Chapter 1

Three days ago.

Leon was carefully cleaning the scales off Nerissa's tail. I stared at the crown on her head, my skull splitting with pain. Years ago, I'd taken a silver blade from a Vampire Prince to save Leon—and in return, I'd been poisoned with silver. Now I suffered from Wolf Spirit Weakness Syndrome. Every time my emotions spiked, the pain would tear through my head like a blade.

"Leon," I said, my voice low. "She's wearing my Luna Crown. Don't you have anything to say about that?"

Leon's hands paused for a moment—but he didn't look up.

Nerissa answered for him. She touched the rim of the crown, settling it straighter, her posture every inch the Luna she already believed herself to be.

"Delores, you of all people should know what this crown means. Leon hasn't formally marked me yet—but I'm the true Luna of the Silvermoon Pack."

Her tone wasn't sharp. If anything, it carried a trace of pity.

"I know you've been with him a long time. I know you're his fated mate. But being Luna isn't about who came first, or who gave more."

I bit down hard on my lower lip.

Leon had this crown custom-made—for me. Three years ago, at our bonding ceremony, he placed it on my head with his own hands. And now he just let her wear it, without a single word of explanation.

I turned to him. "Is this what you want? What did she say?"

Leon avoided my gaze, reached out, and playfully tapped Nerissa's nose. "You like it?"

Her eyes lit up. "I love it."

"Then keep it." His smile was soft, warm. "I'll have the craftsmen make you a few more."

Nerissa lowered her eyes, feigning shyness. "Won't that be too much trouble?"

"For you? Nothing's too much trouble."

The two of them chatted like I wasn't even there.

I stood at the edge of the pool, my chest crushed under something heavy, each breath a struggle. The pain in my temples kept exploding, wave after wave. My voice trembled as I forced out, "Leon—"

His phone buzzed in his pocket. He raised a hand, cutting me off mid-sentence, and answered. After a few moments, his expression hardened.

"Border trouble. I have to go." He tossed the words out, bent down to press a kiss to Nerissa's cheek, and walked off.

He didn't even glance at me.

I gripped the pool's edge and lowered myself onto the cold stone steps. The pain climbed higher, and my wolf spirit was so weak it couldn't even manage a whimper.

Nerissa swam over to me, her voice soft, almost like she actually cared.

"You look terrible. Wolf Spirit Weakness acting up again?"

I didn't answer.

She reached up with damp fingertips and pressed them against my temples, leaning close to whisper in my ear.

"The Northern Healer's messenger came this morning. He said the healer will only be in Snowport for three days. Delores—if you don't want your wolf spirit to wither away, you should leave tomorrow night."

I shoved her hand away and forced myself to stand, pulling out my phone to call Leon.

I refused to believe that seven years between us meant less than a single mermaid.

One ring. He hung up.

This was the first time he'd ever ignored my call.

Nerissa watched me, let out a soft sigh, and pulled out her waterproof phone. She dialed him.

One ring. He picked up.

His voice dripped like honey. "What is it, Nerissa?"

She glanced at me, the corner of her mouth curling up just slightly.

"Leon, I have a surprise for you. You'll find out when you get back. I promise—you'll be so happy."

His voice softened through the line. "Alright. I'll be waiting."

I couldn't hear what they said after that.

Everything felt absurd. Laughable.

Maybe I really should leave.

The pain spiked—sharp, blinding—and the world went black.

When I came to, the pool water had turned a murky, dark red. Nerissa stood before me, soaking wet, her hair plastered to her pale face. And her tail—her tail was gone.

In its place were two long, slender legs. Human legs.