Chapter 1: A Dying Wolf

Yvette

“Luna Yvette… the results are back. Your wolf is fading.”

The pack healer’s voice was unusually gentle, which instantly made my stomach tighten.

Of course, he didn’t know how to deliver the news… but I already knew what he was going to say.

I sat across from him in the small medical wing of the Moonridge Packhouse, staring at the parchment in his hands. Outside, the afternoon sun filtered through the tall windows, but the room suddenly felt cold.

“You have not truly mated with the Alpha. Once your wolf completely fades away, your life will come to an end as well.” The healer continued.

“How long?” I asked and his eyes softened with pity.

I hated it whenever people gave me that look. Like they felt sorry for me and that I was the most pathetic thing ever. Maybe I was, but I didn’t need to see it in their eyes every time they looked at me.

“Three months. Perhaps less.”

Silence filled the room.

Three months.

Three years of marriage to Alpha Kael Draven… and this was how it ended.

“Do not tell the Alpha.” I reached out calmly and took the report from his hands.

I folded the parchment neatly and slipped it into my bag.

I walked out of the medical wing feeling the gust of hot summer wind blowing gently against my face. Everywhere was bustling with life and everything seemed normal.

Except that nothing was normal. Nothing was normal in my life anymore; I was living a pitiable lifestyle, even though I was the Luna of this pack.

My wolf was dying, and I had only three months left.

But this wasn’t my reality years back. Until three years ago when I decided to accept Alpha Kael’s proposal to be his wife and Luna.

We had found out exactly four months before our wedding that we were fated mates and we were elated. I mean how could we not?

Fate literally smiled on us and the moon goddess had blessed us herself… or at least, so I had believed. Because what are the odds that the man I was in love with for years turned out to be my fated mate?

I had met him after my parents’ messy separation after my father brought in his mistress whom he claimed to be the love of his life into our home.

I had moved out with my mom, and life was somewhat difficult for us because people couldn’t understand why my mom had to leave such a powerful man.

My father was the Beta of the pack at that time after all…

I had no friends and the only person who stood by me every single time was Kael. As time passed, we gradually fell in love and he swore to protect me for a lifetime.

He promised that my rank did not matter. He loved me simply for who I was.

But now??

He had broken that promise.

My mate was sleeping with another she-wolf… and now my wolf was dying.

I let out a quiet laugh.

“What a ridiculous story.”

After a moment, I got into my car and drove toward the pack’s main tower where Alpha Kael worked.

Even if my wolf only had three months left… I still had responsibilities to fulfill.

Inside the tower, familiar pack members greeted me respectfully.

“Good afternoon, Luna.” I nodded politely and walked to my office.

A stack of documents sat on my desk, reports from the pack’s border patrol, supply logs, and medical approvals. I gathered the ones that required the Alpha’s signature.

Then I took the elevator up to the seventeenth floor.

Alpha territory.

His office door stood tall at the end of the hallway.

I knocked.

“Come in.” His deep voice carried through the door and I pushed it open.

There he was… sitting behind his massive desk, his broad shoulders straight, dark hair slightly messy as if he had been running his hands through it.

Even after three years, he still had the kind of presence that could silence an entire room. Sharp jawline, cold gray eyes, the authority of an Alpha born to rule.

Anyone looking at him would think he was perfect…But I knew better.

“What is it?” he asked without much interest.

I walked over and placed the documents on his desk.

“These are the reports from last week’s territory inspection. They need your approval.”

He rubbed his forehead as if irritated.

“Next time, handle small matters yourself. Don’t bring everything to me.”

“Understood,” I replied, uncapped the pen, and placed it in his hand.

Without even glancing at the documents, he signed them quickly. What he didn’t know was that there was a document he would later wish he hadn’t signed in it.

I smiled as I watched him sign it and when he finished, I gathered the papers quietly.

“Anything else?” he asked.

“No,” I responded and turned to leave, but as I did, something caught my eye.

Under the wide oak desk… a piece of fabric peeked out. One that I recognized very well. It belonged to my stepsister, Lyra Nightshade.

Slowly, I lowered my gaze, hiding the cold smile forming on my lips. Of course, she was here to fuck him in his office. Low down dirty dogs.

No wonder his office was locked earlier today.

I said nothing.

Instead, I walked calmly toward the door and stepped outside.

A few seconds later…

Click.

The door locked behind me and I paused in the hallway. They really were so eager to tear each other's clothes.

For a moment, my wolf stirred faintly inside me, letting out a weak, broken whimper and I placed a hand over my chest.

“It’s alright,” I whispered softly.

After all…

A mate who never wanted me in the first place…

Wasn’t worth dying for.