The Scar He Scorned

My mate, Alpha Clark, orchestrated 99 of my alchemical failures, all to steal my soul and gift it to another she-wolf.And I never suspected a thing.I had just spent thirty-six hours creating the Heart of Stars essence, a potion powerful enough to triple an Alpha's strength.I had only one thought.He's going to love this.I remembered the first time I showed Clark my workshop. He’d looked at all my bottles and jars, then back at me, the awe and adoration in his eyes impossible to miss.Another time, I’d accidentally cut my hand on a glass shard, and he’d been more frantic than I was.He bandaged it clumsily, his voice a pained whisper in my ear. "Myrna, these hands create miracles. They aren't meant for getting hurt."Miracles…I stared at the essence in the vial. This was just one more miracle I had created for him.Tonight was the victory celebration for his defeat of our northern rivals. This gift was perfect timing.I carefully sealed the Heart of Stars in a crystal vial and left

The next morning, I walked to the Elders' Council.The whispers on the street, the mockery about me being a "has-been" or "lucky," no longer bothered me.Fools.The clerk at the council office took my document.He glanced at the title, gave me a look like I was insane, and then let out a contemptuous snort."Luna, don't be ridiculous. Alpha Clark adores you. If anything, you're the one who doesn't deserve him. Instead of making trouble, you should focus on improving your pathetic alchemy skills."I stared at him, my face blank. "When will it be approved?""I suggest you reconsider—""I don't need to."I turned and left, heading straight for Clark's office.As I approached the door, I heard a familiar laugh.Layla's voice."Oh, Clark, you're too good to me," she cooed, her voice sickeningly sweet. "But this is so precious. I couldn't possibly accept.""Take it," Clark's voice was so gentle I barely recognized it. "You deserve it. No one deserves it more."I peeked through a crack in the

Inside the Temple, the statue of the Moon Goddess glowed with a holy, silver light.Layla knelt at the altar. A crown of pure silver and moonstone floated just above her head."By the Moon Goddess, Layla Green, do you accept the sacred duty of the 'Daughter of the Moon'?" the High Priest's voice boomed."I do," Layla's voice was clear and lovely.The guests held their breath, ready to witness this historic moment.CRASH!The Temple doors, or what was left of them, were flung open.A troop of warriors in black armor marched in, the silver wolf crest of the North gleaming on their chests.Leading them was a tall, silver-haired man whose powerful presence sent a tremor through the entire Temple.Logan Stone."Who dares interrupt this sacred rite?" the High Priest roared.Clark rose from the VIP section, his eyes burning with fury."Logan, what is the meaning of this?""I'm here to fulfill a promise," Logan's voice was deep and commanding. His gaze swept over every Alpha in the room. "And

Clark's POV"Alpha, still no word from the North."I put down my glass of whiskey and looked at the butler."Keep looking.""But sir, our funds—""Sell the three foundries in the East District," my voice was a raw whisper. "Keep looking."The butler hesitated."Alpha, perhaps you should give up. Luna Myrna chose to—""Get out!"I smashed the glass, the shards cutting my palm.Blood dripped onto the carpet, a mirror of my shattered heart.Three weeks.For three solid weeks, I had used every contact I had, and still, there was no trace of her.It was as if she had vanished from the earth."Alpha," another subordinate rushed in. "We have news from the Elders' prison.""What is it?""Layla Green wants to see you. She says it's important."I let out a cold, bitter laugh."She still has the nerve to see me?""She's been screaming for you. The warden says she's on the verge of a breakdown."I stood up and straightened my clothes."Let's go. It's time to put the past to rest."The Elders' unde

Myrna's POVA few days after Clark was thrown out of the Northern territories, he reappeared at the border, kneeling, begging for my forgiveness.On Day 1, the guards reported it. I didn't even look up. Let him kneel.On Day 15, he was still there, through sun and rain.On Day 50, a guard reported he was so thin he could no longer shift. I replied coldly, "He's doing this voluntarily. He can leave anytime he wants."On Day 98, the guards said he was dying.I remained unmoved.But on Day 99, as I was studying a new rune array, I heard a commotion outside."My lady!" a guard burst in. "Alpha Clark is blocking your carriage!"I frowned. "How did he get in?""He... he brought a Blood-Moon Flower. The guards didn't dare stop him."A Blood-Moon Flower. A sacred flower born of alchemy, so rare one was worth an entire city."Stop the carriage."I stepped out of the fortress and saw Clark kneeling in front of my carriage.He was skin and bones, his eyes sunken, but he was holding the breathtaki