Chapter 1

When the moonlight was beginning to fade, Judy was still posing beneath the ancient tree.

I took a step back and avoided Lawson's touch.

He looked visibly unhappy.

"Are you really going to do this?" Lawson sighed. "You're holding everyone up."

His words hurt me deeply.

I'd spent the entire day waiting for him, yet now he was saying that I was the one wasting everyone's time.

"Do you actually want to take these photos with me?" I looked up at him and asked.

The irritation on Lawson's face eased. He glanced at Judy before replying, "You're my future Luna. Of course I'll take them with you."

"But you brought Judy here. You even let her wear my veil and stand where we first met."

Lawson and I had met beneath this ancient tree.

Back then, several Rogues had cornered me. He had stepped in and saved me, and we had instantly felt the pull of our fated bond.

He'd called this place sacred and promised we'd come back every year, but we had only returned twice.

After that, the pack kept getting busier, and he forgot all about it.

Seeing my unhappy expression, Judy stopped posing.

She removed the veil and handed it to me. "Monica, please don't be upset. You can have your veil back. I would never steal Lawson from you. If you still feel uncomfortable, I'll leave right now."

I froze where I stood.

The accompanying werewolves all looked at me and whispered among themselves as if I were an unbearably jealous shewolf and a Luna with no grace or generosity.

Judy slipped off Lawson's jacket and tried to hand it to me.

Lawson's expression darkened. He snatched it from her and draped it back over her shoulders.

"Enough. Why does everything have to turn into such an awful scene?

"Judy gets cold easily. Her wolf spirit was injured before.

"It's not like we've only known each other for a day."

Then he looked at me. "Besides, our marking ceremony is right around the corner. Why are you acting so immature?

"We came here as soon as we could and have been standing out here in the wind with you. What exactly are you still not happy with?"

My face turned pale. A dull ache spread through my chest.

This was absurd. According to Lawson, he and Judy had come here to accompany me.

Judy gently patted the back of his hand. "It's understandable that Monica is upset. After all, I really shouldn't have come.

"This is all my fault. I shouldn't have been here."

"You didn't do anything wrong. Don't apologize," Lawson comforted her.

I stood there like an outsider. Their alternating accusations made me seem childish and unreasonable while the surrounding werewolves whispered quietly among themselves.

A while later, the photographer asked, "Alpha, the lighting Judy tested is about to disappear. Are we shooting or not?"

Lawson looked at me. There was a trace of reluctant resignation in his eyes.

"Forget it. I'll take it with you first."

'Take it with me first?' I couldn't help but snort.

At that moment, every bit of anticipation I'd once had for our marking ceremony disappeared. I also felt thoroughly disappointed in Lawson.

He reached for my hand. I stepped aside and walked over to collect my things.

His expression immediately darkened. "What are you doing now?"

"I'm not taking them anymore." I removed the veil and put on my coat.

Lawson grabbed my wrist. "What's with the tantrum? Everyone spent the whole day with you, and now you're saying you won't shoot?

"Monica, that's enough!"

I pulled my hand free with a scoff. I then slipped the ring off my finger and tossed it at him.

Judy hurried to persuade me. "Monica, please don't be so impulsive. Everyone's worked hard all day. If we finish sooner, everyone can rest.

"If you're upset because of me, I'll leave right now. Everyone else is innocent."

I ignored her.

I simply turned around and walked away. As I was leaving, I heard Lawson yelling angrily behind me.

"Let her go. She's always been this spoiled. She'll come around on her own."

The moment I got into the car, all the strength left my body.

It felt terrifyingly quiet around me. Through the window, I saw Lawson holding Judy as they continued taking pictures. They stood very close together.

He lowered his head and fixed her hair.

Every movement was gentle and patient.

I looked away, took a deep breath, and told the driver to start driving.