Chapter 1

David had been acting strangely lately.

Every time I saw him, he'd frown and mutter something under his breath.

Whenever our eyes met, he'd hesitate—like he had something to say—but then he'd say nothing at all.

And when I tried to ask what was wrong, he simply shook his head, gently but firmly.

Today was both the hunting competition and his birthday.

He was out celebrating with his friends, and since it was getting late, I figured the party must be over by now.

I decided to pick him up—and maybe talk to him about what had been bothering him.

I even wore a dress—for the first time in three years.

I wanted to look presentable in front of his friends, even if it felt unfamiliar and awkward.

As I reached for my moonstone necklace in the drawer, something caught my eye.

A glimmering ring lay quietly in the box.

I was stunned.

My wolf was so overwhelmed, she nearly leapt with joy.

This… this had to be it.

This was why he'd been so distant.

He was planning to propose.

My heart soared. I could hardly wait to see him—

To tell him I was ready.

That I wanted to be claimed.

That I wanted to be his Luna.

But just as I found him, I heard something that made my blood run cold.

"I really want to mark her," he said, "but she's always kept her distance over the past three years."

The smile on my face froze.

I stood still outside the door—paralyzed, as if the world had stopped spinning.

"She's always kept her ex-mate, Jackson, in her heart. That's why she keeps wanting to end her life.

I've lost count of how many times she's tried to kill her wolf in silence.

Can you believe it? Even after all this time, even as the Alpha, I still can't compete with a dead man.

I've been by her side for three years. Waited for her. Loved her.

And in all that time—she never cared about me.

No matter how much I gave her, she was always cold. Cold as ice.

And now I just want to know—

Is her wolf even still alive?

If she is, then why has she never once responded to mine?"

Hearing this felt like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over my head.

I started trembling. Hard.

I knew David wasn't drunk—so every word he said was real.

Then the others joined in, one by one.

"Exactly. No she-wolf could stay that cold for three years. She should've shown some gratitude."

"Let's be honest—Aria's wolf was never into you. She didn't even like your scent."

One guy, clearly itching for trouble, smirked and added,

"Maybe she still dreams about Jackson when she sleeps."

That did it.

David slammed his fist on the table.

His wolf was already shifting—eyes glowing, teeth bared.

He let out a low, vicious growl.

"What did you just say?"

One of David's friends noticed the fury burning in his eyes and quickly stepped in to ease the tension.

"Come on, he's just joking. Don't take it so seriously."

Then he smirked and added cruelly, "But honestly, David, don't get too attached. She's just a toy. Something to play with and throw away."

Another chimed in, laughing mockingly. "Yeah, David. Don't forget who you are—our Alpha. You used to be strong, fearless, romantic. Now? You're like some heartbroken fool, always whining over that she-wolf."

I stood there, staring at David as he slowly sank into his seat. His eyes were hollow, haunted.

My mind went numb. Everything around me blurred.

Then another voice cut through the noise like a blade.

"Maybe she thinks you'll never be as good as Jackson."

The words landed like a dagger to David's heart.

He didn't speak.

He just grabbed a bottle and began drinking—one shot after another, like each swallow could drown the pain.

His expression twisted, dark and violent. His wolf surged forward beneath his skin, ready to tear the room apart.

And still—no one stopped.

Not even themselves.

Finally, someone stood up, breaking the awkward silence.

"Don't make a scene! Today is David's birthday. Say something cheerful to him."

"Don't take it to heart, David. Anyway, her ex-mate is dead. It's actually better for you—at least your mate won't betray you like other she-wolves."

Hearing these "comforting" words, David regained his composure.

"I used to wish I had died… just to see whether she loved me more than Jackson."

My wolf let out a low, hoarse growl—I knew she must have been deeply wounded by his words.

His friends were all shocked by what he said.

"David, don't talk nonsense."

Suddenly, David slammed his bottle to the floor. The crash silenced the room.

He clenched his jaw, forcing out a few words full of regret.

"She tried to take her life so many times… and I saved her every single time. Has she never once been moved by that?"

"I swear, if she ever died for me, I'd laugh myself awake from the dream."

Everyone could tell he was spiraling again, so they tried to joke around to lighten the mood.

"Come on, she wouldn't do that for you. Who would save her if you were dead?"

"Seriously, why don't you just reject her? There are tons of gorgeous she-wolves in our pack."

"Yeah, every year Werewolf University graduates new beauties—and there's this one in our army, sexy and gentle."

David's head turned sharply to the side. He sneered.

"I hate to admit it… but maybe I really am not as good as Jackson. Three years, and I still can't make her accept my claim."

"But if I don't try… I'll never know. So tell me—

If I died in front of her, would she die for me?"

It felt like something was tearing my heart apart—and I could hear my wolf sobbing from the depths of my soul because of his words.

I wanted so badly to push the door open and rush in, but it felt like something sticky and heavy was clinging to my feet. I couldn't move an inch.

David thought I had taken him as Jackson's replacement.

So he tried to prove who I truly loved by taking his life—and dragged me down the edge of that cliff with him.

He didn't even care about scheming against himself.

Did he want to see if I'd really end my life… just because he died?

He didn't even hesitate to rip open my old scars—just to test me.

How ridiculous he was… and how little he cared about me.

My heart, which had only just begun to heal, was shattered again by his cruel words—

shattered, and thrown straight back into hell.