Xavier Ford, the Alpha of his pack, had fallen for a young she-wolf barely out of her teenage years.

He pressured Thea Gonzales, his once-Luna and mother of their pup Celine, into severing their mate bond. "Thea, she’s not interested in my status or power. She just wants to be recognized as my mate, and I owe her that."

Thea and Xavier had been together since their teenage years, standing side by side through the pack’s darkest days. She had been his rock when the pack was weak, their resources scarce, and their future uncertain. But now, as his pack thrived and his influence grew, he found himself drawn to the youthful energy of someone younger—someone who didn’t carry the weight of his past struggles.

He claimed that Thea’s presence reminded him of the hardships they had endured together, a part of his life he wanted to leave behind. In contrast, the young she-wolf admired him with wide-eyed innocence, sparking a sense of excitement and renewal that he couldn’t resist.

Eventually, he got what he wanted and severed their mate bond, but it wasn’t long before regret began to creep in.

***

The day Thea and Xavier finalized their separation at the pack’s council hall was the first time she met Addilyn Freeman.

Addilyn, barely in her twenties, radiated a youthful charm and vitality that was almost intoxicating. Her carefree demeanor reminded Thea of her own younger days, when the world had seemed full of endless possibilities. As they exited the council hall, Addilyn skipped into Xavier’s arms like an exuberant pup, affectionately linking her arm with his.

Xavier, slightly anxious, steadied her. “Be careful, Addilyn. You need to think of the pup,” he said, his voice low but firm, his hand instinctively brushing over her still-flat stomach. Addilyn responded with a playful pout, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Unable to resist, Xavier pinched her cheek gently, savoring its softness. Addilyn acted as if she had just noticed Thea, withdrawing her hand with a shy smile. “Alpha, stop it. People are watching,” she said, though her tone was anything but chastising.

With the formalities of their separation complete, Xavier felt no need to hold back. He turned to Thea, his voice steady but devoid of warmth. “Addilyn is carrying my pup. We’ll be marking our mate bond soon.”

Thea’s eyes flicked to Addilyn’s stomach, her fingers tightening around the parchment that confirmed the end of her own bond with Xavier. She said nothing, her expression unreadable.

Addilyn, however, was eager to bridge the gap. She pulled a small, intricately wrapped box from her bag and offered it to Thea with a genuine smile. “This is the first box of spiced honey cake we’re giving out to celebrate our new beginning. I truly hope you find happiness, Luna.”

She clung to Xavier’s arm even tighter, her voice soft but earnest. “And thank you for shaping Alpha Xavier into the leader he is today. He’s thoughtful, strong, and kind. I’ll treasure him always.”

Then, with a hint of vulnerability, she added, “If you’re comfortable, could we exchange mind link connections? I’m new to this pregnancy and could really use your guidance.”

Xavier’s jaw tightened, clearly uncomfortable with the idea of the two women maintaining contact. But Thea, ever composed, nodded and accepted the connection, if only to unsettle him further.

As Thea walked away, Xavier’s mind link buzzed with a message from her. “Alpha, if you’re worried about Addilyn’s safety, don’t be. I have no interest in harming her. But remember—this is your choice, not mine.”

Xavier’s response was swift, his tone laced with unease. “Thea, if you’re angry, direct it at me. Addilyn is innocent. She’s carrying my pup. Don’t drag her into this.”

Thea didn’t reply. She simply walked away, her posture straight and her head held high, leaving the two of them standing in the shadow of the council hall.

Thea Gonzales and Xavier Ford had been mates for seven years.

During their toughest times, when their pack struggled with scarce resources, they survived on scraps of meat and bread rolls for two months. There was even a period when they couldn’t afford to maintain their den and slept under the stars in the forest. Yet, those were the years when they were most in love.

Later, as Xavier’s pack grew in strength and prosperity, the wolves around him began to flatter him, and he started to change. During pack council meetings, whenever Thea, his Luna, disagreed with him, even if she was right, he took it as a challenge to his authority. It seemed that because she had seen him at his lowest, he felt she was trying to undermine him, dismissing everything she said as if she doubted his capability as Alpha. Gradually, a rift grew between them.

The breaking point came one night when Xavier returned to their den after a neighboring pack gathering, his aura heavy with dominance and the scent of alcohol clinging to him. He clumsily tore off Thea’s traditional Luna cloak and kissed her forcefully. It had been a long time since they had been intimate. His sudden passion overwhelmed her, and she softened in his arms. But just as they were reaching the height of intimacy, Xavier held her tightly and, in a moment of thoughtlessness, whispered, "Addilyn..."

Thea’s blood froze, and she felt as though her heart had been struck with a heavy blow. Xavier’s ardor vanished. He rolled away and sat on the edge of the bed, his back to her. The den was dark, enveloped in stifling silence.

Staring at the shadowed ceiling, Thea silently cried.

After what felt like an eternity, Xavier extinguished his cigar, broke the silence, and said, "Let’s end this, Thea."

"I’m tired of the little things, like your scent lingering everywhere. And your presence, it’s always the same. Aren’t you tired of it? It’s suffocating me."

He laid it all bare: "Being with you feels too familiar. But she’s different. She makes me feel alive and excited."

"I can’t keep compromising like this anymore. Name your terms for the separation. I’ll do my best to fulfill them, just let us be."

Xavier left their den that very night.

Thea had yelled, pleaded, and fought. But none of it mattered. His decision to abandon her and their pup was final.

The only consideration he had left was sparing their daughter, Celine, from the harsh truth. They agreed to tell her that her father was busy with pack duties and would return soon. Yet, less than six months after the separation, little Celine persistently clung to Thea, asking for her father and insisting he come home.

Thea’s wolf whimpered in the back of her mind, a sound of pain and betrayal. She had stood by Xavier through every struggle, every challenge, and now he had cast her aside as if she were nothing more than an Omega. The weight of his rejection pressed heavily on her, but she couldn’t let it break her. For Celine’s sake, she had to stay strong.

That evening, Celine once again seized the opportunity when Thea wasn’t paying attention and secretly grabbed her phone, making a video call to Xavier.

When the call connected, she enthusiastically shouted, "Alpha!"

But it was Addilyn who answered.

Addilyn warmly greeted Celine through the screen, her voice dripping with sweetness. "Hey there, Celine."

Celine’s expression turned serious, her small brows furrowing as she asked, "Who are you? Why do you have my dad’s phone?"

With a cheerful grin, Addilyn replied, "I’m your dad’s—"

"Celine!" Thea suddenly interrupted, her voice sharp and commanding, cutting Addilyn off mid-sentence. She swiftly took the phone from her daughter’s grasp, her fingers trembling slightly as she ended the call abruptly. Startled, Celine burst into tears, her tiny body shaking with sobs.

Feeling both guilty and heartbroken, Thea knelt down and gathered her daughter into her arms. "I’m sorry, sweetie," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "It was Mommy’s fault for scaring you. I’m really sorry."

Celine cried throughout the evening, her small hands clutching Thea’s shirt tightly as if afraid her mother might disappear. Eventually, she fell asleep in Thea’s arms, her breath hitching occasionally as dreams claimed her.

Watching her daughter’s innocent face, Thea felt too distressed to sleep. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions—anger, sorrow, and a deep, aching regret. She reached for her phone, her fingers hovering over the screen before she tapped into Instagram.

Addilyn’s latest post stared back at her.

"Happy one-year anniversary, Alpha Ford! Thanks for your love and companionship. I’m so happy and looking forward to our family of three. Love you~"

Thea’s chest tightened as she tapped on the photo that accompanied the post.

In the picture, Xavier’s large, muscular frame loomed protectively over Addilyn, his Alpha aura palpable even through the screen. His hand held hers, and on her ring finger was a massive diamond ring, its brilliance mocking Thea’s memories.

Thea remembered when she and Xavier had shared those blissfully happy moments.

When their pack had secured its first major alliance, Xavier had taken her to a jewelry store, insisting on buying her a ring worthy of his Luna. Thea had protested, thinking of the pack’s resources, and settled for a modest ring with a small diamond.

That day, they had walked out of the store, hand in hand, Thea lifting her ring-clad hand towards the rising moon, watching the small diamond sparkle under its light. Even then, it had felt magical.

Xavier had held both her hands tightly, his Alpha tone softening as he promised, "Thea, I’ll give you a good life. You’ll never regret choosing me as your mate."

But Xavier, you’ve broken your promise.

Thea’s wolf stirred within her, a low growl of pain and betrayal echoing in her mind. She clenched her jaw, forcing the emotions down. She couldn’t let it consume her—not now, not when Celine needed her.

She glanced at her daughter’s sleeping form, her heart aching with a fierce protectiveness. She would be strong—for Celine, for herself. The Moon Goddess had tested her, but she would not falter.

Yet, as she lay there in the dim light of the den, the weight of Xavier’s broken vow pressed heavily on her chest, a reminder of the life they had once built—and the life he had shattered.