Chapter 1

JENNA’S POV

Until the Alpha's mark healed on my neck, I still couldn't believe I had bonded so quickly.

And the wolf I was bonded to wasn't Carrick, my partner of eight years.

But Alex, the blind Alpha of the Silver Crest Pack, whom I had only encountered during a few tense pack negotiations and who once stood against everything I represented.

"You can't regret being my Luna now. When will you move to Silver Crest territory?" His voice was deep, resonating with Alpha authority that made my Omega instincts quiver despite myself.

I realized what he meant after a moment, and my face flushed instantly. Fortunately, he couldn't see it, though I suspected he could smell my embarrassment through my scent.

"Half a moon cycle. I still have some things to gather from my family's den."

Alex nodded, "That's sufficient time to prepare for our formal mating ceremony."

"Whatever you prefer, acquire it yourself." He pressed a carved stone token into my palm—his pack's highest form of currency—and I noticed his ears reddening slightly. "This grants you access to all Silver Crest resources."

I pursed my lips and smiled softly. Perhaps this was not the disaster everyone claimed it would be.

Ten days into what should have been Carrick's mating moon, he finally remembered to contact me through the pack mind-link.

The pack border patrol changes at moonrise. Come collect my belongings.

His tone held no explanation, as if nothing had happened. As if he hadn't abandoned me before our entire pack.

The inter-pack networks buzzed with gossip. Every intimate moment of his ten-day mating ritual with Daya was shared publicly. I saw images of them swimming in the sacred hot springs, running through mountain passes under the moonlight, and howling together on the ceremonial cliffs...

These were all experiences I had dreamed of sharing during our mating moon, outlined in my ritual planning scrolls, but he had already enacted them with another.

I'm occupied. Retrieve your own possessions, I sent back, severing the link abruptly.

Whenever he had summoned in the past, I would drop everything and run to him without question, my Omega instincts compelling me to please my intended Alpha.

How boring, came his final dismissive thought before he withdrew from my mind.

At this point, I believed we had reached an unspoken separation—a clean break between Alpha and rejected Omega.

Who knew that when I returned to my den that night, I would find him lounging on my furs in human form, wearing only loose ceremonial trousers.

When he saw me, he raised his eyes with casual arrogance.

"I've been gone, yet your den remains clean."

In recent days, I had destroyed or returned many items connected to Carrick. The wall carvings depicting our bond that once adorned my living space were filled in and smoothed over, yet he didn't notice their absence.

He pointed to a wrapped bundle on the table.

"Look at the gift I brought you."

I glanced at it and saw some broken shells from the Northern beaches, many still crusted with sand.

Through the pack networks, I had witnessed Daya showcasing a perfect spiral conch Carrick had found for her—a rare treasure said to amplify an Alpha-Omega bond when kept in their den.

Thanks to the sharp observations of the pack whispers, I completely understood that the so-called kindness I had received over our years together was nothing but discarded scraps others had rejected.

During the Winter Solstice, he had given Daya a ceremonial cloak made from the fur of his first Alpha hunt, while presenting me with a simple leather bracelet made from scraps.

On the last full moon, he had howled Daya's name from the highest peak for all packs to hear, but took me to the shadows of the valley to share hunt scraps.

During pack gatherings, he claimed pack duties prevented him from introducing me to his family elders, but in truth, he was presenting Daya to them as his future Luna.

"Carrick, you are a mated wolf now. It's inappropriate for you to enter my den in the darkness, wouldn't you agree?" I kept my voice steady despite the anger simmering beneath my skin.

Carrick's face flashed with guilt.

"Jenna, I simply wish to help Daya."

"Alex is cold-blooded and blind. I cannot stand by and watch Daya throw herself into such a fate, can I?"

"Daya and I completing the bond was merely temporary. After the scandal passes, we will quietly separate."

He was interrupted before he could continue.

"Carrick, do you think this moonstone pendant is beautiful?"

Daya appeared at my den entrance, holding up a necklace that caught the dim light. She directed a coquettish smile toward him.

Carrick immediately brightened.

"If it pleases you, it's beautiful."

"Can I wear this for our ceremony under the next full moon?"

I paused, realizing with sudden clarity that Carrick had been lying to my face. My ceremony with Alex was scheduled for the next full moon, exactly when men and women with mates should focus solely on their bonds.

The pack emissary carefully delivered the ceremonial clasp commissioned by Alex—a rare silver-infused obsidian piece, the only one of its kind, its dark surface capturing light in hypnotic patterns.

Daya noticed the clasp in my hand, and unmistakable greed flashed in her eyes.

"Jenna, I find that ceremonial clasp quite striking. Might I try it on?"

The pack emissary beside me apologetically shook her head.

"Forgive me, this piece was crafted by Alpha Alex's command for his Luna alone. Please examine our other offerings."

Daya's eyes instantly welled with tears. "Jenna, surely you knew our mating ceremony falls on the next full moon. Are you deliberately trying to outshine us?"

"I really admire that clasp. I simply wanted to feel what it's like to be a proper Luna for a moment. Can't you understand?"

"No. I will also participate in a mating ceremony on the next full moon."

Carrick's expression darkened to match the obsidian in my hands.

"Jenna, enough games. When did I ever express interest in making you my Luna?"

I frowned, "Carrick, don't misunderstand. I'm not mating with you."

He sneered, "I've shared your bed for eight years. If not me, who would accept a used Omega?"

"Know your place. Don't become a laughingstock among the packs with your delusions."

He reached for my ceremonial clasp and grabbed it roughly, uncaring that his claws scratched my wrist.

He attempted to fasten it around Daya's neck but found the clasp wouldn't open—the piece was blood-bound to respond only to my touch or Alex's.

"How much for this clasp? We'll commission one exactly like it."

The emissary whispered a figure that made both Carrick and Daya pale.

"Jenna, there's no need to drive the price so high just to spite us," Daya accused, her voice trembling with indignation.

Carrick shook his head at me with obvious disappointment. "Jenna, I never expected such pettiness from you."

They had tried to steal my ceremonial gift and couldn't afford its value, yet somehow I was at fault?

The pair departed in anger, and I received a mind-link from Alex.

Does the clasp please you? Don't forget the ceremonial robe fitting later.

Yes, it's beautiful beyond words.

I drove to the ceremonial tailor designated by Alex, and as soon as I entered the shop, I saw Daya stroking a silver-white ceremonial robe displayed prominently.

"I apologize, but this ceremonial garment has been commissioned by Alpha Alex for his Luna," the tailor informed her firmly.

"I want this one. Contact whoever reserved it—I'm willing to offer 10% above the asking price," Daya insisted.

Seeing me enter, the tailor's expression brightened with relief.

"The rightful Luna has arrived. Perhaps you could discuss this directly?"

Daya's eyes flashed with undisguised contempt when she saw me.

"Jenna, why do you haunt me everywhere? First you tried to outshine me with that ceremonial clasp, and now you've claimed the most beautiful mating robe in the territory..."

Carrick beside her frowned deeply.

"Jenna, you claimed to want separation, yet you pursue me with these ceremonial items. Your desperation is unbecoming."

"Even if you acquire ceremonial regalia, I won't acknowledge you. I'll give both the clasp and robe to Daya out of pity!"

I couldn't help but laugh, the sound sharp even to my own ears. "Who said I intend to mate with you? You aren't the only Alpha in these territories."

"What, are you suggesting you can't afford proper ceremonial items, so you want me to simply give mine to you?"

Carrick's face contorted with rage, and Daya ran out with her hands covering her face.

"Carrick, since Daya is upset, I should take my leave..."

"Jenna!" Carrick growled, his eyes flashing Alpha red as he grabbed the ceremonial scissors from the tailor's table and slashed at the silver-white robe without restraint.

"You want to force me into mating? I'll ensure Daya never has reason for sadness!"

"What will you wear to steal an Alpha now that your ceremonial robe is destroyed?"

This robe had been specially commissioned by Alex, who engaged the territory's most renowned weaver to create it using moonsilk harvested during the blood moon.

I lunged forward to save it, but Carrick shoved me to the ground, and the silver shears sliced deeply into my other hand.

Carrick seemed possessed, shredding the robe to tatters, then stomping the fragments beneath his boots.

"Jenna, your delusions of becoming my Luna are pathetic."

"If you dare disrupt our ceremony at the next full moon, your fate will mirror this ceremonial robe!"

With that final threat, he hurried after Daya without sparing me a backward glance.

The shocked tailor paled and immediately contacted someone through mind-link.

While I remained frozen in shock, Alex's voice reached me.

Are you injured? Don't concern yourself with the ceremonial robe. I've instructed our legal council to handle the situation.

I'm so sorry...

My voice was thick with embarrassment and grief.