Chapter 1

The day after I submitted the petition to sever the mate bond to the Elder Council, it wasn't Jack Newman who came to see me.

It was his mother and the former Luna, Monica Sanford. The usually composed and dignified noblewoman of the pack couldn't meet my eyes now.

"Gianna Vaughn, it's all Jack's fault. He's the one who wronged you." She took my hand, her voice earnest and laced with guilt. "But for the sake of our packs' alliance, as well as the pup in your belly…"

She took a deep breath. "I beg you—give him one last chance."

I said nothing, which only made Monica more anxious.

"Just ten days. If that worthless brat still won't change, I'll approve your application myself."

My wolf, Hannah, let out a soft whimper. I knew what she was worried about.

I touched my slightly swollen belly, making the wolf-fang bracelet on my wrist sway gently. I looked at the fang, and my thoughts drifted back to many years before.

…

The Crescent pack still existed back then. Border conflicts were constant, and a group of Rogues took a risk to kidnap several pack leaders' pups.

Jack and I were among them.

During those dark, hopeless days, he was always there, shielding me.

"Don't be afraid. I'll protect you," he said.

The silver-laced whips lashed him until he was bloodied, but he never let go of my hand.

After we were rescued, he lay weak on a stretcher as he struggled to press a wolf fang into my palm.

"Don't be afraid. I'll always protect you from now on."

In my innocence, having been given my first and only wolf fang, it made it hard not to keep him in my heart.

Perhaps it was because of the lingering attachment to that promise, but I nodded slowly and said, "Fine. If he hasn't straightened things out in ten days, I'll break the bond and leave for good."

Soon after Monica left, Jack returned. He acted as if nothing had happened, speaking to me casually.

"The border conflict is intense. I haven't had time to focus on the pack. Haven't you always wanted to go to the Moon Spring? I've cleared the area. Let's go tonight."

I stayed silent for a long time, unsure how to feel toward him, and finally gave a slight nod. "Okay."

…

Throughout the three days at the Moon Spring, Jack was like a different person.

He kept me company as we strolled through the moonlit forest, walked with me, prepared my meals himself, and massaged my sore legs and feet.

He was so gentle and attentive that I almost believed we truly were mates deeply in love.

On the evening of the last day, we bathed together in the Moon Spring.

I was wearing a sheer robe, and no sooner had I sat down by the pool than he pulled me into his arms. His erection throbbed against me.

Upon recalling our unpleasant past intimacy, I instinctively refused. "Jack, I'm with pup now."

He pressed his lips against my ear, his voice coming out raspy. "I asked the pack healer. After three months of pregnancy, moderate intimacy is good for you."

I didn't resist anymore and let him slide his fingers in.

This time, he was unbelievably gentle and always attentive to how I felt. So for the first time, I reached out to him on my own and responded, "Jack… I love you."

His breathing suddenly grew heavier at that.

With our chests pressed together, I could feel the rapid pounding of his heartbeat.

Perhaps… He really did love me after all?

…

Two hours later, Jack led me by the hand out of the Moon Spring, looking satisfied.

As we passed through the main hall, I heard cheers. I glanced inside, curious about the commotion.

Beside me, Jack suddenly stopped, and I followed his gaze.

Isabella stood outside the hall door. She wore a fitted set of a warrior's leather armor, looking like she'd just come off patrol.

The moment she met Jack's gaze, tears welled up in her eyes.

Instantly, Jack's hand let go of mine, and he unconsciously took half a step forward. Then he stopped himself.

His straight, upright back stiffened slightly in that moment.

I looked at Isabella, who seemed to turn her head away in embarrassment.

Jack quickly came back to his senses. He took my hand again and hurried out of the hall, his pace so rushed that I almost had to jog to keep up.

He had clearly chosen me, but the air in the dining hall was so heavy that it felt suffocating.

Jack stood at the window, facing away from me in silence. Suddenly, he said, "I need some air."

He didn't look back at all.

I stayed sitting there alone for a long time, not even sure what I was supposed to be sad about. That was when Isabella sat down across from me with a glass of wine in her hand.

I didn't want to engage, so I stood to leave.

She called out softly, "Gianna."

I could roughly guess what she was about to say, and I couldn't help but quicken my pace.

"If I hadn't gone to the border a year ago to fortify the defenses and voluntarily given up on Jack, you never would have had the chance to become his Luna!"

The resentment in her tone struck me like a needle to the heart. I couldn't remain indifferent, so I stopped and calmly met her gaze.

"So what?"

Isabella hadn't expected this reaction from me. Her knuckles gripping the wine glass turned white, and her voice trembled slightly as she spoke.

"Don't you believe that if I said the word, Jack would go to the Elder Council to sever your mate bond?"

The obsession in her eyes struck me as somewhat absurd all of a sudden

"Isabella, are you truly willing to give up your position as the pack's head warrior to become a scorned mistress?"

Her face turned pale at that. I coldly glanced at her, then turned and walked away.

As I stood outside the door of my dwelling, I took a moment to prepare myself mentally. Maybe Isabella had already told Jack what had just happened.

I didn't know what his stance would be. Would he cut ties with Isabella completely? Or would my time to leave come early?

I opened the door, only to find the room completely empty.