The pinned contact was labeled: My Precious Omega - Elena.

I tapped open the chat. Besides the disgusting lovey-dovey emojis, there were tons of private messages between him and Elena, and… a close-up photo of the temporary mark on the back of my neck.

The text below it, every word a stab to the heart.

"I told you, I'm just using her. That temporary mark? I'll wipe it off myself after the ceremony. Aria will lose everything in front of all the packs. From now on, the only one who will be my Luna, who will receive my permanent mark, is you, my precious Elena."

"Before you officially become my Luna, I'll clear away all obstacles, including that bitch's daughter. After this, only supreme honor and an Alpha's complete devotion await you."

"Elena, I love you. Your pure Omega scent is the home I long for."

I looked up at the teddy bear on the nightstand, the one he’d given me six years ago.

In the dim light, the bear’s obsidian eyes glinted faintly. It was the indicator light of a tiny surveillance camera.

So, from the very beginning, he'd been plotting how to completely remove me, this "obstacle."

And I, like a fool, was still lost in his fake love and possessiveness.

Thinking I'd found my happily ever after.

I opened Connor's encrypted photo album.

My eyes landed on picture after picture of him and Elena, intimately close.

They'd been tangled up for years.

The photos documented every secret meeting, every time Elena was practically oozing her enticing Omega scent in his arms.

Every important full moon, he’d make excuses about being swamped with company business, needing to be alone.

In reality, he was spending it with Elena in their secret territory.

Every token he gave me, supposedly symbolizing our mate bond?

Elena had one too, and hers were always more precious, more unique.

Elena had the Alpha's favoritism, something I'd never truly had.

The second encrypted chat on his phone was with the pack's ceremony planner.

This so-called "Marking ceremony"—Connor had been secretly planning it for six months.

From big decisions like the venue, to small details like the guest list.

He'd handled everything personally.

He even designed the part where my "traitor's daughter" identity would be "accidentally" revealed at the ceremony, to maximize the humiliation.

All just to tear apart our fake mate bond in front of everyone.

The moment Connor walked out of the bathroom, still damp and radiating his hot Alpha scent, I quickly turned off the phone screen.

I booked myself an international flight for three days later – the day of the ceremony.

At dinner, Connor's father, the former Alpha, kept bringing up Connor choosing a Luna.

Connor pretended to be annoyed, brushing it off.

He’d set the Marking ceremony for three days from now.

My dinner knife scraped loudly against my plate, out of control.

The meal tasted like chewing on cardboard.

After dinner, Mom called me into the study, her eyes filled with worry.

"Why do you suddenly want to leave? Didn't you say Connor's Alpha scent made you feel safe? Have you told him you're leaving?"

Seeing the new white hairs at her temples, my nose stung.

"No. I hope you can keep this from him for me."

"Mom, after I'm gone, please take care of yourself. And don't listen to any of that pack gossip."

I knew Mom had already endured so much, just to barely survive on the fringes of the pack with me, "the traitor's daughter."

No matter what Connor thought, my father never betrayed the pack, and my mother never interfered in his parents' bond.

They didn't deserve to have their reputations ruined.

Back in my bedroom, Connor was already shirtless, lounging lazily on the bed, waiting for me. The air was thick with his overpowering, aggressive scent.

When I came in, he reached out a long arm, easily pulling me into his embrace, his hot chest pressed against my back.

His wet, hot lips and tongue nibbled at my ear, the side of my neck, his voice low and hoarse with desire.

"Angry? Hmm? You know our relationship can't be completely public yet. I'll take care of the ceremony stuff. Just think of it as a cover, a show. Don't overthink it, my little beta." His hot breath fanned over the sensitive skin of my neck.

"Aria, don't worry, my Alpha instincts only stir for you. Stop being difficult, okay? I got you a gift, it'll be here tomorrow. You're going to love it, hmm?" His hand started to roam.

I fought back the nausea and shame churning inside me, forced a compliant smile, and nodded.

He didn't seem to notice anything was wrong. He hummed, satisfied, and pulled me tighter, his chin resting on top of my head.

After a moment, he spoke with a hint of hesitation, but his voice still carried an Alpha's undeniable authority:

"It's just… the pack's Marking ceremony is a big deal, can't be rushed. As… the closest person to me, maybe you…"

"Okay, I'll go," I cut him off softly.

I knew what he wanted to say.

Better to play along with his "performance" than wait for him to vaguely grant me some unclear status.

At least I could keep a tiny shred of dignity.

He seemed a little surprised by my change in attitude, but he'd gotten what he wanted, so he didn't bother digging into why.

That night, he slept in my room again, wrapped me tight in his powerful Alpha scent, like I was his most precious treasure.

And I was like a soulless puppet, letting him do whatever he wanted.

Early the next morning, before most of the pack was awake, Connor slipped out of my room, just like always.

He was barely out the door before I left too.

I went to take care of all the paperwork needed to disappear completely from the werewolf world and submitted an application to permanently erase my scent markings.

I never expected to run into Elena there.

Connor was standing right behind her. The possessiveness and adoration in his deep eyes as he looked at Elena was something I’d never seen from him before.

I could hear other pack members whispering around me:

"Is that Alpha Connor's future Luna? That Omega scent… it's so pure, so tempting! If I'm not mistaken, that moonstone necklace she's wearing... isn't that something only the most noble Luna gets to wear?"

"It has to be her! I heard they've known each other for ages. Alpha Connor has been secretly protecting this precious Omega, keeping other Alphas away. They're probably here at the Werewolf Administration Bureau to finalize things for the Marking ceremony, right? They've even built her a resort on the Alpha's private land."

"This is the kind of love every Omega dreams of! If my Alpha was half as devoted and powerful as Connor, my life would be made…"

Those envious, jealous, curious stares pricked at me like needles.

Lost in thought, the elderly she-wolf handling my paperwork spoke up, "Miss Aria? Miss Aria? Your paperwork is complete."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it got Connor's attention.

Just as I was putting all my documents into a special scent-proof bag, Connor's tall figure appeared before me.

There was a barely noticeable flicker of panic on his face, quickly masked by his Alpha composure.

"Aria? What are you doing here?"

Elena glided over to his side, linking her arm through his affectionately, her sweet Omega scent almost suffocating me. Her eyes, when she looked at me, held a hint of challenge.

"You must be Connor's… sister, Aria, right? Hi there." She put extra emphasis on "sister."

"We'll be family soon, so it's good to meet you beforehand."

My eyes swept over their closely pressed bodies and the faint beginnings of a possessive Alpha bite mark on Elena's neck.

I forced a smile. "Future Luna, good morning."

"Nothing much, just here to handle some pack business for my mother," I lied calmly.

"You two carry on, I won't disturb you."

I turned to leave.

But Connor stepped forward and grabbed my arm, his grip rough, his Alpha strength making it impossible to break free.

He lowered his voice, speaking quickly, "Don't get the wrong idea. I brought Elena here today because some of the pack elders wanted me to. You know, pure-blood Omegas like her are very precious. The elders are taking this Marking ceremony very seriously, and they insisted I personally accompany her to sort out some details."

"Tonight… the elders have arranged a family dinner, and Elena will be there. I'm telling you in advance so you don't… misunderstand."

Seeing him "worried" about me like this, I suddenly found it hilarious.

Elena was the Luna he was about to publicly acknowledge, the woman he’d schemed to elevate.

Now, with the Marking ceremony so close, his grand revenge drama was about to conclude.

Who was this fake explanation for?

"Don't worry, I understand. Since it's the elders' arrangement, you should just do it. I won't be so unreasonable," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"You go on. I'll wait for you at home."

He seemed to let out a breath, then personally called a pack car to take me home.

Turning back, he led Elena towards the workshop where they were designing the future Luna's gown. Elena's sweet, triumphant Omega scent still lingered in the air.

Mom and Connor's father knew Elena was coming over for dinner.

The servants had been bustling around preparing for the feast since noon.

The moment Connor walked in with Elena, the two elders greeted them warmly. Connor's father even personally gave Elena an ancient wolf-fang pendant, a symbol of family acceptance.

I faked being unwell and hid in my room.

But Connor came in with a fancy gift box, locking the door behind him.

He fastened a bracelet set with tiny moonstones onto my wrist; its cold touch made me flinch. Then, he took out a night-star flower, preserved by secret pack methods and still faintly fragrant, and knelt before me on one knee.

He gazed at me with such devotion, his eyes so reverent, as if I were his one and only goddess.

"I know it's unfair to you, being with me like this without any official title. But after the ceremony, I'll still be your closest Alpha. I'll always live next door to you, just like before, wrapping you in my scent every night so you can sleep soundly." His fingertips caressed my wrist suggestively.

"Aria, don't be mad at me, okay?"

I looked down at the moonstone bracelet. The wolf totem carved on it was identical to the one on Elena's moonstone necklace, just smaller and more discreet.

"Okay, I won't be mad," I said softly.

"Go be with your guests. They've been preparing for you for a long time."

Downstairs, glasses clinked and blessings flowed.

Mom stood by the dining table, looking a bit awkward and uncomfortable, facing a beaming Elena and a proud Connor.

Connor, as usual, was telling Mom to get more food for Elena, to adjust her seat.

In that instant, all the hurt, anger, and despair that had been building up inside me erupted like a volcano.

I gathered every single trinket, piece of clothing, and piece of jewelry Connor had given me in the name of being "mates" over the past six years, and without a second thought, I dumped them all into the trash can in the corner of my room.

The moment the trash can lid toppled over because it was too full, Elena appeared in my doorway like a ghost.

She looked at the mess on the floor, at all those items that once symbolized my "intimate relationship" with Connor, and a smug, undisguised smile spread across her face.

"What, can't take it already?" She strolled in gracefully, her Omega scent deliberately wafting around me.

"Aria, you're even… weaker than I thought."

"Then again, what kind of backbone can you expect from the daughter of a traitor and a mistress? It must be tough watching your mother scurry around like a servant downstairs while I, the future Luna, get to enjoy the Alpha's exclusive affection, right?"

I stared at her coldly, my eyes devoid of any warmth.

"What are you trying to say?"

Elena tittered, covering her mouth with her fingertips, her eyes full of scorn.

She pulled out her phone and waved it in my face, showing me intimate photos of her and Connor, and some… X-rated stuff, the kind of private moments only mates share.

"Oh, by the way, you probably don't know this, do you? Every night, during those 'intimate' moments you share with Connor, he sends me some of the more… interesting clips for my 'viewing pleasure.'"

"If those stuffy old elders in the pack saw this stuff, don't you think they'd say your mother failed to raise her daughter right, and despise her even more?"

"One is her own flesh and blood, the other her stepson, heir to a powerful Alpha. And the two of them, sneaking around behind everyone's backs, fooling around every night in the Alpha's residence…"

"You dare!"

I couldn't hold back the fury burning in my chest anymore.

I whipped my hand up and, with all my strength, slapped her hard across her pretty face.

The sharp crack of the slap echoed loudly in the quiet room.

Elena screamed and fell to the ground, her arm knocking over the picture frame on the nightstand.

Bright red blood instantly welled up from her delicate white palm.

Connor burst through the door, his Alpha scent radiating pure rage. He snatched a trembling Elena into his arms, holding her tight.

His eyes, when he looked at me, were filled with undisguised fury and disgust.

"Aria, what are you doing? Are you crazy?!"

"Elena was kind enough to come up and ask you to join us for dinner, what the hell is wrong with you?!"

Connor's father also appeared at the door, his face terrifyingly grim.

My mother hurried forward nervously, trying to explain, "Connor, Aria didn't mean it, there must be some misunderstanding…"

"Aria, quickly, apologize to Elena!"

Elena, eyes red-rimmed, clung to Connor like a frightened deer, her Omega scent thick with distress and fear.

"I'm sorry, Connor, I just wanted to invite Aria to our… our ceremony. I don't know why she suddenly attacked me…"

"Don't blame Aria, she probably… didn't mean it," she said, looking all pitiful, but I caught a flicker of triumph in her eyes.

A cold smile touched my lips. I looked straight at the pair clinging to each other.

He ignored my expression, his gaze cold and hateful, like I was some piece of filth.

"Aria, apologize!" he roared, his Alpha pressure crashing down on me without mercy.

My nails dug deep into my palms, tiny beads of blood seeping out from between my fingers.

"I did nothing wrong. Why should I apologize?" My voice was quiet but incredibly firm.

"You're the ones who should be apologizing!"

Deep disappointment welled up in Connor's eyes, along with a hint… of barely hidden satisfaction.

"Aria, when did you become like this? You're being… completely unreasonable!"

Before I could say anything else, Connor's father stepped forward and carefully helped Elena up from Connor's arms.

"Let's get Elena to the treatment room first. The scent in here is too chaotic; it's not good for an Omega. I'll handle things here."

Connor carried Elena away, not even glancing back, his soft reassurances to her echoing down the hallway.

My mother trailed after Connor's father, apologizing over and over, humbly.

Six years of fake love, six years of meticulous pretense, all torn to shreds in that moment, gone up in smoke.

With the small bag I'd already packed, I left that house full of lies and humiliation and checked into a rundown inn on the outskirts of pack territory.

Before I left, I mailed Connor the pack talisman he'd given me, the one that symbolized his Alpha protection, along with the surveillance camera I’d pulled out of the teddy bear.

Figured he'd get this "congratulatory gift" right on the day of the Marking ceremony.

I thought that with my complete disappearance, this whole farce would finally be over.

But that night, Connor sent me an encrypted message, his tone a mix of his usual bossiness and "reassurance":

"Elena agreed to play along with me for this ceremony. It's what the pack needs, and it's also a small way to repay her for her help before. You hurt her, which made things a bit awkward for me with the elders. Making you apologize was just to smooth things over, to stop those old geezers from causing trouble for your mother. Don't overthink it."

"Get some rest. I had a gown custom-made for you; you'll wear that on the day of the ceremony. Be good. Remember, no matter what happens, I am your only Alpha. That will never change."

But I knew this show wasn't for those so-called elders.

It was for me.

Only my complete disappearance could truly end this ridiculous revenge.

For the next two days, I didn't go back to that so-called "home."

He didn't contact me again either.

He was probably busy preparing for that grand Marking ceremony.

Busy choosing jewels and fine clothes for his precious Omega, Elena, tokens of a Luna's honor.

I didn't receive the "gift" he promised.

All I heard was that, to soothe a frightened Elena, he'd splashed out a fortune on a piece of land near Moon Lake, a territory teeming with spiritual energy, to be the future Luna's exclusive estate.

It was a sacred place all werewolves longed for, said to boost an Omega's fertility.

On the morning of the Marking ceremony, I made one last call to him.

He seemed to be busy giving instructions to his Beta, Marcus, his voice a mix of impatience and excitement. He didn’t pick up right away.

"Is all that footage ready? Remember, as soon as that traitor's daughter walks in, start playing it. I want every werewolf to see her true colors, and the 'crimes' of her father and mother!"

"Are you sure about this? Once this footage is public, there's no going back for you. And… this is too cruel for Aria," Marcus's voice was hesitant.

"Just do as I say! I've waited six years for this day!" Connor's voice was hard as iron.

"And keep a close eye on her good-for-nothing mother. Make sure she doesn't try anything desperate at the ceremony!"

Only after Marcus left did he finally remember the missed call and pick up.

"Aria? The ceremony's about to start. I'll drive over to pick you up myself. Wait for me at home." There was a hint of anticipation in his voice I almost couldn't place.

"Let me tell you a secret. In ancient pack tradition, the only one an Alpha personally escorts to the ceremony is his one true Luna. Doesn't it feel like… I'm officially marrying you all over again?" His tone was teasingly gentle.

"Don't be upset anymore, hmm?"

I looked at the international flight ticket in my hand, the one that would take me far away from all this, and a sarcastic smirk played on my lips.

"Connor, congratulations to you and your Omega on your wedding."

He seemed stunned for a moment, then chuckled, as if he'd heard a funny joke.

"Why are you calling me that all of a sudden today? I still prefer it when you… call me by something more intimate, honey."

"Wait for me, I'll be there soon."

He hung up. I turned and resolutely boarded the plane that would take me to another country.

At the same time, I wiped out every contact trace linking me to him.

The Marking ceremony was about to begin.

My short, calm call kept replaying in Connor's mind, and that nagging unease grew stronger.

Just as he was about to leave to "pick me up," Marcus burst in, looking frantic, clutching the now-dull pack talisman I'd mailed back.

"It's bad! Connor! That talisman you gave Aria, she sent it back! And… it looks like Aria found out about the footage too!"

"She left on a long-haul flight early this morning! But… but that flight, it was just reported… it ran into an energy storm mid-flight… it crashed… went down!"