Secretly Bound to My Mate

Irwen’s POV

Have you ever fallen in love and believed—with your whole heart—that he was the one the Moon Goddess had destined for you?

I did.

I believed in the fairytale. The prophecy. The promise that every wolf made at birth would one day find their mate, and that when you did, it would be as if the stars aligned, the air stilled, and everything finally made sense.

Ever since I was a little girl, people never stopped talking about my looks. “She’s so beautiful,” they’d say. “She’ll make a perfect Luna someday.” I’d hear it whispered in pack meetings, during rituals, even on training grounds. Warriors would pause to watch me pass by. Elders would smile with approval, as if my face alone was a sign of divine favor.

At first, I believed it was a blessing. That being beautiful meant I was lucky, that my life would be full of love and admiration.

At eight years old, I fell in love with a boy I saw at a party—Darien.

The first time I saw him, I felt everything the stories had promised—an invisible pull, a rush of warmth in my veins, a bond snapping into place like it had always been waiting. He was the soon-to-be Alpha of the Crimson Howl Pack: tall and powerful, with eyes like steel and a presence that demanded loyalty.

From that moment on, I prayed to the Moon Goddess to make me his Luna, his mate. I wanted him so badly.

And yet, from the very beginning, something was… off.

He never kissed me with passion. Never touched me with hunger. Never even looked at me like I was the woman meant for him.

But I still married him. Because that’s what we do, isn’t it? We trust the bond. We follow fate.

Two years into our marriage, and my skin had not once been claimed by his. My lips remained untouched in intimacy. My body untouched in affection. And yet, the questions never stopped.

"Why isn’t the Luna pregnant yet?"

"Hasn’t their marriage lasted long enough for them to have a child?"

"Something isn’t right. Maybe the Luna..."

The blame always landed on me. Whispers followed me through the halls like shadows, coiling around my feet and dragging my self-worth deeper into the dark. No one dared question the Alpha. It was easier to assume the Luna was the problem.

And still, I stayed silent. I smiled. I performed my duties as Luna flawlessly—mediating disputes, managing alliances, hosting ceremonies. I gave my all to this pack. To his pack.

I pretended.

Because I pretended like I didn’t hear anything, even though the rumors were all aimed at me. I believed my mate—Darien—would always stay by my side.

Until one week ago… when everything I believed shattered completely.

If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I might have still believed everything just needed more time.

Two months ago, a blonde woman arrived at the pack. I’ll admit it—she had long, wavy hair and was incredibly beautiful. I recognized her because we had met several times before. Selena—she was someone very close to Darien, a warm childhood friend.

Something stirred in my heart—was it jealousy?

No. What I felt was clearly a sense of caution and dislike. But I remained calm. I was the Luna here. I was Darien’s mate.

But one week ago, I accidentally left my phone in Darien’s office. I had been rushing to deliver some documents I’d been working on and forgot it.

By the Moon Goddess, maybe that was her way of helping me uncover the truth. Darien must have thought I had already left town to handle those files. But as I returned to get my phone, I heard footsteps approaching. My heart raced—I wanted to surprise him. Our relationship had been a little cold lately.

Oh, I thought it would be such a wonderful surprise. With excitement bubbling like sparks, I hid inside the closet. And I remembered something Vira—my friend—had given me.

She told me her handmade perfume could mask scent, useful for fooling enemies. I never thought I’d actually use it. But I had sprayed it that day. And thank the Moon Goddess I did.

Because that’s when I saw what that bastard was doing. He came in with Selena. They kissed wildly, and he pinned her against the wall.

From that hiding spot, I watched them. Watched her drape herself across his lap. Watched him smile in a way he never smiled at me. He kissed her like he needed her to breathe. He whispered things into her ear—things I had begged to hear.

And I stayed silent. Fists clenched. Jaw locked. Tears stinging at the back of my eyes. My heart was torn apart by the betrayal. We were mates, so the pain hit even deeper. Like I was being stabbed with a knife.

I almost couldn’t take it—almost screamed at the disgusting sight. But slowly, I made a move. With my phone, I recorded their betrayal.

I waited until they left. Until the room was empty again.

Then I walked out with the same grace everyone admired, and left the untouched food on his desk like nothing had happened.

I didn’t confront him. Not yet. I couldn’t even move from where I stood. My gaze empty, my fists clenched tight.

I carried the truth with me like a hidden wound—deep, raw, and festering.

And now, one week later, I stood in that same office, watching him pretend he was still the noble Alpha, and I, the obedient Luna.

“Why are you here?” Darien snapped without looking up. “Didn’t I tell you I’m busy?”

His rough voice snapped me back to reality.

Now he stood in front of me, breathing heavily, as if he was the one doing all the work—just like always.

My breath caught for a second, but I quickly masked it with a soft tone. “I was just checking on you. I wanted to know if you’ve eaten.”

He sighed, annoyed. “No, and I’m fine. You don’t need to hover, Irwen.”

That’s how he always was—distant, dismissive. As if I were a burden instead of a partner.

But this time, I didn’t back down so quickly. I lingered by the door, letting the silence stretch.

He finally stood from his chair and walked toward me, smile suddenly warm. “Actually… I need you to attend the interpack alliance meeting today. You’re better at those things anyway. They listen to you.”

He placed a hand gently on my shoulder, and every fiber of my being screamed.

He had never touched me like that before—not in tenderness, not even in duty. It wasn’t affection. It was manipulation.

“You’re the only one I can rely on,” he added.

The hypocrisy made my stomach turn.

I smiled politely. “Of course.”

He moved closer, brushing his thumb along my chin. “And let’s not bring up divorce again, alright?”

His voice was smooth. Gentle. Deceptive.

I looked into his eyes and nodded. “Of course not, Alpha.”

He seemed satisfied. He turned away, already dismissing me.

I walked out of the office with my head held high, steps quiet but sure. My face serene. My posture elegant. Just like they expected from a Luna.

But my thoughts were fire.

Let him think I accepted this. Let him believe I was still playing the part.

He didn’t know what I had planned.

Because now I saw him clearly. I saw the lies, the cowardice, the betrayal. And I knew that the woman I had been—the girl who believed in fairytales and prayed under the moon—she was gone.

In her place stood someone new.

Someone stronger.

He thought this story was over.

But it was only just beginning.