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?"

Aldric's eyes flickered at my question. "She ...."

Yet one of his packmates cut in before he could explain, chuckling. "No, no, she's my packmates? But hey, if she’s running with our pack tonight, we’re all packmates, right?”

“To be honest, I’m the one who brought her to Aldric after his helper resigned.” She added proudly. “She trained in administrative field, so it’s a good fit.”

“Exactly,” another packmates chimed in, elbowing Aldric casually. “Must be nice having a helper you’re already… familiar with, huh, Aldric?”

I caught the blush flicker across Aldric’s face, but kept my own expression composed.

“Oh, I see, so she’s a she-wolf you place your confidence in,” I replied with a mild smile.

The pack broke into howls of laughter, treating me like a clueless outsider.

Just then, the curtain dragged open and a voice rang out. "Here comes — our Mirael!"

Mirael swept in, her laughter echoing through the cavern as she greeted the pack.

She moved like the favored wolf of the night, basking in every admiring gaze.

As she mingled, she boasted loudly about her pregnancy tracing her stomach with exaggerated pride as the crowd showered her with praise.

I tilted closer to Aldric and murmured, “So… who’s her mate? Last I checked, your condition for hiring a helper beside you was staying unmated for five cycles. Mirael has only served you for a few lunar cycles.”

Aldric cleared his throat. "Well, I ... revised the condition. I didn’t want to lose another helper just because they wanted to get mating.”

“Oh, really? So she's already officially mated then?” I replied lightly, each word a quiet strike.

“She ….” Aldric stammered, eyes darting as he searched for an excuse.

Before he could gather whatever excuses he was scrambling for, Mirael approached, tail-high confidence radiating off her, her smile bright and entirely too pleased.

“Oh wow, you must be Luna Wolfsbane! I’ve been a huge admirer for ages.” She gushed brightly.

Not giving me a heartbeat to respond, Mirael slid into the seat next to me, her voice bubbling with forced enthusiasm.

“You know, everyone at the alliance keeps howling about how you and Alpha Aldric first crossed paths. Such a fated love story! Truly romantic.”

As Mirael edged closer, Aldric grew tense, pretending to mingle with the rest of the pack instead of facing me.

Once she realized Aldric’s attention had drifted away, her voice dropped into a hushed, conspiratorial murmur.

“You know, I used to get so envy of your love story. I mean, who wouldn’t want a mate like yours? But guess what—my dream finally came true!”

She giggled lightly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear as if she thought the gesture made her irresistible.

“Oh? Is that so?” I replied coolly, barely restraining the growl beneath my words.

Mirael leaned in, speaking in a hushed tone like we were pack-sisters whispering forbidden secrets.

“Yeah … it’s hush-hush, but he’s just as handsome as your mate.”

Her boldness made my blood burn, but I didn’t give her the satisfaction of seeing it. I kept my expression perfectly calm and unreadable.

“Anyway.” She chimed in. “Can I follow your social-mirror? We should hang out sometime, maybe get some moon-spa treatments together!”

I passed her my username without fuss. “Sure,” I replied.

Once she added me, she hooked her arm around mine like we had grown up howling together, rambling about her mate who gave her a manor, a business and even an isle.

She had no idea that her loose tongue was giving me exactly the proof I needed to strengthen my unmating case.

At last, I seized a pause in her chatter and cut off with a courteous smile. “Pardon me, I need a moment to go to toilet-wood.”

Mirael’s eyes gleamed. “Oh, great! I need to go too—let’s go together.”

I let her follow, though unwillingly.

As we reached the toilet-wood entrance, Mirael dropped her knitted-pouch and her stuffs scattered on the ground.

Among the scattered stuffs lay an ultrasound scroll. She crouched to gather them and shot me a triumphant smile.

"Oops, you caught a peek my pup, right? Yes, I carry Aldric's pup."

I felt it in my bones—her smugness was meant to sting, to taunt me once more.

However, I refused to take the bait and simply stepped into the chamber.

When I stepped out, Mirael was already at the basin, her voice dripping with false sweetness.

“You are lucky to be mated to Aldric, the ever-romantic Alpha,” she purred, like two young she-wolves gossiping. “But alas, you cannot satisfy him. He told me that touching me is far more… satisfying than anything you could give him.”

“Oh, didn’t you see us in the runestone lift before? That’s our usual habit, so don’t be surprising if you see more about us.”

“And didn’t you in healer’s den too, before? Or did I get it wrong? We were there checking our pup, a moon along already.”

She leaned in, her voice dropping to a mockery. “One thing’s certain, I will be his Luna soon. So, shall I call you Seraphina, rather than Luna Wolfsbane?”

Her mockery sent a surge of fury through me, but I forced myself to stay calm, gripping my knitted-bag as I stayed in the chamber.

When I stepped out, she was already gone. I rushed to the basin, washing my hands in a fury.

If she appeared in front of me again, I swore I would rip her by the hair before she even blinked.

But when I stepped back into the gathering, my fur bristled.

I paused at the threshold, staring at the sight before me. It reeked of betrayal and shamelessness—truly sickening.

Mirael curled on Aldric's lap, lay her arm around his neck, laughing mischievously.

I clenched my claws, fury thrumming through my veins. She had no shame and Aldric ... took any opportunity to get closer to her when I was not near, forgetting I could return at any time.

Aldric’s attention was locked on Mirael, completely blind to my presence in the doorway.

A few packmates glanced my way, their gazes flickering with awkwardness—or barely hidden disregard.

The packmates ignored me, choosing instead to urge Adric, pushing him to flaunt his bond with Mirael. "Come on, Aldric, show us your joy with Mirael!" one called out, laughter ringing through the cavern like a chorus of hounds mocking the lone wolf.

Fueled by moonwine, Aldric yielded, dragging Mirael closer as the intimacy escalated.

The pack erupted in cheers and laughter, their delight twisting in my heart like sharpened claws.

It was unbearable—my heart shattered.

These were the same packmates who had never honored my bond with Aldric, even after our mating ceremony.

Yet now they howled in celebration of his betrayal with Mirael, treating her as if she were the true mate by his side.

My heart shattered into a thousand pieces, but I turned away from the pack's revelry and left the cavern behind

“Have a splendid night, Aldric,” I whispered, cold as a winter moon.

Outside, the rain fell on me relentlessly, soaking my whole body.

It mirrored the turmoil in my chest. I did not call a mooncharriot and ran into the rain, letting it conceal the tears falling on my face.

Mascara and eyeliner ran in wild streaks down my face, mingling with the rain. My hair stuck to my skin, my moon-dress soaked through—but I did not care.

I looked like a creature untamed, crying, drenched, disheveled. The rain became my shield, letting me release my fury, grief and despair.

Soon after, a message notification popped up in my crystal communicator.

[Aldric: Where did you go?]

[Me: Heading home. Not feeling well. Enjoy the gathering—don’t mind me.]

[Aldric: Alright, have a good rest, then. I’ll come home late, so call if you need anything.]

I was too lazy to give him a reply again. I already knew the reason behind his excuse to be “late.”

As soon as I reached our manor, I drew a hot bath and slid into the water as if it could cleanse my mind.

The warmth wrapped around me, but my body—pushed past its limits by heartbreak and being drenched for hours—finally gave out.

I must have collapsed in the tub. When I finally woke, an IV drip hung from my wrist and I lay tangled in healer’s den. Aldric hovered nearby, concern etched across his face.

And as if fate enjoyed mocking me, Mirael was there too.

I flickered, thinking I was hallucinating—no, she was truly there, sitting like some polite visitor, mocking everything I had endured.

Aldric noticed me waking and clutched my hand. “You’re awake?” he asked, voice thick with concern.

I glanced at him coldly and smirked, “Now, you’re worried?”

His brows drew together as he tightened his grip. “You collapsed through the whole night and woke at 9 this morning—do you know how terrified I was?”

“You said you weren’t feeling well. Why didn’t you alarm me it was this serious? I would’ve brought you here immediately.”

His words rolled over me, leaving no space for reply. Mirael, lounging close by, only flicked her eyes in annoyance but stayed silent. The affection Aldric once lavished on me—now meant nothing than an act.

I jerked my hand away. “You’re gripping too tightly. The IV pricked me.”

He leapt up, worry etched across his face. “I’m sorry! I’ll get the healer to check on you."

He glanced at Mirael. “Please watch over Seraphina for a moment for me.”

Mirael’s voice dripped sweetness. “Of course, Alpha Wolfsbane.”

As soon as he left, I turned my face to the side, refusing to look at her. Mirael, surprisingly, stayed silent, simply sitting beside the bed.

Perhaps she sensed the importance of keeping up her facade in public.

Just then, a notification appeared on my crystal communicator on the stone-table beside the bed. The crossing permit to the Lunebright Valley had been approved. Mirael, her eyes sharp as ever, caught it in an instant.

"Well," she said, her tone casual but sharp, "You don't need a crossing permit to go on holiday in the Lunebright Valley, actually, or do you intend to stay in the territory permanently?"

I snatched my crystal communicator from the stone-table. "Mind your own business," I snapped.

Before she could react, Aldric returned with the healer and I hurriedly hid my crystal communicator away.

After a brief check, the healer said I could be discharged tomorrow if my fever continued to drop.

The morning meal came soon after and Aldric—ever overbearing—insisted on feeding me.

"I can do it myself," I said, my tone firm.

“Ah, are you shy because Mirael’s here?” He teased, clueless as ever.

Mirael, the cunning wolf, offered a courteous smile. “Ah, sure, I shouldn’t interfere you. I'll excuse myself then and take care your duties today, Alpha Wolfsbane.”

"Good." He nodded in response. "Ensure everything runs smoothly, Mirael."

She slung her knitted-bag over her shoulder and gave me a sweet, insincere smile. "Recover soon, Luna Wolfsbane." She, with that, stepped out, her exit executed with the same practiced cunning as her entrance.

As the door clicked shut, I fought the instinctive urge to bare my fangs at Aldric.

I already found the truth—they had been together when the maid called him about my condition and he hadn’t left her side.

A helper accompanying her Alpha might look normal to outsiders, but I knew better.

The two of them could deceive the world, but not me.

Aldric, clueless to the tension creeping under my skin, continued feeding me. “I planned a trip for our anniversary,” he said, trying to sound concern. “But with you still healing … we might have to push it back.”

So, he did remember our moon-bond day. How amusingly ironic.

I let a faint smile cover the disgust coiling inside me. “It’s fine. A gift is enough. We can have a trip another time.”

“Great. I’ll make it something magnificent,” he said, proud of himself.

I nodded, keeping my voice low. “I’ll have something for you as well.”

His eyes brightened instantly, excitement sparking like a pup promised a new toy. “Really? I can’t wait to see it!”

He yawned and I asked him, “Did you stay up the whole night?”

“I’m fine. I’m used to stay up to handle my task.”

“No, no—you need rest. Go and sleep after the meal. I’ll be fine.” I urged.

He hesitated, then nodded. “Then, I’ll nap on the sofa.”

A moments later, he was soundly asleep.

I took a peek and ensured he was deeply asleep, then reached for his crystal communicator. The more proof I had, the faster I could end this bond.

Just as I unlocked it, both our crystal communicators buzzed at the same time.

My heart was beating so fast.

So, I hurriedly peeked at him, hoping him not to wake up. And as if hope was on my side, it seemed his tiredness made him fall into a deep sleep.

I checked his crystal communicator first.

Mirael texted him. [You owe me, since we didn’t get to enjoy our time last night.]

Below her message, she attached the scenic images of Silverhaze Plains.

[Mirael: When I was swiping my social-mirror, Silverhaze Plains kept showing up on my feeds. I think it’s a sign we have to go there. You said you wanted to celebrate my moon-blessed, right? How about a pupmoon in Silverhaze Plains tomorrow?]

When she was waiting for him to reply, she sent another message—an image of herself pouting.

[Mirael: Please? Our little pup will love it too.]

Her cunning and seductive tricks make me sick, “So disgusting.” I let out a long sigh.

Before scrolling up their chat, I checked my own crystal communicator.

Mirael had sent me a few provocative messages.