When I Got My Memory Back, I Left ,He Was the One Who Cried

There was an unspoken rule within the elite packs of Ravencrest Territory.

When an Alpha took a new mate and she wished to claim her place, the former Luna had to remove the Luna Jade Ring before the entire pack and place it onto the new mate’s finger herself.

The day Alpha Damon Redclaw brought Marisel Feralwood back to the Redclaw Pack, every noble wolf in Ravencrest gathered, waiting for chaos.

I had stood beside Damon for seven winters. For that ring, I had knelt in the Redclaw ancestral hall beneath the watching spirits of the moon for three days and nights. I had even taken a silver-edged blade meant for him.

No one believed I would give up my place without a fight.

But when Marisel stepped toward me, dressed in expensive fabrics scented with rare oils, her expression soft and innocent, and held out her hand, I didn’t cause a scene.

Calmly, I slid the warm jade ring from my finger and placed it onto hers.

Damon stood nearby, a glass of wine in his hand, his wolf quiet but his eyes full of pride and cold satisfaction.

"Rayya Greymoss. You finally understand your place."

I lowered my gaze to my now bare finger and said nothing.

What Damon didn’t know was this.

A month ago, every memory I had lost returned like a storm under the full moon.

I was not just his Luna.

I was the true-born daughter of the Wolfhart bloodline, the most powerful pack in Lunar Bay Harbor, missing for seven long winters.

In three days, my eldest brother’s fleet would cross the skies and come for me.

And I would leave this place behind.

***

The Redclaw estate shone brightly that night, the grand hall filled with wolves dressed in fine clothing, their scents layered with power and status.

Marisel lifted her hand, showing off the Luna Jade Ring to the gathered pack elites.

Soft gasps spread through the hall. Some looked at her with admiration. Others glanced at me with pity or quiet mockery.

I stood alone in the corner.

Damon sat at the head of the long table, his presence heavy, his Alpha aura pressing over the room. From time to time, his gaze drifted toward me, unreadable.

Once Marisel had enjoyed enough attention, she picked up a glass of champagne and walked toward me slowly.

Her eyes fell to my neck.

Resting against my skin was a rare Rose Moonstone Pendant. Three winters ago, Damon had fought off rival Alphas and spent a fortune to claim it for me.

Marisel gave a soft laugh and leaned close, her voice low.

"Rayya, you already gave up the Luna ring. Do you really think it is right for you to still wear the Luna’s jewelry?"

Her fingers reached for the necklace.

I stepped back.

In that instant, Marisel tilted the glass in her hand. The pale liquid spilled across the front of my gown, soaking the silk.

A sharp sound followed as the glass slipped from her fingers and shattered across the stone floor.

Marisel gasped and clutched her hand, her eyes turning red as tears quickly filled them.

"Rayya, I only thought the necklace was beautiful and wanted to see it. If you didn’t want to show me, you could have said so. Why did you push me?"

The music stopped at once.

Every wolf in the hall turned to look at us.

For seven winters, any she-wolf who dared approach Damon or challenge me had been driven out without mercy. Once, I had publicly humiliated a woman who tried to seduce him, making sure no one forgot their place.

Damon moved quickly across the hall and pulled Marisel behind him.

He looked at the faint mark on her hand, his brows tightening.

"Rayya, what’s wrong with you? Marisel just returned to the pack. Why are you targeting her?"

His tone was sharp, filled with clear blame.

I looked at him. At the man I once loved with everything I had.

A dull pain spread through my chest, like a wound reopening under the moonlight. I took a slow breath and forced the emotion down.

I didn’t argue or get angry. Instead, I lifted my hands and reached behind my neck, unclasping the Rose Moonstone Pendant.

Under the silent stares of the entire hall, I held it out toward Marisel.

"You like it? Then take it. I slipped just now. I am sorry."

Damon went still. A flicker of shock crossed his eyes, and his brows drew together even tighter.

Marisel froze as well. Even her tears stopped.

I took out a handkerchief and wiped the wine from my hands. Then I crouched down. One by one, I picked up the broken glass from the floor with my bare hands and dropped the pieces into a nearby bin.

When I finished, I stood and faced Damon.

"My clothes are stained. I will go upstairs and change."

I turned and walked toward the upper floor, my back straight, my steps steady.

I could feel his gaze on me the entire time, heavy and sharp like a hunter watching prey.

When I reached the bedroom, I closed the door behind me. I leaned against it and shut my eyes.

Seven winters…

Seven winters of loyalty, of standing by his side as his Luna.

And now, it was over.

The moon outside the window cast a pale glow across the room, quiet and cold.

The crystal communicator on the table lit up. A message appeared, marked with the crest of the Wolfhart bloodline.

[Rayya, the flight path is secured. The Wolfhart guards will arrive in Ravencrest in three days. Whatever the Redclaw Pack owes you, I will make them repay it ten times over. A hundred times over.]

I stared at the message, heat rising behind my eyes.

Before I could reply, the door opened without warning.

Damon walked in, his steps firm, his Alpha presence filling the room. His sharp gaze locked onto the crystal communicator in my hand.

In just a few strides, he reached me and took it away. The screen went dark at that exact moment.

He didn’t try to unlock it. He simply tossed it onto the carpet as if it meant nothing. Then his hand came up, gripping my chin, forcing me to look at him.

"What happened downstairs? Why did you not fight back?" His voice carried doubt, mixed with something probing.

I met his eyes, then answered with calm, empty of emotion, "You always said my temper was too strong. That I should be more generous. I gave her the jade ring and the necklace. Isn’t that what you wanted?"

Something unreadable moved in his eyes.

He let go of my chin and pulled me into his arms, holding me close. His scent wrapped around me. Tobacco.

And beneath it, Marisel’s sweet perfume.

The two mixed together, making my stomach twist.

Damon lowered his head, his breath brushing my ear.

"Rayya, I know today was not easy for you. Marisel’s older sister was injured saving my life winters ago. I owe that debt. I have to take care of her."

"As long as you stay obedient and know your place, you will always have a position in the Redclaw Pack. You are still the one who has stayed with me the longest."

It sounded like a promise. But it felt like pity. Like scraps thrown down from above.

And he truly thought I should accept it.

A hurried knock came from the door. Marisel’s soft voice followed.

"Damon, my chest suddenly hurts. Can you come stay with me?"

His arms dropped from around me at once. There was no hesitation. He turned and walked toward the door.

Before leaving, he paused and glanced back.

"There is a charity gathering tomorrow night. I will take Marisel. She just returned and doesn’t have a proper gown."

His eyes moved over me, calm and distant.

"The Moonlight dress in your wardrobe. Have the servants send it to her tomorrow. It can be adjusted for her size."

I stared at him, unable to believe what I heard.

That Moonlight gown…

Five winters ago, when we first confirmed our bond, he had invited a top designer from afar to make it just for me. It was crafted to fit me perfectly. Nine hundred and ninety-nine crystals were set by hand along its hem.

I had treasured that dress deeply. I even never even allowed the servants to touch it.

Once, a new maid secretly took it to try on. When I found out, I had her sent away from Ravencrest without hesitation.

Back then, Damon had praised me. He said what belonged to me would always be mine.

No one else had the right to touch it.

Now he had asked me, directly, to give that gown to Marisel.

My fingers curled slowly, nails pressing deep into my palms until they almost broke the skin.

I looked at Damon. His face was calm, as if this meant nothing at all.

I nodded.

"Alright. I will have it sent to her tomorrow."

He held my gaze for a moment, then turned and left the room.

From the hallway, I heard his voice. Low, gentle, full of care as he spoke to Marisel. Then the soft sound of a door closing.

I stood there in silence.

After a moment, I walked to the desk and opened the drawer. Inside was a calendar. I took a red pen and marked today with a heavy line.

Two more days…

In two days, Raylan would come for me.

I removed the stained gown and stepped into the bathroom. Warm water ran over my skin.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I looked so pale… and empty.

Damon Redclaw…

Seven winters ago, you pulled me out of that wreck and gave me another life.

For seven winters, I stood by you. I took blades meant for you. I handled the things you could not face. I kept your household in order so you never had to worry.

We stopped owing each other long ago.

***

The next morning.

I followed his words and had a servant take the Moonlight gown to Marisel.

Her door was left wide open on purpose.

As I walked past, I saw her standing before the mirror, turning in the dress. It didn’t fit her. The fabric pulled and folded in the wrong places.

She picked up a pair of scissors.

Without hesitation, she cut through the most detailed part of the hem, where the crystals were sewn.

"This design is outdated. It looks better this way," she said, pouting slightly.

The servant beside her glanced at me, uneasy, but said nothing.

I didn’t stop. I walked straight to the kitchen.

Damon had drunk a lot the night before. His body was not strong.

After drinking, his stomach would always hurt. He needed a special herbal soup to recover.

For seven winters, I had made it for him myself. I stood by the stove, watching the soup boil slowly in the clay pot.

But this would be the last time.

I poured the soup into a flask, placed it on a tray, and carried it toward his study.

The door was not fully closed. Voices came from inside.

It was Damon and his friend, Zyon.

I lifted my hand to knock, but stopped when I heard Zyon speak.

"Damon, don’t you think you went too far this time? You took back the Luna ring, gave away her necklace, and now even her gown is gone. Rayya stayed with you for seven winters. She would have died for you. Are you really trying to drive her away?"

My hand froze in the air.

I didn’t move.

Damon’s voice followed, cold and distant.

"Where can she go? She has no past, no family. Without the Redclaw Pack, she has nothing."

"I have given her too much these past winters. She has forgotten her place. Marisel has returned. Rayya needs to learn her role."

"I will take away her pride. Make her understand who holds power here. Once she accepts it and behaves, I will let her stay. She will have food and a place to live. That should be enough."

Zyon let out a quiet breath.

"If you keep treating her like this, aren’t you afraid she will truly leave you?"

Damon gave a low laugh.

"Leave? Rayya only knows how to stay by my side. She cannot live without me."

The tray in my hands tilted slightly. A few drops of hot soup spilled over and landed on my skin. The heat burned, turning it red at once.

But I felt nothing.

I looked at the door in front of me. Then I placed the tray quietly on the table outside.

I picked up the insulated flask and walked to the end of the hallway.

A pot of rare spirit orchids rested on a carved stand. I tilted my wrist and poured every drop of the herbal soup I had spent three hours brewing into the soil.

At that moment, Marisel appeared. She was wearing the gown I once treasured, now cut apart and ruined.

She watched me empty the flask, a small satisfied smile forming on her lips.

"Rayya, Damon just told me the Alpha’s chamber gets the best light. He said it would help me recover faster. He wants me to move in tonight. You should start packing your things."

The Alpha’s chamber… I had lived there for five winters. Every part of it carried memories of Damon and me.

I looked at her proud expression and gave a small nod.

"Alright. I will pack now."

I walked into the room. I didn’t take the jewelry. I also didn’t take the fine clothes he had given me. I only picked up a simple black bag.

Inside, I placed a few clothes and my identity papers when my crystal communicator vibrated.

A message from my brother appeared.

[Rayya, we have started clearing all traces of the name Rayya Greymoss.]

I closed the bag and walked out. Then I moved into the farthest guest room in the estate.

It was rarely used, mostly for storage. The air was damp and cold.

I placed the bag on the narrow bed and didn’thing else.

Twelve hours.

That was all I needed before I could leave.

***

By evening, heavy snow began to fall across the territory.

Damon returned from the pack council meeting, bringing the cold with him. He stepped into the hall and looked around. His brows tightened at once.

A servant spoke carefully.

"Alpha, Luna Rayya moved to the storage room in the north wing today."

His face darkened. He strode down the hall and kicked the door open. The sound echoed loudly through the quiet house.

I was sitting by the bed, watching the snow outside.

I turned to look at him.

He walked in quickly, his eyes scanning the room before stopping on the worn bag beside me.

"What are you doing?" His voice was sharp. "Marisel only asked for the main room. Who told you to come here? Are you trying to make me feel guilty?"

I stood and faced him.

"All the other rooms are filled with her things. This one was empty. It makes no difference to me where I stay."

My calm tone made him angrier.

He grabbed my wrist tightly. My sleeve was pulled back, revealing the long scar on my arm.

Three winters ago, I had blocked an attack meant for him. A blade had gone straight through my arm. I almost died that day.

He looked at the scar. There was no care in his eyes.

Only annoyance.

"Do you show this scar every day to remind me I owe you?"

"Marisel is sensitive. She saw it earlier and was frightened. She could not even eat after that."

"From tomorrow, you will wear long sleeves inside this house. If you cannot do that, then go stay at the gatehouse outside. Don’t appear in front of her."

Every word was cold and cutting. He was trying to provoke me. Waiting for me to break, to argue or beg.

But I felt nothing.

I pulled my hand free and picked up my bag.

"Alright. I will move to the gatehouse now."

I stepped past him and walked toward the door.

Damon lost control. My calmness only made him angrier.

He chased after me, grabbed the bag from my hand, and threw open the front door.

Cold wind and snow rushed inside. He threw my bag into the snow outside and pointed into the storm.

"Rayya, since you like acting like this, then leave! Don’t come back!"

"I want to see how long someone like you survives out there without me!"

I stood at the door in a thin sweater. The cold wind cut against my skin.

I looked at my bag lying in the snow. Without hesitation, I stepped outside.

One step. Then another. I walked into the storm. I didn’t look back.

Behind me, the door slammed shut. The sound echoed through the night.

I bent down, picked up my bag, and brushed off the snow.

My crystal communicator lit up. It was a call from my brother.

"Rayya, the Wolfhart convoy has entered Ravencrest. I will reach you in half an hour. I am taking you home."