Zack stood there, dumbstruck.

He opened his mouth to protest, but I was already heading into the bathroom.

When I emerged, he was all smiles, texting away on his phone, the earlier confusion wiped clean, replaced by sheer bliss.

'Probably sweet-talking Nancy,' I figured.

A sharp pang hit the wolf inside me.

I was not Zack's Luna yet, but three days ago, he had marked me as his own, if only for a moment. Even if he strayed, the sting of betrayal would still cut deep.

I kept silent, turning to head into the room.

Then Zack's voice broke the silence.

"Maggie, we need to talk."

I stopped dead in my tracks.

He seldom used that grave tone with me.

The last time he did, a month ago, he had talked about having kids with Nancy. Then she got pregnant. What more could he possibly have to say?

Tears threatened, but I fought them back, striving for composure.

"What's up?"

Zack seemed to struggle with himself, then finally blurted, "Can we skip the photo session tomorrow?"

His uneasy look reminded me that tomorrow was the day for our ritual photo, a symbol of our bond. I had not intended to renew our bond, and there was no point in holding onto memories.

"Sure, I'll call and cancel first thing in the morning."

I nodded.

Zack stared at me, surprised and then wounded. "Maggie, why don't you even ask why?

"Don't you love me anymore?"

He closed the distance between us, his hands gripping my shoulders with a force that made me wince.

"Are you hurting too, Zack? Inside?"

I met his gaze.

A flush of embarrassment washed over his face.

"Maggie, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have doubted you..."

I shrugged off his hands, tired of his excuses.

"You know, Zack… I felt a sharp pain today. It was random.

"Is it because of Nancy? Did you cheat?"

My voice was steady. His reaction, however, was a complete mess. He froze, his words tumbling out in a jumble.

"... How could you think that?" He stammered, "Maggie, you know you're the one I love. How could I ever betray what we have?"

I could not help but let out a bitter laugh, turning to grab my phone, ready to cancel the photo shoot.

However, before I could even speak, Zack swiped the phone from my hand.

"No need to cancel, sweetheart!" he said, his grin awkward as he ended the call. "You're aware of Nancy's condition. She'll never get to make a bond in her lifetime. She just wants one photo with me, something to hold onto."

Zack watched me cautiously as he spoke, "Don't worry! Once we're bonded, I'll make it up to you!"

My obvious disappointment must have pierced through Zack's heart. He came to me in a flurry, pulling me into a tight hug.

"I just can't bear the thought of my lifesaver passing away with regrets.

"Maggie, trust me, you're the one I love the most.

"Don't ever leave me. I'd be lost without you."

I did not say a word. I just gave a small nod.

That seemed to lift his spirits instantly, and he twirled me in a joyous embrace.

I watched his elated face and snorted inwardly.

'The future? We won't be having one. You'll regret what you've done, Zack,' I thought bitterly.

Zack looked like he had more to say, but his phone buzzed to life again.

He stroked my head, then with phone in hand, he turned and walked away.

I stayed put, silently watching his retreat.

That tender smile I knew so well spread across Zack's face.

Nancy's name flowed from his lips like a mantra.

My heart felt empty. The pain from the wolf within me surged, but it was less sharp this time.

The temporary mark was fading, Zack's hold on me weakening.

He seemed to sense my gaze. Turning, he waved at me, his smile still soft with thoughts of Nancy.

"Zack, do you truly love me?"

If not, why seek to bond with me at all?

"Why do you claim to love me, yet you father a child with another Omega, letting her steal my whole world?"

My voice was barely above a whisper, lost to the wind.

Zack stared at me, his gestures a silent plea for understanding. "What's that, Maggie?"

I just turned and walked back into the room. Having his answer would not change anything, anyway.

His love, or lack thereof, did not matter anymore—he had betrayed me.

His actions spoke louder than any words, showing me I did not matter to him then.

'If Nancy wanted me gone, he'd probably let her have her way,' I mused bitterly.

Zack stood there, stunned, not even snapping out of it when Nancy called his name.

At that moment, his inner wolf let out an uncontrollable, mournful howl.

"Why does it hurt so much when Maggie hasn't betrayed me?"

He clutched at his chest, lost, as he watched me walk away.

However, no one had the answer for him.

Even Nancy ended the call on him.

I was oblivious to Zack's turmoil as I drifted off to sleep.

Waking up the next day, I found Zack, all suited up, standing by me, looking uncomfortable.

"I'm off to make the pledge, and then I'll be with Nancy at the edge of the Northwood tundra, by Moonshadow Lake.

"She says it's her last wish."

I could not help but snicker at Nancy's audacity.

She sure had a lot of last wishes—and so ridiculously specific, too.

"Go, then."

Zack lingered, his gaze filled with uncertainty.

"Could we keep your Luna crowning a bit more low-key this time?"

I stopped for a beat. "Why?"

'Of course, we could. No grand pledges, no Elders to impress, no crowd to please. We could even do without the bride,' I thought sarcastically.

"I'm worried it might... upset Nancy."

Zack's smile broke into a warm embrace. "Sweetheart, Maggie, Nancy's got just one month left. Can you cut her some slack, please?"

I could not help but chuckle at his expectant face.

"She's been 'one month away' for the past year. How is she still kicking after all this time?"

Crack!

Zack's hand landed a stinging slap across my cheek.

"How dare you say that!"

He looked at me, his face a mix of shock and disbelief, as if I had crossed a line.

The pain was sharp and immediate, my cheek puffing up with each throbbing heartbeat.

Zack was shaken too, standing there with tears brimming, on the verge of breaking.

"Maggie, I'm so sorry! Are you hurt?"

He reached out to touch my swelling cheek, but I pulled away.

"You've fallen for Nancy, haven't you?"

"No, I haven't!" Zack stumbled over his words, desperate to convince me. "I swear, I haven't fallen for her!

"Maggie, you know you're the only one in my heart, my one and only Luna!"

He got to his feet, looking as though confused. "But you can't speak ill of Nancy. She contracted Argentosis while saving my life.

"Without her, I'd be dead. We wouldn't be here together."

I gave no response, and after a moment of hesitation, Zack's voice softened.

"Once Nancy's gone, we could go to Southwood. Remember? You wanted to stargaze there."

I just stared back, silent.

Our bond was broken. There was no point in dreaming of journeys then.

Zack did not press on. He glanced at the clock and stood up quickly.

"I need to go for the oath photo. Let's talk when I get back, okay?"

I reached for the calendar on the nightstand and struck a big X over the date I once eagerly awaited.

Just 12 days remained.

After finishing my meal, I started to pack up my belongings.

Five years had woven a tapestry of memories into the fabric of that home. Photo albums bursting with smiles, the stone plaque Zack had chiseled with his own hands—those were the relics of our love.

I used to believe I was Zack's number one. However, the truth hit hard: Zack's heart belonged to himself first, and Nancy, a close second. Why else would he swipe my research, the work of my soul?

Staring at my manuscript, locked away in Zack's safe, I could not help but laugh—a bitter, hollow sound. "He doesn't love you," I whispered to the empty room.

To Zack, the Alpha, I was just an Omega to be dominated, my talents mere extensions of his will. What was left there for me to hold onto?

One by one, I fed the flames with our photographs, watching as the fire consumed what used to be 'us.'

Zack had not set foot in the house for a week, yet his escapades with Nancy played out before my eyes daily. Their adventures to Golden Palm Springs, their ascent of snow-capped peaks, their shared moments under the Northwood auroras—all broadcasted for the world to see.

I watched, a silent spectator, then scrolled on. Those moments, once mine alone, were then shared with another Omega.

However, I had not wasted my days wallowing. The house was cluttered with the past, and it took days to sort and box up my life.

Once done, I sought refuge with my parents' pack, announcing my departure. They were shocked, to say the least.

"You're leaving? But you two are set to bond! And you're heading to the Northwood herbal research station? That's years of seclusion, years apart from him," my mother said, her hands gripping mine, eyes brimming with concern.

"Maggie, please reconsider. You've chased after him for years, and you've finally got him to commit to tying the knot... What if he backs out? What then? How will you handle the wedding?"

I got where they were coming from.

They had all witnessed my love for Zack. They had tried to talk me out of it before I convinced him to get engaged.

They said as long as Zack was in my life, I would never find my true self. I would be living in Zack's shadow.

They were upset that Zack had taken credit for my research.

Back then, I was so sure, promising that with time, I would win him over and let my own talents shine.

Now, I just said it quietly.

"This time, I'm the one calling off the wedding."

Silence fell over the room.

I did not bring up Nancy or the report confirming her pregnancy.

I simply said I wanted to head to Northwood to dive back into my herbal research and do something meaningful for our pack.

My parents exchanged a long look before Dad let out a sigh and gave my shoulder a reassuring pat.

"Just make sure it's what you want, no regrets."

Back at my place, I called my best friend Irene over to help pack up the mountains of boxes into the car my family had sent over.

After a few trips, the house was finally empty.

Leaning against the doorway, Irene was out of breath, her eyes distant.

"Remember how you cried tears of joy in my arms the night Zack said 'yes' to your proposal? You were ecstatic, thinking you'd finally be his Luna."

I just nodded, a quiet hum.

"And now? You're just going to throw away the engagement you worked so hard for?

"You've loved him for years. What in the world happened?"

Staring at the bare room, I suddenly felt the urge to spill everything.

I told her all about the past month.

Including Zack's decision to honor Nancy's request and father her child as a way to repay a favor.

Irene's reaction was immediate and fierce.

"Has Zack lost his mind? After everything you've done for him, he goes off to father a child with another Omega and expects you to be okay with it?!"

I shook my head, unable to hold back the tears.

"He claims Nancy saved his life, and he owes it to her to grant her dying wish."

Irene's eyes blazed with fury.

"However, you saved him too, in the silver mine! Remember how you risked your life to get that blood-stopping herb for him? Your hands were full of puncture wounds from those toxic thorns. How can he just forget that?"

I stayed silent.

Perhaps... he simply did not love me as much.

No big deal, though.

I was leaving this place, after all.