“Ardyn, you really need to relax. They’re probably gonna take some blood for the mating ritual, and I know how much you hate needles. Don’t worry. I’ll be with you the whole time,” Easton said, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

I looked up at him, trying to decipher what was going on behind those eyes. For just a moment, I thought maybe the strong Alpha-to-be wasn’t just all tough exteriors. Maybe there was still a bit of Easton that cared. But then, Elena slipped into my mind.

As the healer ready the needle, I turned my head away. Easton held my hand tightly, his thumb making little comforting circles on my skin.

“You’re doing great,” he said softly, his voice almost tender.

I could see his brow furrowed, and for just a moment, it seemed like he was genuinely worried.

“Does it hurt? Ardyn, if it’s too much, just let me know.”

I almost laughed, but it was bitter. His phone rang, breaking the moment.

“I have to take this,” he said, already stepping back.

“Elena? What’s up? I’ll be there soon.”

Those words hit like a punch. He didn’t even look back as he walked out the door.

“I’ll just be a minute,” Easton said, almost dismissively.

I stared at the spot he had just vacated, feeling this numbness creep in.

Then, the healer cleared her throat, bringing me back to reality. I let her finish the blood draw in silence. The prick of the needle was almost a relief—physical pain was easier to deal with than the mess swirling in my mind.

Easton didn't return that day, even the following day. Elena posted in the pack's group chat another picture that hit me like a slap. She was sitting in a restaurant, behind her was Easton, and she captioned it, "With the ones who truly matter.”

I slammed my phone down. But I forced myself not to shed a tear.

And then the messages started flooding in.

“Can’t wait for your mating ritual ceremony tomorrow!”

“Ardyn, you and Easton are just perfect together!”

“Luna Ardyn does have a nice ring to it.”

Perfect? They had no idea. There was nothing perfect about being second place to the one person Easton couldn't let go of.

By noon, the operator of the cruise ship messaged me.

"The cruise ship would be ready by dawn. Will you board before sunrise?”

I quickly typed back, “Yes.”

This was it. My chance to break free. To leave behind a connection that felt more like a prison. Let Easton and Elena have their messed-up relationship; I was done being the patient, compliant Luna-in-waiting.

Then, I heard the door creak open behind me.

“Ardyn,” Easton said, his voice soft and almost desperate.

“Would you like to eat outside?”

Once upon a time, that might’ve melted my heart. But now, it felt empty.

“No, thanks,” I replied, keeping my voice steady.

Easton frowned, clearly confused.

“You’re upset. I understand, but tomorrow’s the mating ritual ceremony. It’s all going to be perfect; I promise. I’ll be right by your side. Work can wait.”

I wanted to scream at him. To let him know how absurd that promise sounded when he couldn’t even stay with me for a simple blood draw. But instead, all I could manage was a cold, distant smile that didn’t reach my eyes.

“Sure, Easton. Tomorrow,” I murmured, turning away from him.

By the time dawn came, I’d be long gone. Tomorrow might be the big day for the mating ritual ceremony, but it wouldn’t be my day. It never was.

And when Easton finally figured that out, well, it’d be way too late. And I would leave a surprise for him and Elena.

My phone buzzed every ten minutes, filled with well-wishes from the pack members counting the hours before my supposed mating ritual ceremony. I didn't bother to respond to any of those texts. Instead, I went to the venue for the last time.

The grand hall looked elegant, draped in soft whites and blush pinks, just like I’d always dreamed it would be. But now it felt like a stage set for a show I had no interest in being part of.

I went to a table where a photo of Easton and me was displayed. We looked so happy, like the perfect mates the pack expected us to be. Before I could think much about it, I grabbed that photo and ripped it in half. The sound echoed through that empty hall, almost satisfying, though it didn’t quite erase the sting of betrayal.

“Get these down,” I said to the attendant without glancing at her.

I sounded calm despite the burning rage inside me. The attendant just nodded, probably too polite to ask questions. I bet she thought I was one of those future Luna having cold feet. If only she knew the real story.

"Why are you angry this early?"

I tensed as I heard that familiar voice. It's Astrid, my adoptive mother. Her tone dripped with sarcasm, her eyes scanning the room like she was judging a bad play. She stood there, arms crossed, waiting for an explanation.

“Shouldn’t you be a bit more composed? You’re about to become Luna,” she said, smirking.

“I didn’t ask for your opinion,” I snapped.

Her smirk widened.

“Still got that fiery temper, huh? You should learn to control it by now. A Luna should know when to keep quiet.”

I didn’t even bother responding. Instead, I turned my focus back to the hall, but Astrid wasn’t done with me.

“Oh, I almost forgot,” she said, pulling a small box from her bag and shoving it toward me.

“A gift from me.”

I stared at the box, hesitant to take it. My mother didn’t give gifts unless there were strings attached. And when I opened it, my breath caught in my throat. A diamond necklace sparkled in the light - gorgeous, cold, and meaningless. It was the necklace promised to me as a kid but never given. Instead, it went to Elena on her sixteenth birthday. Seeing it now felt like a slap in the face. I stared at the necklace for what felt like forever before tossing it into the trash can.

The hours that followed were spent packing my stuff and double-checking everything. Tomorrow, I was supposed to walk down the ceremonial grounds with Easton. But nope, that was definitely not happening.

I took one last look at my phone. A message from Elena lit up the screen. “Wishing you a blessed mating ritual ceremony, Ardyn. I hope you find joy always.”

I forced a smile because I knew Elena was lying. I bet she was snuggled up in Easton’s arms at this second, celebrating her little victory. I quickly typed a response.

"Thanks for the blessing, Elena. I’ll always find my happiness. Oh, and I got you a little something. You will receive it tomorrow."

Elena would receive it at the mating ritual ceremony. I specifically instructed the courier. I chuckled, imagining what she would look like when she saw it. Then, I also sent one last message to Easton.

"Sorry, I canceled our mating ritual ceremony. Please attend your and Elena's mating ritual ceremony."

I attached the candid photos I had taken when they were being carelessly unaware while being intimate. Once I stepped onto the ship, those messages would be sent automatically. The pictures would even be forwarded to the pack's group chat for everyone to see. It would serve as my final goodbye.

I arrived at the dock and looked at the amazing cruise ship I owned. It was enormously beautiful. I felt the weight of the things I was letting go of but did not back down.

“Excuse me, Miss Ardyn. I am Paolo, the ship's captain, where would you like to go?” a voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I turned and smiled.

“Wherever this ship takes me.”

I glanced at the sea. And for the first time, I wasn't afraid of what would happen next. I was actually excited.

“To Croatia,” Paolo said.

I nodded and boarded the ship. I had never been to Croatia, but I was already excited about what I would find there. After sending a voice call to Easton, I took out my SIM card, the last thing he could use to communicate with me. I threw it into the water, and I made sure to block everyone from communicating via mind-link. My wolf whimpered, and I soothed her by telling her Easton chose Elena; it's time to move on.

Meanwhile, at the Ward estate, Easton was awakened by the incessant ringing of his phone. He picked it up and groaned when he saw it was his mother. He wanted to get more sleep so he would not feel tired during the mating ritual ceremony, but he couldn't ignore her.

"Yes, Mom," he answered sleepily.

"Easton, you better be awake now. You have only two hours to prepare. And where is Ardyn? Why can't I reach her?"

"Mom, she would be there. Now, let me go and prepare."

Elena was beside him, awakened from the call, too. Once the call ended, Elena hugged him and asked, "Easton, would you still love me even after you mated with my sister?"

She looked at him with watery eyes. Easton hugged her tightly.

"Of course, baby. I just need to honor this mating ritual, but it would not matter. Nothing would change between us."

He then kissed her passionately.

"Alright, baby. We need to prepare and head to the venue."

Once ready, Easton called Ardyn. After three rings, it went to voicemail. A weird, sinking feeling settled deep in his chest. But he ignored it thinking she was just busy. He grabbed his things and immediately went to the door. Suddenly, his phone rang from an unknown caller. But when he answered, it was Ardyn's voice.

"Hey, it’s me. My phone was acting up. Don’t freak out; I’ll be at the venue waiting for you. I’ve got a surprise for you."

Easton smiled and felt relieved hearing her voice. With a grin, he turned to the others, still searching for her.

“Hey, Ardyn just called! She’s just getting ready to surprise me. No need to worry, alright?”

He couldn’t help but beam as he spoke, feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Even now, she was planning something special for him. His friends couldn’t resist but tease him.

"Look at you, all lovey-dovey! So cute!"

"Seriously, that’s just the sweetest thing!"

As the mating ritual ceremony was about to start, Ardyn was still nowhere to be seen. Easton's mom leaned to him and whispered, "You don’t think she’s trying to bail on the mating ritual, do you? It’s been ages! If she pulls a stunt like that, she’ll have to answer me."

Easton shook his head, tugging at his mom's sleeves.

“Nah, she wouldn’t do that! She loves me so much. Plus, she said she was planning a surprise for me."

He was still confident Ardyn would show up. But when the elder urged for the mates to step up, nerves kicked in for Easton. He stood there, a little shaky, trying to think of a good reason for Ardyn's delay.

"Uh, everyone, just hang tight for a sec. We’ll be starting soon..."

Before he could say another word, whispers erupted from the crowd. People pulled out their phones. Their glance darted from their phone to Easton.

At the same time, Ardyn’s gift for Elena arrived. Elena took the box from the delivery guy and opened it. It contained all the pictures of him and Easton. She almost fainted but didn’t make a sound.

Out of nowhere, Astrid dashed up, yanking Easton down and shoving her phone in his face.

“What’s going on? Ardyn just posted something on her social media and sent messages for the entire pack to read!”

Ardyn was a well-known designer and influencer before she met Easton. Her fans loved her and adored them as mates. But no one thought she’d end up in a situation like this.

Easton stared at the screen, unable to process what he was seeing. He also received the last message Ardyn sent to him. The Ardyn he knew was always thoughtful, kind, and understanding. But now, it hit him—she had known everything about his affair with Elena. How did she find out?

At that moment, Easton felt like a total fool. Everything that had transpired today was part of Ardyn’s grand plan. The surprise he had been so excited about was this. His mind went completely blank and stood there frozen.