How else can someone define true pain, if not by hearing her own husband call her a whore because of her sister? The moment the word left his mouth, something inside me tore, something I'm not sure will ever heal again.

I don't think I can hold this in any longer. I tried so hard not to cry in front of Modrich and Veriel. I tried to keep my dignity, to stay composed, but the weight of it all crushed any strength I had left.

By now, Veriel's sobbing has quieted, reduced to small, delicate sniffles that almost seem rehearsed. Pretend tears, and pretend innocence. I see through all of it... through every lie she tells so effortlessly.

I never saw this betrayal coming. I never imagined Veriel would desire Alpha Modrich... my husband. But when I look back, maybe I should have known.

Growing up, she always reached for what was mine. She always wanted whatever I wanted, whatever I chose, whatever made me smile.

I remember when Father brought home chocolate and strawberry candies. I never cared for strawberries, but I adored chocolate. Yet Veriel demanded both, simply because I wanted one.

Veriel had cried for mine, even though she already had the strawberry candy in her hand. I remember standing there, confused and hurt, while she sobbed as if the world had ended simply because I held the chocolate.

And I remember my parents telling me to be the bigger sister... to hand everything over to her.

So I did, again and again. That became my role... giving, surrendering, sacrificing because I was the oldest. Because keeping the peace always seemed more important than keeping what was mine. But my husband? That was something I never imagined I would have to hand over.

That was something I never believed she would dare touch. Yet here we are.

"I already told my parents. They said they're on their way," I said quietly.

Their reactions were instant. Shock flashed across both of their faces undeniable, as if I had summoned ghosts into the room.

"You called Mom and Dad?" Veriel sputtered, with her eyes wide, her voice trembling in disbelief. For once, she looked genuinely rattled.

I guess I beat her to it. I guess she didn't expect me to report this.

"I never thought you would be so selfish. Veriel was supposed to be the one to break the news to your parents, not you," Modrich snapped, his voice filled with anger.

Selfish?He called me selfish? The words stung more than I expected, paining deeper than any insult he had thrown before. If anyone in this room was selfish, it was him. How dare he? But I forced myself to stay calm. I swallowed the pain, burying it the same way I had been taught to bury every emotion.

"You're so cold," he added, frowning when my expression didn't change.

Of course I looked cold. I had been trained from the age of fifteen to master my emotions, to maintain control at all costs. A Luna does not break, a Luna does not tremble. But beneath that icy exterior, I was nothing but a soft, wounded girl. A girl whose heart was bleeding, cracking, shattering piece by piece.

Veriel suddenly burst into another round of dramatic sobs. She rose from the floor where she had been kneeling, her tears flowing like she was the one wronged, and then she turned and ran out of the living room.

Running... always running, and never facing what she destroys.

Modrich looked me directly in the eyes, his stare cold enough to freeze liquid water. I refused to look away, holding his gaze with quiet defiance. That alone seemed to enrage him... my calm, my silence, my refusal to break. His jaw tightened, and I could almost hear the unspoken words behind his clenched teeth: How dare you?

Without another word to me, he turned quickly and followed Veriel, calling her name as if she were the wounded one. I let out a slow, exhausted sigh before standing and walking to my room.

Inside, I went straight into the bathroom. My maids hurried in behind me, their hands already reaching to undress me for the evening bath.

"I want to be alone," I said quietly. They bowed and left immediately.

When I stepped into the warm bathtub, the heat did nothing to stop the trembling in my chest. The tears came instantly, spilling over my cheeks as if they had been waiting for permission. Even my silent sobs echoed softly against the marble walls.

I let myself cry, though Lunas are not supposed to cry. Love was never meant to be part of this position. An Alpha can always take new concubines...

But I never imagined Modrich would turn his eyes away from me, and toward my sister.

"Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Hampton," the palace maid said as Freya's parents stepped inside.

Her voice was steady, but her eyes flicked between them, sensing the tension they carried.

She led them through the hallway to the living room. The couple sat with their backs straight, and their hands tight on their laps. No one spoke, making the silence settled heavily around them.

"I'll inform Alpha Modrich and Luna Freya that you've arrived," the maid said. She bowed quickly, almost nervously, then hurried out, leaving the Hamptons alone in the living room.

A few minutes later, Veriel walked in with Alpha Modrich beside her. She spotted her parents and hurried forward.

"Mother, Father... you're here," she said, her voice soft, sounding almost careful.

Mr. and Mrs. Hampton rose immediately. Even though they were older, they still bowed their heads out of respect. Alpha Modrich acknowledged them with a brief nod, his expression unreadable.

"Alpha," Mr. Hampton greeted, keeping his tone steady.

"You may sit, Mr. and Mrs. Hampton," Modrich said, and they lowered themselves onto the couch. Before anyone could speak further, Veriel hurried forward and dropped to her knees.

"Father... Mother... forgive me," she cried. "I brought shame to our family. I slept with my sister's husband. I don't know what came over me."

Her voice shook, but her tears felt almost too quick, like it was prepared.

"It's not entirely Veriel's fault," Alpha Modrich added, stepping slightly in front of her. "I don't want you viewing this as something she alone caused."

Mr. and Mrs. Hampton exchanged a tense, confused look.

"It's all her fault to begin with," Freya's voice cut in. Everyone turned to the door, and Freya stepped into the living room with calm, steady steps.

They all sat there, staring at Veriel as she lowered her head again, slipping into another round of practiced innocence.

"Don't say that about your sister, Freya. She's naïve," Mrs. Hampton said quickly.

Freya looked at her mother, disbelief flickering across her face. The room fell quiet for a moment.

"Naïve, you say, Mother?" Freya asked, trying to keep het voice steady. "How naïve can Veriel be when she knows the exact drug used to weaken a man, then waits until he's helpless before climbing into his bed?"

Mrs. Hampton's eyes widened, but Freya didn't look away.

She was the one who had called their parents to the palace. She needed them to hear the truth, not the softened version Veriel would feed them. She wanted their scolding, their judgment, their fairness. She wanted them to understand the weight of what her sister had done, not hide behind excuses or pity.

But instead, they picked a side... just as they always had, which was Veriel's side. Calling her naïve, fragile, confused. Freya felt the familiar sting settle in her chest.

Could she have expected this reaction? Yes. But not now, and not in something this serious.

"Freya," Mr. Hampton said, shaking his head as if she were the unreasonable one. "You need to learn forgiveness. I've told you this many times, but you never want to forgive your own sister."

Freya stared at him, her expression flat. Forgive? For this? They still didn't see her, only her sister up to this point.

"This is exactly what I told Freya yesterday," Alpha Modrich said. "She forgives everyone in the pack when they do wrong, yet she can't forgive her own sister?"

Freya let out a quiet breath, her eyes fixed on Veriel. "You want me to forgive my sister for sleeping with my husband?" she asked calmly.

"Maybe... maybe... if she asked for forgiveness and meant it, I might consider it."

Veriel lifted her face slightly, but Freya's gaze didn't soften. "But she hasn't asked sincerely. All she's done is cry and hide behind excuses."

"But I went down on my knees yesterday and begged you to forgive me," Veriel said quickly, wiping her cheeks. "And instead... you called me a whore."

Mr. Hampton's head snapped toward Freya. "You called your sister a whore, Freya?" he gasped, as if the word itself was the greatest sin in the room.

Mrs. Hampton shook her head in disbelief. "What kind of elder sister does that? How could you speak to her that way?"

Freya stared at them, stunned. Veriel's lies had slid so easily into their ears, and just like always... they believed her without a single question.

Even though Veriel had knelt yesterday, Freya knew it was all an act. The tears, the pleading, it wasn't sincere. And no, she had never called Veriel a whore. She had only stated the truth, which was Veriel had slept with other men before Modrich, contradicting her claim of virginity.

Freya watched closely, seeing the tiny shifts in Veriel's posture, the calculated pauses in her speech. She understood perfectly what was happening... Veriel was trying to twist the story, as she always did, a skilled manipulator. Freya's jaw tightened.

"I never knew you could be so cold-hearted," Alpha Modrich said, with his voice sharp.

"Veriel is young, naïve... and as her elder sister, you're supposed to guide her, care for her, and forgive her mistakes."

Freya's eyes narrowed to Alpha Modrich, her jaw tightening, but her voice remained calm.

"Maybe you should apologize first," she said quietly, hiding the storm of emotions inside.

"For going ahead and having sex with my sister... repeatedly... without any remorse. You claim guidance, yet you've encouraged her to betray me. You've all played your parts, but I see the truth."

Modrich's gaze faltered, just for a moment.

"I do not want you and my sister together," Freya said firmly. "She will leave the palace and follow our parents back to the house."

She knew Alpha Modrich could take as many concubines as he wished, but not her sister. Allowing this would be a direct insult to her as Luna, and she would not allow it.

"Have as many concubines as you want," she continued, her eyes locked on him, "but leave my sister out of this. She does not belong here."

"And what if I want to take Veriel as my concubine?" Alpha Modrich asked, his voice cold and deliberate.

Freya met his gaze without flinching. "You won't dare."

A faint, mocking smile touched his lips. "Then hear me well," he said.

"From this moment onward, I, Alpha Modrich, will take Veriel as my concubine. This is my decision."

"Prepare for the celebration," Modrich added, as if announcing a victory.

"You must be joking, Modrich," Freya said, her voice tight, with her hands clenching at her sides. Her chest burned, a mix of disbelief and anger.

"Does this look like a joke to you?" Modrich asked with his tone icy.

"Do you think taking my sister as your concubine will bring me any respect?" she demanded, her eyes flashing in hurt.

He shrugged, unconcerned. "You said I can take any woman I want as my concubine. So why would taking your sister be any different?"

Freya stared at him, stunned. His words were deliberate, cruel, and infuriating.

"She is my sister," Freya said, her voice rising with controlled fury. "You cannot do this."

"I have declared it, Luna," Modrich replied, his tone firm, and unyielding.

Freya spun toward her parents, hoping for some intervention, some sign they would stop this madness... but they remained silent, and their faces unreadable.

"Mother, Father... are you seriously allowing this?" she asked, disbelief and hurt cutting through her calm.

Her voice shook slightly despite her effort to stay composed, the weight of betrayal pressed down on her chest. Not only had her sister crossed every boundary, but now the people she trusted most... the ones who were supposed to protect her... sat silently, doing nothing.

"There's nothing wrong. Alpha Modrich has declared it, and we cannot go against him," Mrs. Hampton said, her tone calm, and resigned.

Freya's eyes fell on Veriel, and she saw the victorious smirk curling on her sister's lips. Every glance, every subtle movement screamed triumph. They were all against her... her sister, her parents, even Modrich himself.

It made her chest tightened more. The betrayal, the humiliation, the sheer audacity of it all pressed down on her. She could not sit there any longer. Without a word, she stood and walked out of the living room.

Once in her room, she paced back and forth, trying to contain the storm inside her. How could Modrich choose to embarrass her like this? Not just her, but in front of her sister, her parents, and now, potentially, the entire pack? The thought alone made her blood boil.

She couldn't do this anymore. Ten years of her life spent beside a man who showed her nothing but disregard, and now this complete humiliation.

Freya had thought duty meant sacrifice, but there was a limit. She had given everything, held herself together through every slight, every betrayal, every cold glance, and yet he treated her like she was nothing.

Her decision had formed in her mind with chilling clarity, and she would step down. She could no longer stand by and watch Modrich walk over her, over everything she had done for him, as if her loyalty, her pain, and her presence meant nothing. Enough was enough.

She had to step down from being Luna, even after everything... the ten years of training, the sacrifices, the constant vigilance. The weight of it all pressed down on her as she lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling smaller than ever.

Exhaustion pulled her under, and sleep claimed her quickly. When she opened her eyes, evening had already fallen. She poured water over herself in the shower, letting the cold wash some of the anger and despair away. Dressed and composed, she made a decision to divorce.

Freya walked to Alpha Modrich's room, but the room was empty. She stepped outside, scanning the courtyard, and then she saw him in the swimming pool. Relief surged for a moment, only to vanish as her eyes landed on the other figure beside him.

Her heart froze, it was Veriel. Her sister's laughter carried across the water, light and teasing, while Modrich leaned close, watching her with a smile. Ten years of loyalty, sacrifice, and training, and this was what she saw. Her hands clenched at her sides as the scene burned into her mind.

Freya kept her face calm, hiding the storm raging inside, as she walked toward them. Modrich's head lifted, his eyes locking onto hers, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

Without a word, she slid the rings from her fingers and flung them across the ground. They clattered on the stone, and Modrich froze, shock spreading across his features.

"I'm done," she said. "I want out of this union. I'm stepping down as Luna. I don't want any part of this anymore."

Modrich's lips parted, disbelief and anger flashing in his voice. "You can't just leave. This isn't yours to decide!" He climed out from the pool, now standing in front of her.

"It is my choice," Freya replied firmly. "I've given ten years, and I've had enough. I'm done."

Without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving him and Veriel stunned behind her.

When Freya entered the living room, her parents looked up in concern. "Freya, what's happening?" her father asked.

She took a deep breath. "Since you want Veriel to be with my husband, I can't take this embarrassment," she said, then gave out a long breath. "I want a divorce. I'm stepping down as Luna."

Her mother gasped. "Freya, please... don't do this. Think about the family!"

Her father added. "We didn't mean for it to go this far. Don't throw everything away."

"I've made my decision," Freya said firmly, shaking her head. "No. I cannot stay, and I won't let this continue."

*

*

*

Two days later, the divorce papers were ready.

The palace lawyer arrived, carrying the documents. Modrich hesitated, his eyes briefly meeting Freya's, a flash of anger and disbelief crossing his face.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked.

"I've never been more certain," Freya replied.

The lawyer placed the papers in front of them. Modrich signed reluctantly, his hand trembling slightly. It was done, and nor she was no longer the Luna.

Freya packed her belongings quietly. Without another word, she left the palace and made her way to her parents' house, leaving the past and her pain behind.

Back at her parents' house, Freya set her luggage down quietly. Her parents looked at her, worry etched on their faces.

"Freya, maybe you should go back," her mother said softly. "Beg him to forgive you. It's not too late."

"I will not," Freya said firmly, shaking her head. "I've made my choice. I won't return to him."

Her father opened his mouth, about to protest, but before he could say a word, the door burst open. Freya froze when she saw hefty looking men entered, this made confusion clouding her mind.

"Is this her?" one of them asked, eyes scanning the room.

Her father hesitated for a moment, then nodded stiffly. "Yes... take her."

Before she could process his words, strong hands grabbed her arms. She struggled violently, kicking and twisting, trying to break free, but there were too many of them.

"Let me go!" she shouted, her voice cracking with fear.

"You have no use to us anymore, Freya. Now that you are no longer Luna, your only value is to serve as our freedom from the debt we owe the Lone Wolf." Mr Hampton said.

Freya's eyes widened, shock and disbelief rooting her to the spot. "You... you're selling me to the Lone Wolf?" she asked, voice trembling with anger and fear.

Her mother opened her mouth to protest, but before she could speak, a cloth was pressed over Freya's nose and mouth. The chemical sting made her inhale sharply, fear surging, and then darkness swallowed her whole.