The drive back was suffocating. Kasen Ruiz, the Beta of the Silver Moon Pack, sat beside me, his broad frame filling the seat, his muscular shoulders tense. The silence between us was heavy, uncharacteristic for us. He broke it first, his voice low and accusing, laced with the subtle undertone of an alpha command that made my wolf shrink in submission.

“You ruined my chance to make things right with Juliet,” he said, his tone sharp, the words cutting through the air like a blade.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. Juliet Payne, a Delta warrior in his pack, had been the center of his attention for months now, her strength and assertiveness a stark contrast to my frailty. My wolf whimpered softly in the back of my mind, a fragile echo of my own pain. I wanted to scream at him, to remind him that I was his mate, that he had promised me everything. But I stayed silent, my anger simmering beneath the surface.

My thoughts were interrupted by the soft ping of my phone. I glanced down to see a message from Ramona Robertson, the renowned healer and designer of ceremonial attire for the packs. Her words were gentle, as always, but they pierced my heart like a knife.

“Your wedding dress is finished,” the message read. Attached was a photo of the gown, pristine ivory with a train adorned with diamonds, symbols of eternal love. Tears stung my eyes as I stared at it. The dress was exquisite, a masterpiece fit for a Luna. But the thought of wearing it to marry Kasen now felt like a cruel joke.

I began typing a reply, my fingers trembling slightly. I would buy the dress, I decided, but I would keep it for myself. It was mine, after all, a reminder of what could have been—and what never would be.

Kasen’s voice cut through my thoughts, his tone casual, as if he hadn’t just accused me of ruining his life. “The wedding clothes are ready,” he said, holding up his phone to show me a picture of his custom tuxedo. “Let’s try them on soon.”

I didn’t respond. Instead, I reached for the glove compartment, searching for something to distract myself. My fingers brushed against a small box, and I pulled it out, curiosity getting the better of me. Inside was a ring, its design intricate and unique.

Kasen’s expression shifted briefly, a flicker of something I couldn’t place—guilt, perhaps, or regret. But then he smiled, that charming smile that had once made my heart race, and took the ring from the box. He slipped it onto my finger, his touch gentle, his voice soft.

“I know I’ve been absent lately,” he said, his words honeyed, “but we’re meant to spend our lives together. I promise I’ll make it up to you.”

The ring was beautiful, unlike anything I’d seen before. But as it settled on my finger, I realized it was too loose, not my size at all. I adjusted it slightly, my gaze catching on two engraved letters: L and Y. Kasen’s initials—and Juliet’s.

My stomach churned, a sickening wave of betrayal crashing over me. From the back of my mind, my wolf let out a low growl, her pain mingling with mine.

Then, the whispers began, voices from the crowd that seemed to echo in my ears.

“Seriously, did she think the ring was meant for her? It was custom-made for his sweetheart.”

“Taking what belongs to someone else’s love, how shameless.”

The words stung, but I held my head high. I had never taken Kasen’s love from anyone. He was the one who had claimed to love me, who had stood before the pack and vowed to be my mate. But now, as I sat beside him, the ring on my finger a cruel reminder of his betrayal, I knew the truth. His love had never been mine to begin with.

I forced a smile, feeling a bittersweet pang in my heart as if it were gripped tightly. The air around us was heavy with the scent of tension, and I could see the faint flicker of Kasen's aura—his Beta status making it impossible for him to fully mask his unease. He shifted uncomfortably, his broad frame stiffening as he quickly offered an explanation.

"The jewelry store must have made an error," he said, his voice steady but laced with an edge of defensiveness. His inner wolf, Shadow, always so loyal yet conflicted, seemed to stir beneath the surface. "There’s a pigeon blood red ruby at tonight’s auction. I’ll buy it and turn it into a ring for you, okay?"

I slipped the ring from my finger, the cold metal sliding off easily, and placed it in Kasen’s large, calloused hand. "If it was a mistake, give it to the person it was meant for."

The ring didn’t belong to me, and neither did Kasen. The realization settled in my chest like a weight, pressing against my fragile resolve. My wolf whimpered softly in the back of my mind, a faint echo of the bond that had once felt unbreakable. But now, it was time to let them both go.

Kasen pursed his lips, his dark eyes searching mine for something—forgiveness, understanding, I wasn’t sure. His voice was hesitant, almost pleading. "Charlotte, are you upset?"

"If you really like it, I could have it resized," he suggested, his tone softer now, trying to mend the gap that had once been seamless between us. But his actions betrayed his words; he held onto the ring I returned as if it was precious, his fingers tightening around it protectively.

I shook my head, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. "It’s not necessary."

Kasen finally smiled again, though it didn’t reach his eyes. He launched into a rambling monologue about the intriguing items at the evening’s auction, promising to buy me anything that caught my eye. His Beta authority seemed to falter in that moment, his usual confidence replaced by a desperate attempt to keep things normal.

As the car arrived at the estate and the door swung open, I briefly felt like I had walked into the wrong house. The grand halls of the Silver Moon Pack’s territory were as imposing as ever, the scent of pine and earth mingling with the faint trace of Juliet’s presence. The home I had lived in for two years seemed unchanged at first sight, yet every corner felt so unfamiliar, as if the walls themselves had shifted to accommodate the growing distance between us. My wolf stirred again, a quiet reminder of the life I was leaving behind.

The manor was eerily quiet; not a sound was to be heard. It was only three in the afternoon, and Whiskers, my cat, should have been frolicking around after lunch. Usually, the moment I got home, he'd dash over to greet me.

Kasen stood at the entrance, slipping off his coat. He expertly donned an apron, embodying the image of a devoted mate. His broad shoulders and muscular frame, typical of a Beta, seemed almost too imposing in the small space.

“What would you like to eat? I can whip up something for you. The auction won't start until later, and I'm concerned you might have a sugar crash,” he said, his voice calm but carrying the faintest hint of authority—his Beta tone.

I brushed past him, ignoring his offer, and made a beeline for the pet room. But after just a few steps, my vision blurred, and I crumpled to the floor, my legs suddenly weak. As the room spun around me, I barely registered Kasen hurrying toward me, panic clear on his face.

He lifted me onto the sofa, his strong arms effortlessly supporting my frail frame, and then turned to grab some candy from the coffee table, pressing them into my mouth. They were sour, lemon-flavored—the taste I disliked—and they carried a trace of Juliet's scent, a faint floral aroma that made my stomach churn.

Once I had gathered some strength, I pushed away from Kasen's arms and continued my search for Whiskers. But Kasen's voice halted me.

He turned his head slightly, a hint of guilt in his uneasy tone. “The cat was just untamable. Yesterday, it nearly scratched me, so I found it a new home.”

“Don’t worry, I gave it to someone trustworthy. It’s in a really good place now.”

I turned away, too drained to keep up any pretense of calm. All I could think about was my cat. I had raised Whiskers for five years, the same length of time I’d known Kasen. Whiskers was affectionate and well-behaved; there was no way he would have scratched Kasen.

The comments streamed endlessly on the pack's mind link, echoing the pit of despair in my heart.

["The cat, just like its owner, is so ornery. The Beta only wanted to pet it, but it lashed out."]

["Luckily, it knew its true owner. When the Beta threw it out, it didn't resist; otherwise, Juliet might have been hurt, and he would have been devastated."]

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. The bond between us, once strong, now felt like a fragile thread, fraying with every word. My wolf stirred within me, a faint whimper echoing in my mind, but I pushed it down. I couldn’t afford to show weakness, not now.

Kasen’s presence loomed behind me, his aura heavy and commanding, but I refused to turn around. He was the Beta of the Silver Moon Pack, respected and feared by many, but to me, he was just Kasen—the man who had promised to stand by my side, yet now seemed so far away.

“I’ll find Whiskers,” I said quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. “With or without your help.”

Kasen sighed, his Alpha tone softening slightly. “You’re being unreasonable. The cat is gone, and it’s for the best. Focus on your health. The pack needs you strong.”

I bit my lip, holding back the retort that threatened to spill out. The pack needed me strong? Or did he just need me out of the way, so he could focus on Juliet without the burden of our bond weighing him down?

Without another word, I walked away, my frail body trembling with every step. The manor felt colder than ever, the silence a stark reminder of what I had lost—not just Whiskers, but the man I had once believed would be my mate.