Chapter 1 Chapter 1

Night had already fallen by the time I finally returned home. The Star Moon Pack was vast and prosperous, yet even after living here for three years, everything still felt unfamiliar. A photo of Kaine and me still hung in the living room. He held me gently in his arms, his gaze so tender it looked like it could melt into water. Staring at his face in the photograph, my mind drifted back to the day I first met him five years ago. I found him at the edge of the Golden River Pack's forest, slumped against a tree, drenched in blood and barely clinging to life. "Hey… are you alright?" I had crouched beside him and gently tapped his cheek. He struggled to open his eyes. The first words he spoke weren't to ask who I was. "You… wait, who am I?" he asked in confusion, glancing down at himself with a frown. I brought him back to the Pack. The healer said he had been poisoned by silver, severely. If I hadn't found him in time, he wouldn't have made it. Even though he survived, the injury had damaged his wolf, plunging it into a deep sleep. He lost all memories except for his name. Kaine, once an Alpha, was now so frail that even the weakest Omega in the Pack was stronger than him. I searched tirelessly for rare herbs to heal him. When his wounds finally healed, he held my hand and kissed it softly. "Thank you, Lara. You're the most important one in my life. I want to be with you." But our relationship didn't stay a secret for long. My mother found out. She looked at me solemnly and said, "Lara, let him go. You are my daughter, the future she-Alpha of the Golden River Pack. The Pack's next leader. How could you be with a wolf of unknown origin?" But I remembered Kaine's eyes—so sincere, so full of trust. I remembered the day he climbed a cliff just to pluck a single Moonlight Blossom for me. I clenched my fists. "No, Mom. I love him." After a fierce argument, I severed ties with my family and left the Pack with Kaine. He slowly recovered and began to recall who he truly was. He was the heir of the Star Moon Pack. The next Alpha. I followed him to his homeland. But from the very moment his mother laid eyes on me, she looked at me with disapproval. "I don't approve of your relationship," she said coldly. "You're the future Alpha of our Pack. How could you be with such a plain, low-born she-wolf with no status or background? "Since you've returned, hurry and mark Adele. It was arranged between the Alpha and his Beta's family when you were both pups." I lowered my gaze to my toes, a bitter laugh blooming in my chest. Back home, I was the future leader of a powerful Pack. But here, I was nothing more than a she-wolf everyone looked down on. After we returned to the Star Moon Pack, Kaine grew busier by the day. He spent less time with me, and photos of him with Adele became more frequent. I was like a trapped beast in a cage, confined to our home, forced to learn about his life through news headlines. Late at night, he would come home and hold me close. "I'm sorry, my love," he'd whisper. "I know this is hard on you. But please trust me. There's nothing real between Adele and me. My heart belongs only to you. "You know I'm an Alpha now. I carry the weight of the entire Pack. "Just… think of it as doing this for me. Once I have a pup with her and secure the Pack's next heir, I'll break the bond. Then I'll take you away from all of this. Just a little longer, alright?" I was silent for a long time. It wasn't the first time he'd asked. And each time, I said no. I couldn't accept the idea of the wolf I loved being with another she-wolf. And I knew if I revealed my true identity as the future Alpha of my Pack, I could easily claim the position of Luna. But that wasn't what I wanted. I didn't want love that was earned through power or status. I just wanted to be the one he truly loved. Nothing more. If being with him meant compromising that, then I would rather leave to preserve the purest part of our love deep in my heart. At last, I looked up at him and said, "Alright. I understand." His eyes lit up in surprise. He pulled me into his arms, repeating over and over, "Thank you, Lara. You finally understand me. I knew you'd think of me. Don't worry. Once the Pack has an heir, I'll take you far away from here." But in my heart, I thought, 'That won't be necessary, Kaine. I've already made up my mind. I'm going to leave you.' The next morning, I booked a flight for three days later. That afternoon, I stepped into a restaurant, planning to grab a quiet meal, only to freeze when I spotted Kaine and Adele by the window. He, who had always been gentle only to me, was now softly wiping the corner of her lips with a napkin. That look in his eyes—so tender—stabbed straight through me. I could barely breathe. Then he finally noticed me. "Lara? What are you doing here?" he frowned. "Were you following me? I already explained everything between me and Adele. Didn't you agree yesterday not to mind it anymore?" I opened my mouth to respond, but Adele spoke first. "Ah, don't be so harsh to her, Kaine. Lara's just acting this way because she loves you too much." She smiled sweetly at me. "Since you're here, why don't you join us?" Before I could refuse, she had already pulled out a chair for me and ladled a bowl of venison stew. "Come on, try it. It's the house specialty." I bit my lip, nausea churning in my gut. I was allergic to venison. I looked toward Kaine for help, but he didn't notice. He was already getting up. "You two eat. I'll go wash up." Only Adele and I remained at the table. The moment he left, her polite smile vanished. "Why aren't you eating, Lara?" she sneered. "First time at such a fancy place? Don't know how to use a fork and knife?" She leaned in, voice dripping with mockery. "Let's be real. You're just a lowborn she-wolf. If it weren't for Kaine, you wouldn't even step foot in a place like this, would you?" Anger flared in my chest. I looked up sharply. "Adele, you—" But before I could finish, her hand tipped her cup. Scalding water splashed onto my hand. I instinctively pushed her away, and the remaining water spilled onto her instead. "What's going on?" Kaine returned. Adele's eyes brimmed with tears as she looked up, the picture of innocence. "I don't know… Lara offered to pour me some water, but she poured it right on my hand…" My eyes widened. "That's not true! She—" Kaine cut me off, his tone weary. "Enough, Lara. I don't want to argue. If there's nothing else, just go home for now. I'll take Adele to the hospital. Her injury looks serious." And with that, he left with her in his arms. She glanced back at me from his embrace, triumphant. I stood frozen in place, watching them until they disappeared from view. My burned hand throbbed with pain. But it was nothing compared to the ache in my heart. I knew, at that moment, I was no longer the most important person in Kaine's heart.

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

When I got home, I quietly gathered my emotions and began to pack. Leaving Kaine was the only choice I had left. A sharp sting flared from the burn on the back of my hand. I pulled out a tube of ointment and carefully dabbed it on with a cotton swab. Just then, the door clicked open. Kaine had returned. He caught sight of my hand and froze, his face filled with concern. "Lara, what happened to your hand?" I answered flatly, "Burned it by accident." Guilt washed over his face. "Why didn't I notice? It must hurt a lot. I'm so sorry, I've been too busy lately and neglected you." He took the ointment from me and gently applied it himself. "I promise I'll take better care of you from now on." I said nothing. After finishing the treatment, he lifted me into his arms and carried me to the bedroom with the same practiced tenderness. "Get some rest. If you need anything, call me." He hesitated at the door. "Lara... the bonding ceremony with Adele is in three days. I'll be busy preparing for it." He watched me cautiously, as if bracing for my anger. I gave him a faint smile. "It's fine. Go do what you need to do. You don't have to worry about me." Kaine looked stunned, clearly not expecting such a response. He let out a sigh and kissed my forehead. "Thank you for understanding, Lara." I forced a smile. "You're an Alpha. It's your duty. I understand." He hugged me gently, his voice tinged with guilt. "When all of this is over, let's leave the Pack. Just the two of us. We'll start over, okay?""Okay." I replied obediently. But inside, I felt nothing. In three days, I would disappear without a word and end this mistake of a love story once and for all. The next morning, I received a message from Kaine: [Lara, I booked an appointment at the bridal shop for you. Come try on the dress.] My heart clenched. After a long moment of hesitation, I decided to go. 'Even if we can't be mates, we can still take a few wedding photos as a keepsake,' I thought. I thought of the promise he once made—to design a wedding dress just for me and make me his Luna. Even if I couldn't become his Luna, I still wanted to fulfill that one small wish. But when I arrived at the bridal shop, I was greeted by the sight of Adele standing before a mirror, admiring herself in my wedding gown. The gown he had designed for me… now worn by someone else. "Well, look who showed up," she sneered when she saw me, her lips curling into a smug smile. "You really think a lowly Omega like you deserves to wear something Kaine designed?" I clenched my fists, swallowing the fury rising in my chest. The message… it wasn't from Kaine. It was from her. "Adele, don't go too far." She glanced at me with disdain. "I'm going too far? Lara, take my advice and leave Kaine. Someone like you will never be worthy of him." I bit down hard on my lip, ready to fire back, when the dressing room door swung open. Kaine emerged, dressed in a groom's suit. "Adele, what do you think of this one?" Before I could speak, another figure stepped into the room—Kaine's older sister, Irena. She looked the two of them over and nodded in satisfaction. "Perfect match. This is what the Star Moon Pack deserves—an Alpha and Luna who belong together.""Not like that clingy ex of yours," she scoffed. "A pathetic Omega trying to use a pregnancy to climb into the Luna's seat. What a ridiculous fantasy." Her words sliced through me like a blade, but I felt numb. Ever since I arrived in the Star Moon Pack, I'd heard this same judgment a thousand times. At first, Kaine would fight back for me, arguing passionately. But over time, his resistance faded. Eventually, all he did was frown and tell me not to take it to heart. Now, he didn't even bother with that. Only then did the others finally notice me standing in the corner. Irena's expression turned contemptuous. "Well, if it isn't Lara. Still have the nerve to show your face here?" She walked over and stared at my stomach, her eyes dripping with scorn. "You think getting pregnant makes you Luna material? Dream on. The heir of the Star Moon Pack will come from Adele. Not from some lowly Omega like you." Her words were sharp and cruel, each one a knife to the heart. The shop staff exchanged whispers, their eyes filled with disbelief. "Did the Alpha father a pup outside of marriage?" Irena glared at them and quickly snapped, "What pup? You think this shameless woman's carrying our family blood? She's probably using some random bastard in her belly to try and latch onto us. Pathetic." Her words made me want to vanish. I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood. Tears welled up, but I refused to let them fall. I turned to Kaine, silently begging him to say something. He frowned, clearly torn, but before he could speak, Adele took his hand. "Kaine, let's go take our wedding photos." Her voice was sweet as sugar, but the look she shot me was pure triumph. Kaine looked at her, then at me, then chose silence. My heart shattered. I turned and fled to the restroom. Once inside, I slumped against the wall, tears spilling down my cheeks. My phone buzzed with a message from Kaine. [Lara, just bear with it for now. Once the ceremony is over, I'll make it up to you. For me, and for the future of the Pack, please hold on a little longer.] I stared at the screen, a storm of emotions crashing through me. 'Kaine, you keep asking me to endure… but I have dignity too,' I thought inwardly. I didn't reply. Instead, I wiped away my tears, straightened up, and walked out. As I passed the photo studio, I stole one last glance at him. He was gently adjusting Adele's veil, his face filled with the same tenderness that once belonged to me. But now, that tenderness wasn't mine anymore. I drew a deep breath… and walked out of the bridal shop.

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

News of Kaine and Adele's upcoming bonding ceremony spread like wildfire across the continent. Even my father called, his voice filled with confusion and concern. "Lara, didn't you say you would be Kaine's Luna? Why is someone else taking that place now?" A lump rose in my throat. I fought to keep my voice steady. "Dad... Kaine and I broke up." There was a long silence on the other end of the line, followed by a helpless sigh. "Silly girl. Even if you broke up, you should still stay in touch with your family. Do you know your mother talks about you every day? She's terrified you're suffering out there, all alone." Tears welled in my eyes, spilling over before I could stop them. "I'm sorry, Dad... I didn't mean to make you and Mom worry.""Don't be sorry," his voice softened. "You'll always be our beloved daughter.""Dad, I want to come home.""Yes. Yes, of course," he replied immediately. "I'll send someone to pick you up tomorrow afternoon." The next morning, I had just gotten out of bed when I saw a group of workers arriving at the house. They were bustling about, moving furniture and boxes. The foreman shot me a contemptuous glance. "Well, well, look who it is, the lowly Omega," he sneered. "What, still clinging on? Think you're really going to be our Luna? Get out of the Alpha and Luna's home before we throw you out ourselves!" I bit my lip, ignored the venom in his voice, and quietly began gathering my things. Just as I reached the door, I came face-to-face with Kaine's mother, Claudine. Her gaze swept over me with open disdain. "Why are you still here?" she snapped. "Do you think we'd allow an Omega like you to latch onto our family?" I clenched my fists, willing myself to stay calm. "Claudine, everything will be ready this afternoon. I'll leave soon." She let out a cold laugh. "At least you know your place." At that moment, Kaine himself walked in. He heard the word "leave" and his expression instantly darkened. "Mom, who's leaving? Are you trying to drive Lara away?" Claudine glanced at me, then quickly covered her tracks. "No, of course not. Your father and I are planning a trip next week. You misunderstood." Kaine turned to me, his brows furrowed. "Lara, where are you going?" Claudine interjected before I could speak. "Kaine, think about it. She's an Omega living in the Alpha and Luna's home. If word gets out, we'll be a laughingstock! Unless she wants to stay here as a servant, she needs to leave." Kaine looked conflicted. His gaze shifted between his mother and me, clearly torn. I gave him a calm, almost weary smile. "There's no need for all this. I'll stay in a hotel." Just as the words left my mouth, Adele walked in. She wrapped her arm around Kaine's like she owned him. "Kaine, you're back." Her eyes fell on the ring I still wore. Her expression instantly darkened. "That's the Luna's symbolic ring. Why are you still wearing it? Take it off before someone gets the wrong idea." I looked down at the ring. It was the only proof left of our once-deep love—the last remnant of the promises Kaine had made to me. I raised my eyes to him, silently begging him to defend me. But he looked away and muttered, "Lara, just take it off for now. Don't worry. I'll give it back to you after... after I break things off with her." I froze. His words cut deeper than any blade. 'Kaine, you've really changed,' I thought bitterly. With trembling hands, I removed the ring and placed it into Adele's palm. Then I turned and walked out without another glance at all of them. On the way to the hotel, my father called. He was already waiting outside to meet me. "Lara!" he said, pulling me into a hug. "I missed you so much." When he noticed my belly, joy lit up his face. "You're pregnant?! That's wonderful! The Golden River Pack finally has an heir!" ... On the day of Kaine's bonding ceremony, a news alert popped up on my phone. [Kaine and Adele's bonding ceremony: Now streaming live.] I shut off my phone. Meanwhile, back at the ceremony, Kaine couldn't shake his unease. His chest tightened with a strange, gnawing dread. Something didn't feel right. But he couldn't say what. Before the ceremony ended, he called his subordinates over. "Go to the hotel and check on Lara. She's there alone. I don't feel at ease." They nodded and rushed off. Not long after, they came running back, their expressions grim. "Alpha... Lara isn't at the hotel." Kaine's face hardened. "What do you mean she's not there? She doesn't know anyone here. Where else would she go?" One of the guards hesitated, then said quietly, "The hotel staff said... she never checked in. She's missing. Someone saw her leave... with a strange man.""What?!"