Chapter 1 Chapter 1

The Alpha of the Redmoon pack, Alexander Rowe, pulled me from the depths of hell and made me his Luna. I thought I had finally found happiness, but he only marked me to free the woman who killed my father. … From the office, I could hear Alexander talking with Marcus Hale, his Beta. Every word felt like a blow, breaking me apart. "Starting today, no one in the Redmoon pack is allowed to visit the prison. We can't let Savannah catch on that Joanna has disappeared and stir up trouble for Joanna's marking ceremony," Alexander said. "Alpha, this is a critical time for the Redmoon pack's expansion," Marcus warned. "If news gets out that you hid the truth from Luna and arranged Joanna's release, it will have serious consequences. Besides, Joanna was involved in a hit-and-run…""Enough!" Alexander snapped, cutting him off with a wave of anger. "Joanna already knows what she did was wrong. As Luna, Savannah should show mercy and forgive her. I signed the letter of pardon on her behalf. "I've already given Savannah's old pack a fortune in forest resources to make up for Thomas's death. There's no point in punishing Joanna any further. She never meant for any of this to happen!" Joanna Grant had hit my father, Thomas Whitmore, and left him to die alone by the roadside. And now, Alexander was asking me to forgive her. "What if the Luna finds out?" Marcus pressed with a heavy sigh. "No matter how well you try to cover it up, what's done always leaves a trace. The Luna will discover the truth eventually. When it all comes out, our pack's partnerships with the others will be at risk…" I stood outside the office door, pressing my hand over my mouth as tears streamed silently down my cheeks. Everything was a lie. Our bond was a lie, and everything Alexander did was all an act. Joanna, the woman who killed my father, had only served a year in prison before being quietly released. She was now back with the White Wolf pack, preparing to be marked by my former fiance. The murderer was out living her life, free and unbothered—all because of the man I trusted most. What I thought was happiness had been nothing more than a cage built on lies. After getting betrayed by my mate, it felt like a knife had torn through my heart. I could hardly breathe. I stumbled down the stairs and stepped outside. As I stood under the moonlight, I tried to steady my breath and calm myself. It was nearly midnight by the time the last light in the building finally went out. Alexander appeared in the doorway. As soon as he saw me, he smiled gently and took my hand. "What are you doing here? How long have you been waiting? Why didn't you just come inside?" he asked. I turned away. "I just got here. You mentioned you've been busy lately, so I wanted to bring you some soup. Your staff told me you were in a meeting, so I waited out here." "Vannah, you're so silly. Ever since I brought you home, your health hasn't been the best. Don't stand out here for me. Next time, just let someone else deliver it. I worry about you." With that, he pulled me close and kissed my cheek. His kiss was warm and gentle, but my heart had never felt colder. I knew it was all an act and that he never truly loved me. After that, we got into the car together. As he drove, he casually brought up, "Vannah, did you hear? The Alpha of the White Wolf pack is about to mark his new Luna. Since you were his fiancee, it's better if you don't attend the ceremony." So, Samuel West really was getting marked again? How loyal of him. He had waited a whole year just to make Joanna his Luna. My chest tightened as I said, "He's getting marked again? Don't worry, I won't show up and make a scene. It's been a year already." Alexander looked relieved and smiled. "I knew you'd be understanding. Having you as my Luna is truly my luck." I didn't say another word and just turned to stare out the window as silent tears rolled down my cheeks. Later, when we returned home, I waited until Alexander went to shower before opening his computer.

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

I tried password after password, but each time the computer said it was incorrect. Then, suddenly, I remembered Joanna's birthday. My hands were shaking as I typed it in. The moment I hit enter, the computer unlocked, and I was in. The desktop background was a photo of Alexander and Joanna together at Moonlight Cove, which had always been her favorite vacation spot. I opened Alexander's social media account. His cover photo was another picture of him and Joanna, both smiling sweetly. There wasn't a single trace of me on his page. Everything about it made it clear that Alexander loved Joanna and was willing to sacrifice everything for her, even his marriage. I clicked over to Joanna's account and saw photos of her living it up in luxury ever since she got out of prison. She wore different designer outfits from the Redmoon pack and the latest jewelry in every post, never repeating a single look. I never even got to wear any of it. Joanna was currently staying at Moonshadow Manor, a property the Redmoon pack built just last year. I stared in disbelief as I opened the photos. That manor was lavish to the extreme, far more extravagant than anything even the Alpha or Luna could hope to have. Then, I checked Alexander's bank transfers. Just yesterday, he'd wired Joanna 20 million dollars. "I can't make it to your marking ceremony, so I'm giving you this manor as a gift. May it give you a strong footing with the White Wolf pack. I hope you find true happiness." When I saw those words, my face went even paler, and tears spilled down my cheeks. Alexander spent a whole year building a manor for Joanna, but he couldn't even spare three minutes for me. I was always the one reaching out, always the one texting first. He took all my care and effort for granted. Instead of showing up himself, he just had Marcus send a gift to me on his behalf, even though he knew I didn't like that sort of thing. He couldn't even remember my birthday without a reminder. If I hadn't brought it up, he wouldn't have even noticed the date. Yet, he never forgot Joanna's birthday. Every single year, he had the perfect present prepared just for her. After a year of marriage, the only photo on our wall was one I had begged him to take with me. Besides that, there wasn't a single photo of the two of us together. Every time I asked about it, Alexander would say, "We see each other every day, so there's no need for photos." Now, I finally understood the truth—he already had pictures with the woman he really cared about. He didn't need any with me. I let out a bitter laugh and shut the computer, not wanting to see anything more. That night, I bought a plane ticket for three days later and made an appointment at the Hall of the Moon to erase my identity from the pack's records. Once everything was arranged, I opened the last gift my father had ever given me. It was a vial of bond-breaking potion. It would not only break my mate bond but also break the mind-link between me and the pack, so no one would ever sense my presence again.

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

The next morning, Alexander sounded puzzled as he said, "Vannah, the Hall of the Moon just called. I picked up for you. They said you've scheduled an appointment to erase the identity record. What's going on?" I stayed calm as I picked up my phone. "It's nothing. After my father died, I never got around to canceling his identity record. So, I scheduled an appointment to take care of it. "Aren't you meeting with the other pack's Alpha today? You should go. Don't let me keep you." He nodded, not thinking much of it. He reached for his tie and handed it to me. "Vannah, could you tie this for me before I go?" I managed a small smile and said nothing more. Just as he was about to walk out the door, I suddenly asked, "Will you be home early tonight?" He patted my head gently. "It'll be a busy day, but I'll try. Be good and wait for me, okay?" The look on his face made it obvious he'd completely forgotten that today was my birthday. My disappointment had finally reached its breaking point. After a year of living inside a lie, I knew it was time to end it. As soon as Alexander left, I headed straight to the Hall of the Moon and officially canceled all my identity records. "Applicant Savannah Whitmore, you're requesting to revoke all identification linked to the Redmoon pack. The process will take several days," the clerk explained. I nodded, then brought up the matter of the letter of understanding. "Once a letter of understanding is issued, it's legally binding under werewolf law. Unless you can prove it was not signed by a direct relative of the victim, it can't be revoked." I said I understood and went straight to the Alpha's office. I still needed more evidence. Just as I entered the office building, I overheard some warriors chatting. "That's the Luna, right? She just got back from abroad. With a figure and presence like that, no wonder the Alpha fell for her. I'm a woman, and even I can't help but stare." "She must be the Luna. No wonder she stayed out of sight after the marking ceremony. It turns out she was living abroad. Look at those shoes! They're a global limited edition! Only the Alpha would spend that kind of money!" "I always see the Alpha picking out jewelry in his office. It looks like they're still as in love as ever, even after a year." "Did you hear? Moonshadow Manor was built for her. What a beautiful name!" As I reached the office door, I heard two very familiar voices inside. "Anna, how have you been this past year? I pulled strings to make sure you were treated well in prison. I didn't want you to suffer." "I've been alright," Joanna replied, her voice trembling with emotion as she leaned into Alexander's embrace. "I just lost my freedom. If it hadn't been for you, I might've died in there." "Don't say that," Alexander said, trying to comfort her. "It's all behind you now. I know you didn't mean for any of this to happen. You're a good person, not a killer. Helping you was the least I could do." Joanna wiped away her tears and managed a smile. "You're still the same after all these years. If Savannah ever finds out you've been helping me behind her back, you know she'll lose it, just like she did at the marking ceremony last year." That was Joanna, alright. She always managed to walk away with the best of everything, but still pinned every crime on me. A year ago, I exposed Joanna as the one who killed my father during the marking ceremony. That was when I completely fell out with Joanna and Samuel. Joanna clung to Samuel, sobbing as she played the victim. "Savannah, Samuel and I are in love. You can't force him to be with you just because you have feelings for him. It's not fair to make up lies and ruin our ceremony. You've gone too far." Samuel chimed in, "Yeah, your father should have watched where he was going. You can't blame Anna for an accident." I couldn't believe how shameless they were. All the guests turned on me, refusing to hear a word of my explanation. They acted like I was some lunatic, sabotaging a friend's big day for no reason. Even after I showed them the surveillance footage and Joanna was arrested, the whole pack still took their side and helped Samuel drive me out. After that, when I was hurt and left with nowhere to go, it was Alexander who showed up and asked me to bond with him. He said he wanted to bond with me and be the one I could rely on. But it was all just another lie, pushing me even further into the darkness.

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

Marcus brushed past me in the hallway, in a rush to deliver a contract to Alexander. He opened the office door right in front of me. Alexander turned and caught sight of me standing in the doorway. The panic on his face was apparent. "Savannah, when did you get here? Don't get the wrong idea. Joanna's parents are seriously ill, so she's just out on temporary release," he said quickly. Joanna stood up and nodded at me, perfectly composed. She looked polished and radiant, not at all like someone who had just gotten out of prison. I clenched my hands, forcing a smile. "I was out shopping and thought I'd drop by. Don't let me interrupt you two from catching up. You guys keep talking." I turned and left without another word. Alexander chased after me, thinking I was upset. He was desperate to explain. "Savannah, are you mad? Are you upset with me? "We were just talking about how she managed in prison. You know, she grew up getting everything she wanted, so being locked up for so long was punishment enough. A year's gone by, all those old grudges should be put to rest, don't you think?" I looked at the way he scrambled to justify himself, and I couldn't help but laugh. He'd gone so far as to sacrifice his marriage just to get Joanna out of prison, keeping up the act with me for an entire year. I never realized he could be so heartless. Now that Joanna was back, why did he still need to pretend? But I didn't call him out. I just stayed calm and said, "I'm not upset. Didn't I say yesterday that it's all in the past? I'm not looking for trouble. I'm going home. You get back to work." Visibly relieved, Alexander waved Marcus over and asked him to see me downstairs. Before I left, Alexander made sure to remind me not to attend Samuel's marking ceremony. Samuel, for the sake of his reputation as an Alpha, claimed Joanna had been studying abroad for a year and kept her prison sentence a secret from everyone. I nodded. "Got it. I won't go, and I won't cause a scene at the ceremony either." That was enough to put Alexander's mind at ease. When I got home, I looked at the photo on the wall and felt nothing but bitter irony. I took it down, smashed it into pieces, and tossed it in the trash. It was my birthday that day. I waited all night, but Alexander never came home. Later, I checked my phone. For the first time in ages, Joanna updated her social media back in Valeria. She posted a photo of the two of them sitting close on a bench in Moon Goddess Garden, holding hands and sharing a kiss. The atmosphere was romantic, almost painfully intimate. The man's face was only visible in profile, with just the back of his head and a blurred jawline visible. Yet, as he held Joanna's hand, the spot where a ring should be was empty. I recognized that man at a glance. It was Alexander. So, on my birthday, my mate had skipped marking me and instead spent the evening in another woman's arms. Joanna was flaunting it for me and rubbing it in my face. As she wished, I liked her post. After that, I shut off my phone and packed up my things.

Chapter 5 Chapter 5

Alexander never came home that night, so I showed up at the marking ceremony by myself. Samuel had just finished his speech, announcing that all of the White Wolf pack's collaborative forest projects with the Redmoon pack would now be managed by Joanna. Joanna stood on the platform, soaking up all the admiration and envy in the room. Guests whispered as I entered, "Joanna really is living a charmed life. She has two childhood sweethearts who both dote on her.""And to think, Savannah was also the only daughter of an Alpha, but she never got to enjoy any of that. After Thomas died in that car crash three years ago, her whole pack was merged into the Redmoon pack." The room went dead silent as soon as I walked in. Everyone stared at me, clearly waiting for some drama. Joanna's eyes widened in surprise. She rushed over to greet me, clearly afraid I'd expose her criminal past again. "Savannah, it's been so long! Why don't we go upstairs and catch up?" Joanna led me out onto a balcony, away from the crowd. With just the two of us, she dropped the act and showed her true colors. "Savannah, you're just as pathetic as ever. Did you really think I was only out on bail? I've been released for good. It looks like your luck's finally run out! "Honestly, if it weren't for me, Alexander never would've even looked at you, let alone married you." She shot a look at the faded mark on my neck and smirked. "There's barely even a mark left on your neck. After a whole year, you two still don't have a pup?" I stared at her coldly. "How was a year in prison treating you?" Her face twisted when I hit a nerve, but she quickly covered it with a malicious smile. "Do you know how pathetic your father looked, crawling toward me and begging for help after the crash?" Her cruel laughter made my blood boil. I couldn't hold it back anymore, and I slapped her across the face. Joanna just grinned, and then suddenly staggered backward, tumbling down the stairs. A chorus of shocked screams echoed from the main hall. "Oh my God! Joanna fell!" "Savannah pushed her down the stairs!" Alexander was the first to rush over, scooping Joanna into his arms. "Joanna, what happened?" Joanna put on a pale, trembling face. "Savannah, I'm so sorry. I really know I was wrong. Please forgive me." Alexander shot me a furious look. "Savannah, why would you push Joanna? Have you lost your mind? You promised you wouldn't come here today. What are you doing?" I let out a cold laugh, staring blankly at Alexander holding Joanna in his arms. "Do you really not know why I'm here, Alexander? Was Joanna really just out on bail?" He hesitated, and for a second, I caught panic flickering in his eyes. "What more do you want from her? She's served her time. A whole year in prison! Everything between you two is settled. "Today is Joanna's marking ceremony. Savannah, stop making a scene and apologize to her!" Before I could respond, Joanna started crying in Alexander's arms, playing the victim perfectly. "It's alright, Alex, don't blame Savannah. I know she didn't mean it. This is all my fault. So, it's understandable if she pushed me. "I just didn't expect that after all this time, she still can't forgive me. Maybe it's better if we don't see each other anymore. I don't want to make things harder for you." Alexander's heart ached for her. He shot me another frosty glare and carried Joanna away. After I was thrown out of the White Wolf pack's territory by the guards, Alexander finally bothered to text me. "Joanna just got out of prison and is still emotionally unstable. If she said anything out of line, please go easy on her. I'm not blaming you for anything. I only asked you to apologize to show respect to the White Wolf pack, since you hurt their Luna. "Let me finish up here, and I'll come home to apologize, alright? I promised to bring you a present, so please don't be upset…" I knew he didn't ask me to apologize just to smooth things over with the White Wolf pack. What he really wanted was for me to bow my head to Joanna. He was only trying to pacify me because he was afraid I'd pursue the matter of the letter of understanding. When I went home to collect my things, I overheard Marcus's voice in the hallway. "Alpha, are you sure about transferring it all to Joanna? Please reconsider. Giving her those forest assets could end up costing Redmoon pack more than a hundred million dollars—""Just do what I say," Alexander cut him off. "This is what I promised Joanna. On top of that, draft another agreement to transfer half of my pack shares to her." I let out a cold laugh and left. As soon as I boarded my flight, I drank the bond-breaking potion. Pain ripped through my entire body like wildfire. At that very moment, the video of Joanna's hit-and-run and the proof of Alexander's forged letter of understanding were uploaded to the Lycan Net, instantly topping every trending feed.