Chapter 1

Everyone in the northern territory knew that Damien Malfoy endured brutal punishment every year just for a chance to marry Vivian Locke.

The traditions of the Dark Moon Pack required the Alpha to draw a fortune stick at the Moon Goddess Shrine to determine his true fated mate.

Yet for three consecutive years, Damien drew fortune sticks that claimed Vivian was not his fated mate.

The first year, he knelt for three days until he collapsed and was sent to the healer's den for treatment.

The second year, he endured ninety-nine lashes until his skin tore apart.

The third year, he knelt in the freezing wilderness despite running a high fever. He nearly lost his legs and might never shift into his werewolf form again.

By the fourth year, Vivian decided that if he drew a bad stick again, she would kneel beside him and beg the Moon Goddess to make an exception.

When she arrived at the Moon Goddess Shrine in a hurry, Damien had just drawn his stick.

From outside, she clearly saw the stick on the ground. It showed she was his fated mate.

But the very next second, Damien picked it up, put it back into the container, and drew one with a bad outcome.

"Announce to the public that it's still a bad stick this year," he said in a deep voice before handing it to an elder.

Vivian froze in place.

The elder's expression turned solemn. "Damien, this is already the fourth time you've switched a good stick for a bad one."

It was the fourth time.

That meant the sticks in the last three years all had positive outcomes too.

Damien sighed helplessly. "My desire to mark Vivian has never changed. But during the four years she studied in the Werewolf Kingdom, Denise was the one who stayed by my side.

"She gave up her dreams for me, attended the same academy, and willingly became my Beta after graduating.

"Once, when she was drunk, she held me and cried. She said the day I mark Vivian would be the darkest day of her life. I don't love her, but after eight years together, I can't bear to hurt her."

"What about Vivian? You've delayed the marking ceremony again and again. Aren't you afraid of hurting her?"

"That's why I accept the punishment every year. Consider it my atonement. This year, I'll let them whip my wolf spirit."

Muffled groans echoed from within the shrine.

At the doorway, Vivian placed a hand over her mouth. Tears fell uncontrollably down her cheeks.

For four years, Damien had changed the sticks. It was all for Denise Ashford, the shewolf Vivian had never once taken seriously.

Denise and Damien had grown up together. They'd been inseparable since childhood, and everyone saw them as a fitting couple.

On Denise's first day of transferring to Dark Moon Academy in her sophomore year, she had publicly confessed to Damien. He had wrapped an arm around Vivian and said coldly, "I already have my fated mate."

Denise never gave up, but every attempt was met with rejection.

Vivian had never seen her as a rival. She believed without a doubt that Damien loved only her.

It wasn't until she left for advanced studies in the Werewolf Kingdom, and Denise entered the same academy as Damien.

Despite being apart for four years, Vivian thought nothing would change in their relationship.

Unbeknownst to her, the werewolf who once promised to mark her right after graduation had postponed their marking ceremony again and again for another shewolf.

The truth cut like a blade. It ate her up inside.

A voice echoed in her mind. It was her mom contacting her through their mind link.

"Vivian, will the marking be completed this year?"

Her silence gave her answer away. Her mom sighed gently. "Four years without success. That means Damien doesn't truly want to take you as his mate.

"Listen to me. Move to the southern territory. The Alpha of Black Rock Pack, Keith Hemsworth, is someone I personally chose. He'll treat you right."

Six years ago, Vivian's parents had moved south. After returning from the Werewolf Kingdom, she insisted on staying in the north to wait for Damien. She wasted four years of her life.

Only now did she understand that it wasn't bad luck. It was that Damien no longer wanted to be her mate.

Looking at his silhouette inside the Moon Goddess Shrine while he endured punishment, she said each word solemnly. "Mom, I'll be Keith's mate."