Chapter 1"Eira, are you absolutely sure you want me to file for Mate Bond Severance?"
Vaelis's voice crackled through the phone, thick with worry. "Once you submit this to the Pack Council, there's no going back. You and Kaelen—it'll be over. For good."
I stared at the amber liquid swirling in my glass. The whiskey burned down my throat, but no amount of alcohol could scrub away what I'd seen last night. My fingers tightened around the phone.
"Yes," I said, my voice flat. "I'm done."
"But why?" Vaelis sounded genuinely baffled. "Kaelen's always been good to you. He adores you—"
I almost laughed. Adores me. What a joke. I bit down hard on the inside of my cheek to keep the bitterness from spilling out.
"Because he's a liar," I said quietly. "And I'm not staying with someone who made a fool of me."
"Eira, wait—I'm coming over. Don't do anything until I get there, okay?"
After hanging up, I turned toward the window. Across the street, a massive LED screen looped the same damn press conference. Kaelen stood there in his perfectly tailored suit, the Alpha authority rolling off him in waves as he held up some ridiculously expensive piece of jewelry like he was presenting a trophy.
Handcrafted. Diamonds. One of a kind.
He'd named it "Love Eira."
The entire territory had gone insane. Pack members were flooding social media, gushing about their "blessed Luna," about how the Moon Goddess herself must have smiled on our bond. Everyone kept saying the same thing—that I was the luckiest Luna alive, that our Mate Bond was the kind others only dreamed of.
Yeah. Dreamed of.
I let out a bitter laugh as the screen looped the footage again.
"Love me?" I muttered. "Love me enough to screw someone else on our anniversary?"
Last night had been our third mate bond anniversary. Kaelen had promised me a surprise and told me to wait at home. So I did. I'd put on his favorite white dress, lit candles, cooked his favorite meal. Sat there like an idiot, waiting.
And waiting.
Midnight came and went.
At one in the morning, my phone buzzed. An Instagram friend request. The profile picture was unfamiliar. The message that followed made my blood run cold:
[A surprise for you.]
I ignored it. Then another message popped up:
[Still awake? Guess your mate isn't home, huh?]
My heart slammed against my ribs. How the hell did this person know Kaelen wasn't with me?
I tried to delete those messages. But they kept coming.
[Stop pretending. I know you're reading this.]
[Your mate's with me right now.]
[I got scared of the thunder, and he absolutely insisted on coming over to company me. What a sweetheart, right?]
Each message felt like a knife twisting in my gut. My hands wouldn't stop shaking. Part of me wanted to believe it was some sick joke. But deep down—the part that had felt him drifting away for months—I knew it was real.
The final message shattered me:
[Don't believe me? Here's the address.]
I couldn't sit still after that. I accepted the request with trembling fingers. The reply came instantly: an address and a code.
0823.
Our anniversary.
I grabbed my keys and drove like hell. When I reached the upscale apartment building, I stood outside the door, heart pounding so hard.
I punched in 0823.
The lock opened.
A men's suit jacket lay crumpled in the hallway—the anniversary gift I'd given Kaelen. The same one he'd worn this morning.
On the couch, a pair of black lace panties. On the coffee table, a wine glass smeared with lipstick.
I forced myself to keep walking. The hallway was a trail of discarded clothes—his shirt, her bra, his belt. Right outside the bedroom door, a red lace nightgown, torn and crumpled.
My legs almost gave out. But I cracked the door open just enough to see inside anyway.
What I saw ripped me apart.
Kaelen. Naked. Tangled up with another woman.
The woman knelt on the bed, her head between his legs, and she deliberately glanced toward the door.
Kaelen's eyes were shut, his face twisted in pleasure as he groaned, "Yeah—just like that—fuck—"
The woman smirked. "Am I better than Eira?"
Kaelen scoffed. "You think you can even compare? You're just my fuck toy, sweetheart."
Then he flipped her over, grabbed her hips, and slammed into her without hesitation. The room filled with their moans, their heavy breathing, the slap of skin on skin.
I stood there, frozen, as my world collapsed.
Eight years. We'd been together since the Academy. Everyone said we were Moon Goddess blessed, that our bond was written in the stars—a true Fated Mate pairing.
What a fucking joke.
I covered my mouth to keep from throwing up and bolted.
Then I drove straight to a bar downtown, ordered whiskey, and didn't stop drinking. The burn in my throat did nothing to touch the pain in my chest.
When Vaelis finally found me, I was already wasted.
"Eira!" Vaelis slid into the booth across from me, eyes wide with alarm. "What the hell happened? Did Kaelen do something?"
My bloodshot eyes met hers. "Don't—say his name."
I knocked back another shot, the bitterness lingering on my tongue. "I saw him, Vaelis. With her in bed. It wasn't a mistake. I saw it."
Vaelis's face went pale. She reached across the table and grabbed my hand. "Oh my God, Eira... Are you sure? I mean—what are you going to do?"
"I've already decided." My voice was steady. "Sever the bond. Every time I think about him touching her, I want to throw up."
Chapter 2
I pushed through the front door of our home, my legs barely holding me up.
The house smelled bad—every corner filled with his scent, that Alpha scent that used to make me feel safe. Now it just made me sick.
I collapsed onto the living room sofa, staring at my phone.
A Mate Bond Severance wasn't just about walking away. It was about survival. Money. Independence.
Kaelen had been covering my father's Pack Healer fees—$100,000 a month. Without that, Dad would die. And right now? I couldn't afford that kind of money.
I scrolled through my contacts and landed on Elder Thalion. My former research supervisor from the Academy, back when I still had a purpose beyond playing the perfect Luna.
I hesitated for a long time before finally hitting call.
"Eira? Is that really you?" His voice came through excited, surprised but warm. "Moon Goddess, I haven't heard from you since your Mating Ceremony three years ago!"
I bit down hard on my lip, tasting blood. "Yeah, long time no see. Professor, I... I want to come back to research. I know this sounds sudden, but I need a job. Now."
"Of course!" His enthusiasm was immediate. "You were one of the brightest wolves I ever taught. Your thesis on wolfsbane and silver-resistance genetics was revolutionary. I can reach out right now to Lunarth Elixirs—they're looking for a senior researcher. The salary's solid, and they specialize in wolfsbane antidotes!"
"Thank you," I breathed out, relief flooding through me. "I really appreciate this."
"Don't mention it! Give up research after your ceremony was a damn waste of your talent. I've been hoping you'd come back. When can you go back?"
"As soon as possible."
After hanging up, I have confidence again. Maybe I could do this. Maybe I could break free and rebuild my life.
I dragged myself to the bedroom and started packing. I folded clothes numbly, tossing them into a suitcase one by one. In the closet hung matching robes from our honeymoon in Paris—when he'd still pretended to give a damn. On the dresser sat a small wolf figurine from Italy, carved from moonstone. The walls were covered in photos—Pack Runs under the full moon, formal territory events, moments I'd thought were real.
Now every single item felt like it was mocking me.
I reached into the dresser drawer and felt something cold. My Luna Ring—white gold etched with our Pack sigil. And beneath it, the Mate Bond Certificate.
My hands shook as I picked it up and flipped it open.
Two young wolves stared back—him in his ceremonial Alpha regalia, me in traditional Luna white. My smile was radiant. Kaelen's amber eyes glowed with pride.
That day—August 23rd, three years ago—we'd risen at dawn to register our bond with the Inter-Pack Council during the full moon window. Kaelen had been a nervous wreck, barely able to sit still.
"Eira, can you believe it? We're actually doing this!" he'd said, bouncing in his seat. "I keep thinking about the first time I saw you—walking into Professor Wilson's advanced chemistry class at the Academy."
When the Council Elder had handed us the certificate, Kaelen's hands had trembled like he was holding something sacred. His voice cracked when he spoke the traditional vows.
"By the Moon Goddess and the ancient laws of our kind, I claim you as my mate. My wolf recognizes yours. My soul is bound to yours. I swear to protect you, honor you, and never stray from our bond."
I'd believed every word. Thought we were blessed by the Moon Goddess herself.
But now...
I stared at my own glowing face in that photo, and all I felt was rage.
Then I heard it—the rumble of his car pulling into the driveway.
My heart stopped.
The garage door opened. Heavy footsteps on the stairs. His scent hit me before he did—pine and storm, but underneath it, something else. Something sweet.
Her scent.
"Honey, I'm back!" Kaelen's voice boomed through the house.
I shoved the certificate back into the drawer and wiped my eyes, forcing myself to look composed. The bedroom door was still ajar. I couldn't let him see the suitcase.
Footsteps approached. Kaelen pushed the door open, his face lighting up when he saw me.
Without warning, he wrapped his arms around me from behind.
I wanted to shift right there and rip his throat.
That sweet vanilla scent clung to him—shower gel. He'd showered at her place before coming home.
"Did you miss me?" he whispered in my ear, his voice lazy, satisfied.
My muscles locked up. "Where were you?"
"I'm sorry, babe," he said smoothly, the lie rolling off his tongue. "Got caught up handling territory disputes. Crashed at the Alpha Hall. Completely spaced on our anniversary."
He pulled a jewelry box from his jacket pocket and opened it. Inside was a diamond necklace, the stones glittering like captured moonlight.
"Isn't it beautiful?" he said, looking way too pleased with himself. "Turn around. Let me put it on you."
I turned mechanically, feeling the cold metal as he fastened the clasp. The weight felt heavy.
"Perfect," Kaelen said, stepping back to admire his work. "Tomorrow night is Grandpa Gareth's Lunar Celebration. The entire Thornewald Pack and allied packs will be there. With this necklace, you'll be the most stunning Luna in the room. Everyone will see how much I treasure my mate."
"Do I really have to go?" I said quietly. Right now, all I wanted was to get as far away from these people as possible.
"Of course you have to go. You're my Luna," Kaelen replied. "The Pack expects to see us together."
He leaned in to kiss me.
I pushed him away. "You should shower first."
Kaelen nodded, unfazed. "Good idea. I've been running around all day."
He grabbed some clothes and headed to the bathroom. The shower turned on moments later, steam seeping under the door.
Then my phone buzzed.
I glanced at the screen. My blood turned to ice.
Another Instagram message.
On the screen was a photo—a woman wearing the exact same necklace I had on right now. Same stones. Same design. Every single detail matched.
Her neck was covered in hickeys and scratch marks.
The photo was cropped—just her neck and part of her chest showing.
And then the next message came through—the one that shattered me completely:
[Does the necklace look good? I picked it out especially for you. I wore it when your Alpha fucked me last night.]
Chapter 3
My stomach flipped, and I gagged hard—felt like I was gonna throw up my guts. My vision went fuzzy, and I almost passed out right then and there.
My fingers fumbled with the necklace clasp, hands shaking badly I could barely get it undone. The second it came off, I chucked it into the bedroom trash can. Didn't even glance at it.
I sprinted to the guest bathroom and cranked the shower to the hottest setting possible. The water scalded my skin, but I didn't care one bit.
I grabbed the body wash and started scrubbing. Hard. My neck. My shoulders. My chest. I needed to burn every last trace of him off me—every spot he'd touched, every whiff of his scent, every mark that stupid necklace had left.
My skin went raw and red, the soap ran out, the water turned cold, but I didn't stop.
Yet I still felt filthy.
How dare he? How could he hand me this necklace like it was a real gift—when it had already been on her neck first?! That same necklace, swinging against her skin last night while he fucked her.
The image slammed into me, and I bent over, retching.
Suddenly, the bathroom door swung open.
Kaelen stood there, framed in the doorway, his amber eyes locked on me through the glass. His gaze dragged down my wet hair, over my shoulders, following the water droplets as they traced my curves.
"Eira, you're so beautiful," he breathed, his voice thick with desire.
I heard him, and I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around myself, stepping out of the shower.
"Don't get too close to me," I warned, backing up.
But Kaelen was already closing the distance.
"Baby, what's wrong?" He reached out to touch my cheek.
I dodged his hand. He wasn't angry.
He stepped closer and pulled me into his arms. His hands started roaming, caressing my back through the towel, then sliding lower.
"Eira, I want you," he whispered in my ear, his breath hot against my damp skin.
My body went rigid. I tried to pull away, but he was stronger—Alpha strength pinning me in place. His hand moved to my breast, thumb brushing over sensitive skin, while his other hand slid dangerously close to my inner thigh.
"Let's have a pup, okay?" His voice was filled with longing. "A little pup with your eyes."
Ice water flooded my veins. The same hands that were touching me now had been all over her just hours ago.
"Get away from me!" I shoved him with everything I had. "Kaelen, I'm tired! I don't want to do this!"
He stumbled backward, confusion flickering across his face.
"Honey, I'm sorry," he said, his voice thick with guilt. "I shouldn't have pushed. I just—I want you so badly. I love you so much."
He paused, searching my face. "If you don't want a pup right now, we can wait."
I stared at him, at this man who'd been my rock for three years, and I couldn't reconcile him with the one who'd betrayed me last night.
But the evidence was undeniable. The photos. The messages. The necklace in the trash.
At night, I lay wide awake, staring at the ceiling. Kaelen's breathing was even beside me, his body radiating warmth, but all I felt was cold.
The images replayed over and over until dawn broke.
I didn't sleep.
---
The next morning, I woke with dark circles under my eyes, my reflection hollow and tired.
"Honey, are you okay?" Kaelen asked, concern creasing his face. "You look exhausted. Maybe you should rest today."
I shook my head. "I'm fine. We need to get ready for your grandfather's celebration."
As we drove through the grand gates of the Thornewald Pack estate, a sleek black Rolls-Royce suddenly roared past us, coming to an abrupt stop right in front of the main entrance.
The license plate read: Rook-1.
Kaelen's hands tightened around the steering wheel, his jaw clenching. "Uncle Rook is back," he muttered, his Alpha authority flickering with irritation.
Rook Thornewald.
Kaelen's uncle and Gareth's youngest son. Only six years older than Kaelen, but worlds apart in power and reputation.
He'd refused to be the Alpha of the Thornewald Pack and built his own empire instead—Prospectus Pack, whose territory was five times larger than the Thornewald Pack's, making him the Alpha King of the Northern Territories.
Brilliant. Ruthless. Vindictive.
Last year, Rook had overheard Kaelen trash-talking him at a business dinner. As punishment, he'd killed a partnership deal that would've brought Thornewald Group hundreds of millions.
Kaelen parked behind the Rolls-Royce, and as I stepped out, my heel caught in the gravel.
I wobbled, my heart lurching as I felt myself tipping backward.
Then—strong hands caught my waist, steadying me against a solid chest.
I looked up into a pair of deep, dark eyes that seemed to see straight through me.
The man was tall—probably six-three—with sharp features that looked carved from stone. High cheekbones. Straight nose. Strong jawline. He wore a tailored dark gray suit that fit him like armor, and his scent hit me like electric shock.
Pine and storm. Wild and untamed. Alpha King.
This was Rook Thornewald.
"Careful," he said, his voice deep and magnetic, laced with genuine concern.
In an instant, I found myself lost in his gaze, and my wolf stirred—strange, for she had been months since it last awakened.
Then Kaelen appeared beside us, his eyes with jealousy. He grabbed my hand and yanked me away from Rook like I was his toy.
"Thank you, Uncle Rook," Kaelen said tersely, barely concealing his anger.
He dragged me toward the manor entrance, and after a few steps, he leaned close to my ear.
"Eira, you know I don't like you getting too close to other men," he whispered harshly. "Not even my uncle."
I almost laughed.
Here was Kaelen—who'd been balls-deep in another woman last night—acting possessive over a two-second interaction.
"So you'd rather have your Luna fall flat on her face in front of the entire Thornewald Pack?" I shot back coldly.
Kaelen immediately backed down. "Honey, that's not what I meant. I just don't want people to get the wrong idea."
I ignored him and kept walking.
---
The Thornewald Pack manor was massive—crystal chandeliers, marble floors, the works. But all I felt was fear.
Inside the living room, Kaelen's grandmother Eldwen called out, her face lighting up. "Eira, Kaelen, you're here! Come sit!"
I forced a polite smile. Despite everything, I still respected Gareth and Eldwen. They'd always been kind to me.
"Hello, Grandpa. Hello, Grandma," I greeted them warmly.
Eldwen's eyes sparkled as she patted the sofa beside her. "Come, sit here next to me."
Then Rook entered the room, and Eldwen's expression shifted—eyes narrowing, lips thinning.
"Look at Kaelen," she said pointedly, her tone sharp. "He's got his pack business running smoothly, and his Luna is beautiful. They might be giving us a grandpup soon."
Her voice grew stern as she turned to Rook. "And you? You're almost thirty and still unmated! If you don't bring a mate to the next gathering, don't bother showing up at all!"
Rook's gaze flicked to Kaelen, then settled on me. A half-smile curved his lips, like he found the whole thing amusing.
"Yeah," he said quietly, "Really beautiful."
And for some reason, my wolf purred.
