“You’re imagining things,” he said smoothly, leaning in so his breath brushed against my ear. “Maybe you should spend less time obsessing over what Araceli posts and more time focusing on keeping me happy.”

I staggered back, every ounce of strength I had crumbling under the weight of his words. My heart felt like it was being torn in two, the bond between us fraying more with every second that passed.

“Luciano—”

He cut me off with a mocking laugh, stepping away as though the conversation was beneath him. “You’re imagining things, Luna,” he said, his voice dripping with condescension. “Maybe you’re the problem in this relationship.”

I could barely hold myself together as the hours dragged on after my confrontation with Luciano. His words still rang in my head, sharp and condescending, as if my hurt was a joke to him. You’re the problem in this relationship. The smirk on his face when he said it was burned into my memory, an endless loop of pain and humiliation.

The bond that tethered us as mates had grown weaker by the day, fraying under the weight of his betrayal. I’d always clung to the hope that it could be mended, that maybe I just needed to try harder. But now I saw the truth. Luciano didn’t care. He never had.

Araceli’s presence became unbearable in the hours that followed. She lingered around the pack house like a dark cloud, her smug smirks and exaggerated gestures making her intentions crystal clear. She wanted me to know that she had won.

By the time night fell, my resolve was crumbling. I sat by the window in my room, staring blankly into the darkness outside. My thoughts were a chaotic mess, swirling with anger, grief, and something I hadn’t felt in years—hope.

I needed to leave.

It wasn’t an impulsive decision. The idea had been lurking in the back of my mind ever since Luciano’s behavior had shifted, but I’d ignored it, convincing myself that leaving was impossible. But now, as I stared into the night, I realized that staying was the real impossibility.

A sound outside broke my trance. I stood, moving silently to the window. My heart sank as I caught sight of Luciano slipping out of the pack house, his movements quick and deliberate.

I didn’t need to guess where he was going.

I watched as he crossed the courtyard and disappeared into the forest. A moment later, Araceli emerged from the shadows, her laughter echoing faintly in the stillness. She followed him without hesitation, her hips swaying with confidence.

The sight was like a dagger to my chest. My mate, my supposed other half, was sneaking off with the Delta without a care in the world. I couldn’t watch any longer.

I stepped away from the window, my decision solidifying in my mind. This was it. I couldn’t endure another day of this humiliation, of this betrayal. I would leave, and I would do it soon.

My reputation as a healer would ensure my safety. Packs all over the region valued my skills, and I knew that any one of them would welcome me with open arms. I didn’t need Luciano. I didn’t need this pack.

I pulled out a small bag from under my bed and began to gather my belongings. Clothes, a few personal items, and most importantly, my healing tools. My hands shook as I worked, but I pushed through the fear. I couldn’t let doubt creep in now.

When I was done packing, I sat at my desk and pulled out a piece of parchment. The words came slowly at first, but soon they flowed from me like a river.

Luciano,

By the time you read this, I will be gone. I’ve given this pack everything I had, and all I’ve received in return is pain. You’ve broken our bond, and you’ve broken me. I hope you find what you’re looking for, but I refuse to let you destroy me any further.

Don’t look for me. I won’t be coming back.

—Isadora

I folded the letter and placed it in the drawer of my desk. He wouldn’t find it until it was too late.

As I turned back to my bag to double-check its contents, the door creaked open behind me. My heart leaped into my throat, and I spun around, clutching the bag tightly.

Araceli stood in the doorway, her expression smug as ever.

“Planning a little trip, Luna?” she asked, her voice dripping with mock sweetness.

I straightened, forcing myself to meet her gaze. “What are you doing in my room, Araceli?”

“Oh, don’t get so defensive,” she said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. “I just thought I’d check on you. You’ve been so… quiet since Luciano put you in your place earlier.”

Her words were like venom, seeping into my skin and fueling the anger bubbling inside me.

“What do you want?” I asked coldly.

She sauntered closer, her hands resting on her hips. “I thought you should know that Luciano is with me because I give him what he needs. Something you’ve clearly failed to do.”

My fists clenched at my sides, but I didn’t respond. She wanted a reaction, and I refused to give her the satisfaction.

“I mean, really,” she continued, her tone light and teasing. “Did you honestly think you were enough for him? You’re so… plain. So predictable.”

“Get out,” I said, my voice steady despite the fire raging inside me.

“Oh, I’m not done yet,” she said, stepping even closer. “You should know, Isadora, that he doesn’t even talk about you when we’re together. It’s as if you don’t even exist.”

“Get. Out.”

Araceli’s smirk widened, but before she could say another word, the door opened again.

“Araceli.”

Luciano’s voice filled the room, sharp and commanding. My heart stopped as he stepped inside, his gaze shifting between the two of us.

“What’s going on here?” he asked, his tone deceptively calm.

Araceli turned to him, her expression shifting to one of innocent surprise. “Oh, I was just checking on Isadora,” she said sweetly. “She seemed upset, and I thought I’d see if she needed anything.”

Her words were a lie, but I didn’t correct her. I was too focused on Luciano’s piercing gaze, which now rested squarely on me.

“Isadora?” he said, his voice low and unreadable. “Is that true?”

I didn’t respond, my mind racing as I tried to gauge his reaction. Did he suspect anything? Had Araceli seen too much?

Luciano takes a step closer, his eyes narrowing as he notices my packed bag.

Luciano’s eyes lingered on my bag for a moment too long. The flicker of recognition in his gaze set my nerves alight, but I kept my expression steady. If he wanted to pry, I was ready to defend myself. Instead, he shifted his focus to Araceli, his tone sharp.

“What are you doing in her room, uninvited?”

Araceli immediately donned her mask of innocence, her lips trembling as though she were the victim here. “I just wanted to check on her, Luciano. Isadora’s been so... tense lately. I thought she could use some support from a friend.”

I let out a bitter laugh, unable to hold it in. “A friend, Araceli? You don’t even know the meaning of the word.”

Luciano’s glare snapped to me, his jaw tightening. “That’s enough, Isadora.”

The dismissal hit harder than I cared to admit, but I bit my tongue. This wasn’t the time for an argument. His tone softened when he turned back to Araceli, his entire demeanor shifting. “Go back to your room. I’ll handle this.”

Araceli hesitated, her gaze darting between us before she flashed me a triumphant smile and sauntered out.

Luciano turned back to me, his towering frame casting a shadow over where I stood. “What’s with the bag?”

“Reorganizing,” I replied flatly, refusing to meet his eyes.

“Don’t lie to me, Isadora.” His voice was low and sharp, the threat in it unmistakable.

I squared my shoulders, meeting his gaze head-on. “Believe whatever you want, Luciano. It’s not like you’ve ever cared to listen to me.”

His lips curled into a sneer, his disdain palpable. “Always playing the victim. Maybe if you focused less on your wounded pride and more on your duties as Luna, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

A bitter laugh escaped me. “My duties? You mean standing by while you sneak off with her? While she parades around like she’s already Luna?”

His expression darkened, but before he could respond, a knock at the door interrupted us.

“The pack meeting is about to start,” came a muffled voice.

Luciano shot me one last cold glare. “We’ll finish this later.”

I followed him to the main hall, every step heavier than the last. Whispers filled the room as we entered, the weight of the pack’s judgment settling on my shoulders. Araceli was already there, strategically positioned near the front, her hand resting protectively on her stomach. She caught my eye and smirked, her triumph shining through.

Luciano took his place at the head of the room, his presence commanding silence. I stood off to the side, feeling the weight of the pack’s gazes on me.

The meeting began as usual, with patrol schedules and upcoming ceremonies being discussed. My mind wandered as I fought to keep my composure.

“Now,” Luciano’s voice rang out, snapping me back to reality. “About the upcoming mating ceremony...”

My stomach twisted.

“We’ve been planning this for months,” he continued, his gaze sweeping across the room before landing on me. “It’s meant to solidify the bond between me and your Luna. But,” he paused, letting the silence stretch,

“If these behaviors continue, I’ll have to reconsider whether this ceremony is worth going through with.” My Alpha mate finally broke the silence, finishing his sentence.

A ripple of murmurs spread through the room, and my heart sank. I wanted to scream, to tell everyone the truth, but I forced myself to remain silent.

As Luciano moved on to the next topic, Araceli suddenly stepped forward, clutching her stomach.

“Alpha,” she said, her voice trembling, “I’d like to say something.”

Luciano gestured for her to continue.

“I know this isn’t the time, but I can’t stay silent anymore. I’ve tried to keep this to myself, but I think it’s important for the pack to know what I’ve been enduring.”

The pack shifted uneasily, their attention now fully on her.

“It’s Luna Isadora,” she said, her voice breaking as tears welled in her eyes. “She’s been... hostile toward me, accusing me of things I haven’t done. And today, she...”

She turned to me, her eyes glistening with crocodile tears. “She pushed me.”

Gasps echoed through the hall, and I froze.

“That’s a lie!” I said, my voice rising above the crowd.

Araceli shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “I just wanted to be close to her, to offer her my support. But when I tried to hug her earlier, she shoved me so hard I nearly fell.”

“That never happened!” I shouted, stepping forward. “She’s lying!”

Luciano’s gaze snapped to me, his eyes cold. “Isadora.”

“She’s manipulating you!” I said, desperation creeping into my voice. “She’s been playing everyone, and now she’s trying to paint me as the villain?”

Araceli sniffled, clutching her stomach dramatically. “I only care about the safety of my pup. I don’t want any trouble, Alpha. I just... I just don’t feel safe anymore.”

Luciano turned to me, his expression unreadable. “Do you have anything to say for yourself?”