Chapter 1

Trista's POV

Rain tapped against the windowpane. It was a low, mournful sound, like the night sighing, making the quiet evening feel heavy.

I sat alone on the spacious balcony. My fingers aimlessly traced patterns on the tablecloth.

My gaze kept flicking to the empty chair across from me. Hope and anxiety wrestled inside my chest.

Tonight was my three-year anniversary with Cassian, the Alpha of the Ironthorn Pack.

He had promised we would bathe in the Blood Moon's glow every year, announcing our bond to the pack.

But tonight, he was late. He was still away on his "business trip."

The dinner I'd prepared sat on the table: roasted venison, stewed root vegetables, a pitcher of Silverflame wine, and a small cake I'd baked myself. The candle, shaped like the number "3," flickered weakly.

My hope, my love, my tenderness—all focused on this meal. Now, the cold night air swallowed it all.

Time dragged on. The food went cold. The candle flame was barely a spark.

A deep sense of dread crept into me. The air felt thick and crushing.

Suddenly, my communication stone vibrated softly.

It wasn't Cassian. It was his sister, Wynn Simmons.

"Trista," her voice was hesitant and stressed. "Look at the visual crystal I sent you..."

I poured a weak trace of magic into the crystal. The image that shone back instantly froze my blood.

In the vision, Cassian—my mate—stood by the lakeside at Sacred Springs Valley.

That was supposed to be our mating ceremony location. The Blood Moon should have been high tonight.

Instead, brilliant fire magic shimmered above the lake. Starlight glittered in the night sky. In his arms, he held a wolf cub, maybe five years old.

Cassian's hand—the one that placed the vow ring on my finger—was now draped intimately around another woman's waist.

It was Samantha Fernandez. His first love. They broke up six years ago.

The name hit me like a sharp arrow, right in the heart.

The pain was an icy wind, spreading quickly through every nerve ending.

She was the woman who only existed in Cassian's stories and on that cherished old photo in his study.

He loved her deeply. She was a rogue, and the Ironthorn Pack didn't accept her. She had to leave the States back then.

I could barely keep watching. But the next thing Cassian murmured on the image was a sudden gust of wind. It ripped away all my remaining hope.

"I made the lemon cake myself," he said softly. "May my love and my flame always protect you both."

The crystal slipped from my hand. It crashed to the floor. The sound was like an axe splitting my skull.

Shards cut into my ankle. Blood welled up, but I felt nothing.

Panicked, I tried to link with Cassian's mind-mark. All I found was emptiness.

This sight shattered the last of my illusions about him.

I grabbed my comm-stone and desperately tried to call him. Silence. Nothing but silence.

I called again. Still no answer.

On the third try, he finally picked up.

My knuckles were white. My voice was surprisingly calm. "It's our anniversary today."

There was a pause. Then his voice, sharp with impatience, cut through a loud background noise. "What is it? I'm handling important matters."

It was curt and annoyed. He spoke as if I were a trivial servant.

Then, Samantha's soft voice was faintly audible. "Am I bothering you? Maybe I should just..."

She didn't finish. Cassian cut the connection.

Helplessness, rage, and the pain of betrayal slammed into me. The deep connection I thought we shared suddenly felt ripped apart.

I curled up on the cold stone floor. I felt the tearing of our soul-bond, and I let out a low wail only I could hear.

I grabbed my long hair and let out a suppressed, almost wolf-like shriek. Then, the tears came. Endless tears.

A knock came at the door. I struggled up and walked to open it.

Wynn stood outside. She gasped when she saw my state. "Luna Trista! Your hands and feet are bleeding!"

I looked down. I hadn't realized my nails had dug into my palms. Lines of blood ran down my wrists.

I shook my head numbly.

"We need to go! Let's face him at Sacred Springs Valley right now!" Wynn's eyes flashed with fierce protectiveness. "You are Ironthorn's Luna. I won't accept any other she-wolf."

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to be calm. "Wynn, this is between your brother and me."

My mother, whose strength was depleted protecting our former pack, was resting at the Healing Center. She couldn't handle any stress.

I couldn't break down completely now.

Wynn watched me. She seemed ready to argue but finally left.

It was late. The night outside was silent.

I wandered the cold Alpha's house like a ghost.

I was born into the Silverlight Pack. I was an Alpha's daughter.

Cassian and I grew up together. I gave him everything I had. But his heart always belonged to a woman he couldn't forget.

That wasn't a secret.

Our mating was only an ancient alliance pact.

For three years, I had poured everything into being the Luna he deserved, trying to melt his frozen heart.

I didn't get his love. Instead, I got his dramatic "return" with his old flame and their child.

From the first crush to the adult, unconditional love, I had spent twenty-five years of my life and passion on him.

It was time to wake up.