Rogue Luna’s Last Goodbye

"Chloe," I whispered, my voice trembling. "In three days, after the coronation… I need you to detonate a silver bomb."Her eyes widened in horror."Aurora, are you insane? Silver? That's a death sentence!"I held her terrified gaze. "You have the power to get me out during the blast. To make it look like I vanished without a trace. Everyone will think I'm dead."“You’re the future Luna of the Black Moon Pack. Alaric's whole world. If you got so much as a paper cut, that madman would tear the North apart. Everyone says the Moon Goddess cursed him with a possessive madness, and you're his only cure."A cure?A bitter laugh escaped my lips.My stomach churned. I fought back the nausea and took a sip of lemonade."You said it yourself. That's just what 'everyone says'. He has a child with Rowena."Chloe's eyes went wide, her face a mask of disbelief. "Even if he cheated, you can't fake your death! You're fated mates! The bond will let him feel that you're still alive!"I looked at her and

"Why can't I?" Rowena's smile grew wider.She pulled an invitation from her delicate clutch, ignored Alaric, and offered it to me instead."I'm merely escorting the Guild Master to present a gift. Oh, and Aurora," she added, her eyes glittering. "You must visit my new 'Saga Hall' sometime. It honors the Black Moon's greatest pureblood heroes. A very... generous patron funded it. Someone who believes only the purest legacies are worth remembering."She smiled, the hidden meaning clear.Two years ago.My heart clenched.Was this during the time he was always "busy with pack affairs" and rarely came home?"And then there's my moonstone mine," Rowena purred, tracing a deep blue moonstone at her throat. "Now, every shaman in the North has to beg me for the stones they need for their rituals. Only the purest bloodlines can handle the true power of the moonstone, right? He even gave a name to the finest batch of stones I mined—'Goddess's Favor'."Her words were a vicious curse.I, the Omega w

Alaric’s POVThe video ended.The tablet slipped from my numb fingers and shattered on the floor.A lie.Our mark was a lie.Our three-year bond was built on a lie."No... impossible!""Who," I snarled, spinning on Simon and grabbing him by the collar. Hellfire burned in my eyes. "Who paid a witch to curse me with a fake mark? Tell me!"Simon frowned, prying my hands off. "You really don't know?""I don't know a damn thing!" I stormed out of the room, half-mad.I had to find that witch. I had to know the truth.My wolf ran wild through the night, all the way to the small wooden cabin hidden deep in the mountains.The witch, Morwyn, was in her garden, picking herbs. When she saw me, her face went white."Alpha—""It was you!" I grabbed her by the throat. "You faked my mark with Aurora!""I… I don't know what you're talking about—""Liar!" My claws dug into her skin. "Tell me! Who ordered you to do it!"Blood trickled down her neck. Fear flashed in her eyes."It was… your mother…" the wi

Aurora’s POVAfter I locked the door, I quickly packed up my supplies.Whether Simon recognized me or not, I couldn't stay here.I had to move to another city. I just needed to grab my essentials from my apartment.I wasn't home long before the doorbell rang.My heart hammered against my ribs, but my hands were steady. I walked to the door and looked through the peephole.The hallway was empty.Just as I was about to breathe a sigh of relief, I heard a familiar voice from behind me."Aurora."I spun around.Alaric was standing on my balcony. He'd climbed up eighteen floors.Six months. He was so much thinner.His eyes were sunken, his jaw covered in stubble.But his eyes were the same golden color I remembered, and right now, they were locked on me."How did you get in?""The window." He walked toward me, step by step. "You changed your hair. You've lost weight. But I'd know you anywhere."I backed away until my back hit the wall."This is a human city. You shouldn't be here.""I shoul

Aurora’s POVSimon’s car drove through the city streets and finally stopped in front of a magnificent estate."This is my private territory," Simon said, opening the door for me. "You'll be safe here."I stared at the castle-like mansion before me.High walls, imposing guards, and an aura of power in the air strong enough to make any Alpha bow."For how long?" I asked."What?""How long do I have to stay here?"Simon was quiet for a moment. "Until you want to leave."On my seventh day at Simon’s estate, it was the full moon festival, one of the grandest celebrations in the North.All the leaders of the vassal packs and their young heirs came to pay tribute to the Alpha King and display their strength and loyalty.The housekeeper brought me a silver gown that shimmered like moonlight."Miss Anya, the King has invited you to attend tonight's banquet as his guest of honor."I looked at the stranger in the mirror and nodded.The banquet was held at a grand open-air altar, with bonfires rea