A full cycle of the moon had passed, with us arguing every time we had the chance. All because of Kaia of the Silvercrest pack.

Having dispatched a message to my pack elder about initiating the mate bond revocation, I sought the comfort of my den early. It wasn't cold, but I drew my bedding tightly around my shoulders.

For the first time in many moons, the crushing weight upon my spirit seemed to lighten. It was as if the oppressive burden I'd carried had finally begun to dissolve.

Close to midnight, a loud voice from the mind-link jolted me awake. I blinked as I massaged my temple. It was Raiden.

"Don't be so dramatic, Freya. Let's talk this through."

His arrogance made my blood heat. The fact that he couldn't scent the ruin he'd caused, that he believed this could be mended with a few hollow words, was ridiculous.

I ignored the voice and turned my back on it. Alas, sleep refused to return.

Every time I closed my eyes, memories of Kaia's smug smile and Raiden's dismissive tone replayed in my mind like a haunting loop.

By dawn, I dragged myself from the bed. I determined to reclaim my life, even if I didn't know where to begin.

As I sipped my morning Moonbrew and observed the situation outside through the crystal communicator, I saw a vision of Kaia.

Against my inner wolf's warning, I took a look a little closer. I was right.

The crystal displayed Raiden and Kaia, their arms linked, standing before a sleek, obsidian carriage. She said, "When the moon finally sends you the mate you deserve, everything aligns."

A sharp laugh escaped me. I had to admit that her audacity was unmatched. They weren't even trying to hide anymore.

At the Alpha Hall, Raiden was already in the council chamber when I arrived. He looked perfectly composed, as always.

None of the pack knew about our mate bond. Raiden insisted it remain hidden, claiming it was for the good of the pack, though I suspected he simply wanted to maintain his image as an untouchable Alpha.

"Freya," he called as I walked past the doors.

I paused, keeping my face straight. "Yes?"

"Enter the chamber a moment," he said, gesturing to the seat opposing his.

Reluctantly, I stepped inside. A coil of dread tightened in my stomach.

The scent of Kaia lingered in the room, even though she was not present.

Once the door closed behind us, Raiden leaned back, studying me like I was a troublesome subordinate rather than his mate.

"About last night," he began. He softened his tone, maybe thinking kindness would make me forget everything.

"I'm not interested in discussing it," I cut him off.

He frowned, clearly unused to being denied. "Freya, I feel your anger, but we've survived bigger storms. Don't make impulsive decisions."

I crossed my arms. "Impulsive? You've been pushing me out of our life for months, Raiden. I'm just finally reacting."

His jaw clenched. For a fleeting instant, his Alpha composure cracked, revealing raw frustration. "You speak unjustly. You understand the demands of my high Alpha duties. I have been striving to provide for our pack, for the future we have sworn to build."

"Our future?" I could not prevent my voice from rising. "You mean the one where you play house with Kaia while I linger in the shadows, waiting for scraps of your attention?"

Not long after, Raiden's crystal communicator vibrated on the polished table between us. His eyes flickered down to the surface.

I tracked his gaze. I could see Kaia's signature mark pulsing brightly at that moment.

He hesitated, but the pull of his other mate was too strong. Snatching the crystal, he moved towards the window.

He lowered his voice, yet I clearly heard the murmur of his words. "Kaia, I am currently busy. I'll talk to you later."

The open, unapologetic dismissal wounded me more deeply than I cared to admit.

As he concluded the short call, I seized the scroll I had carried in and rose to my feet. "This is useless," I muttered, heading for the door.

"Freya, wait."

I turned back, my hand resting on the smooth door handle. "For what purpose? To hear a new justification? Another deception?"

Raiden stared at me. His usual self-assurance began to crumble. His mouth opened, yet no sound emerged.

Then, I walked out without looking back.

Back at my own station, I tried to focus on my duties. Unfortunately, my thoughts kept wandering. Memories of our first runs together flooded my mind, how he used to leave secret tokens of affection tucked into my satchel. How he'd hold my hand like it was the most natural thing in the world.

However, that former version of Raiden felt like a ghost now.

By midday, the atmosphere in the hall felt suffocating. I told my aide I was stepping out, then wandered into the forest clearing near the borders.

Sitting on a moss-covered bench, watching golden leaves flutter around me, my crystal communicator hummed again.

This time, the message was from my pack elder. The rune glowed through the surface.

"The severance is prepared. Send word when you are ready to set the seal."

My fingers trembled as I read the message. It felt like crossing a bridge and letting it burn behind me, but maybe that was exactly what I needed.

Drawing a steadying breath, I sent my reply. "Set the seal."

The day passed in tense silence.

At the Alpha Hall, Raiden hovered near the edge of my station several times, clearly wanting to speak. But each time, I kept my gaze fixed on the glowing runes of my ledger.

In the end, he chose to give up. He retreated into his chamber and shut the door.

It wasn't that I didn't want to talk to him. I did. The words even burned in my throat like silver-taint, threatening to spill out.

Still, I held them back because I was already weary of speaking and sparring with him over the she-wolf, Kaia.

What was the point of another clash when he'd already decided whose side he stood on?

By the time the evening meal rolled around, I was too emotionally drained to bother with the pack politeness. I ate alone at the long table, not waiting for him as I once did.

When Raiden finally walked in, shrugging off his mantle and setting his satchel by the door, I barely acknowledged him.

"You didn't wait for me," he remarked, his gaze sweeping over the half-finished bowl of savory stew on the stone table.

I didn't look up. "I wasn't sure you'd return before the stars changed."

His lips tightened, but he said nothing as he pulled out a chair and sat down across from me.

For a while, the only sounds were the scrape of his utensils and the low hum of the birds outside. Finally, he sighed as he set down his meat. "Freya, how long will you give me the silent treatment?"

I shrugged, swirling what remained of my elderberry wine. "Until you figure out why I'm angry."

"That's the issue," he muttered, fingers dragging through his dark hair. "I don't understand why you're making this a whole territorial dispute. Kaia didn't mean to disrespect you."

I set my glass down harder than I meant to. "You always have a defense for her, don't you?"

His gaze sharpened. "That's not fair."

"No, Raiden. What's unfair is having to compete with your ally for your attention. What's unfair is you choosing her side every time she openly disregards me."

He groaned, leaning back in his chair. "This is why I want us to settle things. Let's have lunch tomorrow, just the three of us. You, me and Kaia. I want you to see there's nothing between Kaia and me."

A humorless laugh escaped me as I shook my head. I would rather face a silver blade than share a meal with Kaia.

"Thank you, but no. I have a territorial council during the sun-high."

"Then dinner," he insisted as he leaned forward with his elbows on the table. "There is a new trout lodge I've been meaning to sample. We'll sit down, share a proper meal and talk as packmates should."

"No thanks," I insisted.

He frowned, looking clearly frustrated. "Why not? What's wrong with a feast?"

I pushed my chair back and I stood as I wiped the corner of my lips with a napkin. "Because I have an adverse reaction to river-caught fish."

Raiden's eyes narrowed instantly. "You can't eat the fish?"

"Yes," I lied smoothly while clearing my table. "But don't let me stop you. I'm sure Kaia would be thrilled to accompany the Alpha of Ironwood pack."

His mouth opened to argue, but I didn't give him the chance.

I turned to depart. Before passing the doorway, I gave him a final glimpse. A bitter twist touched my mouth when a realization struck me.

He didn't even know I was lying.

The Alpha I had bound my life and spirit to didn't know one of the most basic truths about me. Or perhaps he did. But he just didn't care enough to remember.

"Freya," Raiden's voice stopped me halfway.

I glanced over my shoulder, raising an eyebrow. "What is it now?"

His gaze was sharp as a claw, his knuckles already white where he gripped the edge of the stone table. "You're being willful as a lone wolf. You know that, don't you?"

I didn't answer. I waited for him to continue, to say something that might mend the tattered bond between us.

Instead, he stood abruptly, shoving his chair back. "Fine. Keep howling at shadows. But don't say I didn't try to call you back."

After that, he stormed out of the dining den without another word.

For a moment, I stood frozen, staring at the space where he'd been. I should've felt relief that he was gone, but all I felt was the bitter sting of his words.

It wasn't until I reached the stone stairs that I noticed something. A faint, enchanted humming reached my ears.

His crystal communicator lay forgotten on the corner. The runes on its surface glowed with a name that made my blood run cold: Kaia.

The message preview shimmered into view. "Can't wait for tomorrow. I've got a surprise for you."

What I hadn't foreseen was running into Raiden and Kaia at the neutral den where I was meeting the Red Moon pack Alpha.

I had come early, hoping to find a quiet place to get ready. My fears were soon calmed by the moon brew scent coming from the rear, till they entered and laughed heartily.

Kaia's hand rested in Raiden's arms. Her flawless smile was more radiant than the overhead moonstone. He laughed at what she whispered as she leaned closer.

I forced myself to remain composed as I gazed at my goblet, but Raiden saw me.

"Freya," he called out. I could hear the surprise and guilt in his voice

I forced myself to keep my face straight. "Alpha Raiden."

Kaia flowed to his side, pulling out a chair at my stone-hewn table. "Do you mind if we join your den-space?"

I wanted to say yes, but they sat down uninvited.

"This little den is charming," Kaia said sweetly. "Do you come here often, Freya?"

"Occasionally," I sharply retorted.

"Are you meeting someone?" Raiden asked, studying me with too much interest.

"Yes, the Red Moon pack Alpha."

"Always working," he smirked. "So dedicated."

I ignored him, checking the time as the moments stretched painfully long. Kaia giggled at her crystal communicator, occasionally showing Raiden something that made him laugh.

"Isn't this adorable?" she cooed, showing a pup wearing tiny fur clothes. "Raiden, we should do this someday, don't you think?"

My jaw clenched, but I refused to react.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Kaia," Raiden replied awkwardly.

She pouted, then smirked at me. "Oh, right. Freya doesn't like pups. Or was it that you can't … "

"That's enough, Kaia," Raiden cut her off sharply.

My future ally, Rowan William, showed up shortly after, providing a much-needed diversion. He was tall, with a friendly handshake that made me feel at ease right away. "Sorry, I'm late," he said.

"No problem." I smiled, grateful for the excuse to shift my attention.

Raiden extended his arm. "Raiden of the Ironwood pack. Freya and I hunt under the same Alpha. Would you mind if I joined your counsel?"

I sent him a warning look, but Rowan nodded courteously, unaware of the tension.

The discussion of territory lines and moon-tithe began, but Raiden kept inserting himself, interrupting with unsought opinions. His presence was a weight in the air, suffocating.

By the time Rowan took his leave, I was fuming. "What was that about?" I snapped.

Raiden feigned innocence. "What do you mean?"

"You had no business being here," I growled.

Kaia smirked. "Relax, Freya. Raiden was just helping. Isn't that what packmates do?"

"Packmates?" I repeated, locking my gaze with hers. "Strange, I scent no bond-of-oath that ties you to this duty."

Her smirk faltered briefly before she turned to Raiden. "Darling, would you fetch us some refreshment? A moon-mint elixir for me."

Raiden hesitated, his eyes darting between us. "Keep the peace, both of you."

The moment he moved toward the server corner, Kaia leaned across the table. All her false sweetness was gone in an instant.

"Let's be honest, Freya," she remarked sternly. "You don't matter. Raiden is mine now. You're just an obstacle."

I refused to show any sign of weakness. "And yet you are the one putting forth such effort to provoke me. It would appear that you are the one who senses a threat."

Kaia's lip twitched. She extended her hand across the table with a fake smile. "A truce, then?"

"I think not." I moved to dismiss her gesture, but she seized the moment.

She grabbed my hand, twisted and threw herself to the ground with a dramatic gasp.

The Moonbrew den fell into a chilling silence, every head turning toward the commotion.

With tears in her eyes, Kaia gripped her wrist. "Why did you push me, Freya?"

My jaw dropped. "I didn't … "

Before I could continue, Raiden dashed back, dropping two goblets onto the table as he crouched beside her.

"Kaia! Are you alright?" he inquired. His voice was full of panic.

She whimpered as she leaned into his compassion. "She simply pushed me. I tried to reconcile with her, but she ... "

The absurdity of the situation left me stunned. The other folks' judgment was oppressive as they glared and murmured.

"What on earth, Freya?" Raiden became enraged.

"She's lying!" I shot back. "You weren't here. You didn't see … "

"I've seen enough!" he interrupted. His glare was piercing through me.

Kaia wiped nonexistent tears from her eyes. "I shouldn't have reached out. I just thought … maybe we could finally move forward."

Raiden's expression darkened. "You've crossed a line this time, Freya. This behavior won't be tolerated in any pack."

My hands trembled as I looked at him, not because of his words, but because of the realization that came over me.

Raiden would trust Kaia no matter what. No matter what deception she spun, no matter what truth I voiced, he had made his choice.

And it wasn't me.