Chapter 1

“Eva, I’ve found my mate,” Xavier declared, his solemn voice echoing through our large and dimly lit bedroom, the weight of his words hanging heavily between us.

My heart sank as I gazed at his devastatingly handsome face, his features etched with determination. Each beat felt like a sharp stab, tearing my emotions to shreds.

“You found your mate?” I stammered, my voice barely rising above a whisper, hoping against hope that he would say otherwise.

Xavier’s grey eyes, once filled with warmth for me, now seemed cold and distant as they locked onto mine. He had been absent for days, leaving me to worry about his sudden change in demeanor.

Then earlier that evening, he returned home with an aura of seriousness and sternness. “We need to talk,” he announced, his voice tinged with seriousness.

Our relationship was anything but a typical family; our union had been forced after a one–night stand. Yet, deep down, I had always loved him, not merely because he was the Alpha’s son and the future Alpha himself, but because he had a special place in my heart. I had prayed to the moon goddess countless times to grant me the honor of being his mate, but unfortunately, I wasn’t.

The Mooncrest pack, a concealed world within what appeared to be an ordinary estate to outsiders, thrived in secrecy. We coexisted harmoniously with humans, our true identities hidden from the oblivious world.

On the night of my coming of age,I had gotten drunk and ranted to Xavier how frustrated I was that I couldn’t feel the mate bond between us. He was also intoxicated, and we found ourselves entangled in a passionate embrace, this happened only months after he had taken on the role of Alpha. The morning after, I felt the weight of my heart’s desire and impulsively proposed to him, urging him to take responsibility for our actions and marry me. Despite not being fated mates, I believed love could transcend the boundaries of destiny.

Xavier looked conflicted, his brow furrowed as he pondered my proposition. “But I’m not your mate,” he stated calmly.

“It doesn’t matter, you don’t have a mate. It’s been five years since you came of

you came of age, this would be the sixth year, which would mean you don’t have a fated mate,” I tried convincing

him.

Throughout the wedding preparations, Xavier displayed cooperation but remained emotionally distant. I clung to the hope that he would eventually love me, just like parents, who weren’t fated mates, my mom and dad weren’t fated mates but had grown to love each other, after my dad died, heartbroken mom followed. She was completely heartbroken and couldn’t do without him. Being fated mates wasn’t necessary, Xavier would grow to love me.

I was sure, so very sure. We had only been married for six months now. Xavier fulfilled his roles as a husband almost robotically. I was respected as Luna and as his wife, I wanted more, to be close to him as a real loving couple but he was always so distant. But I settled for what he could give, a functional relationship not a loving one believing with time, I could win his heart.

Then, everything changed abruptly. Xavier returned home this evening with a spark in his eyes, unlike any I had seen before. “I need to tell you something,” he began, a mix of excitement and guilt in his voice. “I’ve found my mate.”

My heart shattered anew as he described her, a radiant smile on his features as he described her, he never smiled at me that way, that had never been meant for me. I couldn’t help but wonder where I fit in his life now.

Xavier explained that his newfound mate had been badly injured when they found her and was currently at the hospital, prompting him to leave. With a heavy heart, I watched him walk away, the realization sinking in ‘I won’t be coming home anytime soon!‘ that was what he came to tell me.

The next morning was gloomy and dark, just like how I felt. What’s going to happen now? I wondered. What would happen to I and Xavier.

I lay in bed lacking the motivation to leave my room. The sheets smelt of him, I cuddled it unwilling to leave this room dominated by his scent. I remained in bed the whole day feeling sick, drowsy and dizzy.

I had my meals there jn my bedroom lacking motivation to move about.

On the third day, I lay there wrapped in the sheets that clung Xavier’s musk and ice scent, my mind filled with uncertainty about the future for Xavier and me.

Lying in bed, I clung to the sheets, which still carried his scent. It was an unwillingness to leave this room that seemed dominated by his presence. However, the sound of three raspy knocks interrupted my thoughts.

“Good morning, Luna. The chores have all been completed. We got a call from the Alpha’s office. He forgot some documents, the deeds of a land? It’s in a blue file, and he has sent Adam to have it delivered,” my house servant, Martha informed me.

“I’ll go myself. Tell Adam to wait; he’ll drive me to the office,” I instructed, mustering the strength to get up and face the day.

A part of me yearned to see Xavier, to understand his thoughts and the implications of his newfound mate. I clutched the documents in my hands, feeling the weight of my responsibilities as Luna pressing down on me.

Once dressed, I rushed downstairs, acknowledging the greetings of the servants as I passed by them. “Where to, Luna?” the driver, Adam, asked as I gracefully got into the car. “The company,” I replied, my heart pounding heavily in my chest. I needed to see Xavier. The drive to the company was short, but it felt like an eternity with the weight of uncertainty on my shoulders. As we arrived, I walked into the magnificent building that housed Xavier’s company. It stood tall and imposing, a reflection of the man who owned it.