When I was surrounded by the rogue pack far from our territory, I mind-linked my mate, Alpha Luke, begging for help.

He refused me fifteen times—and finally, he blocked the link entirely.

In the end, I collapsed from exhaustion and lost consciousness, my wolf howling in despair.

When I woke up in the infirmary, Alex, the commander of the Werewolf Tribe, was sitting quietly beside me.

He was the one who had received my desperate mind-link.

He led his warriors, crushed the rogues, and saved me from the jaws of death.

Looking into his worried eyes, I no longer hesitated.

I took a deep breath and said with unwavering resolve:

“Alex, I’ve made up my mind. I’ll go to the Northern Territory for training. I leave in 2 days.”

Ten minutes later, Luke barged into the room with Kristy—his so-called adoptive sister—and our twin pups trailing behind.

Before anyone could speak, he kicked the door open and pointed at me, shouting with cold fury:

“You staged this stunt just to outshine Kristy? Do you realize how much warrior strength you wasted just to feed your vanity? You are not worthy to be a Luna!”

My elder son, Chris, gave me a sharp glance and scoffed:

“Where’s the wound, Mom? You look perfectly fine. Did you fake this just to get attention?”

My younger son, Collin, stared at me, eyes filled with disappointment. He shook his head slowly and whispered:

“Mom, did you lie to us again… just because we care about Kristy more?”

Kristy gripped Luke’s hand, her voice trembling with fake innocence and tears falling down her cheeks:

“I’m sorry, Christina… I won’t celebrate my birthday again. Please… stop causing trouble for Luke and the twins.”

I clenched my fists, restraining my furious wolf, and stopped Alex from standing up for me.

I watched the four of them turn and leave without a second glance.

Then, I turned to Alex and said, with icy clarity:

“This time, I have no hesitation, no regret. I’m leaving. I’ll go with you to the Northern Territory. And I won’t eat my words.”

Kristy, My mate Luke’s adoptive younger sister had an allergic reaction and was taken to the infirmary two days ago.

The healer told us the only herbs that could stabilize her condition had just run out.

The last known supply was located outside our territory, near the dangerous borders of the rogue pack’s field.

To save her, I risked everything that night—venturing deep into enemy ground.

After ten grueling hours of searching, I finally found the herbs…

But before I could return, I was surrounded by a pack of rogues.

I was too exhausted to fight a full werewolf squad on my own.

I resisted as long as I could, but after several rounds of attacks, my body gave out.

With the last bit of strength in me, I tried to mind-link Luke—my mate—begging for help.

He refused.

Once.

Twice.

Ten times.

Fifteen times, he rejected me.

And in the end… he didn’t just ignore me—he blocked our link completely.

Abandoned.

Betrayed.

I collapsed into the dirt, bleeding and unconscious, while my mate chose silence over saving me.

When I woke up in the infirmary, I saw Alex—the commander of the Werewolf Tribe—sitting silently beside me, his eyes full of worry.

I gave him a bitter smile. Before he could say a word, I spoke first, my voice firm and unwavering:

“I’ve made my decision. I’ll go to the Northern Territory for training. I leave in 2 days.”

Just as I finished, the door was kicked open with a loud bang.

Luke stormed in, Kristy and our twin pups trailing close behind.

The moment he saw me, he lost control.

His wolf surged to the surface, and before I could even speak, he pointed a shaking finger at me and roared:

“Christina! You pulled this pathetic stunt just to get our attention? To compete with Kristy? You wasted our warriors’ strength for your vanity! You’re not fit to be a Luna!”

My wolf flinched at his fury, trembling in fear.

I struggled to steady my breath, trying to calm her.

And then it hit me.

Today was Kristy’s birthday.

Luke had given the whole pack two days off—just to celebrate it with her.

While, for the Luna of this pack—and his mate—Luke didn’t care at all that I had spent two days searching for herbs and nearly died after being ambushed by rogue wolves.

I had mind-linked him, begging for help. But in return, he dismissed me like a nuisance.

He thought I was just playing games to waste the warriors’ energy.

Tears streamed uncontrollably down my cheeks, and I could hear my wolf howling helplessly at the cruel injustice.

“Luke, I ...”

“You’re still trying to defend yourself, Christina?!”

Luke snapped, cutting me off mid-sentence.

“You don’t even have the courage to admit your fault!”

Chris, my elder son, looked at me with cold, distant eyes.

“Where’s your wound, Mom? You look just fine to me. You ruined Kristy’s birthday—and the entire pack’s celebration—for what?”

Collin, my younger son, let out a heavy sigh, his eyes filled with disappointment.

“Did you lie just because we love Kristy more than you?”

He was about to say more when Kristy stepped in with her usual false gentleness.

“I’m really sorry, Christina,” she said, tears shimmering in her eyes. “I shouldn’t have celebrated my birthday. Could you please stop causing trouble for Luke and the twins?”

“Luke was exhausted from tracking you. He’s barely rested! Chris and Collin were worried sick and didn’t sleep at all. If it helps, I won’t celebrate my birthday ever again—just please stop making things harder for them.”

She was going to wipe her tears away, but Luke quickly leaned in and gently brushed them aside for her.

The next moment, both my sons rushed into her arms, comforting her through their sobs.

“Don’t cry, Kristy. No matter what Mom does, we’ll still love you.”

I stood frozen, staring at this perfect picture of a ‘family of four wolves’.

And in that moment, it felt like a thousand needles stabbed straight through my heart.

Alex stood up, ready to speak on my behalf, but I stopped him with a silent, pleading look.

“No need, Alex...” I murmured, forcing a bitter smile.

Luke let out a mocking laugh, his voice laced with scorn.

“Christina, you’re pathetic. So jealous that you had to stage this whole farce just to get attention—and even dragged Alex into your lies?”

Chris wiped his tears, his voice trembling with grief.

“Mom... I’m so disappointed in you.”

Collin’s eyes were red as he choked out, hoarsely:

“You ruined our special day. I won’t forgive you.”

Without another glance, Luke took them and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

I turned to Alex, my voice steady despite the storm inside me.

“I’m going with you to the Northern Territory. I leave in 2 days.”

Alex hesitated, concern flickering in his eyes.

“Are you sure? You won’t be able to come back—not even to see your pups. The training field is sealed. And they’re still so young...”

I met his gaze with unwavering determination.

“I know. And I’m sure. I won’t go back on my word—

Not this time. Not ever.”

I returned to my den after leaving the infirmary.

I didn’t even know why I came back—maybe because I had nowhere else to go.

Since I bonded with Luke, I’d poured everything into this pack and our family. Every breath, every effort… it was all for them.

And yet now, I’d become the one they rejected.

The spare werewolf.

How ironic.

Just before I opened the door, I heard laughter echoing from inside.

It was them—Luke, Kristy, and my twin pups.

Their joy cut through me like a blade.

I forced a bitter smile, swallowed my pain, and steeled myself.

There was nothing left here for me to care about. In 2 days, I would be gone. For good.

As soon as I opened the door, the laughter died.

I walked straight to my room, ignoring their stares. But Luke blocked my path, his voice coldly expectant:

“So… you came back to apologize to Kristy?”

“Mom, I’m glad you can finally admit your mistake...”

Chris said coldly, his voice devoid of warmth.

“Why don’t you ever reflect on yourself until we have to point it out every single time?”

Collin snapped, his tone edged with impatience and disbelief.

I didn’t respond.

But when I turned my gaze to Kristy—I froze.

She was holding the moonlight necklace.

The one Luke had specially commissioned from the werewolf artisan for our eighth marking anniversary.

I had never even worn it once.

And now, it hung from Kristy’s neck, glowing under the light that was never meant for her.

For a split second, my breath caught in my throat. It felt like something sharp had torn through my chest.

Seeing my reaction, Kristy ran up to me, clutching the necklace and speaking quickly:

“I’m sorry, Christina. I didn’t mean to upset you. Luke said you didn’t like it... so he gave it to me. I just… I really love it. Please don’t be mad.”

“It doesn’t matter. You can keep it,”

I said coldly, my voice as frozen as the shards piercing through my chest.

“Christina, why can’t you just tolerate Kristy for once?”

Luke finally lost control of his wolf—his claws extended before he even realized it.

“You already ruined her birthday. What’s the harm in letting her borrow the necklace for a while?”

He spoke as if in a trance, his voice softening—haunted by memories.

“Her parents died protecting this pack. Mine asked us to look after her as if she were our own. You heard those words too. So why do you keep making life harder for her?”

Chris scoffed, his gaze dripping with disdain.

“Mom, you’re heartless. You always tell us to show sympathy to those less fortunate, but when it comes to Kristy, you’re just cruel.”

“Kristy never got to feel a mother’s love,”

Collin added, shaking his head in disgust.

“She lost her parents when she was just a pup. Why can’t you treat her like family? Why do you always make her your enemy?”

Then, without another word, Collin turned his back on me—like I was nothing but a stranger.

“It’s all my fault, Luke,”

Kristy choked through her sobs as she flung herself into his arms.

“Don’t blame Christina anymore. I’m just a weak Omega... I should’ve never dreamed of being accepted by her. Living under the same roof as the Alpha’s family is already the greatest blessing in my life. Who am I to wish for her kindness?”

Then, dramatically, she stepped back and whimpered,

“Maybe I should just leave this den. Christina would stop being troubled if I was gone.”

“No!”

Luke growled as he grabbed her arm and pulled her close, his voice thunderous with rage.

“Christina! Look at what you’ve done! You’ve pushed her to the edge! I will never let Kristy leave this den. Never!”

“Kristy, don’t go! We need you!”

Chris cried, clutching her hands.

“You did nothing wrong, Kristy. If someone should leave, it’s not you—it’s Mom!”

Collin snarled, shooting me a glare so vicious it felt like a dagger straight to the heart.

I stood there, frozen, wanting to leave. But then I remembered—my personal documents were still locked in my room.

I said nothing. Expressionless, numb, I walked past them and headed upstairs.

As I passed by, I caught a glimpse of Kristy’s face.

She was smiling—a vicious, triumphant smile, like a predator savoring its victory.

When I opened the door to my room, I stopped cold.

It was a mess.

Kristy’s clothes were scattered all over my bed, cluttering the small space I had left for myself.

My sanctuary—invaded. Violated.

I stood there for a moment, memories rushing in like a flood.

Once, this place held happiness.

Luke and I had shared real laughter.

He’d fallen in love with me after a hunting trip and soon claimed me as his Luna.

He held a sacred marking ceremony in my honor, with the blessings of the Moon Goddess and the cheers of the entire pack.

That day was the happiest moment of my life.

Then came our twin pups—Chris and Collin.

Luke even built this den with his own hands, promising we’d grow old here together.

Back then, I believed him.

But everything changed the day he brought an orphaned she-wolf into our lives.

Kristy was only fifteen when she arrived.

And I… I truly wanted to welcome her.

I gave up my room so she could have more space and moved myself into the cramped study without complaint.

I handed her my new dresses to help her feel confident.

I asked Luke to look after her more and even told our pups to play with her, to treat her like a sister.

I took on more responsibility in the pack just so she could bond with them more easily…

I gave everything. My home. My family. My love.

But slowly, without even realizing it, the tide shifted.

My sacrifices became expectations.

And my presence… a burden.

They all began to act like it was only natural for me to keep giving, to keep sacrificing for Kristy.

And when I struggled to give more, I became the problem.

Luke grew colder, more impatient.

My pups—my own flesh and blood—began to care for her more than they did for me.

Kristy framed me again and again, always playing the victim, always so perfectly innocent in their eyes.

And each time, my family drifted further and further away from me.

All the love I poured into them…

All the warmth, the loyalty, the sacrifice—

turned into nothing but trash.

I wiped away the tears that had unknowingly drifted down my face.

Oddly, I felt… relieved.

There were only 2 days left before I could finally leave this place.

The next morning, I was awakened by a phone call from Alice, my teammate in the Werewolf Tribe.

I could practically feel her excitement vibrating through the phone.

“Hi, Christina! I just heard from Alex—you finally agreed to receive training in the Northern Territory! Is it true? I mean... you always had such a happy family—your Alpha mate, your twin pups. Are you really going to leave them?”

I replied calmly, my voice as still as a frozen lake.

“Yes. I’m going. This time, I won’t go back on my word.”

“Wow, that’s amazing! I’m so glad you’ll be training with me! When are you leaving?”

“Tomorrow.”

Just as I ended the call, I looked up—and froze.

Luke was standing outside the room, my twin pups behind him.

He stared at me, stunned.

“Where are you going?”

Before I could respond, Collin ran into my arms, tears welling up in his eyes.

“Mom, I’m sorry for what I said yesterday. I didn’t mean it. Please don’t leave us!”

Chris’s voice trembled, though he tried to stay strong.

“Mom, don’t you love us anymore?”

My heart clenched for a second.

But I steadied myself, keeping my voice neutral.

“I..I just...”

Luke interrupted me. He acted like he was certain I wouldn’t dare leave him, our twin pups, or the life we had built together in this den. As if I was incapable of walking away.

“Christina, I’m sorry. I lost my temper yesterday, but please… don’t blame Kristy anymore. If you could just treat her like family again, I—”

My wolf let out a bitter, mocking laugh in my mind.

“I thought he cared about you… that he was finally here to apologize to us. But no—he’s only afraid you might hurt Kristy.”

I cut him off coldly, my eyes like shards of glass.

“Don’t worry. I won’t cause trouble for her again.”

Luke was visibly stunned, as were the twins.

His gaze flicked to the table, where I’d left the herbs I’d risked everything to gather.

Realization slowly dawned on his face. He forced an awkward smile.

“Oh... so that was for her? Well, thank you. After you left, Kristy recovered quickly. The healer said there was no need for her to stay in the infirmary, so… we came home.”

“Good. If she’s better, then that’s all that matters.”

I smiled, but the smile didn’t reach my eyes. It was cold. Like stone.

There was a flicker of something—uncertainty, perhaps—on Luke’s face, and even in the boys’ expressions.

Chris took a step forward, confusion in his voice.

“Mom… what’s wrong with you?”

Collin’s eyes lit up, mistaking my indifference for forgiveness.

“I’m glad you’re accepting Kristy again. I knew you would.”

When I was about to close the door, Luke suddenly seemed to realize something. He rushed back, stopping it with his claws just before it shut.

“Christina... I forgot to tell you—I’ll pick you up tomorrow night. We’re going to Moon Shadow Valley.”

His eyes lit up with anticipation, as if expecting me to smile.

“For what?” I asked, a wave of bitterness rising in my chest.

Tomorrow night? I'd be gone long before that.

“It’s our eighth anniversary. I never forgot.”

I forced a cold, empty smile. Just as I opened my mouth to reply, Chris’s panicked voice echoed down the hall.

“Dad! Kristy cut her finger—it’s bleeding badly!”

Before I could say a single word, Luke was already gone—rushing toward Kristy without even glancing back. The door slammed shut behind him, catching my finger. It throbbed, turning red and swollen in seconds.

I let out a tired sigh and swallowed the words I’d meant to say.

Eighth anniversary?

It didn’t matter anymore.

Nothing did.

I would be gone by tomorrow.