Chapter 1
When I was attacked by rogues and left severely wounded, my mate, Alpha Kieran of the Crescent Moon Pack, was supposedly on a business trip with his Beta, Seraphina.
His car passed by where I lay, bleeding out on the ground, yet he ignored me.
Even though I reached out through our mate bond, pleading for help, he continued on his way with Seraphina.
The lead warrior arrived just in time with his warriors and rushed me to the pack doctor.
The doctor looked at me regretfully. “Luna, your pup... is gone.”
I broke down, but for the sake of the pack, for the burden Alpha Kieran carried, I chose to bear my grief alone.
But my most loyal warrior told me the truth: Kieran was never on a business trip. He had taken Seraphina on a vacation to the beach.
Pain and betrayal crushed me. When I needed him most, he chose her over me.
So, I picked up my phone and dialed a number I hadn’t called in years.
“Alpha Darius,” I said, voice steady despite my trembling hands, “it’s time for you to keep your promise.”
On the other end, the Alpha of the Blue Star Pack chuckled. “I’ve been waiting for this day.”
***
A week after the attack, my wounds finally healed.
As I unwrapped the last bandage, I took a deep breath. It was time to return home.
But the moment I stepped inside, an overwhelming emptiness filled the house. A thin layer of dust covered the furniture.
Kieran hadn’t been back. Not once. He had spent the entire week with Seraphina.
Ever since the lead warrior told me the truth, I had cried all my tears in the hospital. I thought I had prepared myself for this moment. But standing in this cold, empty home, the truth cut deeper than I expected.
“Don’t be sad, Lyanna. You need to hear his explanation first,” my wolf, Linda, whispered.
Linda was right. If I was going to leave, I needed closure.
I let out a bitter laugh, took a shower, and changed into fresh clothes. Exhaustion weighed on me, and I collapsed onto the bed, willing myself to sleep.
Just as I was about to drift off, the door clicked open.
Kieran had returned.
The scent of perfume clung to him—
Not mine.
I recognized the fragrance. It belonged to Seraphina.
“Lyanna, I’m sorry. I should’ve been there when you were attacked, but you know how busy pack affairs have been.” He walked toward me, voice laced with feigned guilt.
I forced myself to stay calm.
“I had Seraphina check with the pack doctor. I know you’ve recovered,” he continued, a hint of dismissal in his tone.
I met his eyes, deep yet full of lies.
“I’m fine,” I said flatly and turned away from him.
The truth was, I had lost more than just blood that night.
I had lost our pup.
A pup I never got the chance to tell him about.
When his car drove past me that night, leaving me to die, he severed the last thread between us.
Even now, he still chose to lie.
“Lyanna, what’s wrong? Are you upset? I’m explaining things to you, aren’t I?” He towered over me, watching for a reaction.
“I had Beta Seraphina investigate the rogues who attacked you. I promise this won’t happen again.”
Seraphina. Again.
“See, Linda? He trusts her more than me. He doesn’t love us anymore. It’s over.” I spoke to my wolf, my voice hollow.
Linda hummed in agreement. “If we leave, we do it with dignity. We don’t beg. We don’t cry.”
I smiled to myself.
Just as I was about to speak, Kieran’s phone rang.
“Xixi? Oh, of course. I’m free anytime for you.”
Without sparing me a glance, he left the room.
How ironic.
He had no time for his mate, but for Seraphina, he was available at a moment’s notice.
My phone buzzed.
A notification from his social media.
[A true connection is worth every moment.]
The photo attached?
Him and Seraphina, smiling at the beach.
I remembered when I asked him to post about our bond after our mating ceremony. He refused, saying he didn’t like making private matters public.
He didn’t mind it now.
I no longer felt sad.
Only resolute.
Another message arrived.
It was from Alpha Darius.
[Lyanna, send me your details. I’ll arrange everything for your transfer into the Blue Star Pack. I look forward to welcoming you.]
A small smile curved my lips as I typed my reply.
[I won’t disappoint you.]
Kieran, you had your chance.
Now, I’m walking away.
And this time, I won’t look back.
