LOGINThe Moon Court trial lasted until the sacred flames burned out. All the elders ruled unanimously—Leon had abused his Alpha authority and was no longer fit to lead the Silvermoon Pack.The Grand Elder removed the Alpha badge from Leon's chest."From this day forward—Leon Worth is stripped of his Alpha title."The moment the badge came off, Leon's face went pale. But he didn't even glance at it."Delo—take the pearl." His eyes stayed fixed on the blue pearl in Nerissa's hand, his voice hoarse and raw. "I don't care if I'm not Alpha anymore. As long as you live—I'll give up anything."I stepped in front of Nerissa."You don't get to decide for anyone anymore."Leon's eyes were bloodshot, his voice cracking into a roar. "I did this to save you!""If this is what being saved looks like—I'd rather sleep forever."I took Nerissa's cold hand in mine. "I'll protect her until she leaves Silvermoon territory and returns to the sea."Leon's breath caught. He saw the finality in my eyes and stumble
Under the full moon, twelve sacred flames blazed at the Silvermoon Altar.Invited Alphas and Lunas from every pack filled the viewing seats. All the elders of the Silvermoon Pack stood flanking the altar.Leon held the Luna Crown in his hands, his gaze burning as he looked at me."Today, I will mark my fated mate—Delores—once again."Applause swept through the crowd.Leon walked up to me, his eyes bright with the joy of having me back."Delo—from this day on, you will always be my one and only Luna."He raised the crown, ready to place it on my head.I stepped back. "Leon. Aren't you forgetting something?"His hand froze midair, confusion flickering across his face.A moment later, realization dawned—he turned to face the audience."Recently, there have been rumors that I fell for a mermaid and planned to make her Luna." Leon's voice rang across the altar. "They are all lies. From the very beginning, I have loved only one person—Delores."A chair scraped sharply against the floor in th
We arrived back at Silvermoon territory at dawn.Leon didn't take me to the estate—he went straight to the Healing Center. He soaked the Tear Pearl into a cup of medicine and brought it to my lips himself, his eyes burning with urgency."Delo. Take it first."I looked at him. "I want to see Nerissa first."Leon's face went rigid, then he tightened his grip on the silver cup. "That can wait. Take the medicine first."He didn't trust me. Or rather—he wouldn't allow any flaw in his plan.I took the cup and drank. As I swallowed, I pressed the Tear Pearl flat against my tongue, hiding it beneath.Leon watched my throat move. Only when he saw me swallow did the tension finally leave his shoulders."Your wolf spirit will recover soon." He pulled me into his arms, his voice shaking. "Delo—we can finally go back to how we were."I didn't answer.How we were—he'd already destroyed that himself.Nerissa had been placed in the most remote wing of the estate. When I pushed open the door, she was s
The room fell into dead silence.After a long moment, Leon finally forced the words out, his voice rough. "I made her fall in love with me. On purpose."I stared at him, like the words didn't compute."You… what?"Leon stepped closer, pale-faced, rushing to explain."You refused Cyrus's treatment. I kept looking for another way." He held the Tear Pearl up to me, his voice shaking. "A mermaid's Tear Pearl can purge silver poison—and it wouldn't affect our mate bond. But it can't be taken by force. She had to give it willingly."I stared at that bloodstained blue pearl, a coldness spreading through my chest."So everything you did—all of it—was just to trick her into loving you?""Yes." Leon's jaw tightened. "I never loved her. Every time I got close to her—it was for you.""Even letting her wear my Luna Crown? My gown? Promising to mark her in two days—right in front of me?" My voice rose, the headache surging back. "That was for me too?"Pain flickered across Leon's eyes. "I had to mak
The snowstorm in the North had nearly sealed off the road to the White Tower.I made it to Healer Cyrus just before dark.After he finished examining me, he pulled out a small black vial, his brow heavy with worry. "Delores, your wolf spirit is critically weak. If you don't take the medicine now—"I took the vial from him without hesitation, cutting him off. "I'll take it."Cyrus paused, his hand hovering over the bottle as he studied me with a puzzled look. "This potion will destroy the bond between you and your fated mate—not temporarily. Permanently."Outside, the wind howled against the windows.I nodded, calm. "That's not a problem."Cyrus went still—genuinely taken aback. He looked at me like he didn't recognize me."A year ago, you said you'd rather let your wolf spirit sleep than lose your bond with Leon." He paused. "Even when I warned you that you had maybe three years left—you didn't hesitate. So what changed…?"His voice trailed off as my memories surfaced.Back then, I tru
Leon's POVThe Moon Spring reflected the silver light, shimmering in tiny ripples across the water.Nerissa still wasn't used to walking—her steps stumbled, unsteady. But she clung tightly to Leon's arm, her eyes full of hope."Why did you bring me here?"Leon stopped by the spring's edge and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear."Nerissa—I want you to release your Tear Pearl."The smile on her face froze. "Why?""Only then can I truly mark you." He took her hands, his voice growing tender. "I want you to be my real Luna."Her hand drifted to her chest.The Tear Pearl was a mermaid's source of power. Lose it, and she'd not only never regain her tail—she'd lose the ability to breathe underwater. The ocean would no longer be her home—it would be her grave."Leon…" Doubt flickered in her eyes. "Without the pearl, I really can't go back."Leon suppressed his impatience and pulled her into his arms."Why would you want to go back?" He kissed the top of her head, voice gentle. "Silve







