For seven years, my mate had never stepped into my room.

He had someone else in his heart, a lone she-wolf he had saved during a rogue attack. She was bold and radiant, often taunting me in front of others: "You may be the Luna, but you’re still alone in your room, aren’t you?"

I would smile faintly, offering no retort, and instead stroke Muffin’s furry head. Raising a man was far less rewarding than raising a dog. Little did anyone know how liberating it was to live a life free from managing pack affairs or catering to a mate.

But one day, after a visit to the Lycan court, he changed.

---

My name is Gabriella Greene, the daughter of Alpha Wes Greene of the Eastern Pack. At the annual Moon Festival, I saved the young Lycan Princess from nearly falling into the lake. The Lycan Queen, Robin Peterson, impressed by my gentle nature and grace, decreed that I should be mated to Ezra James, the powerful Alpha of the Northern Pack.

My face paled, and I nearly stumbled in shock. I knelt quickly, my voice trembling: "I am unworthy of such an honor, Your Majesty. Please reconsider."

Everyone knew that Ezra had brought a she-wolf back from a rogue skirmish, someone he had vowed to be with for life. He had sworn never to take another mate.

I glanced at him, and sure enough, his expression was dark, his jaw clenched. My parents were distraught for weeks, submitting multiple appeals to the Lycan King, but all were rejected. Strangely, Ezra himself remained silent, offering no resistance to the arrangement.

On the day of the marking ceremony, as we stood face-to-face for the final vow, a servant rushed in, stumbling to the floor. "Alpha! Alpha! You must come quickly! Indy—she’s taken ill. It’s serious!"

Ezra’s face turned ashen. Without hesitation, he dropped the ceremonial ribbon and stormed out of the hall, leaving me alone in front of the gathered pack. Through the edge of my veil, I watched his retreating figure, the vibrant red of his ceremonial robe fading into the distance.

The ceremony was over before it had truly begun. I pulled off my veil, and to everyone’s surprise, I smiled calmly and took charge of the reception as if nothing had happened. This mating was not merely a union between two individuals but a political alliance brokered by the Lycan Queen herself. My father had no choice but to accept it.

The guests, all seasoned pack members, exchanged uneasy glances but quickly returned to the feast. Only my brother, Wes, was furious on my behalf. "He humiliated you on your marking day!" he seethed.

I stopped him with a firm hand. "Brother, let it go. This mating was never about love. I knew what I was getting into. His actions today may have disrespected me, but they also disrespected the Lycan Queen and King. They’ll deal with it in their own way."

Wes sighed, his eyes filled with pity. "Gabriella, you deserve so much more."

I shook my head, offering no further explanation. Later, I learned that my father and brother had confronted Ezra, who accepted their anger without protest.

That evening, he finally entered our shared quarters. The traditional rituals—the sharing of bread, the ceremonial wine, the lifting of the veil—had all been canceled at my request. Even the symbolic scattering of nuts and seeds on the bed had been cleared away.

The room was bathed in the warm glow of the candles, the red decor a stark contrast to the cold atmosphere. I sat at the vanity, letting Anais remove my ceremonial adornments. When Ezra entered, I turned to him calmly. "Alpha, how is Indy?"

He sat at the table, his face shadowed in the flickering light. After a long pause, he spoke: "She’s always been frail. The servant overreacted. I apologize for today."

"You needn’t apologize," I replied, my tone steady. "We both know this mating was arranged by the Lycan Queen. I have no intention of competing with Indy. I’ll fulfill my duties as Luna and manage the pack’s affairs. Beyond that, I ask only for a peaceful life in this territory. I hope you’ll grant me that."

He studied me for a moment, his expression softening slightly. "You’ll have your dignity."

"Thank you, Alpha," I said, turning back to Anais. The marking day had been exhausting, and my neck ached from the weight of the ceremonial headpiece. Ezra, smelling faintly of ale, disappeared into the bathing chamber.

When he emerged, I was already in bed, reading a book about distant territories. The bed, a masterpiece crafted by a renowned artisan, was large enough to comfortably fit two. Ezra climbed in without a word, pulling the blanket over himself.

I blew out the candles, plunging the room into darkness.

"Why’d you do that?" he asked, his voice tinged with confusion. Tradition dictated that the ceremonial candles burn through the night, symbolizing a lasting union.

"The light keeps me awake," I replied simply, settling under my own blanket. I left a wide space between us, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken agreement: he would not touch me.

I had expected this, but as I lay there, staring at the red canopy above, a pang of sadness washed over me. Every young she-wolf dreams of her mate—what he’ll look like, how he’ll treat her, whether their bond will be passionate or tender. I had my answers now. My mate was strong, commanding, and everything a Luna could ask for—except that his heart belonged to someone else.

Fighting for the affection of a mate who didn’t love me was the most foolish thing I could do. His heart was already claimed, and nothing I did would change that. So, I resolved to live with dignity, if not love.

Tears slipped silently down my cheeks as I forced myself to sleep. But soon, loud knocks and shouting erupted outside the door.

I sat up, calling out: "Anais, what’s going on?"

"Indy’s healer is insisting the Alpha come to her immediately!" Anais replied, her voice sharp with anger.

Ezra moved to get up, but I grabbed his arm firmly. "Alpha, I understand you care for Indy, but tonight is our marking night. You’ve already humiliated me in front of the pack. I won’t stop you from going to her, but tonight, you’ll stay here. I’m the Luna, and I deserve this much respect."

I held his gaze, my grip unyielding. After a tense moment, he sat back down.

I rose, lit a lamp, and draped my ceremonial robe over my shoulders, a silent reminder of my position. Ezra remained seated as I stepped out into the hallway. The commotion stopped abruptly when I appeared instead of him.

"Luna," the healer stammered, clearly surprised.

I scanned the group, my eyes lingering on the healer and her assistant. "Anais, fetch a healer from the pack. And as for those who disrupted the marking night, take them to the cells. They’ll be dealt with tomorrow."

Anais nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. One of the older pack members hesitated. "Luna, it’s bad luck to shed blood on a marking night."

I smirked coldly. "Yes, it’s also bad luck to disrupt the marking night of the Alpha and Luna. If this is how the Northern Pack enforces its rules, then perhaps changes are needed. Now, leave."

As they scrambled to obey, the healer cried out: "Alpha! Alpha!"

From inside the room, Ezra’s voice cut through the noise, cold and firm: "Silence her."

With that, she was dragged away, and the night finally fell quiet.

There are no secrets that time does not reveal.

The next day, the events of my mark ceremony with Ezra James spread like wildfire across the pack, turning me from the admired daughter of Alpha Wes Greene into the laughingstock of the Northern Pack. The Lycan King and Queen, Robin Peterson, learned of the incident and summoned Ezra to the royal palace, reprimanding him harshly. Robin, along with her most trusted healer, Indy Bryant, sent over a generous gift to console me, subtly reminding the mistress, Indy, of her place.

After the visit, I went to see her with my loyal healer, Anais. After all, this mistress, known for her delicate health, was Ezra’s precious treasure. She was fragile, prone to illness at the slightest breeze—clearly, someone I couldn’t afford to offend. A bitter smirk tugged at my lips as I approached her quarters. Just as I reached the door, I saw her nestled in Ezra’s arms, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed.

She looked up at him with watery eyes, her voice trembling. “Ezra, you have to believe me. I never meant to disrupt your mark ceremony. It’s just my weak constitution. My healer, she was only worried about me, and that’s why she…” She broke into a coughing fit, and Ezra gently patted her back, his movements tender and familiar.

Her health was no secret in the pack. It was said she had sacrificed her well-being to save Ezra during a rogue attack years ago, though the details were murky. Regardless, it had earned her his unwavering affection. A bond forged in life and death—how could I ever compete? Not that I wanted to.

Anais, standing behind me, coughed softly to announce our presence. Only then did the two of them notice me.

The mistress, Indy, looked up and offered a frail, apologetic smile. “Luna,” she said weakly, attempting to rise from the bed to greet me. But halfway up, she collapsed back into Ezra’s arms.

I plastered on a gracious smile, not bothering to question whether her weakness was genuine or performative. “Sister, you’re unwell. Rest is what you need. There’s no need for formalities.”

“It’s my fault,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I should have been the one to serve you tea this morning, yet here you are, coming to see me. And yesterday… I caused so much trouble for you and Ezra. I’m truly sorry.”

“Don’t speak like that,” I replied, my tone smooth and forgiving. “It was the thoughtless actions of the healers and attendants. Don’t trouble yourself over them. You mustn’t let it affect your health. What did the healer say when they examined you?”

“It’s just my old heart condition,” she said softly. “I can’t handle stress or cold. Thanks to Ezra’s care over the years, I’ve managed to survive. Please, Luna, don’t worry about me. Rest is all I need.”

Her words were gentle but laced with meaning. Her delicate health, Ezra’s favor—it was all a not-so-subtle reminder that I shouldn’t try to assert my authority as Luna. According to pack tradition, she should have been attending to me daily as a mistress. But with her health so fragile, any mishap would fall on me.

I smiled, my expression serene. “Sister, your words break my heart. If your health is this precarious, there’s no need for you to trouble yourself with formalities. Focus on recuperating.”

Ezra seemed pleased with my magnanimity. After a brief exchange, a healer arrived with a steaming bowl of medicine, and we left her to rest.

As we walked away from her quarters, Ezra suddenly spoke. “Her health is fragile. I’m afraid you’ll have to take on the responsibility of caring for her.”

I paused, my mind reeling. Was he really shifting the burden of her care onto me? After everything I’d just said to avoid this very situation? Did he think my kindness was an invitation to take advantage?

I clenched my fists, struggling to keep my anger in check. “Alpha, what trouble could there be? The healers and attendants have been managing her care perfectly fine before my arrival. They’ll continue as they always have. I’m not in the best of health myself, you know. If you’re concerned, perhaps you could consult my mother when we visit her.”

My mother had been devastated by my mating to Ezra, and after yesterday’s events, she had taken to her bed in distress. I was worried for her but could only send word through messengers.

At the mention of my mother, Ezra faltered, clearly aware of his misstep. “That’s not what I meant. It’s just that, as Luna, the affairs of the pack now fall under your responsibility. Her health is precarious, and there may be times when she’ll need your attention. I’m afraid it will be a burden for you. As for your mother, I’ll personally apologize when we visit her. Yesterday… I truly wronged you.”

“There’s no need for such trouble,” I said coldly. “The healers and attendants will continue to care for her as they always have. Rest assured, I’m not the jealous type. Her treatment will remain unchanged.”

He must have sensed the iciness in my tone because he looked at me intently. “I know your generosity. I’ll leave the rest to you.” With that, he placed a fist over his chest and bowed deeply, a gesture of respect and deference.

My heart clenched. Here was Ezra, the Alpha of the Northern Pack, a man who commanded respect and fear, bowing to me. For a moment, I didn’t know whether to admire his devotion or envy the mistress for the depth of his love.

One thing was certain: I was the only casualty in this arrangement. I must have been a terrible person in my past life to end up in this position.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, turning away so he wouldn’t see the tears in my eyes. “Alpha, there’s no need for such formalities. It’s getting late, and I have pack matters to attend to. I won’t see you out.” Without waiting for his response, I walked away with Anais by my side.

Anais held my arm, her voice filled with concern. “Gabriella…”

I wiped away a tear and forced a smile. “I’m fine. At least Ezra is reasonable. Life won’t be unbearable.”

---

Three days later, we returned to my parents’ territory for the traditional visit. My mother hugged me tightly, her eyes brimming with tears. True to his word, Ezra apologized to my parents, giving me face. Though my parents were displeased, they knew my future was tied to him and dared not make things difficult.

The meal was tense but manageable. Before we left, my mother pulled me aside to ask if Ezra and I had completed the mark. Seeing the hope in her eyes, I nodded, unable to disappoint her. The relief on her face was heartbreaking.

As we prepared to leave, I overheard my father speaking to Ezra. “Gabriella has always been strong-willed. If she ever causes trouble, I hope you’ll be patient with her. I entrust her to your care.” With that, my father bowed deeply, a gesture that tore at my heart.

My father, the Alpha of the Eastern Pack, a man who had stood firm in the face of countless challenges, was bowing to Ezra for my sake. I choked back tears, my heart aching.

Ezra, visibly moved, quickly stepped forward to lift my father. “You have my word. I’ll treat her well.”

My father smiled, a rare, genuine expression. I hid in the shadows, crying silently, before finally composing myself and joining them.

As the car pulled away, I looked back to see my father standing at the gate, watching us until we were out of sight. I couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. I turned away from Ezra and wept openly, my heart heavy with sorrow.

Ezra reached out as if to comfort me but withdrew his hand. Anger bubbled up inside me, and I glared at him. “If you don’t love me, why did you mark me?” I demanded, my voice shaking.

He closed his eyes and whispered, “I’m sorry.”

There was nothing more to say. The car arrived at the Northern Pack’s territory, and as we entered, I saw Indy waiting at the door, her eyes fixed on Ezra.

“Alpha, Luna,” she greeted softly.

Ezra immediately went to her side, concern etched on his face. “You’re still recovering. Why are you out here?”

I was in no mood to deal with her subtle displays of affection. “I have pack matters to attend to. Excuse me,” I said curtly, turning away with Anais.

Behind me, I heard Indy’s soft voice. “Is everything alright with the Luna?”

“She’s just homesick,” Ezra replied.

I clenched my fists, my heart heavy with resentment.