Assalamualaikum, Ex-Husband!

The day Liam Howle became the Alpha, he confronted me and asked if I regretted abandoning him. Little did he know, I once sacrificed my bloodline essence to save him. Yet, that shortened my life, and I now only had three months left to live.

"Today, the Silverbrook pack welcomes a new Alpha."

At that moment, I was curled up in a dilapidated cottage, staring at the replay of a livestream on my phone.

Liam stood at the pack's ceremonial altar, accepting the Moon Goddess' blessing as he was crowned Alpha. After seven years, he had finally united the pack and become the Alpha, leading us all toward a brighter future.

Yet, the one who was once his mate—me—could only share in his moment of glory through a screen while hiding away in this abandoned house, with its paneless windows that allowed the wind to blow in.

"Congratulations, Alpha Liam!"

Countless such messages flooded the comments section of the livestream.

Just as I reached out to turn off the livestream, my chest abruptly exploded with pain as my bloodline regressed again. My hand flew up to clamp over my mouth as blood seeped out through my fingers.

However, at that moment, the front door was violently kicked open with a loud bang.

When I raised my head, I spotted Liam's tall and broad figure standing at the doorway. His eyes blazed with fury as he uttered coldly, "Have you seen enough? Do you think it's fun to hide away in this kind of place as you stealthily watch my crowning ceremony?"

I hurriedly wiped away the blood staining the corner of my lips before struggling to stand. "I have no idea what you're saying."

"No idea?"

With a scoff, he strode toward me menacingly. "Gianna, do you think I can't feel your presence? Even with the mate bond broken between us, I can still sense you probing around."

A heavy weight seemed to press down on me, causing me to feel breathless. Seven years ago, he was still a weak and sickly second son of his family. Now, the aura he exuded as an Alpha was terrifyingly strong.

"I just…" Taking a deep breath, I decided to go on with my act. "I just wanted to see how dazzling you've become."

"Dazzling?" The chilly look in his eyes grew even frostier. "Are you regretting it now? Regretting abandoning the person who could have made you Luna?"

I forced myself to smile mockingly. "Back when we broke our mate bond, you promised me compensation. Now that you've become the Alpha, it's time to fulfill that promise."

Liam clenched his hands so tightly that his veins bulged. "You're still the same as ever, Gianna! Always scheming about how you can gain something from others."

"You're right." I raised my chin. "So, my compensation?"

He dug out a cloth pouch from the folds of his clothes before tossing it at the ground with unnecessary force. The moonstones inside spilled out.

"Take your money and get the hell out. Go as far away from here as you can."

With that, he turned to leave, but then he halted in his tracks to say, "Don't ever appear before me again."

The door slammed shut heavily.

I fell to my knees and started to pick up the moonstones with trembling hands. Each one was worth quite a bit, so these would be enough for me to buy the medicine I needed.

Yet, why was it that my heart hurt so much more than my body?

…

The next day, I rushed to the pack's infirmary with the pouch of moonstones.

"Ms. Gianna?"

The young healer manning the reception immediately recognized me.

"I need some herbs that will nourish my bloodline," I said as I placed the moonstones on the reception table.

The healer looked down at the moonstones, a hint of surprise flashing through his eyes. "These should be enough to buy you a year's supply."

Right as he was about to prepare the herbs for me, a voice drifted into the tent from outside.

"Liam, you really are too good to me."

I immediately stiffened. Through the gap of the tent flaps, I could see Liam carefully supporting a she-wolf with golden-blonde hair.

That she-wolf was his new mate, Jessica Rosewood. She was dressed in the lavish attire of a Luna, with the accompanying necklace that symbolized her status hanging around her neck.

"Does your foot still hurt?" Liam asked in a gentle voice.

"A little, but with you by my side, I'm not scared of anything," Jessica replied sweetly.

Liam carefully checked the small wound on Jessica's ankle. That focused attention and gentleness once only belonged to me.

"It's actually just a minor injury, but Liam insisted on coming here with me," Jessica told the healer.

In response, Liam stroked her hair gently. "You're my mate, so of course I have to protect you."

My fingers curled into tight fists, and my nails dug deep into my palms. He used to say the exact same thing to me seven years ago.

Just then, the healer finished packing up my herbs. Handing it to me, he uttered softly, "Ms. Gianna, here are your herbs."

Jessica and Liam simultaneously turned their heads to look over. As we locked gazes with each other, I could see the repulsion in Liam's eyes, while Jessica's shone with a triumphant gleam.

"Oh, if it isn't our Alpha's previous mate!"

Jessica's tone was sweet, yet the smugness was all too obvious. "I heard that you haven't been living too well?"

I didn't bother answering, merely accepted the herbs and got ready to leave.

"Hold it right there." Jessica suddenly spoke up. "Liam, don't you think it's strange? Why does she have so many moonstones?"

Liam's expression instantly darkened.

"I know!" Jessica continued.

Then, in a voice dripping with fake concern, she said, "Gianna, don't tell me you stole these?"

"I didn't steal them," I replied calmly.

"Then where did you get them?" Jessica pressed.

I turned to look at Liam, who had a conflicted look in his eyes.

At that moment, an elderly figure stepped into the tent. It was the pack's head healer, Marcus Green.

"Ms. Gianna," he began in a serious tone, "I need to speak with you alone."

Though confused, Liam pulled Jessica to the side.

After bringing me further into the tent, Marcus said, "The backlash from you losing your bloodline essence is intensifying."

His words were no different than an announcement of my death sentence.

"Right now, the only power left that can resonate with you is the part you offered up as sacrifice."

Even as my blood ran cold, Marcus continued, "I'm afraid the only way you can be saved is if you find the person you gave your bloodline essence to and get it back, or you find a werewolf with the same bloodline essence as you to make the sacrifice."