The night I turned eighteen, I quietly made my way to the Morrison Pack’s estate, ready to reveal my feelings to Clark Morrison, the heir to the Alpha. The air was thick with the scent of pine and moonlight, the kind of night that made my wolf stir faintly, though I could never fully shift. My heart condition had always been a barrier, a weakness that Clark had used as an excuse to keep me at arm’s length. But tonight, I was determined to claim the bond that had been promised to us since childhood.

When I arrived, Clark was nowhere to be found. I waited in his room, perched on the edge of his bed, the soft hum of the pack’s nighttime activities filtering through the walls. The hours stretched on, and still, he didn’t return. By dawn, I heard voices at the door—Clark and his friend, Phillip, a Delta in the pack. Their laughter echoed down the hall, sharp and careless.

“Kamila’s finally eighteen,” Phillip said, his tone teasing. “No more excuses, huh? So why’d you end up with Nadia last night? She’s practically the Luna heir. That’s bold, even for you.”

Clark’s laugh was easy, dismissive. “Kamila’s fragile. Her heart—it’s not like she could handle a real bond. Maybe in a few years, when she’s stronger. But Nadia? She’s different. She’s... untouchable.”

The words hit me like a physical blow. My wolf whimpered softly in the back of my mind, a sound of pain I couldn’t suppress. For eighteen years, Clark had treated me with care, but it wasn’t love—it was pity. And now, he’d spent the night with Nadia Vargas, the golden girl of the pack, the one everyone whispered would be Luna one day.

Three months ago, on Clark’s birthday, we’d shared a moment I thought was real. He’d kissed me on the couch, his hands trembling as they traced my jawline. I’d reached for him, desperate to close the distance, but he’d stopped me. “Kamila,” he’d said, his voice gentle but firm, “you’re not ready. When we bond, it has to mean something. It’s not just about us—it’s about the pack.”

And now, here he was, talking about Nadia like she was the one who mattered. Like I was nothing more than a burden.

Their voices grew louder as they approached the room. I burrowed into the blanket on Clark’s bed, my face burning with shame. The scent of his sheets, usually comforting, now felt suffocating.

Suddenly, Clark’s phone rang. “It’s Nadia,” he said, his voice sharp with concern. “She’s bleeding a bit. I need to go check on her. Sorry, Phillip, no training today. Let’s reschedule for tomorrow.”

“Bleeding?” Phillip’s laugh was incredulous. “You really went all out last night, huh? Must’ve been wild.”

Clark chuckled, the sound low and self-satisfied. “It was only supposed to be twice, but she wouldn’t let me go. Kept me up all night. Good thing it was her, though. I’d never want to see Kamila in that state.”

The nausea hit me like a tidal wave. I stumbled to the bathroom, barely making it to the sink before I retched. Tears streamed down my face as the memories of Clark and me played in my mind—every smile, every touch, every promise. It all felt like a lie now, a cruel trick played by the Moon Goddess.

My wolf stirred again, a faint growl of anger and pain. *He’s not worth it,* she whispered, her voice a fragile thread in my consciousness. *He never was.*

But it didn’t make the hurt any less. Clark’s words—his casual dismissal of me—cut deeper than any rejection. I wasn’t just losing him; I was losing the future I’d thought was mine. The bond I’d waited for, the one I’d believed in, was crumbling before my eyes.

And there was nothing I could do to stop it.

I tried to calm my swirling emotions as I took a cab back to the Morrison Pack’s territory, the familiar scent of pine and earth greeting me as I stepped out. The towering trees that marked the pack’s borders seemed to loom larger today, their shadows stretching long and heavy. My heart ached, and my wolf whimpered softly in the back of my mind, sensing the turmoil I couldn’t fully suppress.

When I entered the Alpha’s mansion, Aila Morrison was already there, standing in the grand living room with her usual warm smile. Her aura as the Luna of the Morrison Pack was as commanding as ever, but her eyes softened when they landed on me.

“Oh, my dear daughter-in-law is back!” she greeted, her voice lilting with affection.

The words that once made me feel shy and cherished now felt like a dull knife slowly twisting in my chest. I took a deep breath, the scent of spiced honey cake wafting from the table, mingling with the faint floral notes of Aila’s aura. It should have been comforting, but it only made the pain sharper.

I looked at her seriously, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. “Aila, please don’t call me that anymore. I’m not your daughter-in-law.”

And I never will be.

Aila’s expression shifted, her brows furrowing as she quickly walked over to me. She placed a gentle hand on my arm, her touch warm but tinged with concern. “Are you feeling shy, dear? I’ve been through this, you know. I called the Alpha heir last night. Do you think I don’t know what you were up to?”

She gestured toward the cake on the table, her smile returning, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I woke up early today just to make this dessert for you.”

A sharp pain twisted through me again, and I clenched my fists to keep my emotions in check. My wolf growled softly, a low rumble of anger and hurt. I swallowed hard, forcing the bitterness down. “Aila, you’re mistaken. I wasn’t the one with Clark last night.”

She froze, her hand dropping from my arm. Her aura flickered, a ripple of unease passing through the room. “What are you saying, Kamila?”

I met her gaze, my voice firm despite the ache in my chest. “Clark and I just aren’t meant to be. Let’s forget about this engagement. And please, could you let the Alpha heir know not to come looking for me anymore?”

Aila’s face paled, and for a moment, she looked as if she’d been struck. “Did that silly boy upset you?” she asked, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and disbelief. “I’ll call him right now to apologize.”

She pulled out her phone and dialed Clark’s number, her movements sharp and hurried. The line connected, and I heard his voice, rough and hoarse, say, “Mom?”

Before Aila could speak, a soft, stifled murmur came through the receiver. It was Nadia Vargas’s voice—once voted the best female voice in our pack, the undisputed favorite among the males. Even though it was just a brief sound, the implication was crystal clear.

Aila’s face turned ashen, and she quickly ended the call, her hands trembling. She looked at me, her eyes wide with shock and a flicker of pity. “Kamila...”

Her aura, usually so steady and commanding, wavered, a storm of anger and confusion swirling around her. I maintained my outward calm, though inside it felt like another blow had been dealt. My wolf whimpered again, a sound of sorrow and resignation.

“Aila, please leave,” I said softly, my voice steady but firm.

She hesitated, her lips parting as if to argue, but then she nodded slowly. Her gaze lingered on me for a moment longer, filled with a mix of regret and something I couldn’t quite place—perhaps understanding, or maybe sorrow. Without another word, she turned and walked out of the room, her footsteps echoing in the silence she left behind.

I stood there for a moment, the weight of her absence pressing down on me. The scent of the spiced honey cake still lingered, but it no longer held any comfort. My wolf let out a soft growl, a reminder of the bond I had severed, the life I was leaving behind.

I turned and headed for the door, my steps steady despite the ache in my chest. The Morrison Pack was no longer my home, and I needed to find a place where I could start anew.