1

Leaving the witch's shop, I stepped into a transformed Northern Territory. The usually stark winter landscape buzzed with frantic activity.

Pack members scurried about like ants, hanging twinkling fairy lights and arranging tables for what promised to be an extravagant celebration.

The crisp air carried the scent of fresh pine garlands and warm spices.

"Careful with those crystal glasses! They're the Alpha King's favorites!" A beta supervisor barked orders at younger wolves.

I watched as they meticulously arranged everything according to Damien's exacting standards. He always wanted things perfect for me.

A newly turned wolf, her scent still sharp with uncertainty, tugged at her companion's sleeve.

"What's all this for?" she whispered, eyes wide. "Is the Alpha King taking another mate?"

A passing beta whirled around, her lip curling in disgust.

"Are you seriously that clueless?" she snapped. "Our Alpha King and Lady Sierra have been mated for five years. They're the most devoted pair in all the territories!"

Another beta joined in, her voice dreamy. "In fifteen days, it's their anniversary celebration. Alpha Damien's been planning it for weeks!"

"You should see how he looks at her," a third chimed in. "Like she hung the moon itself."

I walked past their excited chatter, a weary sigh escaping my lips. If they only knew.

The Northern Territory practically worshipped our "perfect" bond. Everyone knew the story of how fiercely Damien cherished his mate.

Two years ago, when rival wolves attacked me with silver, he'd stormed vampire territory alone.

The memory was still vivid - him bursting into our room, clothes torn and bloody, clutching the rare blood magic that saved my life.

"I'd give all my power to keep you safe," he'd sworn, feeding me drop after precious drop.

But that wasn't even the beginning of his devotion.

Before my wolf emerged, I was just a weak Omega - practically human. Other packs sneered at my presence.

"An Alpha King with a mateless Omega? Disgraceful!" they'd whisper.

Lesser alphas had pressured him daily to reject me. "Choose a proper mate," they urged. "Someone worthy of your status."

Damien's response had been legendary. He'd thrown the delegation out bodily, roaring, "I'll wait for Sierra's wolf to awaken. Whether she's human or wolf, my heart belongs to her alone!"

For three long years, he'd stayed true to those words. When other females flaunted themselves, he didn't spare them a glance.

Then finally, miraculously, my wolf emerged. Though she was weak, barely able to maintain consciousness, she recognized Damien instantly as our mate.

He'd been overjoyed, ordering the grandest mating ceremony ever seen. "Let everyone witness our bond," he'd declared proudly.

The memory of that day still ached. How radiant he'd looked, how genuine his joy had seemed as he marked me as his.

Since then, we'd been the envy of the supernatural world. Lone wolves, neighboring alphas - everyone marveled at our supposedly unbreakable bond.

Every night, he'd hold me close, whispering promises against my skin.

"You're my only mate, Sierra. For this life and every life after."

His voice would tremble with emotion, his arms tightening around me like he feared I'd disappear.

Although my wolf is always asleep so I can't sense the status of my mate, I never once questioned his devotion.

But love, as I've learned, can be terribly fickle.

The truth emerged a month ago. A casual comment from a pack member about seeing Damien's car near the territory's edge. An unfamiliar female scent clinging to his clothes.

I tracked him to a secluded cabin, my heart already knowing what I'd find.

Every time he claimed to be handling "urgent pack business," he was there with her. Hours would pass while I waited alone.

Week by week, his absences grew longer. The lies more frequent.

I turned away from the chattering betas, their praise of our "perfect love" like knives in my chest. My feet carried me back to our quarters in the pack house.

With trembling hands, I pulled out the separation papers. Each signature felt like carving out a piece of my heart.

The papers held no real power - an Alpha's mate bond couldn't be broken by mere documents. But I needed this closure, this formal ending to our lie.

I'd just finished signing when his familiar footsteps approached. Then his arms were around me, his chest warm against my back.

"What are you working on, love?" His voice held that same tender note it always had.

My hand shook as I covered the papers. Even now, his touch sent sparks through me.

He noticed my tension, nuzzling my neck in that soothing way that used to make everything better.

"Sorry I'm late, sweetheart. Had to deal with some rogue wolves at the southern border."

Another casual lie. I'd patrolled that border myself an hour ago. All had been quiet.

He pulled out a silver hair clip, his fingertips gentle in my hair. His voice dripped honey.

"Don't be upset. Let me fix your hair?"

I sat rigid as he leaned down. That's when it hit me - Moonlight flower perfume, unmistakable and foreign.

Turning slightly, I saw it. A fresh love bite just below his collar, poorly concealed.

Moonlight flower doesn't grow in our frozen territory. He must have bought her flowers in the city, while I sat home waiting.

My eyes fixed on that mark, wondering how many others lurked beneath his clothes. The sweet scent of her clung to him. He'd barely bothered to shower after leaving her bed.

Pain bloomed behind my eyes, threatening to overwhelm me.

The worst part wasn't the physical betrayal. It was doubting every perfect moment we'd shared. Had any of it been real? Or was I just fooling myself all along?

Damien continued grooming my hair, completely unaware of my inner turmoil. His touch remained loving, his eyes soft with apparent affection.

"Your skin glows like moonlight, my love. So beautiful," he murmured, voice thick with seemingly genuine devotion.

I forced my lips into a smile, covering his eyes with one hand while folding the separation papers with the other.

"I have a gift for you," I managed. "But promise you won't look at it for fifteen days."

He caught my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm. His grin was easy, carefree.

"Anything for you, my heart."

I stared into his smiling eyes, memorizing his face one last time: In fifteen days, Sierra McKnight would vanish forever.