Chapter 3

Cassia walked straight to the main table, ignoring all the surrounding Alphas and Betas. Her kohl-rimmed eyes were locked on Aiden as she sauntered to his side.

She didn't even need an invitation.

A collective gasp went through the hall as the werewolves began to whisper, trying to guess her identity.

"Isn't that the little model from the commercials? How can she be so brazen, daring to sit next to our Alpha?"

"Isn't she afraid the Alpha will banish her from the territory in a fit of rage?"

"Shh, keep it down! I heard she's backed by a mysterious Rogue faction. Haven't you seen all the rare magical jewelry she flaunts during her livestreams?"

Just as I looked away, I saw Cassia brazenly grab Aiden's hand and press it against her breast, right in the valley of her deep V dress.

Aiden's hand froze. He instinctively tried to pull it back, but Cassia just smiled and held it there, her body swaying slightly.

My heart stopped.

I looked at Aiden.

Push her away. Just push her away!

My wolf howled in despair deep within my soul.

But in the end, Aiden stopped struggling. He didn't pull his hand back.

I whipped my head to the side, clenching my fists so tightly my nails dug into my palms.

A searing pain shot through the mate bond, like a red-hot dagger plunging straight into my heart.

I was lost in a daze for the rest of the auction, only pulled back to reality by the gasps that erupted when the final item was presented.

I looked up to see a dazzling Moon Goddess necklace resting quietly on the magical display stand.

The auctioneer beside it was passionately describing its origins.

Legend has it that the necklace is a sacred artifact crafted by the Moon Goddess herself, symbolizing the eternal and unwavering loyalty between mates.

Perhaps sensing my interest in the necklace, Aiden raised his bidding paddle without hesitation.

"Ten million gold coins!"

Then, a sultry female voice chimed in from beside him.

"Thirty million gold coins!"

He turned to see Cassia had also raised a paddle. Noticing his displeased glare, she gave him a seductive smile, her eyes full of allure.

"So sorry, Alpha. My own patron adores me and wants to gift me this necklace!"

Aiden's face instantly darkened. "Fifty million gold coins!"

"One hundred million gold coins!"

"One hundred and fifty million gold coins!"

...

Finally, Aiden made a single gesture.

The auctioneer at the front excitedly slammed down the magical gavel.

"Moonfire! The Alpha has ignited the Moonfire!"

"Congratulations to the Alpha on winning the Heart of the Moon Goddess!"

As thunderous applause erupted, Aiden nonchalantly pulled his hand from Cassia's grasp and kissed my forehead.

"Wait here for me, my love. I'll go get the necklace for you."

I watched him get up and leave, and then Cassia, across from me, also stood, giving me a meaningful glance.

Only after everyone had left did I finally unclench my fists. My nails had dug so deep into my palms that they drew blood.

But as if I couldn't feel the pain, I stood up and walked out.

My phone screen was still lit with a single, read message.

[The Alpha's private lounge. Come and see who your Alpha truly belongs to, my dear future Luna.]

With the guests dispersed, the empty corridor echoed with nothing but my footsteps.

Anyone who tried to approach the lounge was quietly turned away by the Betas standing guard in the distance.

I hadn't even gotten close when I heard the sounds coming from within.

It was the sound of tearing fabric and a heavy thud.

I leaned against the wall, staring blankly at the scene before me.

The door to the lounge was ajar. Aiden had Cassia pinned against the wall.

The veins on his forehead bulged as his large hand gripped her slender neck. "Are you insane, Cassia?!"

"What the hell were you doing out there in front of the pack and Elara?!"

Cassia showed no fear.

Her long leg, clad only in red silk, snaked around Aiden's lean waist.

She tilted her head back, her eyes hazy, and breathed hotly in his ear.

"My Alpha, your body is so honest. The moment you touched me... you were hard as a rock, weren't you?"

Aiden's body went rigid.

I could clearly see the reason in his eyes crumbling, replaced by an even murkier desire.

"Shut up..."

He gasped, but the hand on her neck loosened, moving instead to grip the back of her head.

"I want to kill you..."

"Then kill me."

Cassia moaned, offering her lips to him. "Right here, in your own way... kill me."

The next second, Aiden let out a guttural, beast-like growl.

He crushed his mouth to hers, his hands tearing roughly at the inconvenient red dress.

The two shamelessly tangled together again.

The pain from the mate bond made my legs give out, and tears slid silently down my face.