Chapter 1
“Lyra, I’m so glad you’re helping out with the Moon Festival! When can you get here?”
“In three days. I just need to get my things together.”
“Makes sense! I mean, you and Cassian just mated. I bet you two can’t keep your hands off each other right now.”
“Yeah, something like that.”
I forced a polite smile into my voice and ended the call.
Right as I hung up, Cassian stumbled through the door.
The sharp scent of alcohol clung to him, making me frown.
“Who was that, Lyra?” he asked, his gaze edged with suspicion.
“Just my mom,” I replied casually.
He just nodded and face-planted onto the sofa.
If he cared enough to use our mating bond, he would have sensed the lie instantly.
But he didn’t.
From the very beginning, we had both kept the bond blocked.
Cassian had claimed it was for my “privacy,” but I soon realized it was simply to conceal his affair.
I caught a glimpse of a hickey peeking out from his collar.
For a moment, it felt as though an invisible hand was wrapped around my throat, stealing the air from my lungs.
But whatever.
It would all be over soon.
Whatever feelings I once had for him had died the moment he betrayed me.
“Shouldn’t you be in a meeting with the Beta right now?” he yawned, sobering slightly.
“I was waiting for you, Cassian,” I said with a flawless smile.
“You’re the Alpha. You’re supposed to be the one dealing with this stuff, right?”
I had become his Luna just yesterday, and he had spent our mating night tending to another she-wolf.
My wolf had howled for blood, urging me to tear them apart.
I had restrained her with the last shred of my sanity.
The effort left every bone in my body aching.
There was no way I was going to do his job for him anymore.
He didn’t say anything.
Instead, he stood up and pulled me into a half-hearted hug.
“You’re pissed. I can feel it,” he mumbled, his voice soft.
“No, you can’t,” I thought to myself.
“If you can, you’d feel the absolute agony this bond is putting me through.”
I started shaking in his arms, and he just held me tighter.
“Look, Tess’s old injury was acting up. That was why I went and took care of her. I promise, I’m staying home tonight.”
Even through the overpowering smell of alcohol, I could vaguely catch that familiar cloying scent on him.
He came home smelling like that almost every night.
It was Tess’s scent—floral and sweet.
It used to be fine, but now it just made my stomach turn.
“I need to go wash up,” I said, gently pushing him away.
“Tell the Beta the meeting’s off. I need to rest.” He tossed his jacket on the couch and headed for the bedroom, yawning again.
I went to hang the jacket up as usual, and a condom wrapper fell out of the pocket.
The lubricant was still fresh—it had definitely been used just last night.
Cassian didn’t usually carry these around.
So Tess must have slipped it into his jacket.
“Lyra, stop going through my stuff!” He had been halfway upstairs, but he rushed back down when he saw what I was holding.
He snatched it from my hand and shoved it into the trash.
“Got it,” I said, my voice flat.
He stared at me, confused.
Normally, I’d make a scene if I caught them together.
But now, I didn’t give a shit.
The Moon Festival was all that mattered.
After that, I’d be working beside the Lycan King, and I’d never return to this pack.
“Look, three days from now is our five-year anniversary. I booked a table at your favorite restaurant. Plus, I’m giving you that land by the lake as a gift.” Cassian was watching me, trying to gauge my reaction.
Funny.
That was the exact day I was leaving.
Maybe that was why the Moon Goddess made us mates.
We did click on that part.
A bitter smile tugged at my lips.
I knew this was the greatest compromise he could offer.
There was even something pleading in his eyes.
But I didn’t need that anymore.
Just as I was about to turn him down, his phone started buzzing.
He answered immediately, panic flooding his expression.
“Okay, stay put. I’m on my way...”
“Lyra, something came up in the pack. I gotta go,” he said over his shoulder before grabbing his jacket and rushing out.
I then took out my suitcase and began packing carefully.
As I zipped it closed, my friend—the Lycan King’s Beta—sent me a message.
“Lyra, you need to see this!” Attached were several photos.
Cassian stood outside the hospital, cradling Tess in his arms.
She clutched her stomach, looking miserable.
His expression was stricken, as if his entire world revolved around her.
If I didn’t know better, I would have thought they were true mates.
Around her neck glittered a beautiful gemstone necklace.
The stone had been blessed by the Moon Goddess—it accelerated healing.
She had no real need to be at a hospital.
I’d seen that necklace on Cassian’s desk before.
Back then, I had foolishly believed it was meant for me...
Even though I’d decided to leave him, the sight still hurt.
But whatever.
In three days, I was heading to the Lycan King’s pack.
By then, I’d ask him to help me break this bond.
After that, all of this would finally be over.
