LOGIN(Faelan’s POV)Joric was speechless.He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. The crowd of pack leaders watched the drama unfold."I…" His voice trembled. "I claimed the wrong one."I stared at him, my expression blank."I was coming for you," he choked out. "I never meant to claim Giselle. It was just… it was just to protect her."To protect her?Even now, he was still making excuses."Alpha Joric," my voice was soft, but it carried through the silent hall, "I've heard enough of your explanations.""No, listen to me," he said, taking a desperate step forward. "I can dissolve my alliances. I can give up my treaties with other packs. I'll give up anything, just give me a chance… a chance to start over."A cold laugh escaped my lips."What do you think this is, Joric? A business negotiation? In our world, choices are final, Joric. You made yours. And as it turns out, fate made mine for me."I glanced at Torin, who was watching me with gentle eyes. "And you, you chose Giselle. We owe e
(Third-person POV.)Faced with Joric’s accusation, Torin didn't get angry.He just looked at the broken man, a hint of pity in his eyes.Torin let out a low, humorless laugh. "You really think I was there for your cast-off?"Joric froze. "What do you mean?"Torin didn't answer immediately. His gaze drifted, lost in a memory.The Silver Moon Sanctuary. The Sky-Peak. On the night of the full moon, the Seer, Seraphina, performed her divination. The crystal ball showed a hazy image: a woman in a red dress, sitting in a dark room. Her eyes were lifeless, her heart shattered. But her wolf spirit was unbroken. It was still strong."She is your destiny," the Seer’s voice had echoed, mystical and faint. "The other half of your soul. The Luna the Goddess herself has forged for you.""Where is she?" Torin had asked urgently."The next Blood Moon. The Omega quarters. Third row, seventh room. She will be wearing red, and she will be waiting for you to save her. She will be betrayed by a love she th
(Third-person POV.)Three years later.The Northern Alliance's "Hundred Packs Defense Summit" was being held in the grand city of Silvermoon.As the Alpha of the Blackfang pack, Joric was required to attend.But his mind was elsewhere.Three whole years.He had used every resource at his disposal, searched every corner of the North.Even knowing she was mated to Torin, he had never heard another word about them. They had vanished."Alpha Joric, are you all right?" Marcus whispered beside him."I'm fine."Joric answered automatically, his gaze scanning the vast conference hall. Booths from every pack displayed the latest in defense technology and strategic equipment. He wandered aimlessly, his thoughts far away.Where is she now? Is she happy? Does she ever think of me?As his mind wandered, a familiar sigil caught his eye."Silvermoon Guardians."Joric’s heart leaped.He walked quickly toward the booth. It was large and opulent, a clear display of high status, showcasing an array of ex
(Third-person POV.)"For real?"Joric looked at Giselle, a storm of complicated emotions churning inside him."Yes," Giselle nodded, her eyes shining with hope. "I know it sounds selfish, but…" She paused, taking a deep breath. "Joric, the way you've treated me… it's always been more than just simple protection.""What do you mean?""For the last three years," Giselle’s voice grew more confident, "the things you did for me… was it really just pity?"She stood and walked to the window."All those long talks late at night, the carefully chosen gifts, and…" She turned, her gaze locking with his. "...and the way your eyes soften when you look at me, when you think no one else is watching.""That was just…""It wasn't pity," Giselle cut him off. "Pity doesn't make you remember my favorite things. Pity doesn't make you stay up all night with me when I'm sad. And pity damn sure doesn't make an Alpha betray the one he calls his destined mate, just to protect another woman."Betray.The word wa
(Third-person POV.)"I have to go to her!"Joric spun around, ready to storm out of the hall.But Marcus and several elders immediately blocked his path."Joric, calm down!" Marcus grabbed his arm. "Tonight is your mating ceremony!""Get out of my way!" Joric’s eyes were bloodshot. "I have to find Faelan!""No!" Cassius, the head elder, stepped forward, his voice booming with authority. "You made a public claim! If you walk out on your own Luna tonight, you make this entire pack a laughingstock!""I don't care about honor!""You must!" Cassius roared. "The entire Alliance is watching us! If you abandon Giselle for another Omega now, the Blackfang pack will become a laughingstock!"Joric struggled, but more pack members surrounded him."Alpha, please, think about this!""Giselle is our Luna now, you can't abandon her!""If you leave, think of how our rivals will mock us!""It's a sign of a flawed Alpha," Cassius's voice dropped, deadly serious. "An Alpha unfit to lead his pack.""Joric,
(Third-person POV.)"Sent where?"Joric's voice trembled, but he fought to keep it steady."To her mate's pack, of course," Marta replied, like she was talking about the weather.New mate?Joric’s mind went blank."Who is her new mate?" He heard his own voice as if from a great distance."The Alpha of Silvermoon," Marta said with a small laugh. "Alpha Torin. It's quite something, isn't it? For Faelan to be claimed by an Alpha that powerful."The name struck Joric like a physical blow. Torin.The powerful Alpha with the red-clad figure on his back.The man who had seemed so familiar, yet he couldn't place why."Impossible," Joric choked out. "She'd never... she would have fought. She would have torn him apart.""Oh? And why not?" Marta sounded confused. "She was very cooperative.""Cooperative?""Yes," Marta continued. "Quiet as a lamb. You know Faelan, always so fiery. But she went with him without a single protest. Not one."Compliant.The word was a dagger through Joric's heart."Wha







