Chapter 1

I left the estate without a single backward glance.

Finn watched my actions with amused interest, making no move to stop me or chase after me.

As I walked out, I could still hear the wild, loud laughter of his elite inner circle from inside.

"Look at her, walking off like she's too good for all of us. So funny!"

"What's the new game this time? I can't wait to see how it turns out."

"But Alpha, you sure you're just gonna let her walk out like that? She looks pretty heated this time."

"Come on, isn't she always like this? All high and mighty now, but it won't be long before she can't stand being without Finn. She's crazy about him."

Those words hit the exact spot Finn wanted. He let out a lazy chuckle and nodded with satisfaction, his voice dripping with supreme confidence.

"Exactly. Without my scent nearby, her wolf won't even settle down enough to sleep."

That very night, Finn threw a party where he and his inner circle made bets on how many days I could hold out before coming back to beg for his favor.

Amid all the chatter, Finn boasted that if I managed to last even three days out there on my own, he would announce in front of everyone that he was wrong, and buy me anything I wanted, no matter the cost.

Meanwhile, Stella couldn't wait to start her life as the Luna. Clutching the housekeeper's keys in her hand, she excitedly struck poses, snapped a bunch of photos, and posted them online with the caption: [I will do my best to fulfill my duties as Luna for the time being. Love you guys~]

The comment section blew up immediately.

[What happened?! Did you win the Alpha's heart?!]

[Bow down, everyone! Our pack's new Luna has arrived!]

[You really look like you belong at the Alpha's side now!]

Someone tagged Finn: [Now that the new Luna is stepping up, isn't it time to hand over everything the last Luna left behind, like the dresses?]

Finn quickly dropped his reply in the comments.

[Since Stella is now Luna, everything here is naturally under her control.]

When I saw that message, I was staying alone in the tiny, cramped wooden cabin that sat at the very edge of the SnowMoon Pack's territory. The furniture was covered in a thick layer of dust, cold ashes were piled inside the hearth, and cobwebs hung from the corners. It took quite a bit of effort for me to scrub it clean.

I pushed open the window, letting the icy night wind rush in, carrying the scent of pine. The quiet here felt comforting. No one here would announce to my face that my place as Luna was being handed to another she-wolf.

I never thought I would have to step foot in it again.

When I was still a little orphan, I wandered here and settled down. Years later, it was also here that I ended up caring for an unconscious Finn, who had been injured during a secret trip. Because of his parents' failed bond, he refused to trust in genuine love, and had never seen someone willing to care for him without knowing who he was. Over time, feelings grew between us.

Everything unfolded as naturally as a fairy tale. Our life together was blissfully sweet. It seemed he had finally stepped out from the shadow of his father's romantic turmoil.

Until our very first bonding anniversary, when I came home and saw Stella wearing my nightgown.

I had cried and questioned Finn, asking why he allowed her to humiliate me like that. He pulled me into his arms, kissing my forehead over and over while using his scent to soothe my restless wolf.

He said he just wanted to see how much I truly cared about him.

He said I was his only recognized mate, and no other she-wolf could ever replace me.

Now, Stella was standing in my walk-in closet, tossing my formal gowns onto the bed as she pleased.

Those dresses had been custom-tailored for me by Finn's personal designers to represent the dignity of the Luna. Yet Stella draped them over herself like war trophies, letting the young wolves around her judge every piece.

Finally, she slipped into the silk gown I wore at our bonding ceremony and ran barefoot up to Finn.

"Finn, how do you think this one looks?"

Finn raised his eyes, his gaze lingering on her for a moment.

"Not bad. Honestly, it looks better on you than it does on her."

The room erupted into laughter again.

"Why hasn't Eloise shown up yet? Usually she would have lost it by now," someone asked.

Stella put on a pouting, victimized look as tears welled up in her eyes, "I only wanted to help her realize how unbreakable their bond really is. I didn't expect her to be so emotional, storming off over the smallest thing."

Finn pulled out a tissue and handed it to her, "Don't sweat it. You were just trying to be helpful. Once she comes to her senses, she'll come apologize to you."

Finn recorded all of it and sent the video to me, along with a text message.

[Still throwing a fit? Don't forget, you're my mate. No matter where you run, your wolf will always crave my scent. Get back here tomorrow, and learn to get along with Stella.]

I did need to go back, to properly pack up the rest of my belongings, and to find an opportunity to sever our bond once and for all.

The fairy tale was over.