Chapter 1 Chapter 1

I handled my mother's funeral arrangements alone, returning home with a hollow heart to pack my belongings before leaving Stormfang Pack forever. The Alpha of the Northern Shadow Pack had promised to appoint me as their Head Healer if I joined them. This had always been my dream, but Dominic had insisted I should be content as his Luna, staying quietly by his side. "What are you doing so intently that you didn't even notice me come in?" My mate Dominic had just returned from outside, his nose reddened from the cold. When he spotted me packing my suitcase, his slightly upturned lips flattened and his brows furrowed. "What's with all the packing? Planning to run away?" he asked, leaning against the doorframe. "Didn't I explain that Sylvia's family has ancient werewolf bloodlines? Pretending to bond with her gives me more leverage in the Alpha Council to compete for Alpha King. The mating ceremony was just for show—to increase my influence. None of it is real. You're my true mate, you know that." I kept my eyes down, continuing to fold my clothes with an icy expression. He rubbed his cold fingertips together, studying me. Before, I would have eagerly welcomed him home, prepared his slippers, drawn his bath at the perfect temperature, and cooked his favorite meal. But today, I remained distant and cold. He reached out and cupped my face, forcing me to look at him. The chill from his hands made me flinch. "Grace, are you really that jealous?" he scoffed. "Think about it—there were dozens of pack members watching. If they discovered the truth, my authority as Alpha would be ruined!" I gave a bitter smile. To him, I was nothing but a hidden plaything, which explained why he'd never publicly acknowledged me as his Luna. I pushed his hands away, but he persisted, tilting my chin upward with his icy fingers. His eyes narrowed as he examined the red burn marks still visible on my face. "Those guards must have a death wish, hurting my Grace like this," he said with feigned concern. "I'll punish them personally." Here we go again. In the past, no matter how angry I was, I'd forgive him the moment he sweet-talked me, following him blindly with unwavering devotion. Not this time. Five days ago at his engagement party, Dominic's Beta guards—following his direct orders—drove me away from the mating ceremony grounds with blazing torches. My wolf couldn't escape fast enough, and the flames burned me severely. "Look at that omega trying to be a Luna," they had jeered. "Everyone knows Mr. Dominic and Miss Sylvia are the perfect Alpha and Luna pair. You're just some female with unknown lineage throwing yourself at him for his Alpha status. Have you no shame?" Pack members had pointed and laughed, accusing me of being a gold-digger attempting to ruin the relationship between the Alpha and his true mate. My dignity had been completely shattered. Coming back to the present, Dominic noticed I was still upset and played his trump card. He tossed two common healing herbs from near the doorway onto the bed beside me. "I heard your mother was injured in battle. I've been too busy with pack matters to visit her, but Sylvia thoughtfully prepared these healing herbs for you. Take them. Sylvia is so understanding—you should learn from her how to be a gracious Luna." My mother, the only family I had left in this world, had desperately wanted to attend my mating ceremony. She had longed to witness my happiness firsthand. Instead, all she received was news of Dominic's grand mating ceremony with another woman. That day, while Dominic was hosting his extravagant ceremony, he'd reassigned most of the border warriors to maintain order at the event. Rogue wolves, learning of this vulnerability, launched a massive attack on Stormfang Pack territory. My mother was hastily sent to the frontlines to fight these rogues. She was struck by a silver arrow and left clinging to life. As a healer, I knew that with the energy from two high-grade healing crystals—the very ones I'd purchased—the silver poison could have been neutralized, restoring my mother's healing abilities and saving her life. I had gone to the luxurious hotel where Dominic and Sylvia were holding their ceremony, begging desperately for help, only to be accused of being a gold-digger. Remembering how my mother's wolf had grown cold beneath my hands, my heart twisted in agony, and my eyes instantly welled with tears. I ignored the healing herbs he'd tossed beside me and said coldly: "Dominic, we should—" Break our bond. The words caught in my throat before I could finish. Dominic interrupted me: "Enough. Sylvia and I have already held our mating ceremony. To avoid suspicion, I'll be moving her into our house. Reporters will be coming to cover the story, so you should move out and stay with your mother for now. You two can enjoy the Full Moon Festival together." He glanced at me with a smirk. "You're probably running low on cash, aren't you?" He tapped his phone screen a few times and transferred money to my account. "Here's 100 dollars as a festival allowance. No need to pay it back." How laughable. For seven years, he had never publicly acknowledged our mate bond. I was only allowed in the pack house as his "private healer." Yet now he planned to welcome Sylvia home with great fanfare and ceremony.

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

For ten years, I had to justify every expense to Dominic, meticulously accounting for each dollar spent. He constantly emphasized the importance of saving money for pack development, yet he hadn't hesitated to spend $200,000 on Sylvia's welcome celebration. He claimed he wanted our relationship to remain untainted by money or power, which was why he refused to pay me a salary for my work as the pack's healer. Any personal spending money I needed required his official approval. Before, as his devoted mate, I had silently supported and understood him. For his sake and for the pack, I willingly sacrificed without complaint, striving to fulfill his every request. But his frugality, I now realized, applied only to me. He could lavishly spend thousands on diamond necklaces for Sylvia. He could purchase her a mansion without blinking. Each extravagant gift made headlines in the werewolf news outlets. Where the money flowed, that's where his heart truly lay. Coming back to my senses, I immediately transferred his $100 back to his account and said coldly: "No thanks. I don't need it." Dominic finally looked at me with genuine attention. His expression hardened as if something had just occurred to him. "Not enough?" he asked with an edge to his voice. "It's just a holiday, Grace. How much money do you need? Is that why you became my mate—for my money?" Such cruel words, yet I had endured them for years. I had only wanted to enjoy normal mate experiences—exchanging gifts, shopping together—but he accused me of being shallow and materialistic, claiming I was only after his family's wealth and power. "Don't give me any money," I said quietly. "My mother doesn't need your money anymore either." Just then, someone knocked at our door. Dominic shot me an annoyed glance before turning to answer it. The next second, his voice rose with sudden warmth: "Sylvia! What are you doing here?" I turned my head to see Sylvia standing in the doorway. My breath caught in my throat when I noticed the two healing crystals—the very ones that could have saved my mother's life—decorating her designer jacket. She playfully punched Dominic's chest, laughing brightly. "Hey, handsome Alpha! My girlfriends came over today and they're dying to see what my mate looks like." She batted her eyelashes. "Can you take us shopping? Pretty please?" Looking past Dominic, she noticed me staring at her. Her innocent expression barely masked the challenge in her eyes. "Oh, Grace," she said with mock concern. "Are you admiring my crystals? They match my outfit perfectly, don't they? Dominic specifically chose them for me." Her smile turned predatory. "Perhaps you've never seen such high-grade healing stones before? Or maybe you're jealous? You shouldn't be upset though. Dominic and I are just childhood friends. Don't read too much into it." As she spoke, she deliberately pressed against Dominic, intertwining their fingers to display their matching arm bands—symbols of love and loyalty in werewolf culture. In my ten years with Dominic, I had never received one. Dominic gazed at her adoringly, smoothly tucking her hand into his coat pocket to warm it. "What could she possibly be upset about?" he laughed. "Don't worry, I'll definitely make you look good in front of your friends!" With that, Dominic grabbed his car keys and turned to leave. After a few steps, he seemed to suddenly remember my existence. He released Sylvia's hand and approached me, cupping my face to plant a quick kiss on the corner of my lips. "Don't overthink things," he whispered. "Just move out soon and enjoy the Full Moon Festival with your mother. After I'm elected Alpha King, I'll come back for you." Oh, Dominic. My mother is gone, and I will never return to you. I vigorously wiped my lips as I watched them leave, playfully shoving each other like teenagers. Then I turned back to the table where my immigration application lay waiting—as a core pack member, I needed the pack council's signatures to regain my status as a free werewolf and migrate to another territory.

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

A week after the Blood Moon Festival, as the holiday season finally ended, pack members returned to work. I walked into the Pack House office where many wolves who had witnessed the mating ceremony immediately recognized me. They gossiped and mocked me without restraint. "Look, the crazy woman actually dared to show her face again! She's money-obsessed! Begging for crystals on her knees during the Alpha's mating ceremony—she has no shame left!" one wolf sneered loudly, making sure I could hear. Another joined in, "I know her. She's actually a skilled healer with a good job. How dare she spread lies about being the Alpha's Luna? Just because she was once his private healer, she thinks she can climb the social ladder. Even my dog doesn't beg as pathetically as she did for those crystals. She deserves this humiliation!" I ignored their cruel remarks and walked straight-faced into the Alpha Council chamber. One of the pack elders—a gray-haired man with a permanent scowl—looked up from his papers and curled his lip in disgust. "We've expedited your application as requested," he said coldly. "Once the Alpha confirms approval, you'll be free to leave our pack." He leaned forward, voice dripping with contempt. "If I were you, I wouldn't have the face to stay here another day." I said nothing, turning to exit the council hall with my head held high despite the burning shame. The sun was setting as I stepped outside. The Blood Moon Festival had just ended, and festive decorations still adorned the streets. Everywhere I looked, pack members walked together—mates holding hands, families laughing. Their happiness was a stark contrast to my isolation. I was completely alone. An overwhelming sense of loneliness crashed over me. My only family member, the home I'd known for years, and my mate—all gone in the span of a week. I walked slowly along the path I'd traveled for ten years between Dominic's house and the Pack Council Hall. Memories flooded back unbidden. My family had all been warriors who sacrificed themselves for the pack. By the time I was ten, only my mother and I remained, clinging to each other for survival. Years later, through a twist of fate, my mother saved a gravely wounded Dominic on the battlefield. She cared for him like her own son. Together, my mother and I spent an entire year's savings to purchase two high-grade healing crystals that ultimately saved his life. It was during his recovery that we discovered we were destined mates. We wanted to spend our lives together, so we used those two healing crystals as our bonding tokens. Back then, I had no idea he was the pack's heir. We shared a period of genuine happiness and love. When I struggled during my healer certification exams, Dominic would embrace me tenderly while I broke down, whispering reassurances that he would stay by my side forever, never abandoning me. He truly loved me then. We were inseparable, spending every possible moment together. But later, after he successfully inherited leadership of Stormfang Pack and became the revered Alpha, tasting the sweetness of power, his selfish nature emerged. "Your bloodline isn't prestigious enough," he told me one night, his voice clinical and detached. "You can't help me in the Alpha King selection. Do you understand what that means for us?" His controlling behavior intensified. Not only did he refuse to acknowledge our mate bond publicly, but he also restricted my freedom and prevented me from gaining any recognition. Despite being a qualified healer, all my research findings were kept private, locked away under his personal supervision. He began viewing me with suspicion, constantly afraid I was only interested in his power and wealth. "Your salary should go directly to me," he demanded. "I'll decide how it's spent." His control grew more suffocating over time. I once had to justify requesting ten dollars for a simple tea, enduring his suspicious questioning as if I were a criminal. But three months ago, everything changed when Sylvia returned to Stormfang territory. That very day, Dominic gleefully bought her a priceless diamond ring and spent millions to display a message across every digital billboard in the city: "Welcome home, Sylvia!" That night, he didn't come home for the first time in our relationship. When I brought the house staff to search for him, we found him drunk, his eyes bloodshot as he gripped Sylvia's arm. "When we were five," he slurred, his words cutting through me like silver blades, "playing house, you said you were a princess and I was your prince. You promised to marry me. Why did you leave me behind?" My blood ran cold. After he sobered up, we had our biggest fight ever as I confronted him about who truly occupied his heart. "You're overthinking this," he dismissed with a wave of his hand. "We were just reminiscing about childhood jokes after a few drinks. You shouldn't take it seriously." His face hardened. "Your low birth has given you a dirty mind. You're tainting the pure friendship Sylvia and I share." My thoughts snapped back to the present as loud cheering erupted nearby. "Alpha! Kiss your Luna right now! Sylvia can't wait any longer!" shouted an excited voice from the crowd. Just ahead at the Pack House entrance, Dominic stood surrounded by a boisterous group, clutching Sylvia's hand tightly. He threw his head back and howled: "I, Dominic Blackwood, love only Sylvia Silverstone!" He repeated this declaration three times, each proclamation louder and more confident than the last. His voice carried down the street, drawing curious onlookers from every direction. As people recognized the Alpha's distinctive scent and presence, more pack members gathered around, creating quite a spectacle. Sylvia slipped her arm through his naturally, her smile sickeningly sweet as she basked in the attention. "The mood is perfect!" someone shouted from the crowd. "Why don't you two kiss already?" Dominic froze momentarily, uncertainty flickering across his face. Sylvia quickly attempted to defuse the situation. "Don't be so pushy! You know our Alpha prefers to keep things private—" Before she could finish, Dominic cupped her face in his hands and lowered his mouth to hers in a passionate, lingering kiss that left nothing to the imagination. When they finally separated, Dominic gazed into her eyes with unbridled adoration. "You are my destiny," he declared loud enough for everyone to hear. Before Sylvia could respond, he quickly added, "It's getting late. There have been rogue wolf attacks recently. It's dangerous for you all to be out. I'll personally escort you home." Their arms were laden with shopping bags from luxury boutiques—filled with expensive items I had never been allowed to own. Yet Dominic had purchased all of this for Sylvia and her friends without hesitation. In that moment, I realized just how pathetically cheap my love had been. The cold wind whipped against my skin, shattering what remained of my already broken heart into dust. With his head down as he hurried along, Dominic collided directly into me. He looked up, recognition dawning in his eyes as his pupils contracted sharply.

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

"I'm sorry... I..." he stammered, realizing who I was. I cut him off. "It's fine." Then I turned to leave, pulling out my phone to call a ride-share. Behind me, confused voices rose from the crowd: "She looks familiar... Alpha, isn't that the crazy woman who crashed your mating ceremony?" someone called out. Another voice joined in: "What's she doing here now? Is she stalking you? That's terrifying!" Throughout all these accusations, Dominic remained tellingly silent, his tacit approval confirming their suspicions. Once home, I immediately contacted Derek, the Alpha of the Northern Shadow Pack, to confirm my immigration plans and remind him of his promise to appoint me as their Head Healer. Derek's excited voice came through clearly: "Grace! I've been eagerly waiting for your call. We'll welcome you with open arms!" My expression softened. Even without love, I could still pursue my career ambitions. I grabbed my already packed luggage and headed for the door, unable to stand another second in this house. Just as I reached for the handle, Dominic burst through the entrance, nearly knocking me over. He slammed the door shut behind him, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl. "Grace, where do you think you're going?" Sylvia peered around him, her fake concern dripping with malice. "Grace, please don't misunderstand! Dominic and I are just good friends. We're only pretending to be mates to help him become Alpha King. My family has ancient noble bloodlines, you see." She placed a hand on my arm, which I immediately shrugged off. "Please don't fight with him because of me. Don't run away from home..." I was tired of their games. "Dominic, I want to break our bond," I said flatly. Dominic had been ready to accuse me of jealousy, but my words stunned him. He blinked in shock before his eyes widened in disbelief. "Break our bond? Just because I put on a little show with Sylvia, you want to end things?" His voice rose with each word. "Grace, you're such a petty, small-minded woman!" In his mind, he probably still believed I was desperately in love with him, that my words were just an empty threat born of hurt feelings. In the past, I would have apologized, begged him to stay with me forever. Now, I merely offered a bitter smile. "Dominic, remember this: I, Grace, reject you, Dominic, as my mate.""Now, accept my rejection and you can become real mates with your precious Sylvia."“No! I would never accept it!” Dominic howled in anguish, his wolf thrashing on the floor. When he could speak again, his voice was raw with fury. "You're insane! All these years together, and you throw it away just like that? You're completely unreasonable!" He struggled to his feet, his partially shifted face contorted with rage. "What do you think the sacred mate bond is? Some disposable relationship? We are destined mates! Our bonding tokens—" He stopped mid-sentence, frantically searching through drawers and cabinets, desperate to find the healing crystals that would prove our connection. "Don't bother looking," I said calmly. "Those two healing crystals are currently decorating Sylvia's jacket." I laughed hollowly at the bitter irony. Ten years of love, and I had received nothing from him. The gifts I had scraped and saved to buy him were deemed "cheap" and unworthy. And the high-grade healing crystals I had risked my life to obtain—the ones meant to symbolize our eternal bond—he had given to Sylvia without a second thought as fashion accessories. His selfishness had stolen my mother's only chance at survival. Dominic's eyelashes fluttered as his gaze darted around the room, his voice faltering. "But there's also the... the things you bought me... the things I bought you..." He couldn't finish the sentence, his expression darkening as realization dawned. Because he discovered, to his horror, that in this entire house, there wasn't a single item that proved our mate relationship had ever existed. Sylvia smirked with undisguised malice, eager to pour salt on open wounds. "Come on, Grace, stop making a scene. You're Dominic's mate—you should be more understanding. You've been living off him for years! You should be gracious and support him while he's running for Alpha King. This is a critical time—don't cause trouble!" Her words seemed to reinvigorate Dominic. He crossed his arms and sneered condescendingly. "Sylvia's right, Grace. Can't you see beyond your own petty jealousy? Be a good girl now. Once I'm elected Alpha King, I can give you anything you want." His voice hardened to a threat. "Put your luggage down now, or I'll cut off your living expenses entirely!" I released my grip on the suitcase handle and faced him with cold detachment. "Dominic, for the past ten years, you've given me $200 per month for living expenses. For every additional cent I needed, you forced me to submit detailed accounting. That totals around $20,000." I held his gaze steadily, refusing to be intimidated. "But as the pack's healer, you've controlled my salary card for seven years. That's at least a million dollars. Now, I'd appreciate it if you'd return what's rightfully mine.""And we have another debt to settle," I continued, my voice growing stronger. "All these years, my research findings have remained under your control—the werewolf strength enhancement elixir, the sensory perception amplifier... All those formulas belong to me, and you need to return them." Dominic's face contorted with rage as he violently kicked over my suitcase, scattering my belongings across the floor. "Grace!" he roared, veins bulging at his temples. "After ten years together, I never realized you were such a petty, calculating woman! I'm the Alpha of this pack! Every dollar saved was invested back into our territory and people!" He stalked toward me, jabbing a finger at my chest. "Your research was conducted using pack resources, on pack territory! Is money and research more important to you than our relationship? How shallow can you possibly be?" The disgust and contempt in Dominic's voice made my throat tighten. "Dominic, this money and research represents my own hard work," I said, struggling to keep my voice even. My response only fueled his anger. He kicked the coffee table with such force that it splintered against the wall with a deafening crash. "Money, money, money! Is that all you think about, Grace?" His eyes flashed dangerously, his wolf close to the surface. "Why can't you be more like Sylvia—unconcerned with fame or fortune, genuine and easygoing? She's never asked me for a single thing!" He was breathing heavily now, spittle flying from his mouth as he continued his tirade. "Sylvia was right about you. Your origins are beneath us. Being mated to someone of your low status has been a complete waste of time. We're simply not from the same social class." His lip curled in disdain. "Your 'hard work'? Are you serious? I am the Alpha of Stormfang Pack! Everything you have is because of me! Everything you own should belong to me!" I couldn't help but laugh bitterly. Of course Sylvia never fought or grabbed for anything—she already had everything. She only needed to exist, and Dominic would hand her the world on a silver platter, along with his heart. Seeing my silence, Dominic's expression turned vicious. "Fine, Grace," he snarled, his words cutting like claws. "Take your precious money back. I won't 'manage' it for you anymore! Such a trivial amount means nothing to me."

Chapter 5 Chapter 5

I picked up my bank card from the floor, then grabbed my suitcase. As I passed by Sylvia, I roughly yanked the two healing crystals from her expensive outfit. "These belong to me," I stated firmly before walking away without a backward glance. Dominic stood there, momentarily stunned. When he noticed my hand on the doorknob, he snapped out of his trance and rushed to block my path. "Grace, don't be angry," he pleaded, his voice softening. "This is just how arguments go—I spoke without thinking. Our mate bond hasn't completely disappeared yet. If you just apologize, I can give you another chance." I turned the doorknob, stepped outside, and never looked back. At the hotel reception, I presented my bank card to pay for the room. "I'm sorry, ma'am," the desk clerk said uncomfortably. "There are no funds available on this card." With no other option, I contacted Derek to cover the bill. After tossing my luggage into the hotel room, I checked my bank statements. The horrible truth became clear—my entire decade's worth of salary had been completely drained. The transaction records showed purchases at romantic restaurants, couples' retreats, and luxury boutiques. Dominic had never taken me to any of these places or bought me gifts. But I had seen these exact establishments and designer items in Sylvia's social media posts. The connection was unmistakable. All these years, I had worn faded, cheap t-shirts while my mother lived in a crumbling rural cottage. Just then, a message arrived from the Pack Council: "Grace, if you wish to immigrate to another pack, come to the Alpha for signature approval tomorrow morning. Tomorrow Alpha and Luna will go to the Auction together. You can find them there." I responded with a simple "OK." That night, I slept peacefully for the first time in weeks. Early the next morning, when I arrived at the Pack auction Hall, I immediately spotted Dominic's tall, imposing figure. He was introducing Sylvia to the council members, announcing her appointment as the pack's Chief Healer and the upcoming press conference to celebrate her new position. Years ago, when I had qualified for that same position, all I needed was Dominic's recommendation to become the youngest Chief Healer in pack history—my lifelong dream. But Dominic had refused to endorse me, claiming our close relationship would make pack members think he was showing favoritism. Yet here was Sylvia, barely back for a month without any notable accomplishments, being effortlessly elevated to Chief Healer by Dominic, trampling on my dreams without a second thought. The wolves surrounding them offered sycophantic praise. "Miss Silverstone, you're incredible! So young and already made Chief! The Alpha really favors you. You two make such a perfect pair!" Sylvia beamed with pride, the Chief Healer badge prominently displayed on her chest. "Dominic," she said with false modesty, "won't people say I got this position through connections? I mean, Grace has worked for the pack for nearly ten years and she's only a team leader." Dominic dismissed her concern, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You're my mate, with the purest ancient werewolf bloodline. Who would dare question it? Unless..." he tilted his head, "you don't want to use my influence?" They looked every bit the loving newlywed couple. Since I'd already encountered Dominic, I might as well save myself another trip. I approached them and handed him my immigration application. "Alpha, please sign this." Dominic's eyes brightened upon seeing me. He took the papers sluggishly. After scanning the immigration application briefly, he gave a disappointed smirk. "How long are you going to keep this up?" he scoffed. "Pretending you want to immigrate—acting like you have principles? Don't forget you still have your mother. Other packs won't easily accept warriors from different territories. Are you really willing to abandon your mother?" Sylvia jumped in, her face triumphant. "That's right, Grace. If you can't stand seeing me as Chief Healer, I'm sure the Alpha would let me give you the position—if he approves. But you shouldn't abandon your mother just to satisfy your pride." At that moment, a pack member finally spoke up in my defense. "But... Alpha, Grace's mother is already dead. She fell during the Full Moon Festival battle. We lost 305 warriors that day, and we still haven't been able to issue condolence payments to their families." Dominic froze, his fingers trembling as they held my application. He stared at my emotionless expression, suddenly looking uncomfortable. "Why... why didn't you tell me?" Seeing his shifting gaze, I remembered my mother's final moments—tears streaming down her face as she clutched my hand and whispered: "I'm sorry, my darling. If not for me, you would never have met Dominic. You deserve a better future..." The agonizing pain still coursed through me as I replied coldly: "Alpha, it's a personal matter. Am I required to report that to you as well?" Sylvia frowned, about to scold me. Before she could speak, Dominic suddenly pulled me out of the auction hall and into the stairwell. He hadn't controlled his strength. My wrist glowed red where he gripped it, but I could feel his hand trembling. I winced in pain. He immediately released me and placed the immigration papers back in my palm, his voice unusually vulnerable. "Grace, please don't do anything rash. Just wait for me. Let me handle the current situation, and then we can talk properly, okay?" Just then, Sylvia burst through the door. "Dominic, my father just called. He needs to speak with you—it's probably about the Alpha King selection. You should call him back right away." Dominic turned instantly, practically running away with an air of desperation. I shook my head and prepared to leave, but Sylvia stuck out her foot to block my path. "Grace, please vacate your healing room as soon as possible. I love the sunlight in that space. I'm moving in." The Chief Healer position came with a private office. I knew she was deliberately pushing me out, but it didn't matter anymore. I was leaving anyway, though I did need to collect some belongings. When I returned to the auction hall, I discovered that Dominic had just spent $500,000 bidding on high-grade healing gem—the exact same type I had once begged him to return to me. The same type that could have saved my mother's life. Perhaps because Dominic had been seen pulling me along by the hand earlier, an auction employee approached me holding an ornate velvet box, his smile brimming with flattery. "You must be Alpha Blackwood's mate?" he gushed. "This is the healing gem the Alpha just purchased. It's incredibly rare—only a few exist in the entire werewolf world." Before I could respond, the employee continued chattering: "Would you like to hold it? I'm sure the Alpha wouldn't mind. Such a generous gift for his Luna!" My hands began to tremble uncontrollably. If only Dominic had given me back just one of our original gems when I begged him. Maybe my mother would still be alive. The employee, mistaking my trembling for excitement, began lifting the gem from its velvet cushion. Without thinking, I reached out toward it. My fingers were inches away from the crystal when— "Grace! I know your family is poor, but I never imagined you'd stoop so low as to steal from Dominic!" Sylvia's shrill voice cut through the air like a blade. "I am Dominic's true mate. How dare you try to take what belongs to me!" She snatched the healing gem from the employee's hands, clutching it possessively against her chest. The auction employee turned deathly pale, stammering apologies and bowing repeatedly. Sylvia waved dismissively, her attention already focused on the gem in her hands. "Oh, this is perfect!" she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with delight. "Dominic is so good to me. I absolutely love this type of gem!""I've been searching everywhere for another one just like this. My little Princess—my precious Pomeranian—she's been feeling under the weather lately. This will make the most adorable healing charm for her collar!" The words hit me like a physical blow. My vision went red around the edges. My mother had spent her final moments gasping for breath, needing a healing gem, and this woman wanted to hang it around her pet dog's neck like a fashion accessory. My entire body began shaking with rage. Sylvia noticed my reaction and laughed, the sound sharp and cruel. "It's understandable that you'd be so fascinated by a real healing gem. Most omegas like you never get to see such treasures up close.""But you really shouldn't reach for things that don't belong to you. Stormfang Pack cannot tolerate thieves, no matter how pitifully poor they are." The Pomeranian yapped excitedly as Sylvia began fastening the healing gem to its diamond-studded collar. Just then, a familiar voice cut through the chatter. "Grace, what's going on here?""Alpha! Grace tried to steal your healing gem!" one woman called out accusingly. Sylvia smiled sweetly. "Don't listen to them, Dominic," she said with false magnanimity. "I'm sure Grace didn't mean any harm. And look how perfectly your gift suits Princess!" Dominic's expression darkened as his eyes focused on the healing gem. I lowered my gaze, bracing myself for his inevitable lecture about my greed and inappropriate behavior. But instead, his voice dropped to a low, dangerous growl: "Take it off. Now."