Chapter 1

My hands still trembled as I filed the petition to sever our mate bond.

"The full moon is in seven days. The ritual will be complete then." The council's scribe looked at me, his face a cold mask. "Regina, are you sure you want to sever your fated bond with Alpha Xander?"

"I'm sure."

My voice was surprisingly calm.

Walking out of the council hall, the setting sun stabbed at my eyes.

Seven days.

In seven days, I'd be free of this damned chain.

I pushed open the door to our manor. The scene in the living room made me freeze.

Sadie was lounging on our leather sofa, a hand resting gently on her swollen belly.

And Xander walked out of the kitchen, holding a steaming bowl of herbal soup.

"Drink it slowly. It's hot." His voice was so gentle. That wasn't always true. A gentleness he used to show me.

Before his best friend Ryan died, Xander’s world revolved around me.

But his promise to look after Ryan's widowed mate, Sadie, became an obsession.

His attention shifted. His nights grew longer.

Then, one evening, he came to me, reeking of guilt and another Omega's scent.

He confessed he'd been drugged at a rival's meeting, that he'd made a terrible mistake.

Then came the news that shattered our world: Sadie was pregnant. And the pup, he confessed with shame, was his.

Now, that gentleness was all for Sadie.

My wolf began to whine.

The bloody images from my past life flashed in my mind.

Me on that cold birthing bed, screaming for him to send a healer.

"It's your fault Sadie lost her pup! You'll pay for your cold heart!"

A sharp pain shot through my heart, like it was trying to claw its way out of my chest.

"Regina?"

Xander's face stiffened the moment he saw me.

He put down the bowl, looking like he wanted to say something.

But before he could speak, Sadie suddenly curled up, letting out a pained groan.

"Ah! It hurts! My wolf... she's getting restless because of the pup!"

Her performance was as flawless as ever. I'd seen it a million times in my past life.

"Sadie!"

Xander reacted faster than I expected.

He rushed to her side, shoving past me so hard I stumbled.

He didn't even look back.

"Hang on, I'm taking you to the infirmary," he said, his voice thick with panic as he carefully lifted Sadie into his arms.

"Xander... I'm so scared... I'm scared I'll lose this baby..." Sadie leaned weakly against his chest, squeezing a few tears from her eyes.

"You won't. I won't let anything happen to you or our child."

Watching them leave, a bitter smile touched my lips.

Same words. Same promise.

"I'll explain later."

That was all he said to me.

A bitter laugh escaped me.

What was there to explain? How his promises never included me?

I turned and went upstairs, heading straight for my chambers.

Fate gave me a second chance. This time, I would be the one to end it.

I opened the door to my walk-in closet. Three massive wardrobes stared back at me.

Limited-edition bags, designer gowns, diamond necklaces. And the wall covered in our photos.

Our first meeting. Our first kiss. The mating ceremony.

Every picture was a memory of a happiness I thought was real.

I started packing. One piece at a time.

The jewelry went back into its boxes. The clothes, neatly folded. The photos, ripped from the wall.

The moonstone jewelry he gave me for every mating anniversary filled three whole jewelry boxes.

Gifts that once made my heart race now felt like stones in my stomach.

I'll return every last one of them. I'm not keeping a single thing.

As night fell, I heard the sound of a car engine at the manor gate.

I looked down from the window. Xander was directing servants to unload huge wooden crates.

"Be careful. I just bought these at auction," he told Sadie, who was beside him. "Calming herbs, blood jades, and ancient blessing runes. All top-grade."

Sadie's eyes turned red with emotion. "Xander, you spent so much for me..."

"As long as it's good for you and the pup, no price is too high."

I watched it all, my heart a block of ice.

She just said she was feeling uneasy, and he ran to a werewolf auction to buy her all these rare treasures.

But when my wolf was in turmoil and I was in pain all night, he told me I was being dramatic.

"Regina."

The door opened. Xander stood there, looking a little awkward.

"About Sadie... Pregnant Omegas are very emotional. I have to take good care of her..."

"Okay." I didn't look up, just kept packing.

He froze, surprised by my calm reaction.

"Regina, you..." He frowned. "What are you packing?"

"Nothing. Since she's moving in, I'm just moving some things to the side wing," I answered, my voice flat.

The worry on Xander's face vanished, replaced by relief.

"Regina, I knew you were the most understanding Luna. Once she has the pup, I'll..."

Before he could finish his empty promise, Sadie's soft voice drifted up from downstairs.

"Xander... I feel a little dizzy..."

He turned instantly. "You get some rest. I'll go check on her."

A few minutes later, I heard their footsteps. They were heading towards the main wing.

The Alpha's Wing. Our nest.

I put down the jewelry box and walked to the window.

I watched as Xander carefully guided Sadie down the hallway I'd walked a thousand times.

This time, without a fight from me, he handed our sacred nest over to another woman.