Chapter 1

Corey Black and I had arranged for our marking ceremony to take place this morning, but now evening had already arrived. The setting sun cast a golden glow over the Moon Goddess Hall, and the air was filled with the fragrance of evening primrose and roses.

Every pack member had dressed in their finest attire, their faces originally blessed with smiles as they waited to witness the sacred moment when their Alpha and his Luna would be mated. Those smiles had long since turned to impatience.

I stood inside the Moon Goddess Hall, wearing a Luna gown woven from moonlight silk. My parents stood beside me, their backs straight, but their clasped hands betrayed their unease.

Time passed minute by minute. The golden sunlight gradually gave way to twilight, and the guests' whispers grew louder. Corey, my Alpha Mate, never appeared.

Every second was torture for me, and equally torturous for my father, the pack's Gamma leader. Father took a deep breath and stepped forward. His deep, apologetic voice echoed throughout the Moon Goddess Hall.

"Thank you all for coming tonight. Due to some... unforeseen circumstances, today's marking ceremony cannot proceed. I offer you my deepest apologies."

In that moment, all eyes pierced us like needles. I could feel Mother's body trembling slightly as Father endured the humiliation and led us in bowing apologetically to all the pack members.

The pack members instantly erupted into discussion.

"See? I told you the Alpha never took her seriously!"

"So what if her dad is a Gamma? He's just the Alpha's lapdog. Did she really think she could become Luna? Getting publicly humiliated like this is so embarrassing."

"Shh, keep it down! Is the Alpha's business something we can gossip about? Do you have a death wish?"

"Ha, dying would be better than living like this and watching others tear your dignity to shreds..."

I held back my grievances and didn't let the tears fall, but my wolf was howling in anguish.

The crowd gradually dispersed. My friend angrily rushed over and grabbed my hand.

"Anya, this is too much! How can Corey treat you like this?"

"Stop talking!" My friend's mother pulled her back, shaking her head with eyes full of wariness.

Yes, he was the Alpha. He was the pack's leader, possessing absolute authority. Even though he had committed such an unforgivable mistake, no one dared to openly criticize him.

The pack members' sympathy and my friend's anger could only transform into silent sighs under the Alpha's shadow. I shook my head, feeling something lodged in my throat, unable to speak.

Just moments ago, I had still clung to a ridiculous fantasy, ready to call him and beg him to come hold the marking ceremony. But as soon as I pulled out my phone, I saw that Willow Lester had posted an update on social media.

In the photo, a bouquet of fresh flowers was arranged in a vase, bathed in bright sunlight by the window. It looked vibrant and full of life.

The caption read: "Another day full of hope. I hope a miracle will happen, and I hope Father's illness will improve soon."

The next second, Corey's comment popped up, so fast it was as if he had been waiting by his phone.

"Everything will be alright. Don't worry, I'm always here."

So, on the day I had been joyfully preparing to become his mate, he had chosen to accompany another woman. The churning nausea in my stomach could no longer be suppressed. I rushed into the bathroom and began retching violently.

Looking at my pale, disheveled reflection in the mirror, I finally understood that his heart was no longer with me. I wiped the corner of my mouth, returned to my room, and sent Corey one final message.

"Corey, you've betrayed your vows to the Moon Goddess and your promises to the entire pack. You've made me and my family a laughingstock in the pack.

"Come back now, and it can still be salvaged."

After sending the message, I placed my phone on the nightstand and lay there with my eyes open, waiting. Waiting for even the slightest hint of guilt or attempt to make amends. However, the phone screen never lit up again throughout the entire night.

Outside the window, the sky changed from black to white, then revealed the first rays of dawn. My heart also died bit by bit during this endless wait, finally turning completely cold.

I removed the moonstone ring he had given me. I then personally tore the Luna gown, which symbolized both honor and humiliation, into shreds and changed into the black training clothes of a Gamma warrior.

I pushed open the door to the pack's council hall, and I walked straight to the five pack elders and said in a calm voice, "I want to sever the mate bond with Alpha Corey. Please tell me how to do it."