Packing was quick, fitting everything into a single suitcase. As I went downstairs, I saw Shepherd lounging on the sofa, his expression inscrutable, his broad frame dominating the space. His Alpha aura was suffocating, as it always was, but I had long since stopped being intimidated by it.

Ignoring him, I poured myself a glass of water and grabbed my stomach meds before approaching him. Suddenly, he jumped up and slapped me hard, the sound echoing through the room.

“Luna Brinley, you’ve crossed the line!” he barked, his Alpha tone sharp and commanding.

“Who gave you the right to show our mate rejection papers to them?”

“I’ve told you countless times, they’re just flings. They don’t threaten your position as Luna. Once I’m done, I’ll come back to you. Why are you overreacting?”

“People like us all have a few friends on the side, even your father…” His words cut deep, and I fixed him with an icy stare, refusing to let him see how much it hurt.

His tone softened as he closed the distance and enfolded me in his arms, his strength impossible to resist. “Besides, I’ve been faithful to you during our mating. Can’t you feel my love?”

“Luna, I promise, after this, I’ll be committed to you for the rest of my life.”

Years ago, this smooth talker, the Alpha of the Larson Pack, pursued me relentlessly for three years, swearing I’d be his one true mate, promising to protect me and my family at all costs. He’d even used his Alpha command to ensure my compliance back then.

I believed him.

Now, those promises are empty echoes. When did trust begin to crumble?

Was it when his mistresses first disappeared, and he openly proclaimed his affection for them using my pack account, making me the butt of jokes among the pack?

The next day, the pack gossips besieged me. I stood alone, disoriented in the glare of their judgmental stares.

Was it on our anniversary, when he abandoned me for a thrill-seeking adventure with his Deltas, while I faced his family’s accusations for not caring about his safety?

Was it during his getaway with the mistresses, when I sent 101 unanswered mind links, begging for his attention?

Was it when he forced me to donate blood because my type matched one of theirs, resulting in the loss of our barely-formed pup, and then blamed me for not saving the child?

Was it the day before he handed me the rejection papers, when he redirected all pack healers to care for the mistresses, leaving my mother to pass away unattended?

I shuddered, drenched in water, my clothes soaking wet.

He still held me, but the scent on him was one I didn’t recognize, an unfamiliar floral fragrance clinging to his skin—something that wasn’t mine.

Turning away, I noticed a series of numbers tattooed near his collarbone—it was the mistresses’ birthdays, which also happened to be the anniversary of my mother’s death.

Recalling my mother’s last words, I quietly extricated myself from his embrace.

He pressed a deed to a pack estate into my hands. “They love this house. You should vacate.”

I accepted the deed, whispering softly, “Okay.”

I handed him the medication.

Shepherd’s gaze softened, and he reached for my hand. “Luna Brinley…”

A chilling scream pierced the air from outside.

It was Buddy, my wolf companion.

Panicked, I rushed out.

There, Calliope and Noemi, two of his Deltas, were viciously kicking Buddy, who lay barely conscious on the ground.

I shoved them aside, tears streaming down my cheeks. “Buddy, Buddy!”

Despite his weakening state, my little friend tried to wag his tail at me.

Calliope and Noemi watched with smug expressions.

“Oh, it’s your wolf? We thought a rogue had wandered into our territory.”

“Why haven’t you left yet? Didn’t Alpha Shepherd tell you?”

I stood up and slapped Calliope hard, and the next moment, she slapped me right back…

Noemi’s eyes brimmed with tears as she turned to Alpha Shepherd. “Alpha, she hurt my sister,” she accused, her voice trembling with false innocence.

Shepherd stood frozen, his expression numb, his hands hanging limply at his sides. He turned to me, guilt flickering in his dark eyes. “Brinley, I didn’t mean to…”

Calliope, standing beside him, let out a sharp, mocking laugh. “Is this how the Alpha of the Larson Pack treats his mate? Even after rejection, he’s still tied to his former Luna?”

“If that’s the case, we’re certainly not interested,” she added, her voice dripping with disdain.

“We come from respectable families,” Noemi chimed in, her gaze sliding to me with a sneer. “We wouldn’t stoop to being the other woman. Unlike some who can’t move on after being rejected. Is this the dignity the Moon Goddess bestowed upon us?”

Shepherd’s jaw tightened, his Alpha aura flaring as he turned to me. “Brinley, you owe Calliope and Noemi an apology.”

The snow began to fall in thick, heavy flakes, clinging to my hair and the fur of Buddy, my loyal wolf. I held him tightly, feeling his small body grow rigid and cold in my arms.

My eyes burned with unshed tears, but I met Shepherd’s gaze with defiance. “They killed Buddy,” I said, my voice trembling with rage and grief.

Killed my companion, the last connection to my mother, the one who had been by my side since I was a child.

For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of pain in Shepherd’s eyes, but Noemi stepped forward, clutching Calliope’s arm protectively. “Alpha, that wolf attacked my sister first! We were only defending ourselves.”

Anger surged through me, hot and unrelenting. Buddy was gentle, kind—he would never attack anyone without provocation.

Shepherd leaned down to inspect Calliope’s hand, his Alpha aura softening as he spoke. “Does it hurt?”

Calliope turned her face away, her expression stubborn. “What does it matter if it hurts? The one who caused it gets off without consequences.”

Shepherd’s voice was gentle, almost indulgent. “What do you want, my dear?”

Calliope’s eyes gleamed with cruelty as she looked at me. “Since your former Luna shares such a bond with the beast, why not let her spend the night in the kennel?”

Without hesitation, Shepherd nodded. “If it makes you happy, then it’s done.”

Calliope’s lips curled into a triumphant smile, and Shepherd couldn’t tear his gaze away from her.

He turned to Andre, his Beta, who stood nearby, his expression conflicted. “Are you waiting for an invitation to follow Calliope’s orders?”

Andre hesitated, his voice shaking. “But, Alpha, it’s freezing outside. The Luna, she…”

Calliope’s face darkened, and she spun on her heel. “Even the Betas only listen to her. How can I believe she’ll treat us with respect in the future?”

Shepherd hurried after her, wrapping an arm around her waist. “Alright, everything will be as you wish,” he said, his voice soothing.

He shot a glare at Andre, his Alpha tone sharp and commanding. “Do as she says!”

I struggled against the hands that dragged me toward the kennel, but it was no use. The cold bit into my skin as I was shoved inside, the iron bars slamming shut behind me.

Noemi picked up Buddy by the tail, her smile sickeningly sweet as she turned to Shepherd. “Alpha, in this cold, how about a hearty stew to celebrate our new place? What do you say?”

My heart lurched, and I gripped the bars of the cage, my voice breaking. “No! Please! Alpha Shepherd, don’t do this to Buddy!”

I dropped to my knees inside the cage, bowing my head over and over, begging him to spare Buddy. But Shepherd was too entranced by Calliope, blowing warm breath onto her hands, his attention completely consumed by her.

He didn’t spare me a glance as he led Calliope by the waist and Noemi by the hand into the manor, their laughter echoing in the night.

I called his name over and over, my voice raw and desperate, but it was swallowed by the darkness.

I don’t remember when I lost consciousness from the cold, but the scent of stew reached me when I awoke, a cruel reminder of what had been taken from me.

A bowl of scraps had been placed in front of the kennel, the sight of it making my stomach churn.

I clung to Buddy’s leash, my nails digging into my palms until they bled. “Shepherd,” I whispered, my voice trembling with a mix of grief and fury. “I will never forgive you for this.”

But the next morning, I awoke in my room, the warmth of the fire crackling in the hearth. Shepherd sat by my bedside, his eyes red and weary, as if he’d been watching over me all night.

“You’re awake, Luna Brinley! Are you feeling alright?” Shepherd’s voice was laced with concern as he reached for my hand, his Alpha aura pressing down on me like a weight.

I pulled my hand away without a word, but he caught it again, his grip firm and unyielding. “What happened last night was your fault. It’s just a dog,” he said dismissively, his tone sharp. “Later, go apologize to Delta Calliope. She’s not one to hold grudges; she’ll forgive you.”

My heart, long numb from the pain, felt like a hollow shell. I closed my eyes, unwilling to engage further, but he kept talking, his voice grating against my ears.

Exhausted, I finally asked, “Where am I?”

Shepherd hesitated, his discomfort evident. “Delta Calliope is afraid of the dark, and Delta Noemi prefers bright rooms. They’ve taken the master bedroom and the guest room.” He paused, avoiding my gaze. “Luna Brinley, you’ll have to stay in the basement.”

The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. Before I could respond, the silence was shattered by the shrill ring of his phone. Shepherd fumbled with it, accidentally setting it to speaker, and Delta Noemi’s playful voice filled the room. “Alpha Shepherd, darling, where are you? The dressmaker is here. Hurry back!”

His face flushed with discomfort as he glanced at me, stammering, “I have to take care of something; I’ll be right back.” With that, he ended the call and bolted out the door, his steps light and hurried, as if he were reliving the triumph of our marking ceremony—like he’d achieved some personal victory.

Time blurred as I sat there, the weight of his betrayal pressing down on me. Eventually, the sound of footsteps drew my attention. Delta Calliope and Delta Noemi sauntered in, their laughter sharp and mocking as soon as they saw me.

“Didn’t think you’d stoop so low, pulling a pity act just to cling on,” Calliope sneered, her voice dripping with disdain.

Noemi spat in my direction, her words cutting like a knife. “How pathetic! When you tried to escape the pack like us, it was a joke. Have some pride!”

“If you’re smart, you’ll leave on your own accord,” Calliope added, her eyes narrowing. “Or else...”

She stepped closer, her gaze full of malice. “Brinley Larson, do you really think Alpha Shepherd still has any feelings for you? Want us to show you how much he cares for us over you?”

Before I could react, she waved a can of gasoline, her eyes wild with intent. I frowned, backing away. “What are you planning?”

They grabbed me, their strength overwhelming, and set the gasoline alight. Then they called Shepherd, their voices shrill with false panic. “Alpha Shepherd, help us! We came to see Luna Brinley kindly, but she set a fire to kill us!”

The flames erupted instantly, the heat searing my skin. I ran toward the door, but they held me back, their laughter echoing in the chaos. Smoke filled my lungs, choking me as I struggled desperately. I soaked the curtains with water, using them to shield my nose, but the fire was relentless.

The door burst open, and Shepherd appeared, his Alpha presence commanding. He lifted me up, his voice urgent. “Brinley, are you okay?”

But then Calliope and Noemi’s cries reached him. “Save us! Alpha Shepherd, save us!”

Without hesitation, he set me down and rushed to them, pulling them to safety. The force of his action sent me stumbling, and I fell to the floor, my voice trembling as I called out, “Shepherd...”

He glanced back briefly, but Calliope’s cries held his attention. “Delta Calliope, hang on, I’ll get you out!” he shouted, his voice filled with urgency. He didn’t look back again, leaving me to the flames.

As the fire consumed me, I shut my eyes in despair...

---

Three days later, Shepherd marked Calliope and Noemi in Denmark, the ceremony grand and public. The three of them flew to Europe for a month-long honeymoon, leaving the pack in chaos.

Shepherd posted a photo on social media, showing fresh bite marks on Calliope’s neck, his expression one of triumph. Comments flooded in, praising him. “Living the dream! Alpha Shepherd is incredible!” one read.

Yet, as Shepherd leaned against the balcony, smoking, he felt no sense of victory. An inexplicable unease gnawed at him. He refreshed his screen repeatedly, searching for something—anything—from me.

After saving Calliope and Noemi from the fire, they had accused me of intentionally setting it to harm them. Shepherd had wanted to save me but hesitated because of their claims. His efforts to win Calliope and Noemi had almost been derailed by me, and he resolved to teach me a lesson.

He instructed Delta Andre to wait five minutes before rescuing me, then headed to the airport with the sisters. He hoped to sort things out quickly and return to make peace with me.

But throughout the month, his messages to me remained unanswered. Shepherd’s heart sank deeper, his patience wearing thin. He grabbed his jacket and headed for the door, his Alpha aura radiating tension.

Calliope and Noemi, lost in their newfound bliss, clung to his arm. “Alpha Shepherd, darling, where are you going?” they asked, their voices laced with anxiety.

He shook them off impatiently. “Going back to the pack.”

Yet what awaited him upon his return nearly drove him insane...