Chapter 1 The Undoing

Scarlett's POV

I stood motionless in front of the full-length mirror at the boutique, watching as the saleswoman styled my hair. Her nimble fingers curled a few strands of my auburn locks, while another assistant made the final adjustments to my gown.

"Luna, you look absolutely stunning," the saleswoman gushed, stepping back to admire her work. "Tomorrow night, you'll definitely be the sexiest queen at the banquet," she added with certainty.

"…By the way, someone in the group chat mentioned that there's going to be a big celebration at the castle tonight. I wonder if it's some kind of early arrangement."

The salesgirl muttered absentmindedly as she continued sorting through the dresses.

I paused for a second, then let out a self-deprecating laugh. It had to be a mistake—my memo clearly said it was scheduled for tomorrow night.

The gown was truly exquisite—made of white silk, with diamonds intricately sewn into the neckline and cuffs, reflecting light with every subtle movement. It hugged my figure perfectly. I had helped design it alongside the designer, although I wasn't one myself. It was all for tomorrow night's grand pack banquet.

To celebrate our pack's rise in the rankings, we had finally climbed from tenth place to second place. I had sacrificed a great deal to get us here.

"This is the one," I nodded with satisfaction, then instructed the saleswoman to package it. I left carrying the beautifully wrapped box.

When I returned to the pack house, the maid, Ruby, looked shocked to see me. "Luna… I thought you'd be attending the banquet tonight."

Banquet? What banquet?

"Luna? Did you forget? Alpha told me there was no need to prepare dinner tonight because there's a huge celebration for the pack's rank promotion," Ruby said, clearly surprised.

No way. I bit my lip and quickly pulled out my phone. My memo clearly stated it was tomorrow. I hurriedly changed into the gown and rushed to the hotel. As I passed through the main hall, I made sure my heels clicked loudly against the marble floor. The pack members quickly moved out of my way, sensing the barely restrained fury radiating from me.

As I approached, Alexander's Beta jumped in front of me. "Luna… I thought you were sick." I shot him a cold glance.

"Move." He froze on the spot, then quickly notified Alexander through the mind link.

Then I saw my husband—Alexander—with his strong arm around that whore. Oh no, I shouldn't be so mean—let's call her what she truly is—his one true love, Faye.

When did she return to the pack? No one was allowed back into the pack without Luna's approval. I could punish her according to pack rules, but Alexander would definitely protect her, and no one would dare oppose him. Anger drowned out my pain. How dare Alexander? Didn't he know how much I had given up for him and his pack?

I was the daughter of the Winter Pack's Alpha. I'd fallen in love with Alexander, heir to the Crescent Moon Pack, since I was a child. He was the one I had chosen to be my mate. After my father passed, our packs merged during the memorial ceremony. We became one—the Crescent Moon Pack—and I became Luna.

Honestly, the only reason Alexander agreed to mark me was because his beloved Faye had just left him.

I took it as a sign from fate, dancing to its tune. I began working hard to win his heart, pouring all my love into him over the years. I remembered how much the Winter Pack hated him at first. I had to convince them he was worthy of being my man. Especially after he proposed to me, all my doubts disappeared.

I worked tirelessly to restore balance between him and my people, even pretending that he had been in control all along. And now, when our pack had reached its peak glory, Alexander chose to throw me aside. But I was no longer the girl waiting for his validation. The people of the Winter Pack would not tolerate betrayal.

I walked toward them. Everyone stopped and watched as I approached—Faye's eyes filled with fear. But when Alexander's hand landed on her back, a triumphant smile curled her lips.

Bitch.

I held my head high and strode toward Faye, but Alexander immediately stepped in front of me and barked, "Scarlett, now's not the time for this conversation." His voice carried a stern warning.

"I think now is exactly the time," I said, glancing at the flustered Faye before speaking firmly. "If you plan to humiliate me in public, then I will defend my dignity in public."

That bastard—he dared disgrace me like this? Attending the pack's celebration with his lover, in front of everyone? My fists trembled again. He wanted the whole pack to know that only Faye was his true Luna.

"That son of a bitch. I should gouge out his eyes right now—he clearly can't see who the real gem is," my wolf, Kara, snarled with fury.

As I squared off against Alexander, Faye stepped forward nervously. "Scarlett…"

She tried to speak again, but I cut her off. "Call me Luna. Or are you choosing to ignore the pack's rules?"

Faye's face went pale. She knew the rules. Any wolf who disrespected the Alpha and Luna would be banished from the pack.

"Scarlett! That's enough." Alexander growled lowly again. His wolf appeared on his shoulder, and I flinched slightly. I caught another smug smile from Faye.

I turned to Alexander. His gaze was icy, as if he'd forgotten that before I came to his pack, he was on the verge of being dethroned for failing to lead them into prosperity. My arrival had helped solidify his position as Alpha.

Now, he looked at me like I was a piece of chewed gum on the floor. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I would not show weakness in front of two venomous snakes. My father's words echoed in my mind: "Pumpkin, remember—only you can defeat yourself. I'll always be watching over you."

I fought the overwhelming urge to punch Alexander and Faye in the face, forcing myself to speak calmly. "So, Faye, why did you suddenly return to the pack? I remember you rejected Alexander as your mate. Didn't you?"

I glanced at the curious stares around us, a wave of vindictive satisfaction rising in my chest.

"Luna… don't get me wrong. I'm just here to help," Faye said hesitantly.

"Help with what?" I stared directly at her, raising my voice just enough for everyone to hear. "If by 'help' you mean getting between me and my husband, then I suppose I should thank you."

The air froze in an instant. Every pair of eyes locked onto us.

The crowd began to stir. Whispers spread like wildfire:

"Oh Goddess, I thought Luna Scarlett was ill, and that's why she didn't come."

"Obviously, they lied to her… And look, she's even holding the Alpha's hand."

"She's more shameless than a homewrecker."

"I can't believe our Luna was replaced by someone like her."

Faye's face went deathly pale. Her eyes brimmed with tears, and she choked out a trembling sob. "Alpha Alexander, I… I realize now it was a mistake to come here. I should leave…" She turned and tried to run.

But Alexander grabbed her arm and pulled her into his embrace, holding her tightly as if staking a claim.

He glared at me and said coldly, "That's enough, Scarlett. You know how important this celebration is to our family. I need everything to be perfect." His voice dropped, low and threatening. "If you keep making a scene, our family's reputation and perfume orders will suffer."

He wasn't wrong. Now was not the time to lose control—especially with my perfume business on the brink.

"You're right, my husband," I said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "So, when you're finished attending to your ex, I hope you'll remember where your wife sleeps."

He turned, still holding Faye, and walked away.

And the crowd? They parted for him like he was Moses on marble. But their silence was heavy now. Judgmental. Watching.

I stood there for a long moment, letting their eyes cling to my skin like ash. Then I turned and walked out. I went back to the packaging facility—

The night outside was thick and breathless. Stars drowned in clouds. I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling as if it owed me answers.

The night hung heavy over the roof like thick ink. I lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

I was waiting for him to come home.

In the darkness, my pain only magnified. My mind kept replaying that image—Alexander holding Faye, glaring at me. What were they doing now? Faye had rejected Alexander. He wouldn't forgive her. Would he?

My soul was at war. I couldn't find peace for even a second.

I wanted to barge into Alexander's office, drag her out, and shove her back where she belonged. But before I could move, a sharp, ripping pain shot through my neck. I curled up instantly, cold sweat pouring down my back.

Staggering into the bathroom, I clutched my stomach and vomited until there was nothing left but bile.

This wasn't ordinary pain. It wasn't just a stress response.

I knew it—this was the Moon Goddess's punishment. When an Alpha who has marked you sleeps with another woman, your body bears the full consequence.

Alexander had slept with Faye.

My body knew. My soul knew.

I knelt on the cold tile floor, hands braced on the sink, my entire body trembling. When I finally had the strength to stand and rinse my mouth, I looked up at my reflection.

My makeup had melted. Tear stains sliced down my cheeks like knife wounds. My eyes were red and swollen, my lips pale. I looked like I'd clawed my way out of hell.

Then I broke down.

I curled up on the bathroom floor and sobbed—not from heartbreak, not from sadness, but from the humiliation of being stripped bare.

"Why would he do this?" I whimpered. "I helped build his pack's strength. I'm his Luna…"

I hated the Moon Goddess for punishing the faithful while the unfaithful went free. I hated Faye's innocent, victorious face. But most of all, I hated that Alexander didn't even glance back at me.

He didn't come home all night.

And me? I was sleepless from pain—and still waiting.

But I wouldn't be destroyed.

I took a hot shower, fixed my hair and makeup. I put on that aquamarine silk gown—Alexander's favorite color. I tied my golden hair high, coated my lashes to make my emerald eyes sparkle.

Faye might be pretty. But I wasn't any less.

I was the mate he publicly acknowledged. I was the true Luna of this pack.

I opened the door.

And there he stood, just as I expected.

But his first words made my heart clench and my whole body freeze—