the pack, everything would end. He would confine me. He would poison me again.

I forced a laugh. It hid the terror tightening my throat.

“Oh, Axton. You startled me.” I walked toward him, slipping the crystal into my pocket as if nothing mattered. “I was talking about Sabryn. You remember her. My academy friend.”

He blinked, the fear still there. “Sabryn?”

“Yes. She contacted me in tears. She discovered her mate was unfaithful.” I shook my head in fake anger. “After all she sacrificed for him. I told her to break the bond right away. I even said I would help since I know Maven, right? He is the best law keeper in the territory.”

The tension vanished instantly.

Axton sagged with relief and let out a long breath, rubbing his hair.

“Moon above,” he whispered. He pulled me into a tight embrace, pressing his face into my neck. “I thought you were talking about us. I thought you were leaving me.”

His hold was strong. Claiming.

“You terrified me, Lunessa,” he murmured. “Never say words like that inside this den again.”

I stood stiff for a moment before forcing myself to soften and return the gesture.

“Why would I leave you?” I pulled back slightly and met his eyes. “Unless you betrayed me.”

He froze for a heartbeat.

Something dark flickered in his gaze before his gentle mask returned.

“Of course not,” he said quickly, sounding wounded. He cupped my face, his thumbs brushing my cheeks. “I would never betray you. You are my Luna. My world. I live for you. How could you even think that?”

“Good,” I said quietly, my tone calm but sharp beneath the surface. “Because if you ever did, I would never survive it.”

“You will never need to fear that,” he promised, kissing my forehead. “I would never hurt you.”

The lie burned.

He smiled that charming Alpha smile that once made my heart race.

“Let us forget this sadness. Tomorrow is our bond anniversary. Let us go out tonight. There is a charity auction at the Moon Gallery. I will buy you something beautiful. Anything you desire.”

I nodded, forcing a smile. “All right.”

The auction hall glittered with power and wealth. Alphas, Betas, nobles from different territories filled the room. Moon wine flowed freely. Gems sparkled beneath enchanted lights. All eyes followed us.

The perfect Alpha and Luna.

Axton held my hand the entire night, showing me off like a prized possession.

“Look at that,” I said softly, pointing to the auction scroll. Item forty five. A rare ancient sapphire necklace infused with moon magic. Deep blue and breathtaking.

“It is beautiful.”

“You want it?” Axton asked, squeezing my hand. “Then it is yours.”

But once bidding began, the price climbed fast. Axton placed several bids, but then an unknown bidder using a sealed communicator pushed the price higher and higher until it became impossible.

“Sold to the sealed bidder,” the auction master announced.

A small ache formed in my chest. I hid it.

“It is fine,” I said. “It cost too much anyway.”

Suddenly, Axton stood. He walked onto the stage and took the speaking crystal. The hall fell silent.

“I may have lost that necklace,” he declared confidently, “but my Luna will not leave empty handed. I will purchase every remaining item in this collection for her. Because nothing is too precious for Lunessa.”

Gasps filled the room. Applause thundered. Eyes turned toward me with awe.

“You are blessed,” a woman beside me whispered. “Your Alpha truly treasures you.”

I smiled and lifted my hand in greeting.

That night, I thought the den was quiet again.

I went to the kitchen for water from a sealed bottle I kept hidden when voices drifted from the study.

“You did not take me with you,” Ramona snapped, her voice sharp. “I had to watch the auction through a public crystal. I want jewels too, Axton. And that speech was ridiculous. Nothing is too precious for Lunessa. Please.”

I moved closer, pressing my ear to the door.

“You play the loving Alpha so well now,” she mocked. “Everyone online praises you. Alpha of the year.”

“Calm yourself,” Axton said gently. “It is an act. You know that. I need to keep her content. She must not suspect anything.”

“Well, I am not content,” Ramona snapped.

“I prepared something for you,” he replied.

Fabric shifted. A box opened.

“Oh moon goddess,” Ramona gasped. “The sapphire necklace. You were the sealed bidder.”

“Of course,” Axton chuckled. “She admired it, but I bought it for you. It suits you better. Blue makes your eyes shine.”

My stomach twisted painfully. He had outbid himself just to give my desire to his mistress.

“Oh, Axton.” The sound of kissing followed. “Do you love me?”

“Yes. You know I do.”

“Then leave her,” Ramona begged. “Bond with me instead. I am tired of hiding.”

“I cannot. Not yet,” Axton whispered. “I need my inheritance from my grandfather. The Alpha trust requires me to remain bonded and never sever ties with my Luna. It will be released next moon cycle.”

“Next moon?”

“Yes. Be patient. And you know how your brother would react if he discovered us. Rhydan would kill me. He never approved of us, let alone betrayal.”

I stepped back. The floor creaked beneath my feet.

I froze.

They did not notice.

“Just a little longer,” Ramona whispered.

“Yes,” I whispered silently to myself. “Just a little longer. Then I will disappear from your world forever.”

I stood before the tall mirror, smoothing the emerald fabric of my dress. It was simple and graceful, the kind of dress a Luna wore to mark four years of a bond. Yet the wolf staring back at me looked empty.

She was not excited. She was waiting for pain.

I stepped into the main hall just as Ramona walked out of the guest chamber.

She wore a piece of red cloth that barely covered her body. It hugged her curves tightly, the neckline low, the hem far too short.

Axton stood near the entrance, checking the time crystal on his wrist. He looked up and froze. His eyes widened, then darkened.

“No,” he said sharply. “Where do you think you are going dressed like that?”

Ramona smiled, adjusting a strap she did not need to touch. “I am going out. I want to have fun. It is boring here with you two acting like bonded lovers.”

“You are not going anywhere,” Axton snapped, moving closer. “That outfit shows too much. You look careless, Ramona. Go change.”

“Why should I?” she challenged, folding her arms.

“Because I am worried,” Axton replied tightly. “Your brother would not approve. Rhydan would lose his temper if he saw you like this.”

I watched from the side of the hall. To anyone else, it might have sounded like an Alpha watching over his friend’s sister. But I saw the truth in his eyes. The way his gaze lingered on her bare skin. It was not worry. It was jealousy. He did not want other wolves seeing what he believed belonged to him.

Ramona scoffed. “You are not my mate. And you are not my brother. I stay here only because Rhydan ordered it. You do not control me.”

She grabbed her bag and walked past him, her shoes striking the floor loudly. The door slammed shut.

Axton stood still, his hands clenched, staring at the door with fury burning in his eyes.

I cleared my throat.

He jumped and turned. For a brief moment, the anger was still there before he forced a smile.

“Are you ready, my Luna?” he asked, though his voice was stiff.

The ride through the pack city was heavy with silence. Axton held the wheel tightly, his knuckles pale. He checked his communicator again and again, his leg shaking with unease.

“If you do not want to go,” I said softly while looking outside, “we can return home.”

He breathed out hard. “I am sorry. I am just worried about Ramona. If something happens to her, Rhydan will blame me. I promised to watch over her.”

“Is that the only reason?” I asked, turning toward him.

He looked at me, eyes wide and innocent. “Of course. What else could it be?”

I smiled slightly. A quiet and sad smile. “All right.”

The restaurant was beautiful. Soft firelight, gentle string music, and the scent of fine wine filled the air. This was where he had asked me to be his Luna. But he was not truly there. His body sat across from me, yet his mind chased a she wolf in red.

He checked his communicator constantly. He barely touched his food. When I spoke of small things, he answered without thought.

Then his communicator buzzed.

He grabbed it so fast he nearly spilled his drink. His face drained of color as he read the message.

“I have to leave,” he said suddenly, standing up.

“What?” I froze, my fork still in my hand. “Axton, we have not even ordered the main meal.”

“It is urgent,” he said, already pulling on his coat. “Pack work. A system failed. I must go now.”

“On our bond anniversary?”

“I am sorry, Lunessa. I will make it right.” He placed a stack of coins on the table without meeting my eyes. “Take a carriage home. I love you.”

Then he left.

I sat there alone, his words echoing in the empty space. A server approached carefully.

“Is everything all right, Luna? Should I bring the next course?”

“No,” I said quietly. “Just the bill.”

I returned home by carriage. The den was dark when I entered. I expected silence.

Instead, I saw them.

Ramona lay across the couch, her red dress wrinkled, her face smeared with makeup. She laughed loudly, her words unclear. A bottle of strong spirit sat half empty on the table.

And Axton was there.

He knelt beside her, gently wiping her face with a damp cloth. He was not at the pack office. He was not handling a crisis. He was caring for her.

“You are a mess,” he murmured, his voice soft. “I warned you not to go out.”

“I just wanted to dance,” Ramona laughed, reaching for his face.

Axton caught her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm.

Then he saw me.

He stiffened and stood quickly, stepping away from her.

“Lunessa,” he said nervously. “I received a call. She was drunk at a tavern. The owner contacted me. I had to bring her home.”

So that was the emergency.

Not the pack. But her.

“I understand,” I said calmly.

“I am sorry about dinner,” he said, moving toward me. “I was about to explain.”

I walked past him.

I did not shout. I did not cry. I even did not look at Ramona.

“It is fine,” I said. “I am tired.”

I entered the sleeping chamber and locked the door. I leaned against it, listening to his quiet voice outside as he told her to keep silent, lifting her and carrying her to the guest room.

My communicator chimed. I looked down. A new message from Maven.

[Bond Severance Papers Ready

Lunessa, the documents are complete. They are attached below.]

Then another alert appeared. From Travel Authority.

[Territory Exit Permit Approved]

I stared at the glowing screen. The tears that had waited all night disappeared completely.

“It may take longer for your body to heal, Luna Bloodridge.”

Healer Corvin’ voice was calm and respectful, but his words pressed heavily on my chest.

The moonlit infirmary was quiet and white, glowing softly with runes carved into the walls. I sat on the stone table, the magic parchment beneath me rustling.

“The loss was severe,” he continued, studying the glowing symbols on my chart. “Your moon energy is still unstable. Emotional strain affects a Luna deeply. You must rest before trying to conceive again.”

My shoulders sagged. I lowered my head and covered my face, forcing a sob to shake my body. It came easily. The grief was real. My pup was gone and the pain lived deep in my bones, even if the tears I showed my mate were partly an act.

“Oh, Lunessa,” Axton said softly at once. “It’s all right, my moon,” he whispered, kissing the top of my head. “Do not cry. We have time. The Moon Goddess has not abandoned us.”

“Thank you, Healer,” he added. “I will make sure she rests. I will take care of her.”

“She is fortunate to have an Alpha like you,” Corvin said kindly.

I pressed my face against his chest and shut my eyes.

Fortunate.

That word again.

If only he knew the truth. The Alpha holding me was the very source of my stress, the reason my wolf resisted bringing new life into this den.

That night, the act continued at the Bloodridge pack estate.

“So,” Axton’s mother, Ashara, said while slicing her meat with sharp control. “What did the healer say? When will the pack hear the cries of an heir?”

I stared at my plate, pushing a piece of vegetable around with my fork.

“Mother,” Axton warned.

“It is a fair question,” His father, Valrick Bloodridge, grunted. “The pack contract is clear. A strong bond. A future Alpha pup. Your grandsire wishes to see his blood continue before his final full moon. If there is no heir…” He did not finish, but the threat was clear.

“We are trying,” Axton said, gripping my hand tightly. Too tightly. “But Lunessa needs time. She lost a pup. We both did.”

“Time weakens power,” his mother said coldly. “And Lunessa, you are not growing younger. Perhaps if you had been more careful with the first…”

“Enough,” Axton roared, slamming his hand on the table. The candles flickered from the force of his Alpha aura. “You will not speak to her that way. I do not care about territory, gold, or inheritance. I care about my mate. Push her again, and we leave this pack tonight.”

He turned to me, fire and protection burning in his eyes. “Are you all right, my Luna?”

“Thank you,” I whispered, squeezing his hand. “I am fine.”

“We are leaving,” Axton declared. He pulled me up, wrapping an arm around my waist as he led me out of the hall like prey escaping a den of beasts.

Inside the car, his anger still simmered. “I am sorry about them, Lunessa. They circle like scavengers. I would choose you over pack wealth any day.”

“I know,” I said gently. “You are amazing, Axton.”

Liar.

When we arrived home, loud music echoed through the den.

Ramona was there, stretched beside the indoor moon pool that opened into the main hall. She wore a bright pink swim set that barely covered her skin. Water dripped from her body onto the expensive fur rugs as she sipped a mixed drink, laughing to herself.

I stopped in the doorway. The healer visit, the pack dinner, the lies, the grief all crashed together.

“When is she leaving our den?” I asked. My voice cut through the music like a blade.

Ramona looked up, pretending surprise. “Oh. You are back early.”

“I asked you,” I said, turning to Axton. “When is she leaving? She has stayed for months.”

Ramona’s lips trembled into a pout. “You do not want me here anymore? I am sorry, Luna. Did I upset you?”

“I do not want her walking around like that,” I said, motioning toward her nearly bare body. “It is improper. It looks like she is trying to draw your attention, Axton.”

“What?” Axton laughed sharply. “Lunessa, what are you saying? She is like a sister to me. That thought is vile.”

“She is not your sister,” I snapped. “And she is not mine. She walks half naked through our den, drinks our stores, and disrespects me as Luna. I am done.”

I met his gaze without blinking. “Choose, Axton. Her or me. I will not live like this anymore.”

I turned and walked straight to the sleeping chamber.

Axton followed and slammed the door shut.

“What was that?” he demanded. “Have you lost your mind? Throwing her out? She has nowhere to go.”

“She has a brother,” I replied calmly, removing my earrings. “She can stay with Alpha Rhydan.”

“You are being unfair,” he paced. “Are you jealous? Is that it? Jealous of a young she wolf?”

“I am angry that my mate cares more about her comfort than my pain,” I shouted. It felt good to release it, even if the reason was staged. “I lost our pup, Axton. And I return to noise and chaos instead of peace.”

He stopped. He rubbed his face and let out a long breath. His expression softened as he took my hands.

“You are right,” he said quietly. “I am sorry. I did not think how it appeared to you. I am under pressure from the pack and my clan. I should not have snapped.”

He kissed my fingers. “But you cannot force her out tonight. It is late. You were harsh. She is young. She looks up to you.”

“She does not respect me,” I muttered.

“She does,” he insisted. “She is only careless. Please apologize. For me. I will speak to her about the clothes. I swear. Do not anger Rhydan. He is my closest ally, and he will return soon.”

“Fine,” I whispered, exhausted.

Later that night, Axton fell asleep at once, worn down from a day of lies and masks.

I stayed awake.

Then, silently, I slipped from the bed and began preparing a gift for my mate. One he would never forget.