I stopped and turned, my face a cold mask. "What is it now?"

"It's about the Rite of the Moon Spring." He opened his eyes, and those deep blue pools held an undeniable command. "I need to postpone it."

"Why." It wasn't a question.

"Seraphina's pregnancy is unstable. The healer said the pure energy of the Moon Spring would be good for her. So..."

He paused, as if searching for the right words. "I've decided it's better if she has it."

Let her have it.

He said it so casually, as if he were just rescheduling a meeting.

That was the highest honor for a Luna, to receive the pack's blessing.

It was the sacred moment we had dreamed of together.

My heart was numb.

I couldn't even feel the pain anymore.

I answered in the calmest voice I could manage. "Fine."

My calmness seemed to unnerve him. "You... don't have anything else to say?"

"No."

"...Good." A flicker of relief crossed his face, as if he'd expected a bigger fight.

He then continued, his tone all business. "I'm taking Seraphina to a private retreat in the Rockies. Handle the ceremony preparations. Don't bother me with the details unless the world is ending."

He cut the link.

I walked out to the balcony.

It used to be my herb garden, filled with rare plants I'd cultivated for the future of our pack.

I had imagined using these herbs to heal our people, to protect our home.

Damien had never set foot out here.

He said he wasn't interested in "all these flowers and weeds."

Now, they had lost their meaning, too.

I started working, one by one, uprooting the plants I had so carefully nurtured, the sharp snap of roots and the damp scent of earth filling the air.

It was a funeral for a future that was now dead and buried.

Each one represented a betrayed hope.

When the last Stardust Bloom was in its box, I took out my phone and opened the calendar.

On the date I had marked countless times for the "Rite of the Moon Spring," I drew a heavy, red X.

The countdown: twelve days.

Over the next week, my phone was flooded with notifications.

Seraphina's social media was on fire.

A picture of her lying in a bed at a luxury resort in the Rockies, Damien sitting beside her, peeling an apple.

Her in a hot spring, with Damien on the edge, holding a towel ready for her.

Her during a prenatal check-up, Damien holding her hand tightly.

Every photo had the same caption: "Thank you, Damien, for taking such good care of me. I've never felt so safe."

I didn't need to read the comments.

"The Alpha is so good to her."

"Now that's what true love looks like."

"What about Luna Isla? We never see her."

"I heard she's busy with her career."

I turned off my phone and went back to packing.

On the third day, I drove to my parents' house.

"Isla?" My mother opened the door, surprised. "What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you both."

In the living room, my father put down his newspaper and looked at me.

"What is it?"

"I'm going to Europe."

"For a vacation?"

"For work. The Laurel Healers' Guild invited me to join a research project." I took a deep breath. "I might be gone for a long time."

My mother's face fell. "What about your ceremony?"

"It's been postponed."

"Postponed?" My father frowned. "Why?"

"Damien has some things to take care of," I said, trying to sound calm. "We thought it would be better to hold it later."

My parents exchanged a look.

"Isla, don't lie to us," my mother said, her voice gentle but firm as she took my hand. "We're your parents. We can see the pain in your eyes. Tell us what he did."

I closed my eyes. "It's nothing, Mom. I just want to learn more while I'm young."

"Does Damien agree with this?"

"He's very supportive of my career."

Another lie.

My father was silent for a long time before finally nodding. "If it's for your career, we support you."

"But you have to stay in touch," my mother said, her eyes glistening with tears. "And take care of yourself."

After leaving my parents' house, I texted Chloe.

"Can you come help me pack?"

An hour later, Chloe was at my apartment door.

"My god, what happened here?" she asked, staring at the empty living room.

"I'm moving."

"Moving where?"

"Switzerland."

Chloe sat on the couch and studied my face. "Okay. Now tell me the truth. What the hell happened?"

I told her everything.

From Damien demanding to mark Seraphina, to the pregnancy report, to the canceled Rite of the Moon Spring.

When I finished, the living room was dead silent.

Chloe's face grew darker and darker.

"That bastard!" she suddenly exploded. "How could he do this to you?"

"He had his reasons."

"What reasons? Life debt?" Chloe stood up and started pacing. "Even if he owed her his life, he has no right to trample all over you like this!"

"Chloe—"

"No, I won't accept this!" She spun to face me, her eyes burning. "Five years ago, on the Blood Moon, you nearly tore your soul in half to save him from a rogue attack! And now he has the audacity to remember only her so-called 'kindness'?"

I looked away, saying nothing.

Five days until the ceremony.

I walked into the Pack Council chamber, dressed in a black power suit.

All the Elders were waiting for me.

"Isla, are you certain about this?" the Head Elder asked, his voice grave.

"I am." I placed the formal request on the table. "I am petitioning to suspend the Mating Ceremony."

The chamber fell silent.

"Why?" the Second Elder asked.

"Personal reasons."

"Personal reasons?" the Third Elder stood up. "This is about an alliance between two powerful families!"

"That's your concern," I said, turning to leave. "My decision is final."

Furious discussion erupted behind me, but I didn't look back.

When I got back to the apartment building, I saw the familiar black sedan.

They were back.

The elevator doors opened, and Damien and Seraphina were standing inside.

Seraphina looked well, a healthy flush on her cheeks.

Damien's arm was still wrapped protectively around her waist.

"Isla?" Damien's eyes widened in surprise when he saw me. "Where have you been?"

"Taking care of some business."

We rode up together in a tense, suffocating silence.

"You cleared out the herb garden?" Damien asked as he pushed open our apartment door and saw the empty balcony.

"Gave it away."

"Why?"

"I don't need it anymore."

Damien frowned but didn't press further.

Seraphina walked onto the balcony, feigning surprise. "Wow, it's so empty. I bet it was beautiful before."

"It was fine."

"Isla, I'm so grateful for your understanding," Seraphina said, turning to me, a strange light in her eyes.

"Why don't we all have dinner together tonight? I'd love to thank you properly."

I just stared at her.

Seeing my coldness, Seraphina's expression immediately changed, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Did... did I say something wrong?" She turned to Damien, her voice trembling. "I just wanted to show my gratitude..."

Damien's face instantly darkened.

"Isla," he growled, his voice laced with the Alpha command. "Control yourself. Seraphina is our guest. You are making her uncomfortable."

I looked at him calmly. "Fine."

At dinner, the nutrient broth arrived.

Damien had ordered it specially for Seraphina.

I recognized the scent immediately: Heart-leaf, an herb whose properties only activate for a she-wolf bonded to the Alpha who serves it.

He served a bowl and handed it to me. "You should have some too. It's good for you."

I took the bowl and sipped.

A foreign, repulsive energy instantly warred with my own.

My body recoiled, the rejection a physical, agonizing proof of his betrayal.

Damien froze.

He had forgotten.

That herb no longer worked for me.

My phone rang.

Ignoring Damien, I stepped out onto the balcony, sliding the glass door shut behind me before answering in a hushed voice.

"Miss Isla? This is the secretary from the Laurel Guild. Your flight has been confirmed."

"Good," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. "The ceremony is off. I'm ready to leave."

Just as I hung up, a deep, commanding voice came from behind me.

"Who's leaving?"