I couldn’t help but stare at Easton, his hand firmly wrapped around mine. He looked every bit the confident Alpha, but that smirk—was it for me? Or was it about the secrets he was hiding? My stomach churned with the thoughts, but we continued walking.

When I stepped inside the boutique, my heart froze when I saw her.

Elena.

Of course, she had to be here.

But it wasn't her presence that rooted me in place. It was what she was wearing.

My mating ritual ceremonial gown.

The gown I’d spent months designing, pouring every ounce of my creativity and dreams into. Every delicate bead, every intricate stitch—it was mine. And there she stood, twirling in front of the mirror, acting like she had any right to it.

"Easton, how do I look?" she said, spinning to face him.

Elena tilted her head, her golden hair spilling over her shoulder, looking like an angel. Easton looked at her for so long, and lips curled into a smile.

"You look... stunning."

My nails dug into my palms. Stay calm, I told myself. Don’t give her the satisfaction.

Finally, Elena turned to me, feigning surprise.

“Oh, Ardyn! I didn’t even see you there!” she said, sounding fake.

“I hope you don’t mind. I just had to try it on. You’ve always had such amazing taste.”

She was my sister, but the nerve of this girl. I locked eyes with her.

“Take it off. Now," I ordered in an icy tone.

For a split second, her smile faltered before she laughed lightly.

“Come on, Ardyn. It’s just a gown. Besides, if I ever find my mate, I’d want something just like this.”

“It’s not just a gown. It's my ceremonial gown."

Easton stepped closer, his towering presence hoping to soothe things, but what he said worsened it.

"Ardyn, don’t overreact. She didn’t mean anything by it.”

“Didn’t mean anything by it?” I repeated in disbelief.

He rubbed the back of his neck, a charming smile plastered on his face.

“You’re going to be the most beautiful Luna there ever was. Elena's just curious—it’s harmless.”

I wanted to scream, to rip that gown off her and set it ablaze. Instead, I forced a smile, cool and calculated, the kind that made Easton hesitate for the first time.

“You’re right. I’m just overreacting."

Easton looked relieved as he reached for my hand, but I pulled away, pretending not to notice the confusion in his eyes.

When we returned to the Ward estate, I sat by the large window. Easton entered the room quietly.

"Ardyn, you've been quiet," he said softly.

“Just thinking,” I replied without turning.

“I know today was… frustrating. Elena shouldn’t have..."

“Don’t,” I cut him off and looked at him.

“You always make excuses for her. Always.”

Easton's jaw tightened.

“She’s, my sister. I can’t just..."

“She’s not your sister!” I snapped.

“She’s mine. And she’s your weakness.”

His nostrils flared, and for a heartbeat, I thought he might fire back. But instead, he let out a breath, raking his dark hair back.

“You don’t understand, Ardyn."

“No! It's you who don't."

He didn’t respond and just went out.

The next day, I stood at the ceremonial ground, watching the pack bustle in preparation. Everyone was excited except me.

“Ardyn!” Elena’s voice chirped as she approached, wearing my gown again.

“I had the tailor make a few adjustments to your design. It’s so much better now!”

I turned slowly, forcing a tight smile.

“You’re wearing it again?”

Elena pouted, feigning hurt.

“Well, you’re not wearing it yet. Someone should show it off.”

Easton appeared beside me and said, "Elena, that's enough."

She huffed but eventually walked with a smug.

"You’re letting her walk all over me," I said when I turned to look at Easton.

His silver eyes softened, and he reached for my hand.

"Ardyn, you’re my mate. None of this changes that.”

“It doesn’t feel like it,” I whispered, pulling my hand back and walking away.

The final fitting for my gown was supposed to be this big moment, but it felt like the walls were closing on me. As the seamstress pinned the last bead, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

This was supposed to be my moment. My rise as Luna. But it just felt empty.

By evening, I decided to go to a cabin we owned in the forest. Tucked under a doormat, I found a black envelope with my name written on it.

Inside, a simple note read:

"The cruise ship is ready. Your freedom awaits."

Finally, a smile crept on my face.

The soft chime of a phone notification awakened me. A glimmer of light seeped through the slightly ajar bathroom door, and the sound of running water confirmed Easton was there.

I tried to go back to sleep, but the constant glow from his phone on the nightstand caught my attention. Normally, snooping wasn’t my style. Easton had been very strict in his boundaries and privacy. But these days, his behavior felt off. Before I could think it through, my hand reached for his phone.

The screen lit up, and a message from someone labeled "Baby" popped up. I tapped on the message, and I almost stopped breathing. Pictures of Elena dressed in nothing but stockings and lingerie, posing confidently. My fingers shook as I scrolled through.

"Easton, meet up with me. Same spot as always...”

I felt the air grow heavy, my breath coming in short gasps. I had brushed off the late-night outings, the vague texts, and the coldness in Easton's once-warm smiles. But this? This was the proof I’d been dreading.

Then, the bathroom door creaked. My heart raced as I quickly locked the phone and put it back. I turned onto my side, pretending to sleep. Easton stepped out and picked up the phone.

“Miss me, Easton?" Elena's flirtatious voice came through a voice message.

I clenched my fists under the covers, controlling my tears.

“Always,” Easton replied softly.

Her giggle pierced through me like a knife.

“Did you like the ceremonial gown I wore today? The one I know should’ve been hers?”

I wanted to jump out of bed, grab that phone, and throw it across the room. But I stayed still, letting his betrayal wash over me.

“You looked breathtaking,” he said after a brief pause.

"Better than Ardyn?" she teased.

He hesitated, and I felt his gaze linger on my back. I held my breath, hoping he would not notice I was awake.

“No one compares to you, my baby."

Those words landed like a punch to the gut. This guy had once sworn to love me forever, promised to make me his Luna, and the one I had loved with every bit of my heart. But now, here he was, ripping those promises apart.

“Come to me tonight,” Elena purred.

Easton sighed but replied, "I’ll be there soon.”

He left, and a minute later, I received a message from him.

“Urgent pack business. Rest well, my Luna. I’ll see you in the morning.”

I stared at the screen, the bile rising in my throat. I spent the day thinking and by the time he went home, I finally decided. No more doubts about my plan.

"Ardyn, what's going on?" Easton asked.

“Packing,” I replied casually.

His brows furrowed.

“Packing? Where are you going?”

I turned to him, forcing a smile.

“Oh, just tidying up. You know how I can’t stand a mess.”

His grin widened, wrapping his arms around me as if nothing had happened.

“No need to stress. Soon enough, you’ll be my Luna, and everything will just fall into place. You won’t have to lift a finger.”

I almost laughed. But I hummed, leaning into him just enough to keep up the act.

“You’re right. I should let you handle everything.”

His phone buzzed again, and he stepped back, glancing at the screen. A flicker of excitement crossed his face before he masked it with indifference.

“I’ll be back,” he said, kissing me quickly.

I followed at a distance, listening as his voice dropped low.

"Yes, Elena. The gown was perfect... I’ll take care of it. No worries.”

My blood was boiling as I stepped back into the room, slamming the closet door harder than I probably should have.

Later that night, we were called to dinner with Easton's family. The place was filled with crimson roses and golden decor and screaming Elena's name. She was seating, trying to look perfect in a ruby dress that hugged her every curve.

"Ardyn, darling," Eaton's mother softly said but sounded insincere.

“You’ve been so quiet lately. You should learn from Elena, so lively, so... inspiring.”

Elena leaned forward, her lips curving into a shy smile.

“Oh, don’t be too hard on her, Aunt Stella. She’s just a bit nervous. After all, being Luna is such a huge responsibility.”

I clenched my jaw, keeping my face as neutral as possible. Throughout dinner, Easton hardly looked my way, his eyes glued on Elena. By the time dessert came, I was running out of patience. But once done, I felt relieved and more determined about leaving.

The rain was pouring and cold, like how I felt as I stood there. Easton walked over to the car, holding the umbrella high for Elena, snuggling against him. He didn’t care that he was getting wet.

I watched them as I got completely drenched. I clenched my fists, and when I felt my nails dug into my palms, I forced myself to move. I sprinted through the rain and went inside our car, shivering.

Easton got out of Elena's car and slid into ours. He glanced at me, looking momentarily shocked, but his usual grin returned.

"Ardyn, you're soaked! Why didn’t you wait for me to help you?”

I just stared at him, struggling to control my anger.

“Elena’s always been a bit fragile. If she gets caught in the rain, she could get sick. I really just wanted to make sure she was okay first. You’re not mad, are you?”

“It’s fine,” I replied casually.

His face lit up with relief. He didn’t even notice how my hands were tense in my lap or how I clenched my jaw. Everything was fine to him as long as I didn’t make a fuss. But he failed to realize that the feelings I used to have for him, any hope or love that lingered, withered away a long time ago.

Once we got home, Easton’s excitement was hard to miss. He pulled out a bag and opened it.

“I knew you didn't like Elena wearing your ceremonial gown, so I found other choices. But these gowns are only the best, I assure you. C’mon, you gotta try them on!”

I looked at them and the gowns were gorgeous, but they felt as empty as his enthusiasm.

“This one would look stunning on you,” he said, pulling out a gown with beautiful and intricate laces.

“Go on, try it!”

I nodded numbly and made my way to the bathroom to change. When I went out, Easton was on the phone. His voice was soft, barely audible, but I heard every word.

“Do I have to come now? I’m helping Ardyn with some stuff for the mating ritual," he said, pausing for the other line to speak.

“Okay, fine. I’ll be there soon.”

He hung up and turned to me, that carefree smile plastered on his face.

“Ardyn, you look amazing! But something’s come up at work. Just pick whichever you like, alright?”

I nodded; my expression unreadable. I didn’t even have to ask who he was rushing to meet. It was all there in his hurried movements and the slight tremor in his voice. Once he was gone, I called an omega housekeeper.

"Burn them all,” I ordered, pointing to the neatly hung gowns.

She hesitated, glancing at me like she didn’t quite get it. But my tone left no room for argument. That evening, the gowns went up in flames. Watching them burn felt like shedding a part of my old self.

Later that night, while scrolling through my phone, I stumbled upon Elena’s post. There she was, beaming, showing off designer shoes and a handbag that Easton had obviously bought her. My heart broke, but I forced a smile. If she wanted him so bad, well, she could have him.

“Look what I brought for you,” Easton said, holding the pack of strawberries like a trophy as if he didn’t realize that he came back the next day afternoon.

“I’m not hungry.”

“C’mon, don’t be like that. I know I’ve been busy, but everything’s gonna be perfect. You’ll see. Tomorrow, we're scheduled for the traditional checkups’ healers ordered. Then, after two days, it's our mating ritual ceremony. Isn't that exciting?"

“Sure,” I replied flatly, pulling away.

He frowned but quickly masked it with another grin.

“You’re always so calm. That’s what I love about you. Elena could learn a thing or two.”

I kept my face neutral despite being hurt at the mention of her name.

The next day, I got a text saying that food, water, and other necessary things would be ready inside the cruise ship in three days.

"Ardyn, we need to leave. We don't want the healers to be waiting for us," Easton said.

I quickly kept my phone. When I looked up, Easton was standing, looking handsomely prepared. He smiled at me, and for the first time in days, I genuinely smiled back at him.