The memory of my wolf nearly fading flooded back.

It was late one night.

Sarah sent Lucas a message: [Lucas, I'm scared. I want to sever the mate bond with that rogue wolf.]

From that moment, Lucas changed.

He took back our engagement token—the Moonstone necklace.

His excuse was grand: he had commissioned a dwarf artisan to make a necklace with stronger magic and would give it to me when it was ready.

I believed him.

I was too busy helping him pass the Alpha Council assessment to think twice.

I didn't realize he was giving all his free time to Sarah.

The signs were there early on.

During a territory patrol, Lucas stared at the revealing maid outfits in the market—clothes usually worn by lower-ranked Omegas.

He hinted, "Elena, you should change your style. Healer robes are too conservative and boring."

Later, I found out Sarah had sent him a photo of herself in that exact outfit, asking if she looked good.

Then there was the stormy night.

Lucas was home but kept checking his phone, distracted.

He claimed there was an emergency at the border and rushed out.

That same night, Sarah posted a photo on Facebook of a man's back in the rain. The caption read: [Luckily, I have an Alpha to protect me on this stormy night.]

But I kept lying to myself.

Until that specific evening.

The pack held a banquet to sign a peace treaty with the vampire clan.

Sarah attended as the pack's newly recruited healer.

During the feast, the greedy Vampire Prince insisted Sarah drink a full pot of strong liquor with him.

Sarah’s eyes were red with fear. She hid behind Lucas, trembling.

I thought Lucas would stop it.

Instead, he turned and pushed the heavy pot of liquor toward me.

His voice was gentle but cold as ice: "Elena, Sarah is just an Omega. She can't handle this energy. You are a high-ranking wolf. Drink these cups for her."

It wasn't a cup. It was the whole pot.

This liquor contained violent energy. Even a high-ranking wolf would suffer backlash.

Amidst the jeering crowd, Lucas pressed down on my shoulder—using the Alpha command.

For his reputation, and for that peace treaty, I drank it.

The liquor burned like magma, corroding my throat and my wolf.

That night, I was carried out on a stretcher.

Severe internal corrosion.

When I woke up, only Lucas was in the infirmary.

He showed no pity. Instead, he held the signed parchment with a satisfied smile.

"Elena, you suffered a bit, but look, you helped me secure the treaty."

"I will remember this credit. This proves your love and your value as the future Luna."

My heart went cold watching him act so self-righteous.

On the day of my discharge, I suggested we go hunting in the deep forest to celebrate.

Lucas said he was tired and wanted to rest at the den.

Thirty minutes later, I saw him at the market on the edge of the territory.

He was carrying bags of expensive venison and healing herbs.

I watched him expertly enter the passcode to Sarah's apartment.

He didn't hesitate. It looked like he had lived there for years.

I stood in the hallway, my legs numb. It felt like my soul had been ripped out.

I knocked on the door with trembling hands.

Lucas's voice came from inside, full of laughter: "That was fast delivery."

The door opened.

The truth was naked before me.

I finally understood why Lucas came home late smelling of jasmine body wash.

Lucas instinctively shielded Sarah, who was wearing that sexy maid outfit, as if I were a monster.

"Elena! Are you stalking me?"

"I'm just reinforcing the defense barrier for Sarah. She's a weak Omega. Stop being so dirty-minded."

Was that it?

The Lucas who was too lazy to reinforce our own villa was now her dedicated guardian.

He accused me of being paranoid and ungrateful.

Later, while I was researching treatments, I was hospitalized again for silver poisoning.

This time, the infirmary was empty. Not even an apprentice was there.

In cold sweat from the pain, I called Lucas, hoping he would visit or bring me some recovery potions.

The phone connected, but the background noise was a busy mall and Sarah's happy laughter.

"Lucas, this Luna dress is perfect for the Moon Ball."

My wolf howled in pain inside me. I rasped, "Where are you? I'm lying in the hospital bed without even water."

Lucas sounded impatient.

"Elena, stop being so dramatic. Sarah just started working here. I'm helping her buy decent clothes to maintain the pack's image. It's official business."

"You're lying in bed. I'm not a healer, what use am I there?"

He hung up.

I listened to the disconnect tone and laughed.

Tears ran down the corners of my eyes into my ears, cold and biting.

To him, I wasn't a mate. I was a tool.

Once out of order, I had no value.

I pulled out the IV needle.

Blood stained the sheets.

I didn't bandage it. I just stared at the red stain.

Something inside me died completely.

I went to find the Witch of the Black Forest.

I asked her, "How can my wolf completely give up on a fated mate?"

The Witch stirred her potion, her black eyes staring at me. "Your wolf is stubborn. If I sever the bond now, the pain will destroy your soul. You will become a cripple."

"There is only one way—let your wolf adapt to the pain."

"Face the source of your agony. Submit completely. Give everything until your wolf gets used to the neglect, goes numb from pain, and voluntarily gives up."

So.

The first thing I did after discharge was find Lucas.

I didn't scream or question him. I put on makeup and submissively apologized.

Lucas looked at me, a flash of triumph in his eyes.

"That's right, Elena. You know I still love you, as long as you obey."

We "reconciled."

As if the damage never happened.

To make my wolf completely "numb," I took over the task of caring for Sarah.

I even took in Lucas's mother, who had always looked down on my background.

I woke up at 5 AM every day to polish Lucas's armor, cook beauty porridge for Sarah, and massage his mother's swollen legs.

Sarah accepted my service, occasionally acting fake-apologetic: "Elena, I'm sorry you have to serve us like a low-ranking Omega."

Lucas didn't defend me. He hugged Sarah's waist approvingly.

"Nonsense. This is Elena's kindness."

He turned to me with a condescending tone:

"See, Elena? This is what a good Luna looks like. You don't need pampering; you just need to be useful to this family."

"Being needed is the highest form of love I can give you."

I smiled and nodded, wiping the table. My heart was terrifyingly calm.

A month passed.

Lucas, whose face once made my wolf howl with joy, now looked greasy and hypocritical.

Every compliment he gave me accelerated my detachment.

In my eyes, he transformed from an Alpha into a clown.

Finally.

One sunny afternoon.

I realized my wolf no longer reacted to Lucas's betrayal.

She was tired. She finally agreed to reject Lucas.

I had been packing my bags gradually.

The Alpha of the Northern Ice Plains Pack valued my healing talent and had offered me a position. I accepted.

My cure for silver poisoning saved countless werewolves. Alphas from neighboring packs came to our territory offering heavy gold to buy it.

The Elders decided to hold a grand launch event.

The night before the launch, Lucas was unusually excited.

He hugged me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder.

"Elena, tomorrow's event isn't just about our pack becoming wealthy. It's the start of our new life."

"After this is over, we will hold the Marking Ceremony. You will become my true Luna, okay?"

I didn't pull away. I just closed my eyes.

My wolf didn't even blink at the mention of the marking.

There would be no new life. And no marking.

I fell asleep to his rambling.

The next day, Lucas wore the Alpha suit I had sewn for him.

When we arrived at the venue, Sarah was already there.

She was wearing the Moon Silk robe passed down to Lunas through generations, moving among the guests like the hostess.

seeing us, she smiled and came over to take Lucas's arm.

Lucas subtly avoided her touch, then looked at me seriously.

He took me to the door of a closed temporary lab backstage.

"Elena, there are too many Alphas here. We're out of stock. You must brew 100 bottles of the cure right now. I can only stand on stage confidently if you are brewing back here."

Lucas held my shoulders, his eyes full of suffocating "trust."

"As for Sarah, she needs the title of Lead Researcher and Chief Healer for protection. You are my supportive wife, you won't fight her for false fame, right?"

"Just run the slideshow of Sarah's research process for me from back here. I only trust you."

I looked at him.

I looked at the man giving the credit for my hard work to another woman.

I didn't expose him. I just nodded. "Okay, I'll go in."

Lucas sighed in relief and kissed my forehead.

"Thank you. These 100 bottles are important to the pack. Wait for me. I have a surprise for you after this."

A surprise?

I didn't care.

I walked into the lab and looked at the raw materials. I sneered.

Since he wanted 100 bottles, I would give him 100 bottles.

Half an hour later, I finished the work and notified the staff.

Lucas was satisfied with the crates of product. He took Sarah to the center stage amidst thunderous applause.

That was supposed to be my spot.

That was supposed to be my glory.

Lucas took the microphone, looking high on power.

He seemed to truly love me, in his twisted, disgusting way.

He spoke deeply to the closed corner of the lab in front of everyone:

"Elena, do you see this? Half this glory is yours."

"You stand in the dark, but you are the one who makes me shine."

"I love you."

Lucas thought I would be moved to tears backstage.

I was "moved."

I looked at the glittering stage and slowly pressed the remote control I had prepared.

Today was the day of my rebirth.

Beep.

The promotional video on the big screen went black.

A second later, the image changed.

The crowd went dead silent, then erupted into chaos.

It wasn't Sarah's fake research process. It was explicit texts and intimate photos of Sarah and Lucas.

[Lucas, I want the Chief Healer position. Let that old hag work in the back.]

[Don't worry baby, she is my Mate. She was born to serve us.]

Then, a video of Sarah failing to identify basic herbs in the lab.

Finally, my pre-recorded voiceover played:

"I am Elena. Lucas and Sarah stole my research. More importantly—the 100 bottles of 'miracle cure' sold today are just diluted mint water. Alphas, do not be fooled."

The screen froze on Lucas's terrified face.

In the chaos, I was already in an armored off-road vehicle heading for the border.

I started the engine and crossed the blockade.

Goodbye, Lucas.