My Alpha mate cheated on me with an Omega we had kindly taken in.

Six months ago, at the Pack ceremony, their sex video was projected onto the big screen. I felt the blood drain from my body in a single heartbeat.

I made a scene. Forced Cain to swear in front of the entire Pack Alliance assembly that he would cut ties with Vivienne.

He made his vow. And yes, he came back.

The first time we attended a multi-pack banquet together after our so-called reconciliation, a Luna who'd always had it in for me stepped into my path.

"Wren, what exactly are you so proud of? You threw a fit across the whole pack — catching your mate in the act, making sure every last person saw that video. What kind of Luna makes a spectacle of herself like that?"

"Your Alpha didn't even mark her. And you went nuclear over it? Cain must've done something truly terrible in a past life to end up with a Luna like you."

I turned to Cain. Waiting for him to speak. A denial. A defense. Even a single word.

He lowered his eyes and said nothing.

Something inside my head shattered.

A few days later, I saw Vivienne at the market on the edge of pack territory.

All because she accidentally knocked over a shelf, the shop owner raised his hand to slap her.

Before the slap could land, Cain appeared out of nowhere.

I had never seen Cain use that level of dominance on anyone.

Three years ago, I was attacked by rogue wolves. Nearly died from the injuries. When Cain arrived, his expression was cold and composed.

Today, he nearly lost it — because an Omega got slapped.

Almost in the same second, my phone lit up. An official notification from the Alpha Council filled the screen:

[Luna Wren, the Mate Bond dissolution documents you commissioned have been prepared.]

But why did the usually calm Alpha went crazy after I left?

My Alpha mate, Cain Ashford, cheated on me. With the very Omega I'd kindly taken in.

Six months ago, at the Pack ceremony, a video was projected onto the big screen. I felt the blood drain from my body in a single heartbeat. Hundreds of eyes looked at the screen first, then at me.

I made a scene. Forced Cain to swear in front of the entire Pack Alliance assembly that he would cut ties with Vivienne.

The scandal spread to every pack. Everyone was talking about the Luna of Ashford Pack — the one whose Alpha had humiliated her.

He made his vow. And yes, he came back.

The first time we attended a multi-pack banquet together after our so-called reconciliation, a Luna who'd always had it in for me stepped into my path. She held her wine glass with a razor-sharp smile.

"Wren, what exactly are you so proud of? You threw a fit across the whole pack — catching your mate in the act, making sure every last person saw that video. What kind of Luna makes a spectacle of herself like that?"

"Your Alpha had a moment of weakness with an Omega. He didn't even mark her. And you went nuclear over it? Cain must've done something truly terrible in a past life to end up with a Luna like you."

The banquet hall went dead silent. Alphas from every pack turned to watch — some curious, some savoring every second of it. Their gazes were frost.

I turned to Cain. Waiting for him to speak. A denial. A defense. Even a single word.

He lowered his eyes and said nothing.

As if he were listening to something that had absolutely nothing to do with him.

Something inside my head shattered.

On the drive from the banquet back to the pack house, I finally lost it.

"Cain! She humiliated me in front of all those people. Why didn't you say a single word? You just stood there and watched her twist the knife?"

The car stopped.

He rolled down the window. Night air flooded in. He let out a long breath, like he could finally breathe again.

"Wren, I came back. What more do you want from me?"

He turned to look at me. Every trace of restrained tenderness had been stripped from his eyes. Only exhaustion remained.

"It was one moment of weakness. One mistake. You're the one who blew it up. You're the one who drove her out. And you still won't let it go — is that it?"

One moment of weakness. One mistake.

I closed my eyes, and the images came flooding back.

The lace underwear Vivienne left on his back seat. The matching pair of moonstone bracelets he bought her — identical to the one on his wrist. That video at the ceremony, hundreds of people watching as he pressed down on her shoulders and she tilted her head back, calling his name.

And through all of it, Cain only ever admitted to "one moment of weakness." Everything else, he denied.

I opened my mouth, ready to throw every piece of evidence in his face the way I always had. But in the end, not a single word came out.

What would be the point?

His body had come back to me. His heart never did.

A few days later, I saw Vivienne at the market on the edge of pack territory.

She looked nothing like the polished woman she'd been at Cain's side. Her clothes were faded and worn. She'd lost a shocking amount of weight, doing the lowest grunt work in a small shop.

All because she accidentally knocked over a shelf, the shop owner screamed at her in front of everyone — and then raised his hand.

Before the slap could land, Cain appeared out of nowhere.

He seized the man's wrist. His Alpha dominance poured out without restraint. The shop owner's knees buckled and he dropped straight to the ground.

I had never seen Cain use that level of dominance on anyone.

Three years ago, I was attacked by rogue wolves. Nearly died from the injuries. When Cain arrived, his expression was cold and composed. He directed the rescue with perfect efficiency, not once losing control.

Today, he nearly lost it — because an Omega got slapped.

I called a car, expressionless, and left.

That night, he brought Vivienne back to the pack house.

He stood before me, and for the first time, I heard something I'd never heard in his voice — a raw, desperate plea.

"Wren, Vivienne escaped from her old pack. From a sadistic Alpha. You were the one who took her in, gave her a place in Ashford Pack. After the scandal, she was cast out. No pack would have her. She's been doing the lowest work she can find. A few days ago, rogue wolves nearly took her — to sell her."

"What happened between us is over. But I can't just stand by and watch her die."

"So let her stay. Please… just try to understand."

I looked at the arm he held in front of Vivienne, shielding her. And I laughed.

"Sure."

"Since you say there's nothing between you two, go to the pack's sacred grounds and complete the Moon Goddess's Alpha Trial. If she receives the Moon Goddess's blessing, I'll agree to let her stay."

The Alpha Trial. How many Alphas — powerful, untouchable Alphas — had walked in and never walked out.

Cain looked at me.

No hesitation. Not a single question.

He turned and walked away, striding toward the sacred grounds.

Behind him, Vivienne collapsed to her knees, clutching the hem of my clothes, sobbing so hard she could barely breathe.

"Luna, don't — please don't make him go. It's my fault. I'll leave right now. Please don't do this to him…"

Cain's Alpha friends crowded in front of me, each one more agitated than the last.

"Wren! Cain's been good enough to you! Seven years — when has he ever not given you what you wanted? So he made one mistake. What powerful Alpha doesn't have an Omega or two on the side? Who are you to gamble with his life?"

"Exactly! He already apologized publicly at the Pack Alliance assembly. That's not enough for you? You won't be happy until he's dead?"

I said nothing.

Vivienne tore free from the hands holding her back and ran toward the sacred grounds.

She ran, looking back over her shoulder, screaming: "Cain! I'm going with you! If you die, I won't live either!"

I stood there watching her figure disappear into the distance. The wind was strong. It scattered tears I didn't know I'd been shedding.

Seven days.

The butler approached me, his face taut with tension. "Luna, the trial… it's over."

I went downstairs.

Cain was covered in wounds, his face white as paper, on the verge of collapse.

But Vivienne was secure in his arms.

Not a scratch on her.

He looked up at me. After seven days of hell, his eyes were startlingly clear. And floating in that clarity was a thin, cold edge of mockery.

"Satisfied, Wren?"

My nails dug deep into my palms.

"Satisfied."

Then, very quietly, I said one more thing.

"Cain, I'm letting you go."

The wind was too loud. He didn't hear me.

Almost in the same second, my phone lit up. An official notification from the Alpha Council filled the screen:

[Luna Wren, the Mate Bond dissolution documents you commissioned have been prepared. They will take effect immediately upon signature by both parties.]

Cain was being carried into the healer's treatment room just as the Alpha Council enforcers arrived at the pack house gates.

The two groups nearly crossed paths, but Cain only had eyes for Vivienne — draped over his chest, sobbing as if the world were ending. He didn't even notice the enforcers.

I stood at the far end of the second-floor corridor, watching them disappear behind the treatment room doors.

Then I turned and went back to my room.

The enforcer was already waiting inside. He spread the Mate Bond dissolution papers on the table and walked me through each clause, his tone clinical and professional.

I wiped the last trace of moisture from the corner of my eye, picked up the pen, and signed my name with a perfectly steady hand.

Seven years of a mate bond.

Ended by a single document.

So that was all it took.

The next day, I brought the papers to Cain's treatment room.

Before I even reached the door, voices leaked through.

"The Luna's heartless, isn't she? Cain nearly died in the sacred grounds, and she didn't show her face all night?"

"Look at Vivienne — stayed by his side the entire time. Changed his bandages, cleaned the blood, didn't sleep a wink. If you ask me, that's what a real Luna looks like…"

I kicked the door open.

The voices died instantly. I walked in, my boots sharp on the floor, and swept my gaze across their faces. One by one, they lowered their heads.

Vivienne was already positioned in front of Cain's bed, eyes swollen and red, her voice trembling.

"Luna, I followed him into the Alpha Trial of my own free will. If you still want someone to blame, then punish me… Please, don't torment him anymore. His wounds can't take any more…"

She bit her lip. Tears rolled down one after another.

On the bed, Cain's face was ashen — but the instant he looked at Vivienne, a flash of anguish crossed his eyes. He reached out and pulled her behind him, shielding her with an arm that was barely functional.

Then he looked up at me, his gaze cold as tempered ice.

"Wren, whatever problem you have, take it up with me. Vivienne passed the Moon Goddess's trial. She has every right to stay in this pack now."

"I won't let you hurt her again."

The way he said it — guarded, defensive — as if I were the one who'd forced my way into someone else's marriage.

Before, I would have thrown every last piece of evidence in his face without a second thought. Gone through it point by point until he couldn't deny who had hurt whom.

But now I simply walked to the bedside and tossed the papers in front of him.

"Sign."

Cain glanced down. Assuming it was a routine pack administrative document, he didn't even look up.

"Pack business can go through the Beta. But since you're here—"

He propped himself up slightly. A softness crept into his voice — something he had never once shown me.

"About Vivienne. I need to make some new arrangements. She'll take the Alpha suite — best exposure, closest to the treatment room. She's been through hell out there after you drove her out of the pack. Her health is wrecked. I'm going to take care of her recovery personally."

Personally.

Those words coming out of his mouth nearly made me think I was hallucinating.

Three years ago, a rogue wolf ambush hit my patrol on the northern border. A mutant rogue crushed my left leg — bone broke through skin, blood trailing behind me the whole way back.

The Beta carried me to the outpost and called Cain.

The pack healer said another thirty minutes and the leg would've been lost for good.

When the call connected, Cain's voice was as flat as if he were discussing the weather.

"You're the Luna. You should learn to handle these things yourself."

Then he hung up.

I bit down on a strip of leather and held on until I made it onto the treatment table. Held my own wound closed while the healer worked.

The wound got infected. The fever kept coming back. Recovery took three full months.

Cain never visited. Not once.

I'd told myself back then that it was just who he was. Cold by nature. Not that he didn't care — he just didn't know how to show it.

But now, here he was, eyes full of tenderness, talking about moving another woman into his room and nursing her back to health himself.

My silence must have meant something else to him. He frowned. "You don't agree? Let me be clear — this isn't up for discussion—"

"I agree."

I cut him off quietly.

"Just sign these papers, and I won't say another word."

That caught him off guard. He blinked, then picked up the documents. Barely glanced at them. Signed his name without hesitation and tossed them back.

"Done." He was already turning to look at Vivienne. "I hope you mean what you say. Leave her alone from now on."

I folded the papers, slipped them into my pocket, and walked toward the door.

At the threshold, I said softly:

"I hope you two are happy."

Cain was wiping Vivienne's tears. He didn't hear a word.

After the documents were sent out via pack courier, the Alpha Council's reply came quickly:

[Luna Wren, the Mate Bond dissolution has been officially processed. It will take full effect on the next full moon, in two weeks' time. Both marks will fade naturally under the moonlight.]

I read the message, and something that had been lodged tight in my chest finally started to loosen.

When I got back to the pack house, the hallway was in chaos.

Servants were hauling my belongings out of the Alpha suite — box after box, stacked in the corner of the corridor. At the same time, Vivienne's clothes and personal items were being carried in.

The butler approached me, choosing his words carefully. "Luna, which room would you prefer? The east guest room has good natural light. I can have it prepared right away—"

"Don't bother."

I glanced at the boxes.

The moonstone candleholder — I'd searched through markets in three different packs before I found it. I'd thought it would catch the moonlight perfectly from the bedside window.

The calming incense I'd blended for Cain — I kept the exact ratios written in a notebook, batch by batch, because he was a light sleeper and even a fraction too strong would give him headaches.

The photograph on the wall, taken at the sacred lake during our first year together. One of the rare times he'd smiled.

"Get rid of all of it."

The butler opened his mouth, then closed it. He turned and went to make the arrangements.

Over the next few days, I shut myself in the small room that had been hastily cleared for me. I packed my things and quietly contacted Elder Seline for updates on Kingsley Pack.

My parents had been the Alpha and Luna of Kingsley Pack.

After they died in the aftermath of a territory war, my mother's sister, Elder Seline, had taken over as interim leader.

She'd been waiting for me to come back and take the Alpha position. But I'd turned her down — I'd been set on being Cain's Luna.

The day Cain recovered enough to return to the pack house, Vivienne came with him.

I heard them arrive. Didn't even look up.

The next few days were the same. I avoided them completely, treated them like they didn't exist.

I thought I could quietly wait out the remaining time until the mate bond dissolved on its own.

Then one night, I was ripped from sleep.

Cain's voice came down through the darkness — low, barely containing his fury.

"Wren, someone put wolfsbane in Vivienne's food."

"She's been here a few days and you're already pulling this?"

"Did you think she wouldn't dare tell me? That you could get away with anything?"

Before he finished, a slender figure appeared in the doorway.

Vivienne stood wrapped in Cain's jacket, face pale, her voice so soft it barely carried — as though she were afraid of disturbing something fragile.

"Alpha… it's really fine. It was just a little wolfsbane. I can handle it. Compared to what Luna used to do to me, this is nothing… Please don't blame her…"

"Compared to what I used to do" — what had I ever done? I had never laid a finger on her.

But Cain's eyes went colder.

I shoved his hand off me.

"I didn't do it. The pack house has surveillance crystals. Check them yourself."

"The servant already confessed." Cain's voice held no warmth whatsoever. "You ordered it."

He threw a half-empty bottle of wolfsbane at my feet. "This is the same type of bottle you use for your herb blends. What's left to explain?"

"Now apologize to Vivienne."

I looked at him.

Then I looked at the woman behind him — head bowed, eyes glistening, every word calculated to perfection.

I let out a short laugh.

I grabbed the bottle of wolfsbane and splashed it directly at Vivienne, right in front of Cain.

Vivienne shrieked, clutching her arm. Where the liquid hit her skin, red welts bloomed instantly.

I met Cain's stunned gaze.

"If I wanted to hurt her, I wouldn't bother sneaking around."

Then I walked past his darkened expression without a second glance, grabbed my jacket, and left the pack house.

My friend Bianca cursed the moment she got my message. Twenty minutes later, she showed up at a tavern outside the territory with a handful of friends.

She slammed her hand on the table before she even sat down. "A wolfsbane frame-up? Seriously? Buy off one servant and suddenly it's your fault? How stupid does Cain have to be to fall for that?"

Mara, sitting next to her, took a long pull of her drink and scoffed. "Wren, you were the Alpha's daughter of Kingsley Pack. You had suitors lined up from the east coast to the west. Who the hell does Cain Ashford think he is?"

"Exactly!" another friend chimed in. "You'll be better off without him."

They went back and forth, ripping into him with gleeful abandon. The pressure in my chest finally eased a little. I raised my glass, clinked it against theirs, and drained it.

When Bianca saw some color return to my face, she slung an arm around my shoulder and steered me toward the back. "Come on. There's a sparring match tonight — some young warriors going at it. Better than sitting here stewing."

They swept me through the crowd. I'd barely found my footing on the viewing platform beside the fighting pit when —

A bucket of ice water crashed down on me from above.

The burn of wolfsbane detonated across my skin — scalp to limbs — like a thousand white-hot needles driving into every inch of my body at once.

Drenched, I stood frozen in place.