Chapter 1

I'm the Luna of the Blood Moon Pack. Yet, I have to get approval from my mate's secretary for every single expense.

All because he thought my low-ranking bloodline meant I'd waste pack money.

Three days ago, my foster mother was in critical condition. His secretary, Serena, purposely held back the two hundred thousand dollars. She delayed the payment until my foster mother died in that hospital bed.

Killian would never understand. I only endured this toxic mate bond for the doctors and money he controlled.

Now that my foster mother was gone, I had no reason to stay.

I pushed the Rejection papers in front of Killian. He didn't even glance at them.

He just sighed. "Be a good girl. Stop throwing a tantrum."

His eyes never left his laptop screen while he spoke to me.

Those boring business files seemed far more important than his own mate.

I kept my eyes down. My voice was steady. "I'm serious. I want a Rejection."

Killian took a deep breath and finally looked up. He treated me like a stubborn child.

"I was the one who froze the funds for your foster mother. It's got nothing to do with Serena. She was just following my orders."

"You caused a scene in front of the Elders. I had to teach you a lesson."

"I had them restore the money yesterday. Hazel, I deal with endless pack emergencies every day. I don't have time for your drama."

He didn't give me a chance to speak. He grabbed his coat and walked out of the room.

He fully believed I'd take those papers back in a few hours. He was certain I'd soften up, cling to him, and try to please him like always.

Even when he'd grab my chin in bed and mock me. He'd say, "You look so desperate to please me. You have no dignity at all."

I'd just smile and stay silent. I played the part of his perfect pet.

But now, the money was completely meaningless.

If he'd just listened to my phone call three days ago, maybe I'd still be here today.

But he never had the patience to listen to me.

I begged him that day. I told him not to hang up. I said, Killian, just let me finish. Just give me thirty seconds.

But thirty seconds couldn't beat a sweet whisper from Serena. "Is the Luna mad at me because I reminded her of the rules last week?"

Her voice was soft and full of fake innocence. "I really meant well. The Luna grew up in a poor pack. I just didn't want her bringing bad habits into our territory."

"That's why I strictly followed the rules. I just wanted to help set boundaries for her. It's for her own good."

Hearing that, Killian completely lost his patience with me.

Through the phone, I could hear him comforting her.

Then he said to me, "Serena's trying to help. Be a good girl. Follow the rules. It's for your own good."

Honestly, I should've been used to it by now.

He always gave me the exact same answers.

"I'm in a pack meeting. Go find Serena for small things."

"Listen to Serena."

"Just fill out the forms exactly how Serena tells you to."

I was his marked mate and the Luna of the pack. Yet, I lived worse than an Omega maid.

I couldn't even leave the house freely.

I had to attend pack banquets and Full Moon ceremonies. But I had to submit a request to Serena just to wear my own dresses and jewelry.

Serena loved to wear that sweet, harmless smile. She loved rejecting my requests over and over again.

"Luna, your reason for requesting this gown isn't good enough. Please rewrite it."

"The Alpha's gathering ends at ten tonight. Why did you ask to stay out until midnight?"

"Luna, how can you fail at a simple form? I told you it'll only be approved if it's filled out right."

She always approved my forms exactly one minute before the banquet started. Then she'd stand at the door and smile brightly. She loved watching me sprint to the dressing room and rush down the stairs while putting on my earrings.

Because of this, I was often late.

Whenever that happened, Killian would glare at me across the crowded hall. "Hazel, do you have no sense of time?"

"You can never get ready on time. Why can't you be more like Serena?"

Yes, I truly couldn't do anything right.

I was always out of breath. I was always struggling to keep up with his pace.

And it was all thanks to his perfect, thoughtful secretary.

But he couldn't see her petty games. Or rather, he just didn't care.