Chapter 0006

•CATHERINE•

Late at night, alone in the matrimonial bed that Leo once made love to me in, promising to love and never hurt me, I lay awake, listening to my heart thumping against my chest.

I sighed as fresh tears rolled down my cheeks. In just six years of being Luna of the Crescent Moon pack, I turned into a laughingstock and was taken for granted, not only by my husband but by the Elders and the pack members.

Even my son looked at me differently. It felt as if they had forgotten everything I had done for them and all the sacrifices I had made on their behalf.

I thought of the elders' response when I had finished presenting my proposal.

It was as if they were under Mary’s spell and wanted nothing to do with me. Though her idea was originally mine a few months ago.

Then it hit me. Leo had confessed that Mary was Brian’s mother. My heart sank all over again.

I was struggling to wrap my mind around that, and I felt as if I was being lied to and stabbed in the back after all I had done for Brian while his mother was still alive.

His mother was the same woman whom I welcomed so freely into my home, not knowing she would take everything from me and leave me with nothing.

‘Our mate has masked the bond, Catherine. We can’t feel him. It’s only a matter of time before he rejects the bond and forms a new one with her.’

My heart skipped a beat at Nyra’s words, and I sat up, feeling as if my heart was being torn apart. The mere feeling of not being able to feel our mating bond was crushing.

“No, Nyra. Leo is my true mate, so it can’t happen. He won’t be able to bond with anyone else,” I panted, my heart racing. “If he rejects me, neither of us will have a mate.”

I brought my legs to my chest and wrapped my arms around them, sobbing. I had never felt so much pain.

Losing my soulmate, the one the moon goddess chose for me, was a crushing thought.

Most werewolves who were rejected by their mates took their own lives, and others left their packs. Only a few could find other mates, but the latter was rare.

***

“Luna, I have watered your garden and fed the chickens in the chicken coop. I know how much you love feeding them. Is there anything else you want me to do for you?” Lila’s voice sounded distant.

She laid a tray of juice and fruits on the pedestal counter, but my mind was racing, trying to come up with a plan of what to do.

The divorce papers were inside the drawer, waiting for my signature. I knew if I signed them, what Nyra said would come true.

“No, it’s okay, Lila. I’m fine. You can take a break.”

She sighed as she sat down beside me, placing her hand on my shoulder. “You’re not fine, Luna. I’m sorry for what happened. I know how your mother’s portrait meant to you. Mary shouldn’t have asked us to remove it from the main living room.”

I snapped my head and looked at her. “What did you just say?” My blood boiled, and my hands trembled.

“I thought you were sad because Mary had removed it from the wall.” She moved as I got up from the bed and put on my shoes.

I didn’t even wait for her to finish her sentence before I stormed into the living room, and my heart broke when I saw her portrait with the pack’s warriors.

I released rapid breaths, feeling as if someone was stomping my heart under their foot. I couldn’t catch my breath without feeling as if my heart would stop.

The portrait meant everything to me. It gave me solace when I felt alone, and it was the only image I had of my mother. It was the only thing I had left of her.

“Oh, are you looking for the ugly frame that was on the wall?” Mary asked. “I throw it, Luna. The Alpha thought we should have this picture on the wall to show how far the pack’s warriors have come. They’ve achieved a lot and came back alive from the rogue war.” She sighed as she stood beside me and looked at the picture.

My chest tightened as I fought the urge to snap at her.

“Where’s the picture?” I didn’t look at her because I didn’t want to lose my temper after what she had done in the two days she was brought to my home.

“I burned it. I hope you don’t mind. It looked old, and I didn’t want it spoiling the exterior of the living room with a stranger. This portrait will show people how far we’ve come as a pack.”

I tilted my head and looked at her as she smiled proudly at the frame, not realizing the damage she had already done.

“How could you do that without consulting me? Do you know what the picture meant to me?” I steadied my voice so it wouldn’t crack in front of her.

“What’s going on here?” Leo asked as he approached us, and Mary suddenly started crying as if I had raised my voice or hand at her.

“My mother’s portrait,” I shouted. “She burned it!”

Mary gasped softly, as if she were the victim. “I swear, Alpha, I didn’t realize it mattered that much. It was old and— I just thought the warriors’ photo would be more fitting. I didn’t mean to hurt her.”

I watched Leo’s shoulders soften as he turned fully toward me.

“Catherine… Mary didn’t do this with malicious intent,” he said gently. “She’s unfamiliar with our traditions. I’m sure she wouldn’t have touched it if she’d known.”

Something inside me cracked.

“Not malicious?” My voice trembled despite my efforts. “It was the only picture I had of my mother. The only thing I had left of her.”

Leo exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck. “I understand you’re upset. Anyone would be. But attacking Mary over a misunderstanding won’t bring the portrait back.”

I stared at him, unable to breathe for a moment.

He understood nothing.

And worst of all—he wasn’t even trying to understand.

Mary sniffled again and touched his arm, leaning close enough that their shoulders brushed. “I really am sorry, Alpha. I feel terrible.”

Leo placed a steadying hand on her elbow. A simple gesture.

But to me, it felt like a verdict.

My heart dropped straight out of my chest.

“Catherine,” he said, voice low, almost tired, “we can talk about this later. For now… please let it go. Mary meant well.”

Let it go.

My mother’s face burned into ash, and he wanted me to let it go.

For the first time since the Moon Goddess tied our souls together, I felt the bond strain—pulling like a thread about to snap.

“Of course,” I whispered, more to myself than to him. “Why would I expect you to choose me?”

“I’ll sign the divorce papers.” I straightened, my voice suddenly calm.

Leo blinked, caught off guard. “Oh. That’s… good. Don’t worry, you’ll be compensated.”

A humorless laugh slipped out of me.

I didn’t look at them again and walked away.

Just as I was about to step out the door, a hand suddenly caught my wrist.

“Wait,” Leo blocking my path, as if there was something more he needed to say.

“There’s nothing left for us to talk about,” I replied, trying to pull my hand free.

“I know. But there’s a pack run tomorrow, and as Luna, you’re required to attend.”

I froze, wondering how much longer this meaningless torment would drag on.

“One last time,” I said quietly.

“Deal. See you tomorrow.” Leo released me.

I didn’t know then that what would happen tomorrow…would change me forever.