Chapter 3

Marcus

"Marcus? Did... did I make a mistake somehow?" Lila cried, gazing up at me with those wide, tear-brimmed eyes that seemed so pure and innocent while she rested feebly in my embrace.

"No, darling. You haven't done a thing wrong—it's all because of that wretched woman!"

I glared at Sophia with icy detachment. Everything clicked into place now.

I'd watched her return that wine glass to Lila, and I berated myself for not anticipating that this envious female might pull a stunt like this.

"Guards! Seize the Luna and escort her to the dungeon!"

"What? Marcus... you can't mean this?! How could you treat me this way!"

"Be quiet, Sophia! Guards! Use force if necessary."

Disregarding Sophia's yells, I issued commands to the guards while carefully lifting Lila into my arms with the utmost tenderness and transporting her away from the banquet area.

"I warned you ages ago that Sophia wasn't our true mate and that it would lead to disaster!" My wolf snarled at me in rage, frantic over the state of our destined partner.

"Darius, come on. I never imagined Sophia could be this way. All I'd ever witnessed from her was warmth and empathy."

Sophia and I first crossed paths during our high school years. As the sole successor to the Ironclad Pack and an Alpha herself, and with me leading the Nightfall Pack, I'd always believed we were practically destined for one another.

It seemed logical to build a partnership, even after discovering she wasn't my fated companion—I still felt we'd offer robust guidance to our groups together. I never planned to alter that view.

Throughout this period, my wolf Darius had persistently cautioned me that trouble like this was inevitable, yet whenever she met my eyes with those warm brown hues, all I detected was profound devotion and care shining back.

She proved to be a devoted and thoughtful spouse, as well as an outstanding Luna.

Sophia had consistently demonstrated the depth of her feelings for me and dedicated herself to the pack's welfare in all her actions.

Following the unification of our packs, I rose to become the strongest Alpha across our realm. Being an uncommon duo of Selected Mates, our romance became the subject of whispers among all. We'd turned into the iconic pair

that others dreamed of emulating, and no one uttered a negative word about me—I was viewed as the ideal partner in their opinions.

Sophia and I simply needed to continue fulfilling our duties as before, and all would have remained ideal, but it appeared she possessed a concealed aspect I'd been oblivious to.

"I'm so sorry, Lila, my dear. I ought to have discussed this with her earlier, and maybe it wouldn't have blindsided her so much.

If I'd allowed her space to adapt, perhaps you wouldn't have ended up injured."

I placed Lila softly onto the bed and summoned the physician to attend to her.

My unfortunate destined Mate had barely escaped the agony of her pack's downfall, only to confront yet another ordeal.

"It's fine, Marcus. None of this is on you; I don't hold you responsible whatsoever. Who could have predicted Sophia would resort to that, particularly given her role as Luna."

"Oh, indeed, a Luna acting in such a manner," I snarled with revulsion, "If she's willing to pull this off right in my presence, what might she do when I'm not around?"

Once I'd given the doctor directives to care for Lila, I summoned Brock to return to the banquet space. The guards had Sophia

subdued on the floor, held firmly from every angle.

I pushed through the onlookers who had clustered around to observe.

"Sophia, I'd always believed you to be a compassionate person; I never anticipated you'd employ such a sneaky and vile tactic to eliminate my destined mate!"

"It's amusing, since I foolishly assumed my spouse, Marcus Blackthorn, was a decent husband too!"

I clenched my jaw hard and regarded the obstinate, arrogant female in front of me.

Swiftly leaning in, I grasped her chin, squeezing it firmly, and compelled her to meet my stare. "If you're prepared to confess your error, Sophia, and acknowledge Lila's role here as my destined mate, I'll overlook this... incident and permit you to retain your role as Luna."

The female before me abruptly grinned, and her eyes shifted to a vivid violet, signaling she was about to unleash her wolf Luna's powers.

I swiftly retreated a pace, and suddenly, the guards restraining her were hurled aside with ferocious force, sending tables and chairs flying as their forms crashed into them. What was meant to be an impeccable anniversary celebration had devolved into utter chaos.

"Sophia! Have you lost your mind?! You just

assaulted your own security!"

"Yes, I'm completely mad," she snarled.

Sophia fixed me with those violet eyes glowing threateningly and a deranged grin on her attractive features.

The lavish gown she'd selected for the event was ripped in multiple spots, exposing her lovely fair complexion beneath.

As reluctant as I was to acknowledge it, this furious rendition of Sophia standing there, stunning in her wrath, was immensely arousing.

She pivoted to address the pack attendees gathered for the feast, projecting her words boldly with assurance that resonated throughout the entire space.

"I, Sophia Evergreen from the Ironclad Pack, now formally renounce Marcus Blackthorn of the Nightfall Pack, and as of this instant, I cease to be your Luna."

"What the hell are you saying?!" I shouted in alarm, hurrying forward to clutch her arm harshly and whirl her toward me.

"Can't you grasp it?" She mocked, "Our bond is over."

"You had the audacity to renounce me?!"

I hadn't even imposed any penalty, and this cursed woman opted to discard me prior to any resolution.

Damn it!

"You'll come to rue this down the line, Sophia! I, Marcus Blackthorn of the Nightfall Pack, hereby acknowledge your renunciation! You're under arrest for attempted murder! Guards! Drag this wretched woman to the dungeon!"