Chapter 1 Chapter 1

I was just dropping off some food for my mate, Joe Herring, when I happened to catch him talking to his Beta, Oscar Payne, about the proposal setup. "We'll need 999 Nightglow Roses in the ballroom. The carpet must be pure wool. And let's swap out the lights for crystal chandeliers in soft and dreamy tones…" I'd told him what kind of proposal I wanted. And now, every single thing he said was exactly what I'd described. I never thought he'd remember everything. I clamped a hand over my mouth, shaking as happy tears rolled down my face. My heart was pounding with anticipation and excitement. It had been ten years. I'd pictured this moment a million times—Joe getting down on one knee and asking me to be his mate. "Anna? What are you doing here?" he asked. He'd just wrapped up his call. When he turned around and saw me, surprise flashed across his face, followed by a smile. I pointed at the lunchbox, trying to keep my voice from cracking. "I made this for you.""Gosh, you're the sweetest. I'm seriously the luckiest guy alive!" Joe gave me a big hug and polished off every last bite of the food I'd made. Back home, I couldn't fall asleep for the life of me. I just lay there, staring at our photo, thoughts running wild. When was he going to pop the question? Should I start dressing up more, just in case? Would he give me a heads-up? What if I looked like a mess that day? Then what? I didn't even remember when I finally knocked out, but I was smiling in my sleep the whole night. … The next morning, I woke up to a news alert that froze me in place. "The Fangtooth pack's Alpha Joe popped the question last night to Chief Healer Nora…" Nora was my stepsister. She'd only just broken her bond with her mate and come back to the Fangtooth pack with her pup. The mug slipped right out of my hand and smashed on the floor. This couldn't be real. Joe wouldn't propose to someone else. He wouldn't. I barged into the press event, only to walk straight into a scene that made my blood run cold. Joe had his arm around Nora, looking at her like she was the only thing that mattered. They stood in a ballroom blanketed with Nightglow Roses, soft, dreamlike light washing over the two of them. It was everything I'd ever dreamed of in a proposal, perfect in every way, except it wasn't meant for me. A reporter stuck a mic in Joe's face, and he answered with composed ease, "Yeah, Nora and I've only known each other two months, but I'm certain that she's my fated mate. We're having the mate-bonding ceremony in a week!" His voice was just as steady and sure as it was when he told me he loved me at 18. It felt like someone stabbed me clean through the heart with a silver dagger. I couldn't stop the tears streaming down my face. How could Joe, the guy who used to love me like I was everything, let go of me and hold someone else? After the press event, I ran backstage and overheard him talking to his friend, Luke Felton. "Alpha Joe, you just proposed to Nora out of nowhere. What about Anna?" Joe's deep voice came through. "Nora came back alone with her pup. Making her Luna helps her settle into the Fangtooth pack. Anna will understand once she finds out.""You set up the whole proposal just like Anna always wanted. And you gave it to someone else. Aren't you worried she'll find out and leave you?" Luke asked, visibly uneasy. Joe chuckled and shook his head, totally sure of himself. "She's crazy about me. I'll say a few nice things, and that'll be the end of it. Leave me? We've been together ten years. Where would she even go?" His confidence hit me like a bucket of cold water. Ten years together had given him the nerve to throw me aside for someone else, like I'd always be there for him. He had no idea that I'd be long gone by the time our love dried up.

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

I went home in a daze. As soon as I got in, I crawled under the blanket and cried until I finally drifted into a sleep. When I woke up, I checked my phone. Joe had tried calling me a dozen times. I was about to call him back when the bedroom door burst open. The moment Joe saw me, the tension in his face melted. He pulled me, blanket and all, into his arms, nuzzled the top of my head, and said, "You were out cold. I kept calling, but you didn't hear a thing." A gentle smile played on his lips, his whole face glowing with affection. "Come on, get up. I went hunting in the woods and brought back an elk. I saved its heart for you." I stared at him in stunned silence, my eyes filling with tears. Would Joe finally tell me the truth? I knew he had his reasons. If he just came clean, I'd still forgive him. But instead, he frowned and grabbed my phone right off the nightstand. "You saw the news this morning, didn't you? It's all lies. Don't believe any of it!" Then, his tone shifted, gentler now, as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a moonstone ring. "I promised your dad I'd look after Nora. That engagement story isn't real. You're my true mate. One week from now, we'll have our mate-bonding ceremony." Joe slid the ring onto my finger, then gave a satisfied nod. Right then, there was a bunch of noise downstairs. He froze, like something had just clicked, then glanced over at me, a little unsure. "Anna, you know Nora just got back to the pack, and she's got a pup with her. She hasn't been able to find a place to stay. I told her she could crash here for a bit until she gets settled." Before I could say anything, he was already on his feet and headed out. Still in a daze, I drifted out of the room and saw the maids rushing around, dragging in bags. Joe and Nora were downstairs in the main hall, standing close. He had a five-year-old boy pup in his arms. The three of them were smiling and chatting like they'd been a family forever. "Clear out the master bedroom upstairs. The other rooms are too cramped. Nora needs the space with her pup," Joe said. Without a second thought, he told the maids to clear out the master bedroom and move all of Nora's things inside. I felt like I'd been punched in the chest. I couldn't even breathe. That room was supposed to be ours. I'd spent three years picking out everything in there. I'd poured my heart into that room, building it piece by piece into the future I'd dreamed of. I'd even told Joe that no one was allowed in, not even us, until after our mate-bonding ceremony. "I hid all our memories in that room. We'll go through them together after the mate-bonding ceremony," I'd told him. But we never got that far. Joe had them cleared out before we even had the chance. I must've looked upset, because Nora glanced at me, and her smile slowly faltered into a nervous frown. "Do you not want me here, Anna? I'm sorry, I didn't think you'd mind. I'll leave now." She snatched her pup from Joe and wiped her tears with the back of her hand. Joe caught her, his voice firm. "You're leaving just like that? Where would you even go? Relax, you're staying." After calming Nora down, he came over looking kind of drained. "Anna, she's got a pup to look after. Just let her stay for now, okay? She won't bother you, I swear." I opened my mouth, then closed it again. Finally, I just nodded and murmured, "Sure. Let her stay." If Joe had already forgotten the promise we made, there was no use bringing it up again. I turned away, swallowing the lump in my throat as I made my way back to my room. "Anna, wait…" he called out.

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

Joe stopped me in my tracks, mouth opening and closing a few times before he finally got the words out, clearly uncomfortable. "Would you mind… staying somewhere else for a bit?" Worried I might take it the wrong way, he quickly added, "I mean, Nora and I just hit the news. If you're living here, I'm worried the rest of the pack will start talking..." My body swayed, and I grabbed the door handle with all my strength, barely managing to keep myself from collapsing. I'd lived here for ten years. This place was home to me. And now Joe wanted me gone? He kept explaining, calm as ever. "I bought a villa in the suburbs. It's furnished just like this one, so you'll feel right at home. And you won't be stuck there for long. "Nora's setting up a healing center in the pack. It should be up and running in a few days. Once she's got it off the ground, I'll talk to the press and set the record straight. It's not going to mess with our mate-bonding ceremony next week." Perhaps I had looked too wrecked, because Joe's voice softened. "Anna, we've been through ten years together. What are you so afraid of? You're the only mate I'll ever have! Just hang in there, okay? Give it a few days, and I'll bring you back." I lowered my head, tears slipping down my face. My voice came out rough and low. "Okay. I'll move out today." I'd spent ten years waiting for Joe, and this was how it all ended. And now, all of a sudden, I didn't feel like waiting anymore. I could see the relief on his face when he heard my answer. "I'll have the maids help you out. Honestly, it's good you're moving today. The movers are still around. I'll just get them to make another trip." I kept my mouth shut and went straight to my room to pack. If I were leaving, I would make sure it was for good. I was taking everything that was mine and leaving behind everything that wasn't. After giving the maids their orders, Joe walked off to find Nora without even looking back. I gathered every gift he'd ever given me—the wooden wolf he carved himself, that overpriced moonstone necklace he fought for at some auction, a bunch of handcrafted silver fang pendants, and those love letters he wrote with his paw print stamped on them. I crammed everything into five boxes, stuffed full. Once I was done, I called the movers over. "I don't want any of this anymore. Get rid of them." Everything else I owned fit into one suitcase. Ten years in this place, and that was all I had to show for it. Maybe that was a good thing. The lighter I traveled, the easier it would be to walk away from the Fangtooth pack. Right before I left, Nora was up on the second-floor balcony, holding her pup and waving at me with that smug little smile of hers. Through the window, I spotted Joe inside, talking to a maid with his head down. He didn't even glance my way. It took three hours on the road to get to the villa out in the suburbs. This place was way out on the edge of the pack. A ten-minute walk, and I'd be out of the pack and into the woods. The place really was a copy of the old villa, but it must've been put together in a hurry. Only the main hall and my bedroom were furnished. The rest of it was bare. I didn't mind, for this was just a temporary stop. I'd be out of here soon. I dropped off my suitcase, then headed straight out and grabbed a cab to the council hall. I made it just before closing and submitted my application to leave the pack. It would take effect in seven days. I booked a ship to the northern grasslands for that same day. Before I met Joe, I was a painter. I'd always wanted to go to the northern grasslands to find inspiration. But I gave up both my career and my dream just to stay with him. There was nothing left to stop me now.

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

I settled into the villa quietly. At first, Joe wouldn't stop calling. He went on and on about how tough things were for him, how he couldn't visit me yet. He asked me to hang in there and said he'd be by to get me soon. But the calls started coming less and less. Then two whole days passed without a single word from him. Little by little, I got used to life without Joe. I started counting down on my fingers. Just one more day, and I'd be free of the pack, boarding the ship to the northern grasslands. But the day before I was set to leave, Joe and Nora were trending on local news again. The headlines read things like "The Alpha and the Chief Healer's Love Story", "The Luna Launches Major Healing Center in the Fangtooth Pack", and "Grand Mate-Bonding Ceremony Held for Chief Healer Nora and Alpha Joe". The clip showed Joe inside the brand-new healing center, cradling Nora's pup and standing together with her. The comments under the news hit like a punch to the gut. "The Alpha and the Chief Healer? They're perfect together!""Their pup is adorable! He looks just like the Alpha!""Their love story is so beautiful. I actually cried!""Right? Their mate-bonding ceremony is tomorrow. We have to go! I heard it's going to be huge and gorgeous. The Luna is living the dream!" I scrolled through them one by one, each line cutting deeper than the last. Next thing I knew, I was crying. Joe and I were together for ten years. And after all that, he gave the mate-bonding ceremony I'd waited ten years for to Nora, of all people—the one I'd always gotten along with the worst. After Mom died, Dad ended up with Nora's mother. They acted sweet when Dad was around, but behind his back, the way they looked at me was always full of judgment and disgust. Nora kept trying to get on his good side—talking trash about me, setting me up, calling me a liar over and over. It worked. Eventually, Dad started to hate me. Back then, when everything felt dark and lonely, Joe was the only person who treated me like I mattered. And now, even he had given everything I once had to someone else. I was just about to put my phone down when Nora messaged me. "Did you see the news? The whole pack's celebrating me and Joe. What do you even have left to compete with? If you have any sense, you'll leave now. Or you're going to wish you had!" I wiped my tears and didn't reply. I was leaving tomorrow anyway. Nora must've gotten mad when I didn't answer. She started flooding my phone with photos of her and Joe. In every shot, he was looking straight at the camera, eyes all soft and full of love. Then she sent one last message. "Just wait. People who don't listen always pay the price!" A sick feeling hit me out of nowhere. The very next second, someone kicked the front door open. A bunch of Rogues crept in, peeking through the busted frame. Scared out of my mind, I ran into the bedroom. I shut the door and leaned back against it, feeling my strength draining away. Slowly, my legs gave out, and I sank to the floor. With shaky hands, I tried calling Joe, but it kept going to a busy signal. I kept calling, over and over, while the noises behind me got closer until they stopped right outside my door. My back was drenched in sweat. Finally, on the last try, Joe picked up. "Joe, my villa's being—" But before I could finish, Joe cut me off, sounding rushed and annoyed. "Anna, didn't I tell you not to call right now? I'm with Nora. We're being interviewed for her healing center, and it's a big deal! Just behave, okay? We'll talk later!""No, Joe. Please listen—" I was crying, trying to explain, but he hung up on me. I called again, but his phone was already off. I felt my heart sink. And at that exact moment, the bedroom door burst open. The Rogues rushed in and knocked me to the floor.

Chapter 5 Chapter 5

When Joe picked up the call, he was in the middle of escorting Nora through the newly opened healing center. Reporters crowded around, all trying to get an interview with the two of them. He hung up in a hurry and turned off his phone so I wouldn't keep calling. "I'll talk to her once this is all over. Anna's sweet. She'll get it," he thought. Then he wrapped an arm around Nora, pulling her close so she wouldn't get pushed around. "Alpha Joe, is it true you and Chief Healer Nora are having your mate-bonding ceremony tomorrow? Will it be open to the public? A bunch of pack members are dying to be there." Joe stiffened. The ceremony hadn't even been made public yet. How did the reporters find out? Nora tugged on his sleeve, guilt written all over her face as she murmured, "I think Anna might've said something, Joe. She once bragged to me that she was going to have a mate-bonding ceremony with you and told me to stop dreaming. "I didn't think she'd actually go to the media. Is she trying to put you on the spot and make me look bad?" Nora ducked her head, eyes brimming with tears. A sharp-eyed reporter spotted it instantly and went in for the kill. "Alpha, are you trying to keep the mate-bonding ceremony under wraps? Chief Healer Nora looks really upset." Joe felt a spark of annoyance at me. He had said to keep the ceremony quiet. Why couldn't I just trust him? Didn't he deserve that much after everything we've been through over the past ten years? Then, as if moved by a sudden need to get back at me, he told the reporters, "Not at all. Everyone's invited to the mate-bonding ceremony with Nora. Beta Oscar will send out invites to the ballroom later today." After the interview ended, a wave of regret swept over Joe. He didn't know how to explain things to me, or whether I'd feel hurt after seeing the news segment. He was about to call me when Nora grabbed his arm. "Joe, you shouldn't have said that to the press. Anna's pissed. She just texted me, calling me all sorts of names…" She sniffled, her eyes red-rimmed and misty. "You should go talk to her to clear the air. Tomorrow, I'll step aside and give her her spot back. And I'll tell the reporters it was all on me. None of this had anything to do with you or Anna." Nora wiped her tears, her voice laced with reluctance. "Joe, you've already done more than enough for me. Now that the healing center's up and running, I'll figure things out on my own. "I'll be fine without your protection… and if I'm not, so what? At worst, I might get a little hate. It's not a big deal. Anna's the one who really matters. You should go to her!" Joe started to step forward but stopped himself. "It's fine. Now that everything's out in the open, there's no switching mates for the ceremony tomorrow. I'll talk to Anna later. Once things cool down, we'll break the mate bond." Nora's eyes flashed coldly, but she managed a smile. "Sure. Whatever you need, I'm on board." … The mate-bonding ceremony was held in the most luxurious ballroom in the entire pack. The place was already packed before things even got started. Joe was restless, glancing at his phone repeatedly. He hadn't been able to get in touch with me since powering it back on yesterday, and a tight, uneasy feeling had been gnawing at him ever since. While juggling last-minute details for the ceremony, he found time to shoot me a text. "Anna, you shouldn't have tipped off the reporters. Now, Nora's stuck in a tough spot. We've got no choice but to go through with the ceremony for now. Stay at the villa for now. I'll come find you soon." But even as the ceremony began, there was still no response from me. Just as Joe took Nora's hand and stepped onto the stage, Oscar came charging in, pale and out of breath. "Alpha Joe! A bunch of Rogues took over Anna's villa. She's gone!"