Chapter 2

He knew my foster mother needed her medicine every single day.

Yet he still lectured me over the phone. "How many times do I have to say it? If you need money, go to Serena. She isn't going to deny you."

But getting that money from Serena was nearly impossible.

"What kind of shady clinic asks for two hundred thousand upfront? Luna, are you using this treatment as a cover to pocket the cash?"

"Two hundred thousand dollars is a lot of money. Tell the clinic to give you an itemized bill first. I'm rejecting this application for now."

I desperately explained that it was a down payment for emergency surgery. An itemized bill could only be printed after the patient was safe.

She tilted her head and smiled. She pretended to finally understand.

"Oh, I see. My bloodline has always been pure and healthy. I don't know anything about the diseases of you low-ranking wolves."

"But the pack's rules can't be broken. Go get official paperwork from the clinic as proof. I have to reject this for now."

Later, she added with a mocking tone, "I heard that shady clinics can forge records. I'm not accusing you of funding Rogues. But this money can't be handed out blindly."

"You need to provide their official policy to clear your name."

And just like that, the window to save my mother slipped away. It was stolen by her endless excuses.

By the time I finally got the money, it was too late. Even the top doctors in North America could only shake their heads at me.

In that moment, hatred felt like fine needles piercing my chest. Even breathing hurt.

This mate bond was a toxic cage. I couldn't stay in it for another second.

When I finally knew what to do, I felt light. It was like the Alpha mark on my soul had lost all its weight.

So when I saw Serena's flirty selfie on social media, I felt nothing.

The photo showed the massive windows of the pack house. Two glasses of wine. A man's hand rested on a chair. I recognized the cufflinks. I bought them for him myself.

The caption read, "Late nights at the office are always worth it when you work for the best Alpha."

I took a screenshot and left a simple like.

Sure enough, Killian texted me immediately. Whenever it involved Serena, he was always fast.

"Serena did a great job on the new project. I just bought her dinner as a reward. Don't start causing a scene."

Two seconds later, he sent another message. He sounded completely entitled.

"You already liked the post. If you unlike it now, people will gossip."

"Leave a comment praising her hard work. Everyone's watching. It'll make you look like a generous Luna."

"I'll come home early tonight. We can order whatever you want for dinner."

I wasn't going to reply. But the anger in my chest refused to go down.

So, I did exactly what Killian asked.

I typed a comment under Serena's photo.

"Secretary Serena is truly dedicated. You treat the Luna like a lowly maid. You enforce the pack budget like it's Alpha law. Great job. Keep it up."

"Every cent you save the pack will make a great wedding fund for when you finally replace me. Thumbs up."

After hitting send, I tossed my phone onto the carpet.

The Mind-link in my head flared to life. His anger rushed through our bond. It burned like a physical grip on the back of my neck.

I closed my eyes. For the first time ever, I actively blocked the connection.

The room suddenly became very quiet. I could hear my own heartbeat.

Then I started packing.

It didn't take long.

Everything valuable in this house was locked inside that high-tech safe. Everything that supposedly belonged to the Luna was trapped in the closet.

I couldn't take them. And I didn't want to.

I only packed a few old T-shirts, a worn-out medical notebook, and a cloth bag hand-sewn by my foster mother.

Three years. I lived in this pack house like a guest. My presence in his life was easily wiped away.

I stood in front of the mirror. I looked at the safe with its blinking red light.

My eyes were finally open. I finally saw the truth.