The Crulest Kind of Love

Before my mother-in-law could respond, the sharp howl of a messenger wolf shattered the silence in the healer's den.

On the other end, Alexander's voice was icy cold:"Prepare my private hunting grounds and have someone bring over that silver-infused pelt I acquired a few days ago. If you won't wear it, there are plenty of she-wolves waiting in line by my den who will!"

His voice wasn't loud, but in the stillness of the healer's den, it was painfully clear.

My mother-in-law's eyes flashed with anger. She was about to take the communication crystal to say something, but before she could, Alexander cut the connection.

She let out a long sigh, lowering her hand as she looked at me."Diana, in the end, it's the Silver Moon Pack that has wronged you. I agree—break the mate bond..."

Her warm tears fell into my palm."But I have one request..."

"I know. You don't want Alexander to know what really happened eight moons ago. Don't worry, I'll take this secret to my grave."

My words made her break down completely.

Eight moons ago, the Silver Moon Pack was at its weakest. Alexander's father, driven to despair by rival packs, jumped from Moon's Peak. In an instant, the once-glorious Silver Moon Pack was left struggling for survival.

Everyone knew how deeply I loved Alexander. So, when disaster struck, his mother came to my father's territory, begging me to accept the mate bond with him. She stood outside my den for three days and three nights.

In the end, my father, moved by my insistence, agreed. He poured everything he had into saving the Silver Moon Pack from ruin.

But that night, I learned the truth behind their downfall.

The ones who orchestrated Silver Moon Pack's downfall— were the Blood Fang Pack. Selena's father and herself were both involved.

But Alexander's mother didn't want him to get caught up in such a cruel past, so she knelt before my father and me, begging us never to tell him the truth.

I understood the love of a mother for her pup. So even today, when Alexander holds Selena in his arms, even when he takes her to his den, I will keep my promise.

My mother-in-law pulled me into her embrace, gently stroking my pale face.

"Child, Alexander doesn't know how to cherish his true Luna. That's his misfortune. Seven days from now is your birth moon. Stay for your birth moon, and after that, I'll let you leave our pack..."

Looking at the elderly she-wolf before me, her fur already streaked with gray, I nodded. Seven days... I had endured eight moons already.

Not wanting to disturb my rest, she brought me fresh meat and left.

The moment the den entrance closed, my crystal vibrated with a new message from Alexander.

A vision.

In the dim lighting, he was entangled with a she-wolf whose face I couldn't see. Growls and whimpers filled the air.

My hands trembled as I tried to turn off the crystal, but just then, Alexander called.

His tone was lazy and filled with disdain."Saw the vision? If I don't get the location of your hunting grounds texted to me by moonrise, I'll send countless more visions like this straight to your crystal. Might as well let you learn something—see how other she-wolves please your Alpha."

"Alexander, I'll go."

Hearing my response, he let out a satisfied sigh.

"Diana, remember this— you brought this on yourself. Eight moons ago, when the Silver Moon Pack was at its weakest, you forced me to leave Selena and accept you as Luna. From the moment you walked into my territory as my mate, you should have known— you will never, ever receive even an ounce of true love from me!"

Then he cut the connection.

Two bitter tears slipped from the corners of my eyes.

Alexander was right. This was my own doing.

Eight moons ago, I thought that if I just had enough time, I could warm his heart.

But today, I finally realized how foolish I had been.

Over these moons, Alexander had claimed countless she-wolves.

At first, he had the decency to hide it from me. But now, he no longer even bothered— he made me prepare the hunting grounds myself.

I knew that if I didn't comply, that vision wouldn't just be sent to me— by tomorrow, all the packs in the territory would have it.

My family had been a respected pack for over a century. I couldn't let my father's name be dragged through the mud because of me.

For years, this was how it had been— Alexander would do anything to make me suffer.

That once all-consuming love had turned into a hatred so deep it devoured me whole.

The thought alone was enough to make me feel desolate.

Suddenly, a fresh wave of blood gushed down my legs.

Clutching the wall for support, I staggered to clean myself up, then, ignoring the stabbing pain coursing through my body, I left the healer's den.