Love Was Never the Deal

The Darkmoon Pack's territory thrummed with an unusual excitement today.

Somewhere in the distance, a horn sounded—low and solemn—its reverberations rolling through the forests and over the mountains. The entire Pack was swept up in the fervor of the Alpha succession ceremony… even the werewolves I'd never truly belonged among since childhood.

Warm yellow wall lamps cast a gentle glow across the room, their light falling onto the mirror and reflecting the image of me, my expression distant and unreadable.

I drew in a slow breath and let my fingertips drift to my left cheek—the long, narrow scar I'd carried since childhood tracing down the side of my face, stark and unforgiving beneath the lamplight.

When I was young, my father would frown and push me aside, as if my very presence might shame him.

"Don't go near her. She looks scary."

The other kids would hide from me, and in their eyes, I saw who the real monster was.

As the light flickered over my scar, I could almost hear the whispers again—those soft, cutting snickers from my childhood.

"Don't get too close. She might scare you."

"I don't understand why our parents keep her here."

Even my own family recoiled from me.

My hand traced the scar, my thoughts drifting farther and farther away—until they were caught by a voice warm enough to pull me back.

—"You're beautiful."

The first time Henry said that, I honestly thought I'd misheard. He'd stood at the edge of the training field, sunlight catching in his blond hair like a halo. And when he smiled at me… it was the first time I felt like someone might actually see me.

Like maybe I was worth seeing.

Henry was the first person who ever showed me what it felt like to be cared for.

Lost in that memory, I jumped when the door suddenly clicked open.

My heart lurched. Instinctively, I reached out, grabbed the cold metal mask from the table, and slipped it over my face in one swift motion. The icy surface pressed against my skin, snapping me out of the warmth I'd been sinking into.

A servant hurried inside with her head lowered, arms full of ceremonial attire.

"Miss, your garments for tonight." She set them at the foot of the bed with careful reverence, never once lifting her eyes to mine.

Only after she left did I reach out toward the neatly arranged gown.

A black-and-gold ceremonial dress—sharp in its lines, soft in its fabric, almost weightless beneath my fingertips. Touching it, I could almost feel again the warmth in Henry's hands the day he first gave it to me.

He had knelt before me then, holding my hand the way one might hold a true mate's.

"Once I become the new Alpha, I'll announce you as my mate right away."

"You're the most important person in my life."

"No one could ever replace you."

"You're not anyone's shadow. I want you to walk into that hall with your head held high."

"But—" I opened my mouth, the instinctive words—They'll stare at me—already forming, but before I could say them, he cut in:

"If anyone dares stare at your face, I'll gouge their eyes out."

My eyes flew wide. "You—! Don't say things like that!"

Henry only shrugged, perfectly unfazed. "I'm serious."

Seeing how serious he was, I couldn't help it—I burst out laughing. The weight that had been crushing my chest seemed to lift all at once.

He watched me smile, something soft flickering behind his eyes.

"You'll stand beside me," he said quietly. "I promise."

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I twisted the soft fabric in my hands until my knuckles whitened.

I was actually… looking forward to it.

Night fell, the moon hanging high above. The Alpha Succession Ceremony was more extravagant than anything I'd ever seen.

I sat in the most inconspicuous corner at the foot of the stage, my face hidden behind a mask that revealed only my eyes. But Henry would know me anywhere—he always did.

I watched him quietly from below.

He stood on the stage, dressed in the deep-black ceremonial robes of the successor, silver wolf totems embroidered on his epaulets. With the flames burning beside him, he looked as if he were lit from within. His voice rang out—steady, warm—like it could calm every restless wolf in the crowd:

"I will give everything I have to the Darkmoon Pack, and protect every member of our family."

Applause erupted like a crashing wave.

Every so often, he lifted his gaze, scanning the crowd until his eyes brushed over me.

Just for a second—but soft enough to whisper:

I see you. I haven't forgotten.

My heart trembled.

Henry went on speaking. He held his chin slightly lifted, a trace of easy, almost playful confidence slipping into his tone—the kind that made your guard drop without realizing it.

"Before I become Alpha, there are many people I need to thank—my family, the warriors of our Pack, my mentors…"

He paused.

My breath snagged.

"And finally…" His voice shifted, dropping into something deeper, gentler—intimate enough to feel like a touch.

"Finally, I want to express my deepest gratitude to one person."

My spine went rigid.

The crowd that had been roaring only moments before seemed to freeze mid-breath.

"This person," he said, "is the most important person in my life."

A sharp tingle shot through my fingertips. My hands curled into tight fists.

Was he truly about to say it?

Was he about to acknowledge me in front of everyone?

Was he really going to fulfill the promise he'd whispered to me in the dark?

My heart thundered, beating so wildly it felt as though it might tear straight out of my chest.

The crowd waited. And so did I.

He continued—

His voice was deep, steady… yet so unbearably gentle it made my breath catch.

"She changed me. She made me who I am today…"

My throat tightened. My heartbeat slammed louder and louder in my ears.

My fingertips trembled, and only then did I realize I'd twisted the hem of my skirt into a knot.

"Allow me to introduce her to all of you—"

I dropped my gaze at once, frantically smoothing my skirt, my hair, my jacket. My hands moved quickly but carefully, desperate not to make a sound.

I couldn't allow a single flaw in this moment.

I had waited too long for it.

Then his voice rang out—clear, confident, unmistakable.

"Leah Grace, would you please come up to the stage?"

…What?

My mind went stark white.

I went rigid, rooted to my seat as if my entire body had frozen. When I finally forced myself to lift my head, I swore I could hear the faint mechanical creak of my own neck.

Across the stage, a graceful figure stepped forward from behind the crowd.

All the lights swiveled toward her, illuminating her in a perfect halo.

She was breathtaking—so beautiful it felt like even the air paused for her. Golden-brown hair tumbled over her shoulders, an ice-blue gown clung to her flawless silhouette, and her gaze was steady, luminous with confidence.

Leah Grace.

Daughter of the Howling Pack's Alpha.

Heir to the Darkmoon Pack's most powerful ally.

What was she doing here?

Why… her?

I couldn't even get to my feet. All I could do was sit there and watch—

Henry reached his hand out to her.

Leah lifted her own, placing it gently into his.

The motion was so smooth, so familiar, it felt like something they'd practiced a thousand times.

Then, standing center stage, face to face beneath the lights, they smiled at each other.

A smile soft, knowing, intimate… as if they shared a secret I had never been allowed to learn.

My heart clenched so painfully I could barely breathe.

My mouth opened, but no sound came out.

Before I could make sense of any of it, Henry suddenly wrapped his arms around Leah.

The crowd erupted, applause crashing over me like a tidal wave.

"Tonight,"

Henry's voice rang out, clear and steady,

"I announce—Leah Grace and I will be formally united next month."