Chapter 1

I sat alone on a stone bench in the Sanctuary, my gaze fixed on the empty ceremonial altar. In the moonlight, the statue of the Moon Goddess looked stark and cold.

My hand drifted to the nape of my neck. Logan’s mark should have been there, a symbol of our bond, but my skin was bare.

The pack healer’s words echoed in my mind: “If the mating bond isn’t completed before the moon is full tomorrow, your wolf spirit will fade completely, and you will die.”

My phone buzzed, and I saw my mother’s name. When I answered, her voice was effervescent with excitement. “Aria! Is it done? The hotel has called a few times. Our families are all here, waiting to celebrate with you.”

I drew a shaky breath. “Mom, we didn’t finish.”

“What?” Her voice shot up an octave. “What did Logan do this time?”

“Lila was attacked by a rogue. He’s with her.” My voice was so calm it was unnerving.

I could hear my mother's furious growl through the phone, and I could almost feel her own wolf stirring with rage. “That damned Alpha! How dare he abandon you during your mating ceremony! I’m going to find him and give him a piece of my mind!”

“Mom, don’t.”

“No! I will not let this go! He keeps ditching you for that human. I’ll let the entire shifter community know what kind of—”

She cut herself off, and then I heard her sigh, heavy with sorrow. “Aria… baby, I’m so sorry. I’ve watched you bend over backward for him for years. I should have put a stop to this sooner.”

The pain and regret in her voice struck me like a physical blow. I wanted to tell her about the healer’s diagnosis, that I might not live to see another sunrise, but the words died in my throat.

I couldn’t bear to make them worry. I couldn’t let them know I was dying.

“Mom…” My voice cracked.

“Honey, you do whatever you need to do. You don’t have to lower your standards for anyone. Your father and I support you,” she said, her tone gentle but firm.

“Thanks, Mom. I’ll think about it.”

I ended the call and closed my eyes.

Sitting in the place meant to witness my greatest joy, I couldn’t stop memories of the good times with Logan from flooding back.

We met at the Academy during pack hunt training. Back then, Logan would run with me under the full moon, memorize all my favorite things, and appear the second I needed him. He’d told me I was the most gorgeous and brilliant she-wolf he’d ever met and that he wanted to spend his life with me.

After graduation, we became a couple, and both our families were ecstatic. The night Logan proposed, the moonlight spilled over his handsome features as he said, “Aria, be my mate. I’ll love you for the rest of my life.”

Those days were perfect. He loved me completely. I truly believed I was the happiest she-wolf in the world.

Until Lila arrived and shattered it all.