This time, unlike before, my father ordered me to be dressed in full ceremonial attire.

I was presented to Leo Mills like a gift, awaiting his decision on whether to keep or discard me.

He looked at me, his gaze flickering for a moment, but there was no warmth in his eyes.

After a long silence, he spoke coldly.

"If you promise me that once your sister returns, you will willingly step aside as the Luna of this pack, I will take you as my mate.

"You needn’t worry. At that time, you will still remain by my side as my chosen mate."

I shook my head, uttering words that bordered on defiance.

"Alpha, if I agree, will you allow me to leave the pack when the time comes?

"I have someone I love and a place I wish to go."

He exhaled, visibly relieved, his guard dropping.

"Good. That’s settled then."

When the Luna saw that the Alpha had chosen me, she didn’t object. Instead, she smiled and took the silver pendant from her neck, handing it to me.

"It’s you. I feel at ease with this choice."

When Leo came to fetch me, his eyes narrowed at the sight of the pendant I now wore.

"That was meant for Capri. You’re merely holding onto it for now. Don’t get any ideas."

I responded calmly, my voice steady.

"The Luna’s gift is not something I could refuse.

"To others, Alpha, you may be untouchable, but to me, you’re merely a partner in this arrangement.

"You may not value me, but I don’t value you either."

His face flushed with anger, and he let out a sharp, bitter laugh before turning on his heel and storming away.

I walked in the opposite direction, my steps deliberate and unwavering. I didn’t look back.

But before I had gone far, Leo returned in his wolf form, pulling me onto his back and holding me tightly against him as we ran together.

He was seething, his voice low and furious.

"Shay Mills, you’re something else! Do you know that even your sister wouldn’t dare speak to me like that!"

He was so furious that he forgot to refer to himself as "the Alpha" and instead used "I."

I didn’t respond, my heart as cold as the night air around us. This was a game, and I was no longer willing to play by his rules.

On our marking night, Leo drank heavily.

He lifted my veil, cupping my face in his hands, and called out Capri’s name all night.

To say it didn’t hurt would be a lie.

After all, it was supposed to be the most important night of my life—the night I marked my mate, the future Lycan King.

I stared at Leo, his handsome features softened by the dim light of the room. His dark eyes were clouded with alcohol, his strong jawline tense even in his drunken state. He was every inch the powerful Lycan Prince, his aura commanding even when he wasn’t trying.

But in that moment, I felt nothing but cold detachment.

I memorized the sharp angles of his face, the way his lips curled slightly even in his unconscious muttering of her name. I etched every detail into my mind, not out of longing, but as a reminder.

A reminder that this man, this supposed mate chosen by the Moon Goddess, would never have my heart.

I would never let myself feel for him.

When he finally slumped onto the bed, his breathing heavy and uneven, I stood and walked to the window. The moonlight spilled into the room, casting a silvery glow over everything. I inhaled deeply, the crisp night air filling my lungs, and closed my eyes.

My wolf stirred faintly in the back of my mind, a low, mournful whine echoing through my thoughts.

*He doesn’t deserve you,* she whispered, her voice tinged with both anger and sorrow.

I didn’t respond. I didn’t need to.

From that moment on, I vowed to myself—and to my wolf—that I would never let Leo Mills break me.

No matter what the future held, I would remain steadfast, unyielding, and, above all, untouchable.