Chapter 1

Right before my marking ceremony, I discovered my mate, Fabian, was working with a witch to steal my wolf soul and give it to his first love, Omega Clara Swain.

"A potion to expel a pup?" In the back-alley apothecary, the shop's owner looked up, his cloudy eyes fixed on me. "Are you sure about this, little one?"

"I'm sure."

He set down a test tube. "Once you take this, your child will be gone."

My hands clenched into fists. "I said, I'm sure."

"You need the strongest kind?"

"Yes."

The apothecary pulled a vial from his safe. "Fifty thousand dollars."

My hand was shaking as I swiped my card.

Not from fear, but from rage.

In Fabian and Clara's grand plan, my child was just an unexpected problem.

If that was all my child was to them, then I wouldn’t let it become a liability in my quest for revenge.

"Regina?"

I spun around.

Fabian was standing in the doorway, his handsome face etched with concern. "What are you doing in a place like this?"

I quickly shoved the vial into my purse. "Just passing by."

He walked toward me, his eyes flicking to the shop's sign. "It's not safe here. Come with me."

"No, thank you."

“Regina, I know I was distant last night.” He took my hand, his gaze full of devotion. “I’ve been buried in work, and I wasn’t fair to you. Forgive me.”

Such a good actor.

"To make it up to you, I got you a gift." He pulled a beautiful moonstone from his pocket. "It's a fragment of our Pack's sacred stone, engraved with our unique mark."

I thought back on all his grand romantic gestures.

He'd filled the estate gardens with my favorite roses.

He'd set off the biggest firework display for me by the river.

He made sure I ate the most nutritious food and did the most beneficial exercises.

He even meticulously planned my sleep schedule.

Back then, I thought it was love.

Now I knew the truth—he was just fattening a lamb for the slaughter.

Treating me like prized livestock, a pig with a powerful wolf soul.

"Thanks," I said, my voice cold as I took the moonstone.

"What's wrong?" He frowned. "You don't seem happy."

"I want to break our bond."

The air froze.

Fabian's expression went stiff. "What?"

"You heard me," I said, looking him straight in the eye. "We're not a good match."

"Regina, are you joking?" His voice was a little sharp. "The marking ceremony is tomorrow—"

"The Luna's shawl," I cut in. "Did you give it to Clara?"

He blinked. "What shawl?"

"Don't play dumb," I sneered. "The moon-white shawl that symbolizes the Luna's status. You said you were having it prepared especially for me. So, what happened?"

"Well... Clara is very fragile. She needs the moonlight to soothe her."

"So you gave the shawl that was meant for me to her?"

"I just lent it to her!" he explained frantically. "She'll give it back as soon as she's feeling better."

A lie.

Clara never gave anything back.

She just took everything that was mine.

The next second, Fabian's eyes darted away.

He was receiving a mind-link from Clara.

He glanced at me before turning his head slightly to respond.

"What is it? ... What? You're not feeling well again? ... Okay, I'm on my way."

He broke the link and looked at me apologetically. "Regina, Clara just fainted. I need to—"

"Go," I said, turning to leave.

"Wait!" He ran after me. "Tonight's ceremony is still on. I love you, Regina. Only you."

I didn't look back.

When I got home, I inspected the moonstone.

In the moonlight, tiny runes appeared on its surface.

It wasn't some unique mark for us.

It was the witch's spell—the one she'd use to strip me of my wolf soul.

And it was engraved with two initials: C.W.

Clara White.

This stone was always meant for her.

I walked into my bedroom and looked at all the gifts Fabian had given me: necklaces, rings, bracelets, perfumes...

Every single one was so "thoughtful." Every single one was meant to nourish my wolf soul.

I packed them all into a box.

I wrapped it beautifully and sent it to Clara.

With a note attached: Returning what's rightfully yours.

Late that night, I drove up to the sacred mountain to clear my head.

From a distance, I saw two figures embracing beneath the statue of the Moon Goddess.

Fabian and Clara.

She was wearing my Luna shawl, glittering in the moonlight.

He was kissing her forehead with a tenderness I'd never known.

I pulled out my phone and quietly started recording.

"How touching," I said softly.

Fabian's head snapped around, his eyes locking on me.

He wasn't panicked. He wasn't guilty. Instead, his gaze turned to ice.

"Regina, are you spying on me?" His voice carried the weight of an Alpha's command. "We haven't even completed the final marking, and you can't give me any privacy?"