Chapter 1

I didn't stay for their celebration. I went home alone.

As I reached my door, the neighbor called out in surprise. "Lilith, why are you back? Isn't today your bonding ceremony with Charles?"

I had spent a full six months preparing for that ceremony.

From the venue to the gown, I had approved every detail myself.

Almost everyone in the Shadow Pack knew that Alpha Charles was about to bond with the mate who had stood by him for years.

Now the bride had been swapped at the last minute. I couldn't even pretend nothing had happened.

I opened the door and answered calmly. "It's off. He had other plans today."

He was busy finishing the bonding ceremony with Annie.

A flicker of pity crossed the neighbor's face, but she knew better than to ask.

The moment the door closed behind me, I rushed into the bathroom, gripped the sink, and threw up until I could barely breathe.

When there was nothing left, I slid down the wall to the floor, too weak to stand. Cold sweat soaked through the back of my shirt.

The sleeping herbs had severe side effects. Charles had always known that.

But today, he let Annie drug me anyway.

If my wolf hadn't forced my body awake at the last second, I wouldn't have made it to the Moon Temple at all.

I pulled myself up by the sink. As I was rinsing my mouth, my phone started buzzing nonstop.

The messages were from a group chat Charles and I were both in.

"Hahahaha, what a show today! One word from Charles and Lilith didn't even dare make a fuss."

"What did you expect? An Alpha's mate does what the Alpha says. Charles already said they'd register next week. What else is she gonna do?"

"I heard Lilith doesn't have any family. And Charles is the Alpha of the Shadow Pack. With his status, she'd never dare turn on him."

The jokes kept rolling in.

Then someone posted another message.

"Wanna guess if Charles is going home tonight? He switched brides. He's gotta celebrate with Annie, right?"

"Ten bucks says he's in Annie's arms tonight!"

The jokes that followed got uglier and uglier.

Then Charles's childhood friend jumped in to stop them.

"Are you guys drunk? Wrong chat! Lilith's in this one. Delete that, now!"

The group chat went into chaos. Some people scrambled to delete their messages. Others tried to change the subject.

But I had already seen most of it. Deleting them now meant nothing.

A moment later, someone added, like it didn't matter at all:

"So what if she saw it? Like she's ever gonna leave Charles."

I stared at the screen for a few seconds. Then I turned off my phone, went into the kitchen, and made myself a simple dinner.

I had just finished the last bite when the front door opened.

Charles walked in, reeking of alcohol.

When I didn't get up to greet him like I always did, he gave a low laugh and pulled me into his arms.

"Still mad?"

"Lilith, it was just a ceremony. There's no need to blow it out of proportion. Didn't I say I'd take you to seal the bond next week?"

Just a ceremony.

With those few careless words, he brushed off the humiliation I'd swallowed in front of everyone today.

"Mm. You're right."

I answered calmly. Then I picked up my plate, slipped out of his arms, and walked into the kitchen.

Charles seemed pleased with how I'd reacted. He followed me, as if he was finally sure I wasn't going to push it.

I had just put the plate in the sink when something cool touched the back of my neck.

I looked down. A moonstone necklace hung against my collarbone.

"For you," he said. "Let's put today behind us."

I looked at the finely cut moonstone and felt nothing.

It wasn't my style. It was Annie's favorite design.

"Thanks." I didn't take it off, and I didn't say anything else. I just kept my head down and washed the dishes.

Charles seemed relieved. He leaned down to kiss me.

I raised a hand to stop him and put the clean plate away in the cabinet.

Then I turned and gave him a faint smile.

"You smell like alcohol. It makes me feel sick."

Charles finally frowned.

He looked at me in silence, as if trying to figure out whether I was just sulking or whether I really didn't want to bend over backward for him anymore.

Then his phone rang.

Annie's name lit up the screen.

The irritation on his face melted away almost instantly.

He picked up, and his voice turned gentle. "What's wrong? Still up?"

He walked toward the study as he talked. He didn't look at me again.

A moment later, the study door clicked shut. Then came the sound of the lock.