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?

What had driven him to turn his back on me?

Were the promises he made six cycles ago nothing but a lie?

Or had he simply tired of the she-wolf he finally won, chasing after a fresher, more thrilling one?

Those thoughts haunted me even as Aldric whispered against my ear, “Thank you, little wolf, you make me feel alive again.”

When he finally fell asleep, I slipped from the bed, washed away his scent from my skin and stepped onto the balcony.

The Celestdawn Crest night sky, once felt enchanted to me, turned into a taunting snarl that night—a bitter reminder of the evidence I had dug up.

A low murmur slipped out of me. “Just days until our fourth mating anniversary. Such a fine offering you’ve given me, Aldric. Don’t worry—I’ll repay you.”

***

The next morning, we returned to the Wolfpine Forest earlier than planned—Aldric claimed the pack needed him back.

Over the morning meal on the skycraft, I made up my mind to test him.

“Mate,” I said casually, cutting into my moon-baked pastry, “What do you think of the male lead in the lore-book I’m reading?”

“He betrayed his mate even though he once adored her. They’d shared a den since their pup days, but another she-wolf appeared and… I guess her fire tempted him.”

Aldric huffed out a laugh. “That’s the weakest excuse I’ve ever heard.”

“Seraphina, you’ve always been the she-wolf who made me work the hardest to win you over. Think back— how many times you turn me down six cycles ago, till you say yes.”

I clenched the moonsteel knife harder, wishing it cutting into something other than my moon-baked pastry.

“Right,” I said, pulling a smile over my fangs. “You chased me so hard back then. I can’t picture you doing what that male lead did.”

Aldric swallowed hard, sensing something beneath my tone, then pinched a bit of pastry from my moonsteel plate and stuffed it into my mouth.

“Mate, stop imagining such foolish things. I’d never betray you,” he murmured, brushing away a smear of jam with his thumb—then licking it the way he always had.

It struck me like a claw to the chest, how many she-wolves had melted under that same teasing charm?

“Such a smooth-tongued wolf,” I growled under my breath.

“Hm? What did you say?” he asked, looking at me.

“Oh, nothing. I was just wondering where they got this pastry, taste so good,” I answered calmly.

“I’ll ask the attendant. You can have it every dawn if you want.”

I kissed his cheek sweetly, acting to be the doting Luna. “You’re so thoughtful.”

To any outsider, we appeared the ideal mated wolves—Aldric, the charming Alpha and me, his loyal Luna.

But that harmony was only a mask and even the most “perfect” Alphas could betray his mate.

At the skyport, Aldric said he had urgent matter and rushed to the pack alliance.

But secretly I followed him and saw him slip into the parking grounds where Mirael waited in a dark carriage.

They exchanged a close, intimate kiss before riding off together.

I didn’t waste a heartbeat—I headed straight to the moon tribunal to have the severance scroll prepared.

I sought neither his wealth nor his territories, nor the privileges of his bloodline. The scroll itself plainly marked me as the injured party of his infidelity.

“This will be my gift for both our anniversary and our goodbye,” I whispered, my written-name marking the end of the life I once cherished.

Thus, I spent my time in a peaceful moonbrew den, choosing not to set foot in the manor after we returned from Celestdawn Crest.

The idea of returning to that den, once filled with our memories and then with his betrayal, was more than I could bear.

Still, as dusk settled, Aldric called, his voice a blend of confusion and concern.

“Where are you? The butler said you haven’t come back since this morning. And when the driver reached the skyport, he said you’d already gone.”

I kept my voice light, smoothing over the irritation coiling beneath my ribs. “Oh, I went shopping with a friend. Sorry, I forgot to tell you. She’s the one who picked me up at the skyport.”

There was a pause on the line before Aldric let out a low chuckle. “So that’s it. You must not have been satisfied with the shopping in Celestdwan Crest last night. No wonder you only picked a few pieces.”

“No,” I answered, keeping my tone warm and even. “The pieces in Celestdwan Crest were beautiful. I just found some lunar ornaments to go with them.”

"I see. It's a good timing then, I want to take you to my inner packmates' evening gathering," he said, his voice warm and cheerful as if everything in our lives was picture-perfect, "Go back to the manor now, I've sent someone to get your dress and hair ready."

“Alright,” I answered simply.

Even though I agreed, a heaviness coiled in my chest. None of Anthony’s packmates ever cared for me. No matter how hard I tried to be polite and respectful, I could always feel their hostility simmering beneath the surface.

In their eyes, I was merely an ordinary outsider who had somehow been the Luna of Aldric Wolfsbane. Their envy was thinly veiled—some wolves didn’t bother veiling it at all, dressing their insults as humor.

Even worse, I knew some of them were actively pushing other she-wolves toward him.

Was Mirael one of them? I asked myself bitterly.

And it didn’t take long before the truth revealed.

As soon as I arrived at the evening gathering, the truth hit instantly.

Every one of Aldric's packmates already knew Mirael well. Their easy chatter about her “running late because of the crowd on the northern trail” told me everything.

They were too casual, too close to her, how to exchanging glances, chattering and laughing as if she had long been part of them.

It struck me like a claw across the face—every one of them knew about his affair.

I fixed my gaze on him, my jaw clenched, my voice gentle but carrying the unmistakable bite beneath.

"So ... Mirael is part of your packmates too, Aldric?"