I ignored Jakob's open announcement of his love for me on social media and went home. Then, I asked a maid for a pair of scissors.

Then, I pulled out the matching custom-designed shirt I had made and cut it into shreds.

The sound of the fabric being torn apart was soft, but they seemed to have left slices on my heart.

Then, I picked up the shredded fabric and placed our ring into a box labeled "Second Mate Bond Gift."

I meant to give this box to Jakob on the day I was going to leave.

Maybe he would be thrilled when he received it. Or maybe excited, happy…

But he didn't know that I was also returning all my shattered tenderness and love to him.

Once I had tucked the box away, I ran into Jakob who came back home.

He smiled at me fondly as he took my hand and led me outside.

"Honey! The surprise I planned for you is here! Come see it!"

Once outside, a massive pink gift box greeted me.

Jakob snapped his fingers, and the box automatically opened.

As a flurry of balloons and confetti burst into the sky, a pink Bugatti caught my eye.

Two domestic helpers quickly raised a banner that read, "For my beloved Luna, Cynthia."

Crowds gathered again as he presented his gift in such an extravagant manner, all of them sighing with envy.

Jakob then handed me the keys, his eyes brimming with love. "Cynthia, didn't you say the seat in your car is a little uncomfortable? I remembered it, so I chose a new car for you. As your Alpha, I'll give you everything you want."

Just when I was about to accept his gift as I drowned myself in his eyes filled with burning passion, I suddenly saw a bracelet that I had never seen before around his wrist. It was something any woman could recognize. A bracelet made of a lace bra strap.

My hand froze, and I felt my stomach churning.

Jakob noticed the change in my expression and asked worryingly, "What's wrong, Cynthia? You don't want this car? You didn't like the color?"

I shook my head and took the car keys, my voice trembling. "No… It's a wonderful car."

But I never wanted a car. I wanted Jakob.

He obviously sighed in relief, thinking that I was probably just too touched.

Back in our bedroom, Jakob noticed a gift box on my dressing table.

He wanted to see what it was, but I stepped in front of him.

Jakob held my hands and said, "You prepared a surprise for me too, didn't you?"

I pursed my lips then said with a fake smile, "Of course. You know how I'll always treat others with kindness when they treat me well. But you can't open it yet. I'll give it to you and another gift seven days later. I'm sure you'll love it."

Jakob's eyes sparkled. He hugged me tightly and asked happily, "A double surprise? Is there a special day seven days from now? Why can't I remember?"

He thought for a moment before walking out of the bedroom and calling the butler after a moment of realization. "I almost forgot! Cynthia's birthday is seven days from now! Sebastian, prepare a grand birthday celebration. That's right, bigger than last year. I won't be cheap with my Luna."

When Jakob was making the call, he didn't realize that I was staring at him from the bedroom doorway, my eyes colder than ever.

He had never forgotten about my birthday during the seven years we were together.

The moment Molly returned, he forgot it completely.

Everything in this world was fair. Since Jakob didn't come for the dinner I had painstakingly planned, I would be absent from the birthday party he was preparing for me.

I wonder what kind of expression he would have later on?

I lowered my eyes and texted Mia. "Which floor of which hotel is the birthday banquet that Jakob was planning? Have someone set up Molly's bonding ceremony directly above it."

"Understood, Luna."

Jakob was still calling the butler when I overheard the butler remind him, saying, "Alpha, remember that today is your mate bond anniversary with your Luna. You must take Luna to have dessert at the Dessert Oasis. The Luna will be sad if you don't.

"Ah, right. I almost forgot. Thanks for reminding me. Help me reserve Cynthia's favorite dessert. I'll take her there right now."

I heard all of it clearly.

Jakob helped me put my coat on.

"Cynthia, let's go have dessert. I've already made a reservation. We can eat as soon as we get there."

The Dessert Oasis had been my favorite since my school days. It was also where Jakob and I first met. That was why Jakob would take me there for dessert during every anniversary. To thank the Moon Goddess for bringing us together.

He had said that this was the day he treasured the most. It was the day when fate turned for him. It was a place he would never forget.

He would book this place one week in advance and even arrange the plating as he chose my favorite pieces of dessert.

But now, he only remembered this because the butler told him.

My heart turned ice-cold after that.

What I once treasured had just become another line on his schedule.

And what about me? What was I to him?

It only strengthened my resolve to leave.

After all, I prefer to walk away with some dignity left rather than becoming a Luna in name only.

Soon, Jakob helped me out of a luxury car like a gentleman.

As Alpha and Luna of the Blackflame Pack, many recognized us. All of them started to look at us excitedly.

"Oh, gods! That's the Alpha who spoils his Luna? I think I see them!"

"They look like a perfect match for each other! I heard that Alpha Jakob will take his Luna to where they first met for dessert every anniversary! It's true! This is so romantic!"

Jakob covered for me as we walked toward the Dessert Oasis. Then he noticed a small speck of dust on the tip of my high heels.

He then crouched down in front of everyone and wiped the dust off with his handkerchief.

The crowd cheered as they looked at what he did. Some of the bolder werewolves even came to offer us their blessings.

"Alpha Jakob, you have only ever knelt before your wife as a ruler of your empire. You two are the most loving mates I have ever seen. I wish you everlasting love!"

Their blessings felt like knives cutting across my heart.

I looked at the man kneeling before me with a blank expression before giving the crowd a distant, polite smile.

Jakob and I entered Dessert Oasis and sat where we would usually sit.

He then turned to the owner and asked, "Are the desserts ready? Blueberry layers, light cream. That is what Cynthia likes."

"It's already ready. It's your fifth mate bond anniversary, isn't it?" The shop owner has a deep impression of us. She told us she had been telling everyone that since today was our anniversary, we would come eventually despite being so late at night due to how well our relationship was.

Indeed, we came.

The owner then brought the dessert over and asked us, full of compassion, "You've been together for five years and yet your love is still so deep. When are you planning to have a child?"

Jakob looked at me affectionately and he couldn't even stop himself from smiling. "We'll let nature take its course. Maybe this year. Cynthia is so pretty, our baby will definitely be adorable. I can't wait to hold them already."

I lowered my eyes and looked at the dessert in front of me. I couldn't even fake my smile anymore.

Jakob had only cut the dessert halfway through when he suddenly received a call.

He whispered something to the other side before telling me that his car that was parked outside had been scratched. He wanted to take a look.

Jakob frowned, looking genuinely troubled.

"Go ahead and eat, Cynthia. I'll look at the car. I'll be quick. You can order a drink too, but don't drink anything cold or alcoholic though. Your cycle is coming in three days and I don't want to see you suffer, alright?"

His words made the nearby customers in the dessert shop envious.

"Alpha Jakob is so considerate! He even remembers his Luna's cycle!"

"I can't imagine it. If I were Cynthia, how happy would I be?"

The shop owner gave me a warm smile and said, "You're so lucky to be with a man who cherishes and is loyal to you, Luna Cynthia. That is something very rare."

I smiled bitterly. "True. It's very rare."

So rare, in fact, that this so-called legendary love that everyone envied was just a performance. So rare that in fact, I had never actually found it.

I didn't want to continue this topic, so I turned my head and looked out the window.

Jakob quickly walked out of the dessert shop and passed by the luxury car we'd come in and climbed into another pink Ferrari parked next to it.

The car looked familiar. If I wasn't mistaken, Molly arrived at the last gathering in that car.

I heard it was a welcome-home gift from Jakob that was worth several million dollars. It was around the same price as my Bugatti.

Jakob was such a master of balancing acts.

Molly and I. First love and mate. He didn't want to offend either. He kept everything between us delicately balanced.

I couldn't see what was happening inside the car, but that familiar number sent another provoking text to me again.

I didn't even need to unlock my phone. I already know that Jakob and Molly had yet again slipped into another private and intimate moment.

With my hands trembling, I shoved my phone into the bottom of my bag. I looked at the dessert in front of me that was losing its freshness, and I could feel my stomach twist in dull pain.

A heart wouldn't break with a loud bang. Instead, it would quietly splinter into countless pieces.

The wolf within me growled. Angry, confused, disbelief, all mixed. But I forced it back inside.

When I came to, I realized I had already destroyed the words written using chocolate on my cake with my fork. "Happy 5th Mate Bond Anniversary", all messed up.

Half an hour later, Jakob finally returned.

He looked at the cake that had barely been touched and my pale face before quickly asking in concern. "What is it, honey? You don't look well. Are you feeling sick? Should I take you to the healer?"

His voice was full of concern, but I looked away. I couldn't bear to look at the face I once loved.

"I ran into something disgusting. I lost my appetite," I answered.

"What happened? Do you need me to deal with it?" Jakob asked, becoming even more anxious.

I looked at him with tears welling up in my eyes. "You wouldn't want to know."

Because the one who needed to be dealt with was him.

Jakob couldn't understand why I was so upset. He wanted to give me a hug, but I moved away.

I wiped my tears and walked straight out of the Dessert Oasis, hailing for a cab to go home.

Jakob was still showing behind me. "Where are you going, Cynthia? Wait for me!"

He then chased after me in his luxury car. Right behind him was the pink Ferrari.

How laughable. We were like characters playing in a tragic comedy.

As soon as I got out of the cab once I was home, I fell right into Jakob's arms.

I struggled to break free, but he clung to me and refused to let go.

He anxiously asked, "Why are you angry, Cynthia? Is it because I didn't stay and eat dessert with you when I went to check on my scratched car?

I stopped struggling and looked him dead in the eyes. I saw the worry, the guilt, but there was no shame at all.

He still didn't think he did anything wrong.

I gave him a bitter smile. "That's right. Only because you didn't eat the cake with me."

Jakob let out a sigh of relief. "It's my fault. I shouldn't have left you alone because of a car. Next time, I'll stay with you even if my car is totaled next time."

Then, he carefully took my hand and asked, "I just received news that something happened to a business partner of mine and I need to check up on him. Is it alright if I leave you for a while?"

He was willing to make such an elaborate lie just for Molly?

I pushed his hand and calmly said, "Go, then. If your business partner is really that important."

He kissed me with joy. "It's a blessing to have a she-wolf like you to be my Luna, Cynthia."

I endured the pain in my heart. 'But Jakob, you're not my blessing.'

I walked into the villa and looked out the window, toward the parking lot not far away.

Molly's pink Ferrari had already driven away. Even the smoke it left behind felt like a sneer.

I took out my phone and called my mother. "Mom, I'm coming back to the Palemoon Pack in seven days. I want to see you and Dad."

My mom immediately felt the tremble in my voice from the other side. She anxiously asked, "Cynthia, are you coming back alone or with Jakob?"

I said with a hoarse voice. "I'm coming home alone."

I could hear my mother's silence. She quickly understood what I meant from what I hadn't said.

She suppressed her fury and worry and did her best to console me. "Don't be upset. I'll pick you up."

I whispered okay, and tears finally rolled down my cheeks.

Later that night, Jakob finally came home. He woke me up with his burning kiss.

He was all drunk and kissed me again and again as he held my face.

Perhaps he was still uneasy about the anger yesterday, so he kept on whispering words of love into my ears.

"I love you so much, honey.

"You can be angry at me. You can hit me, yell at me. But don't leave me, alright?

"Don't worry, I swear I'll treat you well for the rest of my life."

I said nothing and simply stared at Jakob in silence.

He was so drunk that he forgot to clean the lipstick stain on his neck.

I didn't know how he managed to escape the mate bond's punishment, but I could feel it. His love for me at this moment was real.

I couldn't understand it. If he loved me, why did he treat me like this?

When I woke up in the morning, Jakob had already picked out my clothes. He squeezed some toothpaste onto my toothbrush. He even tied my braids himself.

However, when we were at breakfast, he once again gave me an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, Cynthia. I won't be home tonight. There's a gathering I need to attend in the pack."

My hand holding the fork paused mid-air. I knew he was going to accompany Molly again. I couldn't even be bothered to expose him.

I simply said the same word I always did again. "Sure."

Coincidentally, my best friend Tessa invited me for tea in the afternoon. I needed the distraction too, so I went to the cafe.

I had just barely sat down when Tessa patted my arm excitedly. "Look, Cynthia? Isn't that Alpha Jakob? Why is he standing in front of a bridal studio? Is he going to give you another surprise? Maybe shooting you in a new wedding gown?"

I looked outside, and I just realized this cafe was right next to a bridal photo studio.

Before I could even respond, a seductive she-wolf wrapped her arm around Jakob's and walked inside with him.

The studio's employee was so loud that we could even hear it from our table. "You two are finally here? The bridal shoot setup you booked is already ready. By the way, you two look absolutely perfect together!"

Tessa's laughter stopped abruptly. Then, she saw me looking at what was happening with indifference.

Tessa slammed the table and angrily yelled, "What's going on?! Who's that woman next to Jakob?! He wants to take wedding photos with someone else. This is ridiculous!"

I sighed and then told Tessa everything about Jakob and Molly that had happened lately.

Then I showed Molly's provocative messages and pointed to the bridal shop, my voice shaking. "Look at it yourself, Tessa. It's Molly's birthday today. That's why Jakob is taking wedding photos with her."

Inside the bridal studio, Jakob was adjusting Molly's cuff with care.

His expression was gentle, as if he were touching something priceless.

Tessa clenched her jaw. "I can't take it anymore! I'm going over to splash this cup of coffee on their faces!"

Tessa had always had a temper. She picked up the hot coffee and wanted to walk over, but I stopped her first.

"Wait, Tessa. Don't alert them. I want to see what they'll do next."

Half an hour later, Jakob and Molly walked out of the bridal studio.

Jakob was wearing a black suit, sharp and majestic. Molly was wearing a white gown, showing her slender waist. Jakob's name was even intentionally tattooed across her collarbone.

They got into a luxury car hand in hand and headed straight for the lake in the countryside.

The photography crew had been waiting for a long time. A barrier had already been set up, so no other werewolves could interrupt them.

However, Jakob's barrier never blocked me. He would never expect that I was standing behind a tree, watching him and Molly having a wedding photoshoot.

The photographer approached and smiled fawningly. "You two are so good-looking, as if you're from a painting."

Molly held Jakob's arm with a smile. "Well, I have great taste and chose the best man I can see."

The photographer then said, "I'd like to use your wedding photos to advertise our shop if that's-"

Before the photographer could even finish, Jakob quickly cut him off. "No."

The photographer was startled before he apologized, "Alright, sure. I understand."

Molly's expression darkened.

During the rest of the shoot, she kept on saying that the weather was too cold and asked Jakob to help her put on his coat. Then she said she was not in a good enough mood, wanting Jakob to hold her up so she could find her joy.

Jakob was also patient with her. "How about now? Do you need me to do anything else? Just tell me if you want anything."

For the last shot, Jakob dropped down on one knee.

Even the night wind became still as all eyes turned to him.

Then, under Molly's shocking gaze, he pulled out a bouquet of red roses. There was a ring in the center of the roses.

"You kept on saying that wearing the wedding gown is just a dream of yours. While you said you didn't need a proposal, I don't want you to have any regrets. Molly, will you take this ring?"

Molly was stunned, then tears welled in her eyes as she screamed, "Yes! Yes, I will!"

Cheers surrounded them. "Marriage! Marriage!"

Meanwhile, I glared at what was happening from my car behind the tree, feeling a chill in my soul.