Trevor, Alpha of the Crimson Fang Pack, convinced me to spend a year abroad in Europe, claiming it would strengthen our alliance. But it was all a ruse so his childhood friend, Kataleya Jackson, a healer from the Shadow Claw Pack, could have his child. She proudly posted her maternity photos on Instagram with the caption:

"The best childhood buddy in the world has made my dream of becoming a mom come true."

As comments poured in urging them to mate quickly, my anger boiled over. I couldn’t resist commenting:

"Congrats on your undying love—hope it never bears fruit."

Trevor bombarded my phone with calls, and when I finally answered, he launched into a tirade. "What’s with your sarcastic remarks? I was just fulfilling a childhood promise to her."

I hung up and immediately began the process of dissolving our mate bond. There was no way I could remain Luna of the Crimson Fang Pack after this.

I had just finished canceling all the arrangements when Trevor showed up. He must have been tending to Kataleya, who had just given birth, judging by the dark circles under his eyes and his disheveled appearance. But he wasted no time blaming me.

"Did you delete the comment? You're making Kataleya look bad, don’t you see?"

He stepped closer, trying to appear apologetic, but my expression remained stern. My mate had deceived me into leaving so his childhood friend could bear his child. Trevor had told me when we first became mates that he didn’t want children. I had agreed to this so our packs could solidify their alliance. My parents, traditionalists, had reluctantly accepted this arrangement. Yet here he was, boldly having a child with someone else.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want children; I just wasn’t the one he wanted them with. A year ago, after Trevor marked me as his mate, he accompanied me to have a birth control implant inserted. He said it was to ensure nothing happened and to protect me from the risks of childbirth. That was his idea of giving me peace of mind. Looking back, I feel like a complete fool.

If he was so concerned for me, why didn’t he consider other options instead of having me go through the implant? Trevor tried to embrace me, but I pulled away.

"Poppy, don’t be upset. I didn’t sleep with Kataleya. I haven’t betrayed you," he insisted. He claimed he had only ever been with me, and Kataleya had gone through IVF. He swore there had been no betrayal.

I couldn’t help but laugh. "You said witnessing pack violence gave you a psychological aversion to children, but when Kataleya wanted a baby, you agreed. Not only that, you took care of her—what is it? You’re not afraid of her child?"

"She saved my life during a rogue attack and lost an ovary as a result. What’s wrong with repaying her with a child? My life is hers; can't you be a bit more understanding?" Trevor looked at me with frustration. He explained, again, that it was IVF and that the Jackson family could support the child, so we wouldn't have to worry.

"It was just to continue the Jackson lineage. Besides, I left right after Kataleya gave birth to come to you because I didn’t want you to misunderstand."

Trevor, sounding almost defeated, said he'd given me an out of this situation, enough to save face. I was so angry I couldn’t speak, my hand trembling as I clutched my phone.

The Alpha I had loved for so many years lied to me, deceived me, had another woman bear his child, and then expected me not to be jealous.

"Let’s dissolve the bond. There’s no future for us."

Crash!

Trevor shattered the coffee mug in front of him, shards flying and cutting my forehead. "Why can’t you try to understand me? I don’t want to owe Kataleya a debt of gratitude; I have to repay her for saving my life."

Blood trickled down my forehead, yet I felt no physical pain at that moment; it was all heartache. Trevor rushed over, trying to help with the wound.

"Get away from me!"

That night, I locked myself in the study, consumed by thoughts. How had I wronged him so badly that he would treat me like this?

My wolf growled softly in the back of my mind, a protective presence urging me to stand strong. But even she seemed shaken by the depth of Trevor’s betrayal.

I opened my laptop and began drafting the official rejection of our mate bond. My hands trembled as I typed the words that would sever our connection forever.

"I, Poppy, Luna of the Silver Moon Pack, reject you, Trevor Scott, Alpha of the Crimson Fang Pack, as my mate."

The bond between us screamed in protest, a searing pain that echoed through my soul. But I pushed through it, my resolve hardening with every word.

When I finally hit send, a strange sense of relief washed over me, even as tears streamed down my face. I was no longer bound to a man who had lied to me, deceived me, and betrayed my trust.

As I sat there in the quiet of the study, I realized that this was not the end, but a new beginning. I was still Luna of the Silver Moon Pack, and I would lead with strength and dignity, no matter what challenges lay ahead.

Trevor’s betrayal had broken my heart, but it had also shown me my own resilience. I would rebuild my life, piece by piece, and find happiness on my own terms.

And as I looked out the window at the moonlit night, I knew that I was stronger than I had ever imagined.

The wound on my forehead throbbed worse than before, and I knew I needed to see a healer. The pack house was eerily quiet—Trevor was nowhere to be found. When I arrived at the healer’s clinic, my steps faltered at the sight before me. Trevor stood there, cradling a baby in his arms, with Kataleya walking slowly beside him. The three of them looked like a perfect family, a tableau of harmony that made my stomach churn.

"Your mate is a bit forgetful," a healer commented with a chuckle. "He didn’t dissolve the formula properly before feeding the pup, and the little one started howling immediately." Trevor looked flustered, his alpha aura flickering with unease as he promised it wouldn’t happen again. It was as if he had already settled into the role of Kataleya’s mate.

Once the pup had calmed down, Kataleya turned to Trevor, her voice soft but deliberate. "Maybe I should nurse him," she suggested gently. "You’re about to mark Poppy as your Luna, and I shouldn’t intrude too much."

I stood a short distance away, my heart pounding as I listened to Trevor reassure her. "It’s fine," he said, his tone firm but gentle. "With the pup being so young, it’s better for you if I stick around to help."

My fists clenched at my sides, my nails digging into my palms. Trevor played with the pup in his arms, his expression tender and attentive. "Such a sweet pup," he murmured, his voice low and warm. "Those eyes look just like mine."

"It’s good if they resemble you; you’re the strong one," Kataleya laughed softly, her eyes gleaming with something I couldn’t quite place. She paused for a moment before adding, "Trevor, if... I mean if..."

"What is it?" Trevor asked, his gaze shifting to her, his alpha aura steady but laced with concern. "You don’t have to worry. Even if I mark Poppy, I’m still the pup’s father. Just let me know if you need anything."

Throughout our mate bond, there had always been a third presence. On the night we first acknowledged our bond, just as the connection between us felt palpable, Kataleya had called, asking Trevor to come to her aid. He hadn’t hesitated for a moment, leaving me standing alone in the moonlight. During countless pack gatherings, when I longed for his attention, Kataleya would claim to be "just one of the pack" and ensure she was always nearby.

And now, it was worse. She had a pup, and it was my mate’s.

I turned quietly to leave, unwilling to confront them, but Kataleya’s sharp eyes caught me.

"What a coincidence, Luna Poppy," she called out, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Are you here to see the pup too?"

See the pup? More like face my worst nightmare.

"What are you doing here?" Trevor frowned, his alpha aura flaring with irritation. "Do you trust me so little that you have to follow me around like this?"

Kataleya, however, spoke up for me, her tone syrupy with feigned understanding. "Luna Poppy means well. I understand your intentions, and we’ll make sure to give you a grand marking ceremony gift."

"No need," I replied, forcing my voice to remain steady despite the storm raging inside me. "We’re not marking each other."

"Stop talking nonsense," Trevor hissed, pulling me closer, his grip firm but not painful. He whispered sharply for me not to say such things in front of Kataleya. I shook off his hand, my wolf growling low in the back of my mind.

Lately, Kataleya had been posting cryptic images of the pup’s father on the pack’s shared mind link, never showing a full face. The comments from the pack were already pushing them to formalize their bond, and why not? They even had a pup together now.

I turned and walked away, my heart heavy but my resolve firm. The mate bond between us felt like a frayed thread, ready to snap. And this time, I wasn’t sure I wanted to hold on.