Seraphina's POV

What a beautiful scene-my 'faithful' mate, who was supposedly on a business trip to Los Angeles, magically showing up here in pack territory instead.

And guess who he's with? Maria, his so-called "business partner," practically glued to his side in a silver dress so tight it could've been painted on. She looked like some clingy mermaid, all over him.

He was whispering something into her ear, making her laugh like a giddy teenager. The hand with that flashy diamond bracelet he gave her? Resting way too comfortably on his chest.

The bond mark on the back of my neck, the one linking us as fated mates, suddenly burned like hell-like someone just pressed a red-hot brand right against my nerves, trying to scorch the pain into my bones.

Margaret? That woman's the definition of petty. There's no way she'd let me slip out of here without trying to humiliate me.

I let out a cold chuckle and walked straight toward Marcus.

"Well, Alpha Marcus," I said, loud enough for the both of them to turn and look, "back already? That LA trip of yours sure ended fast." My tone was dripping with sarcasm.

His handsome face showed a flicker of panic, quickly masked by his usual arrogance.

And right on cue, Margaret appeared like she was floating on air, smug as ever. She looped her arm through Maria's like she'd just won something shiny and turned to me with her best 'I'm being polite but really I'm showing off' voice.

"Oh, Seraphina, you're here," she said sweetly. "This is Maria, daughter of the Sunfang Pack Alpha. One of our most valuable allies."

Then, she turned and gave Maria this warm smile. "Maria, this is Seraphina, a... project manager at Marcus's company. I asked her to come because I wanted to give her some souvenirs from my last trip."

Project manager. Really? With that one little line, she erased my Luna status and reduced me to just some random employee.

Our bond ceremony had been public-everyone knew I was his Luna. But here she was, trying to paint a picture where I meant nothing, where even Maria could feel safe ignoring me.

Maria didn't even bother to shake my hand. She just flashed this fake society-girl smile. "Oh, I've seen her before," she said lazily. "Last week, actually-she sort of ran into us while we were... hanging out in Marcus's car."

"What? Sera, seriously? Why would you do that? Are you crazy?" Margaret snapped.

"Yeah, totally unhinged," I said, locking eyes with Marcus and smirking. "Might just bite everyone, you'd better be careful. Now, about those souvenirs, I'm waiting."

Marcus stood there like a damn statue, way too pretty and way too silent-like he thought I was bluffing and wouldn't actually stir up trouble.

Just a human in this wolf world, what could I possibly do?

Oh, he'd soon find out.

Margaret beamed like she'd just scored a win. "Marcus, Maria, go ahead and keep dancing," she said smugly. "Seraphina, why don't you help me serve tea to our guests?" She turned to me, feigning innocence. "Sound good?"

"Of course," I replied with a fake smile. "More than happy to."

A server suddenly handed me a tray. I noticed Maria and Marcus's glasses were empty, so I happily added a little something special to their tea-just a quick splash of my own spit.

Then I glided over to them. "Miss Maria, dancing must be exhausting. Thought you could use something strong to perk you up." She took the cup with a satisfied smile, clearly enjoying the attention.

"Alpha Marcus, can I get you anything?" I turned toward him.

"Marcus, I think you should try this. I just had a sip and it actually tastes better than anything I've had before-it's kinda salty... You've got to give it a shot," Maria chirped, clearly pleased with herself.

Marcus hesitated for a second, then took the cup. The moment he had a sip, I could literally feel his eyes burning into me like he'd just realized something.

I grabbed the tray and made a quick exit.

Just as expected, two figures gracefully stepped in and blocked my way.

"Oh wow, isn't this Seraphina?"

Clarissa and Bethany. Classic noble she-wolves. Ever since I became Marcus's mate, they've never stopped throwing shade at me.

Clarissa's mated to the pack's Gamma, and Bethany's with the elder's son. They're always glued together like a pair of vultures that live for other people's misery.

Clarissa fake-gasped and covered her mouth. "Darling, that look... so unique. For a second I thought you were part of the cleaning crew."

She didn't have to raise her voice-just loud enough for the people nearby to hear. The low chuckles that followed felt like tiny needles jabbing at my skin.

Bethany jumped right in, sweet smile as sharp as ever. "Clarissa, come on. Be nice. I mean, Marcus never actually brought her to any proper event before, did he? Maybe she just never learned how our pack handles these things. Honestly, he probably thinks bringing her out is... kind of embarrassing."

Clarissa looked a bit let down by my calm expression and decided to go for the kill. She gave a faux-sympathetic sigh and leaned in closer.

"Honestly, those fated mate bonds really mess people up, huh? Forcing our incredible Alpha to be tied to someone so... beneath his status. But you know, looking over there," she nodded toward Marcus and Maria, "he finally seems to be waking up. Maria's the real deal-Sunfang Pack, classy, noble... just perfect Luna material, don't you think?"

I finally looked up, just calmly watching them like they were two overcaffeinated monkeys trying to perform Shakespeare.

The way I stayed chill definitely threw them off. Clarissa's staged smile twitched for a second.

"Clarissa,"

My voice was soft but it cut through the noise like ice dropping into boiling oil. "You look... anxious today."

Her smile froze. "Sorry, what?"

"I said," I leaned closer, voice dripping with sugar and venom, "your makeup's running. Crying again? Can't blame you-Leo's been busy playing lapdog to that new dancer at Moonshade. You know, the one with the kind of rack that makes grown wolves drool."

Clarissa turned sheet white. Her perfect smile completely crumbled.

Her lips moved but no words came out. The giggling she-wolves nearby suddenly found better things to look at.

I didn't even pause. My eyes shifted to Bethany next.

"And you, Bethany," I gave her a smile and watched the shock spread on her face, "about that Crescent Tech investment your dad made last quarter-remember who shot it down? That would be me. Guess he forgot to tell you it tanked so bad your family just lost profits for the next three years. That necklace on your neck? Might want to check the resale value soon."

Bethany flinched, instinctively clutching her necklace as fear overtook her expression.

She thought her family's secrets were well buried, but as someone running the core operations of Marcus's company, I'd seen way too many dirty transactions at the top level of the tribe. Not much could get past me.

I took a step forward, narrowing the distance between us, and said flatly, "So, ladies, while you're all busy judging my outfit, I've been cleaning up the messes your husbands left behind to keep the company running, just so they can keep funding your extravagant, empty lives."

A cold, victorious smirk tugged at my lips.

"Frankly, you should be thanking me instead of barking like stray dogs. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a billion-dollar deal to finalize. Unlike you, I don't rely on a man's last name to define my worth-I earn it."

Marcus finally looked over, and his face changed-whatever smugness he just had vanished into something more guarded.

He reflexively tried to step away from Maria, but she only clung tighter, like ivy wrapping around a tree.

In Maria's eyes flashed a flicker of hatred, but it was quickly buried under that perfect, pitiful mask she wore so well.

Letting go of Marcus, she glided toward me, every step measured like she'd rehearsed it in front of a mirror.

She stopped just close enough-friendly, but still keeping that high-society distance.

"Oh, Seraphina," she cooed, sweet enough to give cavities. "Are you okay? They went way too far just now."

As she lifted her hand to touch me, I took a small step back, dodging her gentle act.

"I'm fine," I said. "But seriously, thank you for your concern, Miss Maria. You've done so much for us."

"What?" Maria blinked, confused.

I gave her my best sorority bitch smile-the one that says "I'm smiling while mentally setting you on fire."

"Oh, you're such a gem-taking care of my husband and still finding time to check on his legally wedded wife."

Her face stiffened. I leaned in, voice dripping saccharine.

"Between being his arm candy and his personal kink consultant on 'business trips,' I'm amazed you even have time to breathe. But hey, someone's gotta keep him leashed and gagged, right?"

Gasping sounds rippled through the crowd.

Maria's face turned an ugly shade of red. "You... You're making that up!"

"Oh, really? That kind of up-close 'attentiveness' must be exhausting," I said, each word laced with poison. "So I figured you deserved a little something for the trouble. Something real."

I opened my clutch and, under everyone's stunned eyes, calmly pulled out a checkbook and pen.

"So, Miss Maria," I said, holding the checkbook in my palm, "what's your service worth? Name your price. A hundred grand? A mil? Or do you charge by the hour?"

And then, adding sweetly, "Oh, and if you're working in the car, surely there's a cramped-quarters fee, right? That's gotta be extra."

You could hear a pin drop in the ballroom.

One second. Two.

And then someone cracked.

"Pfft-"

That was all it took. Suddenly, loud laughter burst through the hall like a wave smashing a dam. The she-wolves doubled over, cackling, shooting Maria outright disgusted looks.

"Enough!"

Marcus's furious roar exploded beside me.

Seraphina's POV

Marcus's roar shut everyone up instantly. He stormed through the crowd and yanked me by the arm with a grip that felt like it might snap my bones.

"Come with me," he gritted out between clenched teeth.

He dragged me off, dead silence following in our wake, and pulled me into an empty room nearby. The door slammed behind us with a bang from his boot.

He let go of me-but only to spin around and shove me up against the door. His tall frame boxed me in completely, his shadow swallowing me whole.

His amber eyes had turned bloody red, and the fury swirling inside them was somehow even more terrifying than when he shifted.

"What the hell were you thinking, Seraphina?" His voice trembled with barely controlled rage. He was trying to sound calm, but the anger bleeding through every word gave him away. "On my turf, in front of the entire tribe-you humiliate me and my guest?"

"Your guest?" I scoffed, staring him right in the eyes without a hint of fear. "Oh, Marcus, you mean that woman squirming around in the backseat of your Bentley like some desperate mutt in heat? Funny, most people just call that a mistress. Or, if we're being blunt-"

"Shut up!" he snapped, seizing my jaw in one hand, forcing my head up. The strength behind that grip was no joke-it felt like my bones might crack under the pressure.

"Maria has nothing to do with you," he growled. "Your only job is to play the perfect Luna-quiet and presentable."

"I was already doing that," I choked out, struggling to speak with his hand on my throat. "You and your mother dragged me into this circus to watch you perform. And now you want to act like I'm the one on trial? Really, Marcus? Where's your almighty Alpha judgment now?"

"What?!" He looked genuinely stunned for a second, eyes blinking in confusion. But then they softened. "If you leave now, I promise my mother won't bother you again. I'll make sure of it."

"I'm not going anywhere," I said flatly. They thought they could humiliate me, then guilt me into pretending like none of it happened? Not a chance.

"What do you want, then?" Marcus scoffed. "Storming in like some lunatic, mad I didn't take you to the ball?"

I shook off his grip and stared him down. "Marcus, please. I couldn't care less whose bed you crawl into these days. I just want to know-why won't you cut the bond with me already? You could be with your little wolf girl without sneaking around."

That question made his face darken in an instant. "I've already answered that," he snapped. "You were a gift from the Moon Goddess. You're my mate-I'm not breaking that sacred bond."

"Sacred?" I let out a short, cold laugh that burned in my chest. "Did that word even cross your mind when you were fucking another woman?"

"That's enough, Seraphina!" His face turned crimson as he growled low with rage. "I'm done playing nice. If you dare bring this up again, I swear I'll throw your aging parents out of Crescent Pack without a second thought!"

My blood ran cold.

It felt like ice flooded every vein, the chill crawling up my spine, far more lethal than any silver blade.

He knew-he always knew. My parents were the only soft spot I had. Just ordinary werewolves in the tribe with no status, no strength. Without the tribe's shelter, they wouldn't make it through a single winter.

"You're a real piece of work, Marcus," I said, my voice shaking-not from fear, but from pure disappointment. In him. In myself. How did I ever fall for someone like this?

"I won't deny it if you're trying to push me," he said, eyes gleaming cruelly. "But if you test me, you'll get to watch your parents get torn apart by thugs."

Looking at his annoyingly handsome face, twisted with menace, my chest tightened like something invisible was squeezing my heart. I had thought he was just arrogant, maybe a player. But this... this was pure cruelty.

He wasn't just threatening me; he was straight-up using my parents' lives to force me to submit.

And judging by the way his lips twitched slightly upward, he was enjoying every second of my reaction. He lowered his tone, lacing it with a disturbingly fake gentleness.

"I love you, Seraphina. I just... screwed up like any alpha might. Stay. Stay and be my Luna, and I promise I'll be more careful moving forward. I won't even care what you do outside these walls-as long as you stay where I can see you. I want you to love me... like you used to."

He said he wanted me to love him.

While using my parents' lives to blackmail me. While tearing me apart. And still, with a straight face, he said he loved me.

This wasn't love. This was possession. He didn't want a partner-he wanted someone who'd bend to his every whim. He wanted the soul-deep connection of fated mates while still enjoying all the physical perks the outside world could offer. He wanted it all.

That rage-hot, destructive, unstoppable-erupted from deep inside me, burning every last thread of patience I had left.

Smack!

The slap rang out, loud and clear, as I poured every ounce of strength into it and slammed it right across his too-perfect face.

The whole world just... froze. Everything went dead silent in that moment.

Seraphina's pov

"Sera, this is the last time I allow you to challenge my authority." Marcus covered his cheek and walked away coldly.

After he left, the entire study seemed to freeze solid.

I leaned against the cold door, my body sliding down slowly until I collapsed onto the floor.

The hand that had slapped him was trembling uncontrollably now, my palm burning as if it still held the lingering warmth of his skin and the hardness of his bones.

The mark on the back of my neck was no longer a brand scorching my soul, but a dull ache - like a rusted nail deeply embedded in my spine, grinding against my nerves with every heartbeat.

Our mate bond, the tether once blessed by the Moon Goddess, was now worn to shreds.

It still connected us, still transmitted pain, but it could no longer carry love.

My whole body hurt as if my ribs were broken - is this how a human feels pain? I clenched my teeth. No matter what, even if it kills me, I am going to break my bond with Marcus.

For now, I just need to quietly wait for the remaining twenty-five days.

As long as I survive the thirty-day cooling period required by the Council, I can take Margaret's one billion dollars and leave this suffocating place with my aging parents.

Money can solve many problems.

It can buy my parents a peaceful old age in a new tribe, and it can buy me freedom and dignity.

I closed my eyes, sketching the blueprint of my future - the vast sky without Marcus - and my breathing loosened just a little.

I stood up, pushed open the study door, and headed straight toward the manor's back garden.

Margaret's greatest pride was this moonlit rose garden she tended with her own hands.

What if I pulled them all out? I imagined the moment Margaret saw it - her perpetually fake smile cracking apart, her teeth grinding - and a rush of petty revengeful pleasure surged through me.

I bent down and yanked up the first rose without hesitation, cooing dramatically at the flower, "Sorry, sweetheart, but I genuinely think a foul old hag like Margaret doesn't deserve you."

Then the second rose, the third... I even mimicked her clipped, pretentious tone as I uprooted them: "You lowly human, how could you ever deserve my son Marcus - ugh, eat shit. I'm pulling out every one of your roses today!"

In no time, the ground looked like a miniature rose earthquake. Petals and snapped stems mixed with dirt in complete chaos. Hands on my hips, I whistled at the disaster scene I'd created, feeling as light-hearted as if I were dancing in the center of a ballroom.

I didn't want to return to that banquet where I was unwelcome. I came out through the front gate - but damn it, my car had broken down, and I could only use my legs to walk down the mountain.

Behind me, the lights were still bright. My husband and his mistress were embracing in front of everyone, while I had been driven out of the banquet like a beggar.

I immediately sent Margaret a text message: [Wire me the one billion dollars right now! Otherwise I can't guarantee I won't tell Marcus the truth tonight!]

I hurried toward the front entrance, but the moment I stepped outside, nearly instantly, fat raindrops crashed down without warning, soaking me from head to toe. Perfect. Now I was a full-fledged mutt.

The Moon Goddess clearly wasn't my goddess. She wasn't on my side.

But I had barely taken a few steps when something felt wrong. A foul stench crawled into my nose.

Deep in my consciousness, unease paced restlessly. "It's fine, Seraphina. You're not far from the manor. No rogue wolves will show up here," I muttered to myself.

Because I had Marcus's mark, my senses were far sharper than before. I could smell the metallic sweetness of rain washing over soil and leaves. I could hear raindrops breaking on tree leaves hundreds of meters away. And then - the stench became sharper.

A rogue.

Terror climbed up from the soles of my feet, freezing my blood in an instant. I sped up, almost breaking into a full run.

Behind me, that malicious intent moved as well. Several dark shapes emerged slowly from the trees along the roadside. Their footsteps were nearly inaudible in the rain, but I could feel their mocking, predatory gazes sticking to my back.

"Look what we found - a little beauty, alone and soaking wet," a coarse voice called out in the rain, dripping with undisguised lust.

"This dress looks great on you. Too bad it's soaked. Must feel awful, huh? How about we help you take it off?"

My heart pounded wildly, threatening to burst out of my throat.

I bolted, the rain blurring my vision. My slippery skirt tangled around my legs, and I fell hard, scraping my palms and knees until they were raw and bloody.

They closed in slowly, unhurried, their greedy eyes roaming freely over the outline of my drenched body.

Despair washed over me like icy seawater.

I even thought - maybe dying here is better than going back to Marcus.

"Get away from me! You know who I am! I am Marcus's Luna!" I shouted at them.

"As rogues, we also watch the news. Your alpha already showed up at the banquet with the daughter of the Sun Fangs tribe's alpha."

"Stop talking to the pretty one. My dick is already hard," another rogue growled, lunging toward me -

At that moment, two blinding beams of light sliced through the rain, followed by an ear-splitting screech of brakes. A black sedan drifted sharply, stopping sideways between me and the rogues.

It was a Maybach, its lines sleek and powerful, like a black beast coiled and ready to strike in the storm.

The license plate was just a few simple numbers, but its arrogance was terrifying.

The rogues recognized the silver wolf-head emblem on the hood and scattered instantly.

I lay on the cold ground, trembling, gulping for air.

The back door opened, and a wave of scent - cedar, dry warmth - washed over me, instantly pushing back the night's chill.

A strong hand reached out toward me.

I lifted my head and met a pair of eyes as deep and cold as the far-northern winter night.

Alpha Sebastian, the alpha of the Shadow Wolf Pack - the strongest alpha. I remembered Marcus mentioning him several times, the only alpha he never dared provoke.

Why was he here?

He looked down at me, expressionless, as if everything that had just happened was nothing more than a dull inconvenience.

Heat rushed to my cheeks. Embarrassment, shame, helplessness... all of it coursed through me in a crushing wave.

"Do you need me to carry you into the car?" he finally asked, voice low and steady.

What?!

I shook my head. "Thank you. I'm not injured, just frightened."

I got into the car, and a coat was draped over me. I looked at Sebastian in confusion.

"I don't make a habit of having naked women in my car," he said.

I lowered my head and looked at myself. My dress was soaked, clinging to me completely. The outline of my breasts and the triangular patch between my thighs were painfully visible. My face flamed. "Thank you... I didn't realize..."

Alpha Sebastian only nodded before instructing the driver to head toward Marcus's alpha estate.

The entire ride, he didn't say a word.

When the car stopped at the entrance of Marcus's estate, I was just about to thank him again when Sebastian caught my hand and pressed a gold-embossed card into my palm.

"Seraphina," he said, his eyes locking onto mine, "if you're unhappy in the Crescent Pack, the Shadow Pack's corporate empire will always welcome you. You can always find me."