A complicated look flickered in Bruce’s deep eyes.

He stroked the back of my hand, soothing me like he always did. “Isadora, I can explain.”

“Explain what?”

He was silent for a few seconds, then said slowly, “Marking Seraphina was just to secure an alliance with the Silvermoon Pack. You know our pack needs stronger allies.”

I watched him, waiting for him to spin the rest of his lies.

“Seraphina is just an ex from eight years ago. We haven’t spoken since. There are no feelings involved.” His hand tightened on mine, his gaze as earnest as a master actor’s. “I’m only getting close to her to meet the Silvermoon Alpha at her birthday party in a week.”

Her birthday party in a week. My return ceremony.

“That’s right,” Bruce’s voice was a low, mesmerizing hum. “Once I have the Silvermoon Alpha’s support, I’ll break it off with her and have her mark removed. Isadora, you are my fated mate. Nothing will ever change that.”

He kissed my forehead. “Just bear with me for seven more days. Just seven. When the pack is stronger, I’ll give you the grandest Luna ceremony of all, so everyone will know your place.”

I listened quietly, feeling utterly exhausted.

Eight years. I was sick of the endless mind games, tired of hearing “just a little longer,” “soon,” and “almost there.”

But I still nodded. “Okay. I’ll wait for you.”

Until the truth came out, I would play along.

A relieved smile spread across Bruce’s face. He reached over to light the candle on the cake. “Come on, let’s make a wish for our ninth year together.”

Our ninth year.

I laughed bitterly to myself.

There won’t be a ninth year, Bruce.

Just as he held up the cake, his phone rang. The screen flashed with the name “Baby.”

The pet name was a punch to the gut.

So intimate. Not like the formal way he always addressed me.

Bruce glanced at the caller ID, and his expression changed instantly.

He answered the phone. “What’s wrong?”

“Bruce~” Seraphina’s cloying, sweet voice oozed through the speaker. “My tummy hurts… can you come be with me? I’m scared…”

I saw a wave of panic cross Bruce’s face.

“Where are you? I’m on my way.” He shot to his feet, completely forgetting the anniversary he was just celebrating with me.

He gave me a quick, dismissive kiss. “Isadora, I’m sorry, she needs me. You rest up. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I just said flatly, “Go.”

Bruce looked at me, as if he wanted to say something else, but another pained moan from Seraphina stole his attention.

“I’ll be right there, don’t be scared,” he cooed into the phone, then rushed out of the room.

The door clicked shut, leaving me alone again.

I stared at the flickering candle and blew it out by myself.

I made a wish. I wish to be free of Bruce and start a new life.

Then I threw the moonflowers and the cake into the trash.

The next morning, I insisted on being discharged.

I had more important things to do.

I went straight to the Bloodmoon Pack headquarters, the place I’d helped Bruce build for eight years.

I found Sarah, who handled pack personnel.

Her face lit up when she saw me. “Isadora! Congratulations on your promotion to Head Beta! Alpha said he’s making the official announcement next week.”

Head Beta.

The position I once dreamed of now sounded like a sick joke.

I pulled the documents I’d prepared from my bag. “Sarah, I’m resigning from my position as Beta.”

Sarah stared at me, her mouth agape. “What? Isadora, are you kidding? You’re about to be Head Beta. Why would you quit?”

“I found my family. I’m returning to my own pack,” I said calmly.

“Family?” Sarah was even more confused. “But… aren’t you an orphan?”

Right. In everyone’s eyes, I was just Isadora, the orphan nobody, a charity case who only survived because of Bruce’s kindness.

“It’s complicated. The point is, I’m leaving.” I handed her the papers. “This is my resignation and all the handover documents.”

Sarah was about to say more when a familiar, cold voice cut in from behind me.

“What family?”

I turned. Bruce was standing there, his expression grim, his eyes locked on the papers in my hand. “What family?”

Before I could answer, the office door opened again.

Seraphina glided in, walking straight to Bruce’s side and leaning affectionately against his arm.

She was wearing a light purple dress, a silk scarf artfully draped to half-conceal the mating mark on her neck. She looked fragile and lovely.

“Sorry to interrupt, Bruce,” she said with a sweet smile. “I brought breakfast for everyone.”

Bruce’s expression softened instantly. He wrapped an arm around her waist. “Are you feeling better?”

“Much better. With you by my side, I’m not afraid of anything,” Seraphina murmured, pressing against him.

I watched them, a familiar sting piercing my heart.

Just then, the other core pack members started trickling in. Bruce looked around the room and cleared his throat.

“Since everyone is here, I have an official announcement.” His arm tightened, pulling Seraphina closer. “Seraphina will soon be my Luna.”

The room erupted in applause and congratulations.

“Congratulations, Alpha!”

“An Alpha and a true Alpha heiress! A power match made in heaven!”

“Our pack is going to be stronger than ever!”

Seraphina beamed. “Thank you, everyone. Bruce and I will have our official mating ceremony soon. I hope you can all be there.”

“Of course! We’ll be there to celebrate!”

Everyone crowded around them, offering their best wishes. The atmosphere was electric.

I stood in the corner like an outsider, silently gathering my things from my desk.

That’s when Seraphina noticed me. She walked over gracefully, a gentle smile on her face.

“Isadora, you’re here. I’ve heard you’ve always been Bruce’s most capable assistant. Thank you so much for taking care of him all these years.”

Her voice was sweet as honey, but her eyes held a flicker of contempt that only I could see.

“I’ll be the lady of the pack now,” she continued, her voice as soft as a whisper. “Could you tell me some of Bruce’s preferences? I want to take the best possible care of him.”

I looked up at her.

She was playing the part of the gracious Luna, but every word was a declaration of ownership, every glance a mockery of my low status.

Before I could answer, Bruce walked over. He draped a possessive arm around Seraphina’s shoulders, his voice tender.

“Darling, I’ll tell you everything you need to know. You don’t need to ask an outsider.”

Outsider.

The word struck me like lightning, and I froze.

Eight years of partnership, eight years of devotion, and to him, I was just an “outsider.”

Seraphina snuggled closer to him. “You always know how to take care of me. Can we go see your office? I want to see where you work.”

“Of course.” Bruce kissed her temple. “I’ll give you a tour.”

They walked away, leaving me standing there alone.

The others eventually dispersed, returning to their work. Only Sarah remained, looking at me with concern.

“Isadora, are you okay? You look terrible.”

I shook my head and continued packing.

My heart was being torn to shreds, but I couldn’t break down here.

Ten minutes later, I had all the handover documents ready. I took my signed resignation and walked to Bruce’s office.

Through the glass door, I could see Bruce showing Seraphina the things in his office. She listened intently, letting out a silvery laugh now and then. They looked so perfect together, so in love.

I took a deep breath and knocked.

“Come in,” Bruce’s voice called.

“Isadora? What is it?” He frowned, clearly annoyed by the interruption.

Without hesitating, I placed the resignation letter on his desk.

The moment Bruce saw the letter, he snapped, “What do you think you’re doing, Isadora?” He slammed the letter on the desk, his voice filled with an Alpha’s authority. “Do you think quitting is a game?”

Seraphina stood beside him, gently rubbing his back. “Bruce, don’t be upset. Maybe Isadora is just going through something.”

She turned to me, a flash of triumph in her eyes, though her expression was kind. “Isadora, are you in some kind of trouble? You can talk to us about it.”

Her words made me sick.

She was standing there playing the part of the perfect mate, as if she were already the true Luna of this pack.

“My decision is final,” I said evenly. “It’s all explained in the letter.”

My response only seemed to make Bruce angrier.

He stood up, towering over me.

“Isadora, I made you Beta out of pity. Don’t forget your place.” His voice was ice. “Without me, where would a wolf who doesn’t even know her own parents be?”

His words stabbed me like a knife.

My hands began to shake, but I forced myself to stay calm.

“That’s exactly why I should leave. So I won’t be a burden to you anymore.”

My coldness seemed to infuriate him. I could practically feel his Alpha aura pressing down on me.

“Fine. If you insist on leaving, I accept your resignation,” he said coldly. “But before you officially leave, you have one last duty to perform.”

My stomach tightened. I knew he wouldn’t let me go that easily.

“Tomorrow, you will accompany us to choose the gown for the Luna ceremony.” Bruce issued the order as my Alpha, his voice leaving no room for argument. “This is your final task.”

I knew he was doing it to humiliate me—to make me witness their happiness and drive one last knife into my heart.

But as his subordinate, I had to obey my Alpha’s command.

“I understand,” I said, lowering my head.

Seraphina watched it all, a flicker of jealous hatred in her eyes.

The next day, I went to the custom gown shop as ordered.

The boutique catered exclusively to werewolf nobility. Every gown was priceless.

Bruce and Seraphina were already there, discussing the ceremony gown with the head designer. When she saw me, Seraphina immediately took Bruce’s arm and walked over.

“Isadora, you’re here!” she chirped. “I’m having such a hard time choosing a gown.”

The designer showed her several gorgeous dresses, each one sparkling with precious gems that shimmered like moonlight.

“What about this one?” Seraphina asked, pointing to a silver-white gown. “I think it’s perfect for the Luna ceremony.”

“Absolutely perfect, miss,” the designer gushed. “This is one of our signature designs, made for a Luna.”

“But I’d like to see how it looks on someone,” Seraphina said, turning to me with a malicious glint in her eyes. “Isadora, could you try it on for me? I want to see the overall effect.”

I froze. The dress was custom-made for her. There was no point in me trying it on.

“I don’t think that’s necessary…” I started to refuse.

“Isadora, that is a request from my Luna,” Bruce’s voice cut in, sharp and cold. “You will cooperate.”

I had no choice but to agree.

A sales assistant led me to the fitting room. I robotically changed into the magnificent gown.

It was made for Seraphina’s measurements, and on me, it was a disaster.

The bust was too tight, the waist too narrow. I looked ridiculous and pathetic.

And a cruel realization hit me.

Bruce had never once considered my measurements.

In his mind, I was never the one who would wear the Luna gown.

When I stepped out of the fitting room, Seraphina watched my humiliation with a satisfied smile.

She stepped closer, her voice a venomous whisper only I could hear.

“See? A gown this beautiful will never be yours. Because you’re not worthy.”

The shame of the past eight years, all the little insults and humiliations, boiled over. I couldn’t take her taunting anymore.

“I don’t want this stupid dress anyway.”

I reached behind me to unzip the gown that felt like a cage, but as I did, a loud ripping sound tore through the air.

A seam in the back, which should have been strong, had split wide open.

Seraphina let out a sharp gasp, her eyes instantly filling with tears.

She looked at me with a wounded, innocent expression.

“Isadora, I just wanted you to try it on… How could you? Did you want to ruin our ceremony that badly?”