Hala's POV

I think my mate of five years hit his head hard. Monday morning out of nowhere, Kronos sent home Dior, Gucci and other top brand clothes with price tags removed. Amongst that was a precious diamond ring which made me glide over the moon. It was our anniversary, so those meant so much to me.

I was innocently thrilled and made a post about it for our group chat. But a comment from the least expected person made my smile drop.

-So the Luna is picking at my trash now~-

So that's why those clothes didn't have tags on them…

Kronos was spending a lot of time away from me, making me overwork with cleanliness and other trivial things. Now I've figured out where he's been going all along.

I had no choice but to stuff them all back into a big, crumpled bag. I found the cheater at a hotel, on a rather romantic dinner with his PA. As I stood in front of the cheater, I swatted the bag to his feet, gathering attention.

"Enjoy cheating on me. There's lingerie inside for you too." Kronos Jitterwagon of Greymoon pack, my Alpha, stood up with such force that it smashed the chair down.

"Enough with your drama. Can't you see I'm in a meeting with my PA? Why did I even waste my money on you!? Good that you brought it here or I'd have to snatch it from you at home. Hmph! There's no way I'd ever marry a materialistic person like you." Kronos growled, rolled his eyes and sat back down.

Something snapped.

Neatly, I pulled the engagement ring out and tossed it in his pasta.

"Fetch for it if you even care. Losers deserve losers in the end anyway."

As expected, he smashed the pasta plate down as it shattered with the ring rolling off into a ventilation duct. He uttered with bubbling rage, "You have to stop being materialistic and flaky. I can't afford you anymore! Maybe then I'd consider getting back with you. But now, don't even think about disturbing me again. Go home.” his pheromones were all over the place, making other werewolves sweat.

This threat has diluted decently for me. There were times I used to fear this from my alpha, but it barely elicited a whimper out of me.

After leaving them at their sanctuary, I secretly took pictures of Katlyn and Jeffrey. Then, I vengefully posted them in cross-continent alpha groups and our pack's group chat. It was obvious that I was calling off the wedding and rejecting him. Someone chose to be disloyal and it wasn't me.

But Kronos was much more creative than I gave credit for.

-Trying to work hard for the company with my PA-

Kronos's post focused more on the computer on the table, content blurred out. Then he targeted me.

-Hala, I know you're upset that I'm working hard for our company and pack. It's unfair if I buy you the premium diamond set and a house that you wanted right now.-

-Let's not forget you still have to repay me for the money you used for college-

The silence of the group chat disrupted after a million years. The first to scavenge on my died dignity was my drunkard father. Those colorful words he texted would never leave my mind. He wanted me to apologize to the cheater and get back with him so I'd continue feeding his addictions!

The last straw was pulled when my father sealed the deal with his death. And I'd be 'fully responsible for his death certificate soon'.

But guess what? I'm so used to this nonsense. I exited the group chats quietly after unleashing chaos.

My father was Kronos's father's beta. Kronos's father was also an alpha, it was kind of a patriarchal heritage well preserved. His father cheated on his mother too. Well, my father changed after my birth. Turns out, a baby literally 0 days old was capable of killing a grown woman.

I survived his wrath for 26 years, and now forced to face the turbulent, cruel world of Kronos Jitterwagon. He was such a sweet, kind soul before mayhem of Katyln Gwen struck. Now it seemed those virtues were well restored for the most corrupt villainess on the planet. Perfect couple, aren't they?

While other enjoyed and even rode on his kindness and success, I suffered his wrath and sarcasm in the background.

Upon that, Kronos was a grandmaster at riling me up then put up a front as though he was the mature and big person in the relationship. Naturally, I was painted as the childish, unreasonable whore.

However, Kronos's basket caught an Easter egg this time. He undermined me too much too long.

I returned to our cold mansion, Kronos walked in an hour later. He threw the bag of gifts- all trash of someone else- in front of me. He looked around, sniffing the air.

"Where's dinner? Are you serious? Stop sulking because I thought those gifts wood suit you better. You went as far to ruin our anniversary. Go make food or I'll starve you for a week."

Those girls walking down the street smelled the beautiful roses, every other day. Catching me eyeing them with envy, Kronos acknowledged my desire for gifts...two years ago.

"Get your ass up and start cooking. And what's this?" He swiped a finger across the table, grey filling up, "Keep the damn house clean! That's literally your only job! You're so lazy, ugh. What did I even look to propose to you?"

In his eyes, I'm fatter, lazier and materialistic while forgetting conveniently he fired me from the job to take care of his house. He lured me and I was naive enough.

I was scrolling through my phone while Kronos angrily threw utensils in the kitchen to make himself a passive aggressive dinner. I came across Katyln's post again. But this time, she was in a jacuzzi like a model wearing the lingerie i was gifted.

I scoffed.

"Kronos,I don't use used tissues nor used men. Figure out which one suits you most."

My words darkened his soul further. He stood close to my face, making me feel inferior, "Hala Kruger...what gives you the right to belittle me? Don't forget I have an upper hand in everything. You live in MY house, eating MY food and wearing MY offerings. And I'm your bloody alpha."

He didn't need to remind me, half of it was false anyway. I wanted to clap back, but the sound of door bell indicating my food delivery interrupted us. I opened the package on the dinner table. That's when I caught his eyes softened.

"Today...is your birthday." He said. It was midnight. I shook my head.

"I never celebrated my birthdays. I only celebrate the death of my mother." His gaze softened even more. Kronos hurried to fetch a lighter and approached me.

"Baby, im sorry." An empty apology yet again, "I promise I'll make it up to you. Tomorrow, Seven Leaves. Then after our romantic dinner, I'll take you to Tiffany's for a bigger, shinier ring of your choice. Cool?"

He sat across me, his old personality finally returning, "Hala, you have no reason to be jealous of Katyln. We were in a relationship before but we moved on. We were just mateless...lost souls. Until I found you." He tried to reach for my hand.

I was naive and overly proud of having my own alpha as my mate. I realized it bore consequences I couldn't imagine. I knew I shouldn't have let a used man use me. Mistakes followed sequentially after my initial one with Kronos. And now, i sleep everyday huddled with mistakes, acting as my bed.

"Thank you for the sweet talk. Didn't need it." He sighed. However, he came around and lit the candle for me. He whispered against my neck. softly, sensually.

"Make a wish, my love."

This was my opportunity to finally see if the Goddess would listen to me or not. I joined hands and prayed with utmost devotion.

"I want two things. Happiness, and to be single. Free me from this curse of love forever."

The whiff of air already blew out the candles for me. But I knew who did it. And he was nowhere to be seen. I scoffed at how delicate can a man's ego be. Not only did he make the candles go out but he also knocked the cake to the ground.

What's worse? It wasn't even intentional on his part.

Just then, I checked my phone to see new updates. Firstly,

-Our alpha Boss Prince Charming is always there to protect me~-

Beside was the edge of a table covered with a hand. We all knew what that meant and who that hand belonged to. The platinum band on his ring etched his name over it.

Secondly, the Prince Charming who didn't even bother to help me during a car crash typed individually,

-I'm on my way to Kaytln. Clean up her penthouse and shine up our mansion too. I want no excuses-

-Also, show up with chicken soup. Don't even dare put eggs in it-

It all made sense to me...

Kronos could eat anything edible on this planet. However, someone special was allergic to egg protein. As a werewolf, it's a shame that she couldn't even digest the simplest protein to ever exist. I felt pity.

I was thrilled to ignore his messages read from notification bar. But it didn't make sense if I acted like a bitch, like someone familiar.

He turned to me upon moticing my presence. I lifted an eyebrow,

"Whoa, sorry to disturb your PDA."

"You're biased and bitter. Besides, what took you so long? Poor girl was starving."

Kaytln gently tugged at his sleeve and made grabby hands at the container in my hands. Shes 32 years old by the way, same as Kronos.

"I know she never liked me, but she's my luna! She's very caring too!" Katyln beamed, making me nauseous. Controlling my urge to hurl the hot container at her, I stepped away when Kronos called me over.

"You're being bitter and jealous of someone already hospitalized. What is wrong with you!? Now you know why I never wanted to marry you." I raised an eyebrow.

"The feeling is mutual." Whispering, i walked out when my eyes fell on the open dustbin. Between the black cover were two used condoms. I felt my heart thump down to my pants. The pang was incredible. Like a horse kicked me in my chest.

Now I know why Kronos never came back home on time. He was always cranky and he didn't even dare touch me for months. He was getting satisfaction elsewhere.

As I walked past pissed off nurses, I noticed all the commodities flooding inside Katyln's hospital room. Designer bags, clothes, shoes and even luxury, gold dusted tissues...

The level of entitlement of this woman was uncanny because someone was enabling it. I couldn't help but laugh at the situation. Top tier comedy gold. Get the pun?

While all those were her one day gifts for hospital visit, my belongings at the mansion filled one big suitcase. I laughed out, finding it outrageously ridiculous.

Soon, my tears turned bitter and laughter was replaced with sobs. I dialled the only person who flashed in my head.

"Cameron...you were right. That jackass wasn't worth one second of my life. Find me, please. I'm so lost." I meant it physically and metaphorically.

"Silly girl.' I could hear the smirk dripping from her voice. But i knew she was utterly concerned and probably running down the stairs in her pajamas.

She said it'd take two days and three nights to finally reach her - she did her best to book the closest flight date possible.

What worse feeling than leaving five years of lies and promises behind, right?

The irony was sadly lost on me. Kronos blocked me everywhere. Shouldn't I be the one to do that?

But it felt so trivial to me that I didnt notice until next day. I left the mansion, I had somewhere else to be. A man too corrupt to call my dad had to know I won't be supplying him with money and enabling his addictions anymore.

As soon as I stepped down the bus, my father looked at me eagerly. He was waiting at the bus stop eagerly, yearning for currency from me.

"Where's my son in law?" He asked lovingly, his rotten teeth on display.

"I broke up with him" I revealed. Something came over him. My father slapped me across the face, revealing a red face. Kronos accidentally saw my father slapping me in the past and swore to never foot in this area where his previous beta lived, ever again.

"Father!"

"Talking back to me!?" He raised his hands and rained down insults and more slaps on me. It was no different from other scenarios. More the people spectating, more of the show he put up to say to the world, 'Look! Look at this child who killed my mate and made me into this monster!'

"Kronos. Told. Me. Everything!" He slapped at each word.

"You're a lying, pathetic, whore of a daughter who can't even keep a relationship! Do you know how hard I worked to remain loyal to his corrupt father!? My alpha! Just so I could set you up with Kronos!" I widened my eyes.

The bus and the passengers all well away. Just then, the clouds clapped loudly which scared my spineless father.

"I...I don't care what you do. Beg, get pregnant with his child, or die. You better establish that communication back with him or don't bother coming here. I won't let you rest in peace even after your death if you don't do what I say." I...was too stunned to speak.

A car revved behind us. It stood there for awhile, my father couldn't recognise it but I did right away. Turning away after hearing a life time of insults from my own father, I walked the other way.

I didn't have to do anything with either of these men. However, one of them a different idea. He dropped down the tree like a vendetta and glared down.

Wordlessly, he grabbed my wrist and stuffed me into the car without my protests even bothering him. The power difference was clear.

"Wear this " He shoved the muffler in my hands which reeked of Katyln's scent. I refused to even touch it, it pooled around my feet as I sat shivering.

I...envisioned a life of joy and contempt with many pups, with Kronos. He was there through thick and thin, but suddenly, everuthing changed. I became his wall while he took advantage of my kindness.

Kronos's special ringtone for Katyln blared through my plethora of thoughts. I rolled my eyes. She was better and prettier hospitalized.

"Daddyyyy! Why aren't you here yet!?" I whipped my head towards him. "I'm running out of ways to find excuse for why the Luna isn't here for the party, boss!"

He said something along the lines of "I'll manage it." And cut the call.

We both gazed in front, awkwardness looming like impending doom.

Then he spoke up, "You can come if you want. No wait. You have to. You're still Luna." He reminded, as if i didn't know about the party in the first place.

"I'm suddenly being allowed to come as your plus one now?" He shrugged his shoulders.

"If you insist, I can drop you off at some unnamed street and pick you up later. You don't seem to mind getting lost." I was having enough of his sarcastic leg pulling.

I pulled out a tissue to dip it on my busted lip and hummed.

"I'm still Luna, aren't I?"