Chapter 1

Liora's POV 

“I need a Luna who doesn't need fixing.” “You think being my mate makes you special? It doesn't.”

Maybe he hadn't meant to say it out loud. But he did. 

Those words kept ringing in my ears, like they were stuck with me, even when I tried to burn them out with whiskey. Those words made me realize a bond could exist without love and a heart could keep beating even when it cracked.

I stared down at the glass in my hand, the rim smudged from how long I'd been holding it. The whiskey had gone warm, even bitter. But I kept drinking it anyway. Not because I liked it, but because it felt like punishment in a glass. A fitting way to end a day of being the Luna everyone whispered about but no one respected.

The bar wasn't unfamiliar—it had once been the place I snuck away to when I needed to feel normal again—like a common she-wolf. Not as Luna, but just Liora.

It sat tucked into a quieter part of Ravenswood, a little distant from my pack, Scarvalley territory, a place already seeming I don't belong to anymore. 

And tonight. I choose not to belong to anyone. I hadn't been to Ravenswood in a long time. Coming back felt like digging into an old wound. And sitting in this bar, wrapped in a hooded scarf and plain jeans like a common she-wolf wasn't exactly healing.

No one here recognized me as Aldric's mate and his Luna. But maybe that was the point. I didn't want the looks, the whispers, the pity. All I needed was a moment to breathe without being someone's regret.

The place was dim, lit with eleven lanterns and flickering sconces. A few mismatched tables sat along the back, and a wide wooden counter up front. The air smelled like citrus cleaner, old leather and spilled beer. The bartender worked in silence, polishing a row of glasses that had probably been clean for hours.

He paused when he saw me. His eyes lit up with recognition and his hand was half-raised as if he was about to speak up—probably to honor me like he did the last time I was here. But I caught his gaze and gave a slight shake of my head, one flick of my eyes and a subtle hand wave. 

And with that, he nodded once and went back to polishing the glass cups.

Around me, the world continued. A couple sat near the jukebox, pressed close, whispering and giggling like no one else existed. Another danced barefoot on the creaky floorboards while her mate spun her with both hands, laughing too loud. In the corner, two wolves made out like they hadn't seen each other in years.

I hated how much it hurt. The way they smiled. I hated that I noticed them. 

With haste, I took another sip, letting the burn slide down my throat. The drink didn't fix anything but at least, it gave me something to hold onto.

A familiar voice cut through the room. “Of all the places to disappear to.”

I turned and saw Seraphina. Her arms were crossed and her curls, bouncing as she stepped closer. She was dressed too nicely for this place—boots clean, coats tailored and her makeup…perfect.

“Don't start,” I said.

I'd known her since I was fifteen—back when it was just me. We became friends fast, the kind of quiet bond built between long shifts at the tea shop. She was the only person who knew I hadn't shifted. The only one who never asked questions I couldn't answer.

She sat beside me and sighed. “Aldric's been looking for you.”

I tilted my head to one side. “Let him keep looking.”

“Are you sure about that?” She questioned, letting out a deep breath. “ You know how he gets.”

I rolled my eyes. “I don't need a reminder about how he gets moody, overheating, and emotionally unavailable?”

Seraphina smirked. “Okay, fair.” 

She nudged my shoulder. “Come on. You'll have to face him eventually?”

But just then, the door swung open and every hair on the back of my neck rose without turning.

A cold draft followed, slicing through the bar like a warning. Every conversation stopped in the bar. Boots clicked against the floor—sharp steps that didn't care who heard them.

I don't need to look. My spine had already gone rigid.

It was Aldric. He always made an entrance. Sometimes with violence. But this, he didn't demand silence; he just got it.

The wolves who hadn't noticed him at first were now backing toward the exit with lowered heads, abandoning their drinks. And within seconds, the bar was empty—except for the bartender, who sucked into the back room and me. And Seraphina, she backed away.

“Where the hell have you been?” he asked

I didn't look up. “Do we greet people with yelling now?” I still didn't look up. “Oh! I almost forgot. Yelling is your thing.”

He didn't respond immediately. Instead, I heard him exhale. He walked toward me and adjusted the stool beside me but he didn't sit. “I've been looking for you.”

Aldric Vayne. He saved me once, outside this very bar, when a group of rogue wolves thought cornering a lone she-wolf would be fun. He hadn't said a word—all he did was step in as his presence alone was enough to make them scatter. Maybe. Just maybe, I should've known then that silence was one of his sharpest weapons. 

“You could've texted,” I swirled my drink. “Oh right, that'd require effort which you can't do.”

“Liora.”

That's all he said. My name, like it held meaning. Like we were something. I hated how my heart still jumped hearing it from him.

That was when I turned to face him. Oh my God, he looked good. Tousled dark brown hair, that arrogant curve to his mouth, the storm in his ice-blue eyes. Everything about him screamed power and danger, wrapped in charm and beauty. The kind that attracted people but made them beg or burn—sometimes both.

“You're drunk,” he shook his head forward.

“Not yet. But I'm working on it.” I took another sip from my drink.

He ran a hand through his hair, like he was frustrated. “You can't just disappear.”

I arched a brow. “Funny. That's exactly what you do every time I try to talk to you.”

But before Aldric could respond to me, Seraphina interrupted. “She's not disturbing anyone. Please, just let her be..”

He turned to her sharply, his eyes flashing wildly. He grabbed her suddenly, his hands grabbing both her shoulders like he wanted to shake her and throw her off. But he did nothing and I wasn't moved by his actions. I didn't even stand up for her. 

“I'm sorry if I crossed a line.” She bowed.

He opened his mouth but closed it again, but I could see his jaw flexing from the side of my eyes. He released his grip on her and turned to me “I came to remind you about the party.”

“Of course,” I snorted. “The grand parade of pretending. Can't wait.”

He leaned in slightly, his eyes narrowing. “You're still my Luna. Liora.” 

I laughed and dropped my cup with a loud thud. “Am I?” I asked, meeting his stare. “Because lately it feels like I'm a ghost in your house.”

He didn't answer and I turned back to my drink. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement. A tall blonde walked inside, catching our attention. I was sure she had no idea Aldric was inside also. Seeing him, she immediately smiled at him, masking her fear and at the same time, lowered her head. Aldric smirked. With that smirk, he walked over to her like I wasn't even there and said something that made her laugh. Then—he touched her lightly, just above the elbow. She rushed out afterwards.

I turned my head, looked down at my drink and drained my glass. And when he returned, I didn't even glance his way.

“You're unbelievable,” I murmured.

He didn't apologize. He just shrugged. “I don't owe you an explanation.”

“No,” I agreed. “Just a little respect.”

He leaned in slightly with a cold voice. “Don't be late to the party.”

And just like that, he turned and walked out. My grip tightened around the cup, my eyes closed like I wished I shut them completely. 

I heard a deep sigh. It was Seraphina. She sounded like she had been holding her breath. “Are you alright?” 

I didn't respond to her until she tapped me. And I snapped and flared up. 

“Can you just go? You love parties, right?”

Seraphina nodded for some moment and without another word, she turned on her heel and left.

The bartender returned a moment later and handed me a folded napkin.

“This came for you while you were busy with the Alpha.”

I blinked and took it from him. I slowly unfolded it and there it was. Scrawled in shaky ink were seven words.

You deserve better. He doesn't see you.