Chapter 1 Chapter 1

My wolf had a rare mine-reading gift—she could hear the truth behind any lie. And that was how I could always tell who was being genuine. Beneath harmless fibs and malicious deceit, I could always find the ones worth trusting. But that was one exception—Theron Shadewound. From the day we met, he'd never lied to me, be it white lies or cruel deception. Throughout two years of knowing and loving him, my wolf heard nothing from his heart, until just a month before our mating ceremony. That was when my wolf heard his inner voice. I'd spend two months preparing the venue and pouring my heart into the details when Theron suddenly appeared at the ballroom. He'd given me a genuine compliment. "This is stunning, Arynn. A month from now, our mating ceremony will leave everyone in awe." That was when my wolf screamed, "He's lying!" Then, his thoughts rang in my ears. "I had Arynn set it up according to Mirella's taste. She'll love the mating ceremony next week." Mirelle? Mating ceremony next week? I froze, staring at his lips. After making sure what I'd heard was the truth from his heart, for a moment, I wasn't sure how I should react. I should have felt hot after hours of busy work, but all I could feel was a chill spreading through my body. Theron had lied to me, and it chilled me to the bone. I tentatively asked, "Theron, are you free next week? Could you come with me to choose some flowers for the ballroom?" He was quiet for a second before casually shrugging it off. "Maybe later. The elders need me next week for some pack affairs, and I'll come with you after that. He was lying. In truth, he thought, "I must keep the mating ceremony with Mirelle next week a secret from Arynn." At that moment, something in my chest snapped. Days earlier, Theron had handed me a long list and requested that I redo the entire ballroom layout according to his wishes. I thought he was simply hard to please and was dissatisfied with my design, but it turned out that everything was for Mirelle Hollowmaw. To match his standards, I'd thrown away my two months of work and rallied more hands to help with the preparation. I'd pushed myself to exhaustion, only to end up planning the perfect mating ceremony for another she-wolf. Mirelle, his childhood sweetheart, had married into the Frostfang pack two years ago. So, I'd never met her. Everyone said they used to be inseparable and even thought they would mate. However, for some reason, she'd quietly left for a hasty bond with the Alpha of the Frostfang pack and left Theron heartbroken for two months. I desperately wanted my wolf to read more of his inner thoughts and learn his exact thoughts. I needed to know why he'd chosen betrayal on the brink of becoming my mate. However, all he gave me was a hurried excuse after taking a call. "I'm sorry. The elders need me, so I have to go." With that, he left in a rush, while I did nothing to stop him. I was utterly paralyzed by what I heard from my wolf. "Mirelle doesn't feel well, so I have to check on her. She's pregnant and needs the status of Luna to remain in Nightcrest pack. "Once I have her settled down, I'll go back and appease Arynn. She loves me too much to mind, and I can always win her over again." Tears blurred my eyes as I refused to believe that Theron would think I didn't care. This time, no amount of sweet talk could fix us.

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

After returning to the villa, I buried myself under the covers and refused to move the slightest. However, my phone wouldn't stop ringing. "Ms. Emberhowl, should the lights for the ceremony be white or a softer yellow?""Ms. Emberhowl, do you prefer lamb or venison for the main course?""Ms. Emberhowl, when should the flowers be delivered to the ballroom?" I irritably interrupted them. "From now on, just decide everything yourselves and don't call me again." I used to attach great significance to the mating ceremony and handled every issue myself—from the design of the ballroom to the order dishes would be served. I oversaw every detail and demanded perfection at every step. But now, I no longer cared and muted the phone. I didn't know how long I slept before sounds from the lower floor woke me up. When I arrived at the living room, Theron was with a young she-wolf and directing the housekeepers as they carried her suitcases in. When he spotted me, he turned the she-wolf around and introduced her. "Arynn, this is Mirelle Hollowmaw. We grew up together, and our families are close. "She's just returned from the Frostfang pack and hasn't found a place to stay yet, so I offered her a room here for a week." He paused, then added, "Don't worry. She'll move out before our mating ceremony." Mirelle gave me a gentle smile and politely apologized, "I'm sorry to disturb, Arynn. Were you taking a rest? I'll tell them to keep the noise down." However, my wolf shouted her inner thoughts, "For fuck's sake, why is she still in bed? Why isn't she out preparing the ballroom? At this rate, when is she gonna finish the preparations?" My expression must have been grim because after taking a look at my face, she seemed slightly taken aback. Her voice was tinged with hurt. "Arynn, are you upset? You don't want me here, do you? Maybe I should move out before you and Theron start fighting over me." Deep down, her thoughts were sharp with triumph. "No way I'm ever gonna move out. Once I'm in, you'll never get rid of me. "This house and the Nightcrest pack's Alpha are all mine. What do you have to fight me with? Better walk away now, or I'll make sure you regret it!" Theron stepped in and quickly soothed her. "Of course she's not. Arynn's kind, and she won't fight me over that. You're pregnant, so don't get too worked up." Then, he turned to me with a displeased frown. "Don't give her attitude. Having her here doesn't affect you anyway. "Mirelle lost her mate, and she came back only to find herself carrying a pup. Life's been tough on her, so let her stay." He briefly hesitated and added, "You've worn yourself out these past two months and poured everything into the preparations. Since there isn't much left, let Mirelle handle the finishing touches, while you stay home and get some rest. Don't worry. She'll plan everything just the way you like." My wolf whispered the truth behind his words in sorrow, "I should leave the final details to Mirelle. That way, she won't have to feel dissatisfied over Arynn's choices." Their thoughts pierced into me like arrows. I stayed silent for so long they both thought I'd refuse. And finally, I gently said, "I shall leave the rest to Mirelle then." If she wanted my mating ceremony, she could have it. I wouldn't waste another breath on someone who no longer belonged to me. She could have both the mating ceremony and Theron because I was getting out of here!

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

After leaving the villa, I headed for the city hall to file my pack withdrawal request. In a week, I'd be free from the Nightcrest pack and leave this place for good. I handed over all the work at the ballroom and quietly started closing my affairs in the pack. Once I was out of here, I knew I was never coming back. Suddenly, Theron wasn't busy anymore and spent every day by Mirelle's side. Worried about her health, he hired two bodyguards to protect her at all times. "Don't tire yourself out. The ballroom manager can handle the details. You like Cresthorn Bloom from The Obsidian Woods? I'll have them flown in." He gently, considerately arranged everything for her comfort, while I watched from the shadows and bitterly realized that two months of effort had been nothing but a joke. When I first took over the decoration of the ballroom, he'd frowned and dismissed my excessive concerns. "The ballroom staff are way more familiar with the flow of the mating ceremony than you are. There's no need for you to fuss over that." When I told Theron I wanted something unique, he indifferently answered, "Do whatever you like as long as it makes you happy." When I pleaded with him to plan with me, he'd brushed me off without a second thought. "That's too much trouble. I have work and no time for this nonsense." So, I'd worked alone for long days and sleepless nights, pouring everything into the decor of the ballroom and losing more than ten pounds from exhaustion. Two weeks ago, he suddenly started showing interest. "The setup feels plain. Maybe changing the colors might help." He gave me a long list, so I thought he finally cared and that my effort mattered. I gutted the design I loved, scrapped two months of work, and rebuilt everything to match his taste without a word of complaint. At first, I believed it was for us, only to realize that everything he was doing was for another she-wolf. But I reminded myself that I'd be gone and free from all this mess in two more days. I locked myself in my room and paid no attention to their tactics again. The night before I left, I returned from the bathroom after washing up to find my door slightly ajar. There were subtle sounds of movement coming from the inside. When I rushed in, Mirelle was standing before the mirror in the wedding gown I'd designed and stitched myself. It was adorned with 99 moonstones from the bouquet Theron had given me when he proposed, and it meant everything to me. But now, the wedding gown I attached so much importance to was hanging on her body. My face flushed in rage as my chest rose and fell with anger. When Mirelle saw me, she was flustered and apologized, "I'm sorry, Arynn. It was just too beautiful, and I couldn't resist trying it on. I'll take it off right now." Her hands clumsily fumbled at the delicate fabric, but the more she panicked, the more she messed up. And with a sharp rip, a long tear ripped the gown apart. "I'm so sorry, Arynn! I didn't mean to! I'll pay for it, no matter the cost!" Deep down, her thoughts came with a triumphant, manic crackle. "You must be horrified, huh? Don't even dream of having the chance to wear a wedding gown in this lifetime!" Theron rushed in and pulled her into his arms in concern. "I told you not to get worked up. You're pregnant, you know!" When his gaze fell on the ruined wedding gown, his expression fell. "Who said you could touch Arynn's gown? Why is it ripped?" Mirelle sobbed and pitifully trembled. "I'm so sorry… I didn't mean to… I just thought it was beautiful…" His sternness softened away. With a sigh, he turned to me apologetically. "I'll find the best tailor and have it restored, no matter the cost. Yes, Mirelle made a mistake, but she's carrying a pup. Could you forgive her this once?" I said nothing and listened to his thoughts ringing in my ears. "Mirelle went overboard. If she loves the gown, I'll have another made exactly the same. She can wear it tomorrow at the mating ceremony. "I must keep it from Arynn. She might feel hurt, but once Mirelle's settled down, I'll break the mate bond with her and make it up to Arynn."

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

I believed the overwhelming sorrow must have numbed me. My voice came out calm when I replied, "It's fine. She didn't mean it. Leave the gown, and I'll mend it myself." Relief washed over Theron's expression before he turned to bark at Mierelle. "Take it off now!" Then, he turned to me with a fawning smile. "I'll win that jewelry set you wanted at the next auction so you can wear it at the mating ceremony." However, his gleeful thoughts betrayed him. "Arynn sure loves me. After Mirelle wears that jewelry set tomorrow, I'll gift it all to Arynn and treat her well for the rest of her life." Mirelle's eyes flashed with resentment as she reluctantly slipped out of the gown. "I'm sorry, Arynn. I won't do it again." Yet, her inner thoughts were viciously cursing me out. "Bitch, how dare you stay so calm! Next time, I'll tear your whole room apart and see whether you can still act composed! I'll destroy you, fucking bitch!" … After they left, I stared at the ruined wedding gown tossed onto the floor. Strangely, I felt nothing. I walked out of the villa after coldly tossing it into the trash can. Then, I booked a flight to leave the Nightcrest pack the next morning and went home to pack. There wasn't much to take—just some clothes, documents, and toiletries. Theron had gifted me everything else, including expensive gemstones and jewelry, furs, and rare trinkets. I'd preciously kept them all in a wooden chest and labeled every piece with dates and notes of their significance. I wasn't going to take anything away, though. I did not want anything to do with him—and that included his gifts and love. Just as I snapped my suitcase shut, Theron hesitantly entered my room. His lips moved before he forced the words out with great difficulty. "Arynn, I have a work trip tomorrow, and I might have to bring Mirelle along. Stay home and wait for me, will you?" Before I could answer, he rushed to explain. "It's just business negotiations with her family, so bringing her along will help. Don't take it the wrong way." I silently listened as his mind whispered the truth. "Even if Mirelle becomes the Luna, Arynn is the only one I love. We have all the time in the world together, and she loves me too much to walk away, even without the status." Well, he was wrong. I could never love him too much to live in a fantasy of lies and deception. As always, I smiled kindly and gently nodded. "Work comes first, so I won't overthink. Safe travels to you both." … The next morning, I left for the airport with my suitcase. By then, news about the Alpha of Nightcrest pack's mating ceremony had spread like wildfire. Reporters praised its magnificence and showered the couple with blessings. "Who let the press in? I said to keep it low profile!" Theron raged and ordered his right-hand man—Harkon Laxjaw—to suppress the news. Panic gnawed at him as he couldn't bear to imagine how I'd react after seeing the news. Snatching his phone, he barked at the butler, Rorkas Goremane. "Hide every newspaper and electronic device in the house! Make sure Arynn doesn't see the news!" Rorkas rushed off to execute the orders, only to call back minutes later. "Alpha Theron, Ms. Emberhowl isn't here. The housekeepers said she left early this morning with her suitcase!" Just then, Harkon rushed in with a pale expression. "Alpha Theron, a plane exploded on takeoff. The missing passenger list just came in, and Ms. Emberhowl's name is on it!"