Freedom from Aldric remained a distant dream. I still had to endure another week tied to this bond, another week forced to play the Luna he still imagined to be.

We, once again, spent another night lying in the same bed, yet the warmth once used to feel like a moon-given blessing now felt hollow.

His touch no longer soothed me—it made my skin stiffen, haunted by the memory of those same hands tracing another she-wolf’s body.

The sleepiness did not overtake me. My mind kept replying the moment in the runestone lift, the effortless intimacy between him and Mirael and the unsettling calm of the pack wolves around them, as if their affair had been a rumor carried on the wind long before I saw it with my own eyes.

When dawn’s light filtered through the manor windows, Aldric woke me the same way he always did— lifting me effortlessly into his arms and carrying me to the bathing chamber, insisting we wash together beneath the enchanted hot-spring waters.

The routine once made me feel cherished, but now only left me nauseated.

I wondered, had he shared this routine with her, too? Whispered the same promises? Lay the same tender touch over her?

Aldric, blind to the way I had withdrawn, waved off my silence.

He had spent cycles pursuing me, ever since those first days when I refused to let him close.

In his eyes, my silence meant nothing more than another challenge to win me back. However, in mine, the bond had already rotted beyond repair.

Even our morning meals, once a quiet comfort, now felt stifling. Every smile looked practiced and every kiss tasted of deceit.

Soon after, he left for his Alpha duties and my crystal communicator vibrated — a reminder from the healer’s den about my appointment.

It might be the last time I ever visit to that place.

I brought a box of moon-glazed pastries for the pack healers who had supported me for cycles.

They had worked tirelessly to help me conceive, but now … I no longer wanted this pup tied to a mate who had given his heart to another.

“You never forget us, Luna Wolfsbane,” the healer said with a warm smile as she took the treats.

I gave a faint nod. “It’s nothing.”

Just as I turned to find a place to sit in the waiting cavern, my breath stopped. I spotted them —Aldric and Mirael.

The two of them stepped out of the birthing chamber together. Aldric’s hand resting protectively over her still-flat belly.

Mirael held a moon-blessed scroll, her name written across the etched cover.

I froze, a thousand questions racing through my mind. "Their cub? How? When?"

The irony was bitter. Aldric, the one who first brought me to this healer, now stood here with his mistress, as if I had never discovered it.

“So even the healer knows,” I whispered, bitterness curling in my chest. The pain struck deep, like a dozen silver claws.

Did his entire bloodline know, too?

Standing alone in the corridor, I wondered just how deep their deception ran. The Wolfsbane Clan, was the one who had brought Aldric into my life, yet even they had turned a blind eye.

I had never expected to be part of a powerful Alpha clan, the Wolfsbanes. I had simply been a young she-wolf fresh from the academy, training at the Wolfsbane Alliance to save moon-credits for my dream of becoming a beauty tale-teller.

I needed the moon-credits to support my tools, so I devoted myself entirely to my tasks, avoiding pack disputes.

But the Moon Goddess never let things stay simple.

On my first day, I found myself alone in the runestone lift with an elderly wolf who looked unwell. His right hand pressed against his chest and his left gripped his carved walking stick.

“Elder, are feeling unwell?” I asked quietly.

Before he could give me an answer, he collapsed. Panic shot through me as I hit the emergency rune and knelt beside him, performing the life-breath technique I had learned.

The basic life-breath technique I had learned from academy became a lifesaver. when the healers finally arrived, they told me my swift actions were the reason the elder still drew breath.

Only then was his identity revealed to me— Elder Kaizen Wolfsbane, the revered patriarch who established the entire Wolfsbane Alliance.

That single incident turned my quiet training into a storm of pack eyes and whispered praise. The Wolfsbane clan thanked me endlessly, but no one was more fervent, more constant, than Aldric.

His pursuit was relentless, like a wolf who had already chosen his mate.

At first, his attention felt more like pressure than affection. He took over burdensome duties, escorted me back through the moonlit woods in late hours and kept sending gifts to my den despite my repeated attempts to decline.

When my body gave in to exhaustion, Aldric appeared at my den, lifted me effortlessly and carried me straight to the healer's den.

I tried to stop him. “Alpha Wolfsbane, please. I didn’t save your elder for a reward or attention in return. I just simply did the right thing to do.”

His words caught me off guard. “You think that’s the reason I'm pursuing you? No,” he said, in a low yet firm voice low, his golden irises locked onto mine.

I furrowed my brows, confused and dazed. "I've seen you longer than you think." He, then, went on. "Back, in my last cycle at the academy, I saw you in the training court, but I never had the courage to talk to you and then, when you joined our alliance … it felt like fate giving me a second chance.”

“But ….” I faltered, with his words.

“You don’t have to fear how my family sees you.” He cut in with a calm and gentle voice. “They’ve already given their blessing. If you wished, we could complete the mating vows this very moment.”

I refused, trying to think clear-sighted. “No … that’s wouldn’t be appropriate, Alpha Wolfsbane. We haven’t had time to truly know each other.”

He offered a calm, earnest smile. “Then let me earn your trust. Two cycles—let the Moon Goddess witness my efforts. When I return with a formal pledge, you can decide whether I’m worthy or not. Until then, allow me to get close to you.”

Sensing the determination and honesty in his promise, I did not hesitate to nod.

For the first time, I felt cherished in a way I had only dreamed of beneath the silver glow of the moon.

Even so, doubt still lingered in me. I had grown up witnessing mates tear each other apart, leaving nothing behind but scars and sorrow.

However, those two cycles were enough to make me believe that perhaps—just perhaps—he was the fated one the Moon Goddess had chosen for me.

So, I said yes.

Our mating ceremony was everything he vowed—grand, magical, every eye fixed on us with awe and envy. He even claimed an entire moon-tower and inscribed in my name “Fortune Seraphina”.

The vows spread across territories and wolves I had never met praised me for “living the perfect Luna life.”

Yet they never saw the sacrifices buried beneath that perfection.

To protect his clan’s privacy, Aldric urged me to give up my dream of becoming a beauty tale-teller. He would not allow our daily life to appear in public except during official events.

I felt disheartened, at first, yet I convinced myself that his wishes were ultimately for the best.

Who would have thought I was wrong.

Back to the healer’s den, Mirael’s eyes met mine for a heartbeat and rather than acknowledge me, she curled her lips in a proud, mocking smile.

Is she mocking me?

The moment Aldric drifted his gaze toward me, Mirael smoothly diverted his gaze, slipping away in the opposite direction. That sly she-wolf knew exactly how to play her part.

Seeing them together was unbearable—yet still not as devastating as the first time I caught them in the runestone lift.

I left the healer’s den and returned to the manor, heading straight to the wardrobe chamber to sort through my belongings.

As I packed, a bitter regret washed over me. I should have spent the day preparing for my departure, not seeking clarity at the den. But perhaps the fate had intended for me to witness how deep their betrayal had gone.

My eyes drifted to the portrait from our mating ceremony. My body stiffened and a cold, familiar bitterness spread through my heart.

Four cycles ago, I thought we were happy and blessed, but it took a handful of cycles for our world to fall apart.

I found myself crying as I sorted my belongings. Every item held a memory of the life I once shared with Aldric, a blend of joy and ache, so I chose to sell them.

After all, I had brought almost nothing when I first stepped into this manor. The lunar adornments, the fine furs, the moon-silk gowns, even the ornate décor—gifts from Aldric. Tokens of an affection that had conditions I never saw.

I placed the items, one by one, into the boxes and sometimes paused whenever the memories threatened to drown me.

Once I finished sorting them out, I delivered the boxes to the mirror-market and returned to the hearth bench to rest.

With nothing better to do, I traced through the social-mirror, switched to my second identity and searched for Mirael.

I paused, then released my touch.

Her image blinked into the screen and sure, a new trace—tracked two hours ago.

I froze as I glimpsed it.

The rune’s meaning slammed against me like a wolf’s bite. [Our bond is whole now — A.M.]

The bloodbond image left no question—she had marked it with their initials, staking her claim, Aldric belonged to her.

It wasn’t enough for her to sneak around in the shadows, she wanted the whole world to witness her triumph. Rage surged through me, I nearly smashed my crystal communicator at the wall. But before I could move, the door burst open.

Aldric stormed in, a mix of confusion and annoyance etched across his face.

“Seraphina, explain yourself, why do I see your stuff displayed on the mirror-market?”

Ah, just a moment ago, he already noticed.

His gifts—rare, custom and one-and-only for me—were unmistakable.

A cycle ago, to celebrate our first mating anniversary, he had even transferred me shares in a moon-infused beauty collection, insisting it was a way to keep me tied to the industry since he refused to let me become a beauty tale-teller.

“You don’t need to tell and suggest moon-infused beauty collection to other if you can own the collection itself,” he said proudly.

Too bad, Aldric never grasped what I truly craved. It was not shares, not popularity—just a freedom to follow my own path.

So I answered in an icy tone, “I no longer need them.”

“Enough joking, Seraphina,” he growled, his Alpha authority cracking through his tone. “Sell a single one more time and you’ll get nothing else from me. Do you know the blood, sweat and teeth I took to collect these? By tomorrow, they’ll be back in your den—handle them.”

I stifled a laugh at the foolishness. He had hunted down every single item, believing the issue was their value—not the truth between us.

Before I could respond, Aldric strode across the chamber and effortlessly swept me onto his lap. His playful energy clashed harshly with my simmering pain.

“So, tell me, why are you behaving like this? Are you still sulking about me forgetting your birthmoon last cycle?” he asked, gently brushing a loose strand from my face.

The first time in six cycles he had forgotten something important. It was when he had been in the Hawaian Isle with Mirael—opening a new lodgewild and, as I later learned, making a cub.

“I’m not sulking,” I responded, but he silenced me with a finger against my lips.

“Hush … I know I’ve failed you,” he whispered, his warmth brushing against me. “But today, I’ve prepared a surprise for you. I’m sure you’ll adore it—can you guess what?”

I huffed and drifted my gaze away, already bored of his trick. "Another moon-infused beauty collection, I guess?"

He chuckled, not the least bit bothered with my disinterest. “Smart guess, but no. Pack up—we’re going to pick it up."

Before I could give him a response, he swept me off my feet and carried me toward the wardrobe chamber—only to freeze as soon as he saw my packed luggage.

“Wow, mate, you’ve outdone yourself! You’ve already packed for the trip? I’ll get the Omega to pack my stuff too. Let’s head to the skyport.”

I released a long, hollow breath. My patience ran out because of his ignorance or maybe his indifference, even seeing my already packed luggage, he assumed it was for his surprise.

Still cradling me like some overconfident newly-mate, ignoring my half-hearted protests.

I swallowed the truth, as if no point to say a single word. So, I would accept it as my final trip as Seraphina Wolfsbane and I would not let him ruin that last fragment of control.

Curious and no clue about what we were heading to, I gazed out the window of the private skycraft. But my thoughts broke when Aldric slid closer, his hand roaming with unmistakable intent.

“We haven’t enjoyed ourselves in the sky for a long time,” he growled softly against my ear.

I was sick of hearing his sweet, yet disgusting words.

How many times had he whispered that same tone, that same line … to Mariel?

“I’m not in the mood for this, Aldric.” I muttered, pushing away his attempt to nuzzle my neck.

He crossed his arms, the spark of displeasure passed across his features before he covered it with a gentler voice. “So you sulking,” he whispered. “Trust me —this time you’ll actually like it.”

Since I gave no response, he simply brushed his fingers over my head and let the topic set aside, for now.

As soon as our skycraft landed, Aldric revealed his so-called plan to “fix” about forgetting my birth-moon — a trip to Celestdawn Crest, the territory of lover—where our first trip as a mate felt magical.

“Come,” he beckoned, warmth in his voice. “The evening meal awaits us at Mooncrest Tower.”

I once adored Celestdawn Crest. It was the first territory I explored beyond our territory, the Wolfpine Forest and Aldric had made the trip feel like a dream with moonlit walks and wolf-run nights.

But now, going back to the territory of lover only deepen my heartache. I couldn’t feel the magical and romance as I knew the truth.

Even as the meal was served, I couldn’t bring myself to eat. I only moved the food around, lost in my thoughts.

“You always love moon-seared tuna,” Aldric muttered with a small frown. “Is it not to your liking now?”

“I’m not hungry,” I answered, expressionless.

He moved closer, his eyes gleamed with excitement. “Then, let’s go, I’m sure you’ll love this.”

He led me to a high-end couture cavern.

A pack manager and a keeper welcomed us and when the keeper handed me a scroll and Aldric could barely contain his excitement.

“Mate, I bought you the entire moon-couture collection for you, hurry and mark it.”

I scribbled my name without glancing at him.

“The one in charge of moon-couture collection have talked to me and reserved exclusive designs to your aura.” He added.

Just as I placed my mark, I responded to him, in an icy and indifference tone, “Alright. Thanks”

Then, the pack manager urged us to see their collection inside and the keeper immediately displayed the items Aldric had chosen.

I stood close to him and said in a low voice, “Aldric, stop giving me gifts, especially such expensive and luxurious one.”

Shock and confusion flickered across his face. “Seraphina, you mean everything to me. I’ll spend every day doing whatever it takes to your happiness for cycles — for as long as I breathe.”

Oh, Aldric .…

If only you knew, no more cycles for us, not anymore.

“Just pick your favorites,” he said suddenly, breaking into my thoughts. “I’ll be waiting in the fitting chamber, okay?”

No need my response, he took out his crystal communicator as he walked away.

I let out a long sigh and turned to the keeper. “That’s all. Thank you,” I said.

I dragged myself to the fitting chamber and tried on a few pieces in haste.

Even when Aldric showered me with compliments, I gave him only a flat, indifference stare.

However, he didn’t notice— too caught up in his crystal communicator as messages kept flashing.

“I’m done,” I said, forcing to draw his attention away from the crystal communicator.

He hurriedly put his crystal communicator away and gave me a startled look. “That’s all? That’s … unlike you. You look flawless in everything you try on. Just take them all—change every piece every hour if you want.”

The pack manager, who’d been observing our interaction, finally spoke up with open admiration, “Alpha Wolfsbane, you’re really the ideal mate. I’ve never seen any wolf cherish his Luna the way you do. No wonder you become the formidable young leader.”

Aldric smiled with his Alpha charm, returning the praise. “It’s thanks to the quality of your collection. And, well … my stunning Luna has a way of elevating everything she touches.”

Wolves whispered around us, swooning like it was a romance tale.

I bit back the urge to snap, “Trust me, this isn’t some romance tale!”

“I’m tired,” I said. “Let’s go back to the Mooncrest Tower.”

Aldric wrapped up quickly. “Send everything to my pack manor. My Beta will handle the payment.”

“Sure, Alpha Wolfsbane, have a nice day,” the pack manager responded with pleasure.

As we headed to the Mooncrest Tower, my mind kept racing, ever since Mirael Ashmoon became his Beta, she’s been managing his spending for moon. How much has she spent for herself under the disguise of professionalisms?

When Aldric stepped into the shower, I seized my moment. I grabbed his crystal communicator and scrolled through his financial logs.

And there it was.

The trip to the Hawaian Isle with Mirael wasn’t simply for a new lodgewild. Aldric had bought her an isle.

An entire isle.

And the most hurtful part, he named the isle after her, “Lovely Mirael” just like when he bought me a moon-tower and inscribed in my name.

Driven by a creeping urge, I explored his crystal gallery and found countless intimate shots of them neatly archived. A wildfire surged through my chest.

Aldric, who once claimed he couldn’t bear having unknown she-wolves near him, always insisted on hiring male Beta.

I should have questioned when his old Beta resigned and Mirael appeared from nowhere to replace him.

I never thought a third wolf would end us.

I never imagined a rogue she-wolf would be the reason our bond shattered. Yet here I stood. Aldric had made his choice and now I had to make mine.

I transferred every damning piece of evidence to my own crystal communicator and backed it up in a locked archive, even Mirael’s social-mirror traces hinting their affair included. She tried to hide it, but the truth lingered in every line.

Just as I finished, Aldric stepped out of the bathroom, his hair damp, a knitted-towel around his shoulders. He caught sight of my expression—my barely contained disgust—and mistook it for something playful, smirking like he understood nothing.

“See yourself, mate,” he murmured, his wolf golden eyes gleaming. “After having what you wished, you appear eager for my touch.”

I forced a smile, stepping closer. “Everything I have is for you, my Alpha.”

I let my thin cloth fall as desire flared in his golden eyes.

But despite the intimate, my mind wandered.

I kept seeing Mirael in my place.

Did she feel the same thrill?

Did she melt under his touch the way I used to?