I lifted my head. "How long have you two been together?"

Giselle smirked, her voice brimming with triumph. "Three years. You know, as Alpha Griffith and I are fated mates, it was only a matter of time before he was drawn to me."

She leaned in, whispering near my ear. "I bet you didn't know this—our first time was in your bed."

I bit down hard on my lip, forcing myself to suppress the wolf's instinct raging within me. If I didn't, I might have lunged at her right then and torn her apart.

Sensing my restraint, she only grew bolder. "Back then, he felt guilty. That's why he handed over all his gold and jewels for you to keep. And you—" she let out a soft laugh, "you actually thought it was proof of his love. How ridiculous.

"Two years ago, when you suffered a miscarriage and nearly bled to death, you sent your maids to search for him everywhere. They couldn't find him, remember?" Her eyes gleamed as she tilted her head. "Guess where he was? In my bed. So if you know what's good for you, you should step aside and return the title of Luna of Avalora Pack to its rightful owner—me."

Her words struck like a blade. Memories flooded back—memories of that day, when the pain of losing my child had been so unbearable I had nearly lost my life. My maids had searched for Griffith everywhere, desperate to bring him back to my side. But he had been nowhere to be found.

Now I knew why.

My vision dimmed.

Giselle, seeing my faltering composure, basked in her victory. Hands on her hips, she announced, "The day after tomorrow, Griffith and I will be standing before Moon Goddess to seal our bond with a new contract. You should come and watch—see how a real fated bond is formed. You never even got the chance for that, did you?"

She left, humming softly, while I crumbled into the shadows of the dimly lit corridor, sobbing until consciousness slipped away.

When I woke up, it was already the next day.

Griffith was sitting beside my bed. The moment I opened my eyes, he pulled me into his arms. "Ellia, you're awake! What happened? Why did you collapse?"

I let out a slow breath and curled my lips into a mocking smile. "Griffith, you know, sometimes… I envy Giselle."

His expression stiffened. "What?"

"At least she gets to have a contract with you. If I had one too, then when you betray me, I would know right away."

Panic flickered across his face. "Why are you saying this all of a sudden? Did someone tell you something ridiculous?"

"You don't need a contract," he hurriedly assured me. "Because I would never betray you!"

I said nothing. Just watched him.

Growing desperate, Griffith shot up from his chair and swung the door open, calling for a guard. "Bring every woman I've interacted with recently. Now!"

Before long, four or five women entered the room.

Griffith turned to them. "Tell your Luna how we met in the past few days."

The first to speak was the town's apothecary. "Three days ago, Alpha Griffith accompanied Luna Ellia to the clinic. That's when I saw him."

The second was a cook from the castle. "A few days ago, Alpha Griffith asked me about Luna Ellia's diet."

The third was a seamstress. "Yesterday, Alpha Griffith summoned me to tailor a new nightgown for Luna Ellia."

One by one, they answered, and as they did, Griffith's shoulders relaxed. Every encounter had been because of me.

He exhaled, as if reassured, as if he had somehow proven himself.

I, on the other hand, simply watched the performance unfold, unmoved.

Then, when silence settled, I finally spoke. "What about Giselle? She was here yesterday too, wasn't she?"

His entire body stiffened. "Giselle? W-Why would you bring her up? You know I don't like her."

His denial came swiftly, but his voice wavered, unnatural and forced.

In the end, he summoned Giselle after all and asked her the same question. She hesitated, her lips pressed into a thin line, her silence stretching between them like a taut string.

Griffith's gaze was sharp, warning, but she remained unmoved.

Finally, she relented, though her voice carried no sincerity. "I only saw Alpha briefly yesterday when I delivered flowers. There was no other contact."

Yet when her eyes met mine, they gleamed with something close to triumph.

When the others had left, Griffith exhaled, as if he had been holding his breath all this time. He took my hand in his, his touch careful, pleading. "Ellia, now you believe me, don't you? I told you, in my heart, there's only you."

I withdrew my hand, letting it slip away from his grasp.

A flicker of disappointment crossed his face, but he quickly masked it. As if trying to shift the mood, he said, "Ellia, tomorrow I'll be attending a celebration in another pack. I won't be able to stay with you."

Tomorrow. The day of his wedding to Giselle.

He pulled out a small, ornate box and handed it to me. "This is an enchanted transmitter, crafted by the healer. No matter how far apart we are, we'll be able to hear each other's voices. If you miss me, just call my name."

I accepted the box without a word.

A fleeting shadow of guilt passed through his eyes. He hesitated, shifting his weight between his feet. "Ellia… I don't want to leave you. Maybe I shouldn't go."

I smiled faintly. "But isn't it important? Can you really afford not to go?"

Griffith hesitated for a moment longer, but in the end, he left as scheduled. Just before departing, he turned back to me, almost uncertain. "You'll wait for me, won't you?"

I smiled. "Travel safely."

The moment he was gone, I shut myself in my room. Packing was quick and methodical. No one saw me leave.

Curled up in the belly of a ship, I cast the spell. The crystal sphere flickered to life, revealing the scene at the ceremonial grounds. The priests stood in a circle, their voices weaving the ancient spells, summoning the Moon Goddess.

Griffith was there, but he looked different—restless, distracted. He muttered under his breath, a quiet spell meant for me. But the transmitter remained silent.

Frowning, he tried another spell, this time searching for the transmitter's location. A moment later, the magic confirmed it—still in the castle. A breath of relief left his lips.

I understood. He assumed I had taken it with me. He believed that, no matter where I went, I would always cherish his gifts.

Under the moon's glow, the Moon Goddess appeared. Her voice rang through the ceremony, ancient words filling the space like mist.

"Place your hands upon the Stone of Oaths, and the bond will be sealed."

Giselle moved at once, eager, pressing her hand against the smooth surface of the stone. She turned to Griffith, expectant.

But Griffith hesitated.

The crowd murmured. Someone urged him forward.

He did not move.

And then, all at once, he turned, shoving past the onlookers, ignoring their protests. He ran.

His breath came in ragged gasps as he stormed back into the castle. "Where's Luna Ellia?" he demanded.

A servant bowed, answering dutifully, "Luna is resting in her chambers."

Griffith paused, straightening his disheveled clothing. He reached for the door, pulse pounding.

He pushed it open.

The room was empty.