Before I could fully gather myself from the flood of memories, a maid burst into the room, her face pale and frantic.

“Luna, it’s terrible!” she exclaimed, her voice trembling.

“It’s Camden—he’s spreading rumors that *you* were the one who wanted to break the mate bond, that you’re chasing after someone of higher status!”

She hesitated, wringing her hands. “He’s also saying… saying…”

My chest tightened. “Saying what?”

“That you’re cruel and unkind, that you mistreated Michelle when you were younger.”

My claws dug into my palms, drawing blood. I knew Camden wouldn’t let this go easily. He’d ruin my reputation, make sure no one would accept me as their mate, so I’d have no choice but to crawl back to him as his mistress.

But *why*?

I’m the only daughter of the Alpha of the White Fang Pack, the future Luna of a powerful lineage. Mating with Camden was already a step down for me. How dare he try to force me into submission, to make me live in Michelle’s shadow as his hidden secret?

Rage coursed through me, and I stormed toward Michelle’s room.

As I approached, voices drifted through the door. Michelle’s soft, saccharine tone was unmistakable. “Camden,” she murmured, her scent carrying a false sweetness, “if Evie finds out what we’ve done, she’ll never forgive you. You two grew up together. Can you really bear to make her hate you forever?”

Camden paused for a moment before replying, his voice tender but laced with condescension. “Don’t worry, Michelle. Evie’s always been infatuated with me. She’ll be angry for a few days, but she’ll come crawling back.”

“Besides,” he added, his tone hardening slightly, “if we don’t pin this on her, how will you secure your place as my Luna? You’ve endured so much living under her family’s roof. You deserve this.”

Their voices faded into a muffled kiss, their entwined shadows cast against the window, a painful reminder of their betrayal.

I had thought that if I kept my distance from them this time, I could at least live in peace. But Camden was willing to destroy my reputation completely, just to elevate Michelle.

A bitter taste filled my mouth.

Without hesitation, I pushed the door open and stepped inside.

“Why go through all the trouble?” I said, my voice cold and steady. “If you wanted to ruin me, you could’ve just asked.”

“All I need is to write a letter severing our relationship and announce to the pack that I don’t wish to be your mate. That way, Harry and my parents won’t have any reason to trouble Michelle,” I said calmly, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me.

Camden immediately released Michelle’s hand, his face paling. “Evie, you’re just saying this out of anger, aren’t you?”

I removed the necklace from around my neck—a gift he’d given me years ago—and held it out to him. “If you want to protect Michelle’s reputation, this is the best solution, isn’t it?”

At my words, Michelle subtly tugged at Camden’s sleeve, her eyes wide with hope.

Camden hesitated for a moment, his brow furrowed. “You’re really willing to do this for Michelle?”

“Evie, I know you’re upset, but my feelings for you are real. A title, a position—those things don’t matter to you, do they?” he said, his tone softening, as if trying to convince himself as much as me.

I almost laughed at the irony. If titles and positions didn’t matter, why had he gone to such lengths to protect Michelle’s reputation? Why couldn’t he just let her face the consequences of her actions?

Without another word, I picked up a pen and began writing the rejection letter, my hand steady despite the ache in my chest. When I was done, I sent a mind link to the pack, broadcasting the contents of the letter to everyone.

“There,” I said, placing the pen down. “Does this satisfy you?”

Camden stared at me, stunned, before a relieved smile spread across his face. “Evie, I always knew you were the most understanding. Once Michelle and I complete our marking ceremony, I’ll bring you to my pack. You’ll have everything except the title of Luna—I promise.”

I extended my hand, offering him the necklace he’d once given me, along with the memories of his whispered promises: “Evie, to me, you’re as pure and flawless as this moonstone.”

But I hadn’t realized then that even the purest moonstone could crack.

Camden frowned. “It was a gift. You don’t have to return it.”

Michelle’s eyes welled with tears. “But if others see her wearing something from the Moonlight Pack, they might talk…”

Reluctantly, Camden took the necklace, his eyes darting to mine as if searching for something—forgiveness, perhaps, or regret.

I gave him a bitter smile.

A few days later, the preparations for Camden and Michelle’s marking ceremony were finalized. It was no surprise—they simply repurposed everything that had been prepared for me.

The date they chose? My birthday.

That morning, Michelle strutted into my room, dressed in the ceremonial gown I’d painstakingly sewn over three months, my fingers pricked and bleeding from the effort.

“Evie,” she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness, “I heard you made this gown yourself. You spent three months on it, didn’t you? Now that I’ve taken your mate and I’m wearing your gown… you don’t mind, do you?”

My mother, standing beside me, clutched her chest in anger. “Michelle, I raised you like my own daughter. How could you be so shameless?”

I gently squeezed my mother’s hand and smiled at Michelle. “Congratulations on getting what you wanted.”

Her face twisted in frustration, as if she’d expected me to lash out. Instead, she leaned in close, her breath hot against my ear. “Evie, there’s something you don’t know.”

I froze.

“Camden and I have been together for over a year. Remember last year, on your birthday, when he stood you up? Guess where he was?” she whispered, her voice laced with venom.

My stomach dropped.

“He was with me,” she continued, her words like knives. “In the forest, behind the old oak tree. He was so eager—he took me again and again.”

She placed a hand on her stomach, her smile widening. “And now, I’m carrying his child.”

Even though I’d suspected it, hearing the truth still felt like a physical blow. No wonder Camden had hated me so fiercely in the past, after Michelle’s death. No wonder he’d rejected our child.

The child he’d wanted was never meant to be mine.

A year ago, on my birthday, Camden and I had just agreed to be mates. I’d been so excited—I’d prepared a feast, sent a mind link to Camden, eager to share the news.

But Camden, who’d promised to spend every birthday with me, had stood me up for the first time.

Later, he’d come to me, full of apologies, and gifted me that necklace. “Evie, I’m so sorry. The pack needed me. I couldn’t get away.”

I’d been a fool to believe him. I hadn’t even noticed the faint scent of Michelle lingering on him—the scent that should have been a warning.