Chapter 3

Over the next few days, I cut off my mind link with Simon and slept better than I had in years.

I stopped asking about anything related to him and focused instead on training a young Beta she-wolf named Amy Green.

"This is the patrol access key for the protective forest. It rotates every three hours. And this is the inventory list for the winter supply reserves…"

In the study, I handed things over, one item at a time.

Amy looked at me, panic written all over her face.

"Luna, what are you doing? These are things you've always handled personally—"

"You're the sharpest among the Betas," I cut her off and slid the documents toward her. "From now on, all of this is yours."

Simon passed by the study, saw the scene, and let out a scoff.

"What's this? Playing the Luna card now? Dumping trivial work on your subordinates?"

He didn't understand that I was erasing myself.

I didn't want my departure to throw the pack into chaos. That was my responsibility as Luna.

Friday was the Full Moon Feast.

It was the most important gathering of the pack. Every member attended to honor the Moon Goddess. Outsiders were strictly forbidden.

Yet Simon, as Alpha, openly brought the human girl with him.

When Lily appeared wearing a dress that belonged to me, the lively hall fell dead silent. Dozens of eyes locked onto her, low warning growls rippling through the room.

Lily turned pale and shrank into Simon's arms.

"Simon, help me!"

Simon's expression darkened as his Alpha pressure burst outward, forcing the room into submission.

"Enough. Anyone who scares her is disrespecting me!"

The pack was suppressed, furious but silent.

From the corner, I watched the farce like an outsider.

See? This was their Alpha, someone willing to humiliate his own kind for the sake of a human.

I almost found it funny.

The feast ended on a sour note, and everyone left.

When our ride pulled up, Lily rushed ahead, pulled open the passenger door, and plopped into the seat.

She turned back and looked at me with an innocent smile.

"Sorry, Tanya. I can't handle the smell back there."

Simon looked at me, too. I knew he was waiting for a reaction.

I just smiled.

"It's fine. It's all the same."

I opened the rear door and got in.

Simon seemingly glanced at me through the rearview mirror.

I looked out at the dark forest sliding past the window.

The whole drive, Lily chattered nonstop.

"Wow, that tree is so tall!

"Simon, do werewolves really transform? Will you show me sometime?"

She put her ignorance and innocence on full display.

Simon answered her halfheartedly, but his attention never left me.

"Tanya, did you lose your voice?" he finally snapped.

"There's nothing to say," I replied flatly.

Back at the house, I went straight into the bedroom and sat at the vanity.

I stared at the ring on my ring finger, the symbol of our vow, for a long time.

Three years ago, Simon had led the Moonshade Pack to completely crush the vampire forces, reaching the height of his prestige.

Using the rarest gemstone taken from that battle, he personally crafted this ring for me.

At the mate bond ceremony, the ring had drawn down a miracle from the Moon Goddess and received a blessing of eternal loyalty.

The gem still shone with its cold, clear light. But the vow behind it had long since rotted through.

I couldn't bear to look anymore and gently took it off.