When rogues attacked Silver Moonlight Pack out of nowhere, burning everything in sight, we were terrified, oblivious to our survival tonight.

Wildfire hemmed us in, and my mate and the current Alpha of Silver Moonlight Pack, Austin Chase, moved out at lightning speed, leaving me behind to oust rogues with his warriors and ensure his childhood sweetheart's safety, not me, his Luna.

Not even scared stiff that I, his mate, would be caught up by the fire, trapped inside, and met my end.

Lightening my mood, Beta Colter, the one who looked out for me and ensured I was fine, explained, "Alpha saves Zora, not you, as he is responsible for her. He has known her for a decade now, treating her as a sister. Don't think that he is treating her more than a mate."

Despite that, I remained calm. "It's odd. I am his mate; isn't he terrified I will die? Anyway, I hope they will be over the moon. Keep your justifications to yourself."

...

Three days passed after the rogues laid siege, leaving the pack house partially burned and damaged; I chose to settle in a new secluded flat.

Opening the door, a flower bouquet of green and white lisianthus lay on my doorstep.

After years of being his Luna, I received a lisianthus from the Alpha for the first time. Curious, I grabbed the card attached to the sweet-smelling flowers, glimpsing a note written a bit messy: [Sorry.]

Alpha Austin's usual apology was to shower me with flowers. Every time we argued, Alpha would send me gifts for reconciliation. As naive as I was, I would accept them wholeheartedly and act as if nothing had transpired.

However, I was no longer taken in by this old trick. Well, not anymore.

A sudden mind link from Alpha Austin snapped me back from reality and made me push the flowers aside.

"Calista, Zora invites us for dinner as a way of thanking me for saving her the night of the attack. I'm waiting for you here outside," he said, calm and composed.

Right. He reminded me again how he focused on Zora, saving her when the whole pack was devastated by flames. At the same time, he entrusted me with Beta Colter.

That slowly left me heartbroken, feeling like my heart was crumbling into tiny pieces, and it led us to have silent treatment for three days now.

But the way Austin mind linked me seemed like nothing happened between us.

I mind linked him back in an emotionless, flat tone, "Sure."

Outside the flat, his car parked in front, and I hopped inside, seated in the front seat, meeting his cold stare darted on me.

With his brows knitted, he said, "You're wearing that? There's a jacket in the back seat; put it on."

I looked at my simple dress and shook my head as I returned my gaze to him. "Thanks, but I'm not cold."

He started the car engine, driving past rows of old, quaint townhouses lined the street, reawakening me of the pack I once belonged to, now long forgotten.

Out of curiosity, I broke the dead silence in between by asking, "Who told you I moved here now that the pack house is in disarray?"

Alpha drove with one hand. "Of course, you are my Luna. How would I not know? Besides, I have tasked Beta Colter to look for you while busy with my duties."

As expected, Beta Colter seemed more aware of my whereabouts than he, my mate.

Not long after, we arrived at the Wolf's Den, and Zora was already waiting for us inside.

Upon seeing us walking side by side, Zora was astonished. "Oh, hi, Alpha Austin, Luna Calista. Thanks for coming."

I faked a smile in response but soon realized the table was set for two. Alpha had motioned the waiters to bring an extra set of utensils to cater to us three.

Alpha pulled the chair for me to sit in, a simple gesture he often made when we dined. Once seated, waiters served the dishes, the savory aroma lingering in the air.

Zora, observing the courtesy, faked a smile. "Alpha, can you please hand me the salt, too?" she asked, to which Alpha obliged without hesitation.

Zora's smile widened as she started discussing, "At this moment, I especially want to thank Alpha Austin for saving me when the fire started." She then turned to me. "And, of course, to you, Luna Calista."

"Please don't misunderstand us, Luna. Alpha came to save me when I mind-linked him as I sprained my ankle a few days even before the rogues attacked the pack," she added, eyes slightly widened, peering at me.

"I see." I focused back on eating, not amused anymore.

"When rogues attack and try to burn the pack house, you must be scared to death, Luna," she said.

When she brought it up again, I paused. Although some part of the pack house had been eaten by the fire, pack warriors were alerted and controlled the fire. It didn't scatter the entire house, but the smoke that filled inside made everyone freak out.

As petrified as I was, I gasped at Alpha's hand. It was too late when I realized he stormed out, all by himself, leaving me behind and struggling to breathe.

At first, I understood that Alpha's presence, together with the pack warriors, was needed to oust rogues, and he managed to kill all rogues along the way.

But as I left the room, I caught a glimpse of the Alpha saving Zora, carrying her like a bride as they disappeared out of the smoke.

I was astonished, and my whole system shook in rage; my wolf let out a dominant growl.

It should have been me, but he neglected me, choosing his childhood sweetheart.

With the suffocating smoke, I had no other choice but to move downstairs, roaring in rage that I wanted our bond to be broken that night.

I returned to my senses but was at a loss for words.

In a blink, I saw Zora staring straight into Alpha's eyes. "Alpha, you better apologize to Luna Calista. You're supposed not to neglect her that night just because you're rushing."

Right there and then, Alpha placed down his fork, his eyes filled with regret. "I'm sorry."

It had been three years since we claimed and vowed to each other as mates. We argued countless times, but it was the time the Alpha lowered his ego and apologized first.

In the past, I would feel on top of the world and prolong the argument. But now, I only feel ashamed.

Did my mate need his childhood sweetheart to urge him to apologize? Could my mate not have enough courage to speak to me?

I was left speechless, and only took the red wine next to me and drank it all in one gulp.

Breaking the silence, I replied, "It's fine."

Alpha's stare slowly darkened, and he locked eyes with me. His tone was as cold as ice as he said, "Don't drink too much."

He once reminded me before that he wouldn't like to smell alcohol on his mate's breath.

That urged me to respect Alpha's preferences and dare not to disobey him. For three long years, since I became his Luna and chose to settle on his pack, I had rarely drunk alcohol.

My tolerance long declined, but now, I disregarded his fuming wrath within him, slowly pouring myself another glass.

"It's fine, Alpha. I can handle my wine," I replied calmly.

"Zora settled here in the pack as she had no one. She lives in town alone, too dangerous, and I treat her as my sister, nothing special," Alpha cleared out, comprehending what was brewing in my mind.

"Taking care of her is only keeping a promise to her late mother, who died years ago when rogues invaded the town. Don't let this upset you."

Zora nodded, remorseful. "He's right; we're treating each other like siblings. Alpha and I had known each other since we were kids when his mom and stepdad still lived in town. Please don't be in a rage just because of me, Luna."

My brows furrowed, and I stared at both of them. "I just drank wine. I'm not upset."

I stood after drinking, about to walk away, but halted as I added, "Oh, I'll pay the bill. You guys, please take time to eat. Don't let me spoil your fun."

As promised, I paid the bill and walked out of Wolf's Den, not looking back at the so-called childhood sweethearts, even if deep inside, my wolf was falling short of expectations.

I walked along the path beneath the old lamppost, feeling the chilly autumn breeze.

With my high heels in one hand, I walked barefoot along the riverside promenade, feeling a bit tipsy as I looked ahead.

Oh, right. It was the same route I used to follow Alpha Austin at Lunar Crest Academy during our university days, the same time I chose him over my pack and settled here in the Silver Moonlight pack.

It was a constant reminder of the heavy decision I would soon regret….

Flashback….

On my 18th birthday celebration, my loving father, the Alpha of our pack, Atticus Morgan, together with the elder, widened their eyes when they saw what the Astral orb revealed.

"It can't be. My daughter should not be mated to him!" Dad roared, stood up from his seat, and gazed at me with terror. "Your mate…"

"What about him? Is he an Alpha, and why are you scared? I once dreamed my fated mate was Alpha," I said, unable to anticipate meeting him.

While I was cheerful and curious, Dad looked hot under the collar. He was down in the lumps, observing how ecstatic I was.

"Don't get your hopes up. Your mate will soon be an Alpha, as you expected." Dad paused and made me feel on edge. "But he came from a pack our ancestors long loathed, from a bloodline who almost vanished our pack's existence."

I was dumbfounded and was taken aback by the discovery.

"Ten long years since they once invaded our pack. To save you, both my parents and your mother, my dearest, died," he said, clenching his fist. "And there's no way I'll let you choose him as a mate. You must reject him."

"But…. He's my fated mate, Dad! My wolf and I long waited for this—"

"No!" he thundered, making the study in stunned silence. "You will be in vain, and choosing him means abandoning us and betraying our ancestors. Think about it…."

Deep down, I knew I couldn't, but I nodded anyway, my dismay weighing heavily on me.

My Alpha father gave me time to reject and eventually kill my mate. As the warrior princess, my strength could equal an Alpha.

However, when Dad asked, "Are you willing to reject and kill him? Perhaps you chose your fated mate more than us."

"I can't kill him!" I admitted, my voice trembling in fear. "I'll still choose my fated mate."

"Remember, each decision bears weigh consequences. Choose wisely," Dad said, his voice cold.

"I…I still chose my fated mate, Alpha Austin, and will choose to abandon this pack."

End of flashback

Since I chose to leave my pack high and dry, I did everything in my power to get my fated mate, Alpha Austin's attention. All my efforts to be part of his pack and capture his heart weren't in vain. Alpha finally recognized me and claimed us as mates.

Pack members envied that I, a weak Luna, had captured an elusive Alpha's heart. Little did they know that he never dared break his principles for me.

I snapped back from reality as I sat on the bench, scrolling into social media only to see Zora's recent post.

Her photo focused on the candy apple in the Alpha's car's familiar front passenger seat, with a caption, [Candy apple from Wolf's Den is the best!]

Alpha didn't allow me to eat in the front seat as he had a mild case of germophobia, which I obeyed. But when Zora did, he condoned it and did nothing.

I convinced myself it was fine, but the truth hit me hard, and I cried.

His habits weren't the real deal. What wounded me deeply was that his principles and rules could easily be set aside for someone else.

Seeing me online, Alpha eventually sent a message to ask if I had gone back to the flat. But I left him hanging, not saying a word.

Since I did not retort, my mate's voice pierced through a mind link. "Food at Wolf's Den wasn't great today. Let's find a different pub next time."

"Are you going to sleep now? Right. Don't forget to light calming incense. Good night," he added, his tone cold.

Still seated, I scrolled through our past conversation. All I sent him were my long, rambling updates, while he coldly replied with "Ok" and "Got it."

I was a real idiot back then, but now I have awakened. I wouldn't want to be fooled by him anymore.

I wiped my tears and finally decided to go home. Once I was done showering, I stood by the balcony and caught a glimpse of a familiar car parked outside.

There he was, as if sensing my presence, rolling down the car window. However, I retreated from the balcony; I didn't want to see him.

The next morning came. I went out, as usual, to do my duties as the Luna of the pack despite not living in the main Pack House.

Even this morning, the familiar car was still parked. I acted as if I hadn't seen it, normally walking.

Out of the blue, my phone rang. The taxi driver called, saying, "You way too tricky and far. Is it possible for you to cancel and book another ride?"

"You can't find the place? I ain't in the mountains! What's the point of being a taxi driver?" I muttered right there, and then I canceled the ride.

The familiar black car pulled from my standing, and the window rolled down to reveal Alpha Austin's sharp features. "I'll give you a ride," he offered.

As much as I wanted to decline, I was running late, so I opted not to reject and hopped into the passenger seat.

Back then, I would have been endlessly chatty, the car brimming with conversation. But today, the silence was deafening, with only the wind's whisper breaking it.

With the Alpha silently driving, he seemed uncomfortable with the silence.

"You didn't have breakfast, did you?" he awkwardly asked, breaking the hush.

"I have not," I said under my breath, paying no attention to him.

"How about I'll get you some breakfast later?" He queried, determined to alleviate discomfort.

"No need, Alpha."

"Skipping meals ain't good for my mate."

"I'm good."

As Alpha continued driving, the silence between us grew heavy until we reached my destination.

I made an attempt to open the car door, eager to finally be free from my mate's presence, which I once longed for. Unfortunately, it was still locked.

Alpha turned to face me. "The Pack House wasn't totally damaged. It has been cleaned and repaired and is ready to cater to us. When will you move back?"

"Oh, not for now. I've paid three months for my flat in advance," I clarified, still attempting to open the door.

Suddenly, the door unlocked at last. I pushed it open with a sense of relief, ready to leave, but then my mate called my presence. "Calista."

I turned around, facing the car.

Alpha Austin hopped out of the car, his black suit highlighting his tall frame. He seemed to be going to an Alpha Summit, looking like a sophisticated, distant Alpha who felt almost unreachable.

"It ain't anyone's fault why the pack is on fire, but the rogues. I've told you for the nth time, and I've apologized for neglecting you," he said, his voice firm as he went closer. "If there's something else bothering you, we should talk it out, not giving each other silent treatment."

I couldn't help but let a sarcastic chuckle escape my lips. "Isn't it how I treat you inside the car the same way you always treat me? Perhaps you just realized now that this means a silent treatment, Alpha?"

Alpha was at a loss for words.

I wasted no time and walked away, leaving him standing behind.