Chapter 1

My mate and I had been together for seven years, but on our anniversary, he left me behind for a she-wolf of the pack. He did not know that the strongest bloodline of the pack was right beside him, and he would pay dearly for that.

"Where are you, Liam?" I asked.

I stood in front of the mirror and adjusted the strap of my deep blue gown.

It was the Full Moon Gala that night, and it was also our anniversary.

Mates who were together for years would exchange insignias as a symbol of belonging, and a vow of eternal love.

I had prepared everything, including the anniversary ceremony and the candlelit dinner.

There was only loud music coming from the phone.

"Lyrik? Sorry, it's too noisy here. I might run a little late," said Liam, sounding distant.

"A little late? Liam, we agreed on seven o'clock. It's now eight-thirty," I said while gripping my phone.

"I know, but Seraphina needed my help," he said.

I hung up.

Seraphina was a Highborn she-wolf he had only met a month ago.

He mentioned her often recently, and his eyes would always have a shine of excitement I had never seen before.

My phone buzzed again. My friend, Maya, sent me a screenshot from social media.

Liam was in the photo, in the middle of the gala, and he had a refined platinum insignia around his neck.

It was not the minimalistic design we had agreed to choose together, but a lavish Highborn style.

Seraphina stood by his side, and she was beaming. Her delicate fingers brushed against the insignia on his chest.

That was supposed to be my seventh-year anniversary gift.

I stared at the photo and felt strangely calm. I had no anger and no jealousy, only a sharp clarity that felt like release.

My phone rang again.

"Lyrik, don't misunderstand. I'm only helping Seraphina settle in. You know she just returned from Europe," he said impatiently.

"Let's break up," I replied.

There was a pause on the line before he let out a laugh.

"What?"

Then, he said, "Don't be ridiculous, Lyrik. You've known me long enough."

I sat upright on the bed. My voice was so calm that it startled me.

"I'm not joking. It's been seven years, Liam. I'm tired."

"What's going on with you? You want to break up just because I missed one anniversary? Lyrik, when did you become so petty? We've had plenty of anniversaries. This one shouldn't matter," he said in a mocking tone.

I did not answer.

Maya then sent me another video of Liam bragging to a group of friends. I turned up the volume and caught his words.

"Seraphina's family is influential in Europe. I can reach higher circles by being with her, unlike Lyrik, who's too content with the status quo. She has no ambition," he said proudly while raising his glass.

Someone asked, "What about your seventh-year anniversary?"

He shrugged and replied, "Women are like that. They'll throw a tantrum, then get over it. I'll buy her a gift in a few days, and she'll forget all about it."

I closed the video and suddenly remembered a rainy night seven years ago.

Back when we were still in school. Liam had stood outside my dorm completely drenched. He swore eternal love, he said he loved my devotion, my loyalty, and that he wanted to build a family with me.

I suppressed my Alpha bloodline for those promises. I took medicine for years to mask it, pretending to be a quiet and obedient Omega of the pack.

I figured that way, I could stand on equal grounds with him, a Beta, so he would not feel inferior.

I never once showed him my true power for seven years.

However, he said I had no ambition.

Perhaps Liam had forgotten his vows and forgotten everything we once had.

"Lyrik? Are you still there?" he asked impatiently through the phone.

"I am," I replied.

I stood up, walked to the window and said, "Let's break up."

Liam suddenly snapped. "Enough! Do you know how important tonight is for me? Seraphina is introducing me to her friends, but you're causing trouble!"

I laughed.

"It's good that he forgot, because I don't want to drag this out any longer," I whispered.

I gazed at the full moon outside, feeling the faint stir of my bloodline within me.