Chapter 3

I pretended not to hear them and kept my head down, organizing my files.

But the moment the pack members saw me, they fell silent.

The air turned awkward.

I could feel their pity and their ridicule.

They were laughing at me, the Luna who was less favored than the Alpha’s childhood friend.

I offered a small smile and walked past them.

“Good evening, Luna,” they said respectfully.

Surface respect. Inward contempt.

I understood completely.

A week later, the pack alliance charity gala took place as planned.

I arrived at the ballroom wearing a simple black gown.

Everyone knew the real purpose of this party: it was for Amara, to help her move on from her mate’s death.

I looked at the tables laden with champagne and foie gras—all foods I hated.

I remembered years ago, when Darian was courting me.

He drove all over the city just to find the street vendor that sold my favorite hot dogs.

“Only the best for my girl,” he’d said back then.

Now? He couldn’t even be bothered to remember what I liked.

“Maeve.” Darian’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.

He walked to the main stage, flanked by several pack elders.

“Everyone,” he cleared his throat. “I have an important announcement tonight.”

My stomach dropped.

“To help our dear Amara recover and find new purpose in her life,” Darian’s voice boomed across the hall, “I have decided to transfer all duties of the Honorary Chair of the Werewolf Alliance to her.”

The room went silent.

That was my title. My work and my honor for years.

I had planned countless charity events and raised millions for the alliance.

Now he was just giving it away.

It was a public humiliation. Every eye in the room was on me.

But I just smiled and stood up.

“I agree. Amara needs this opportunity more than I do.”

A wave of murmurs swept through the crowd.

No one had expected me to accept it so calmly.

Darian visibly relaxed. A flash of smug satisfaction crossed his face.

As if to say, See? I told you she wouldn’t dare fight me.

“Thank you for your understanding, Maeve,” he praised me publicly. “That is the grace a Luna should have.”

Mate. What a joke.

Halfway through the gala, I made an excuse to leave.

“I have a bit of a headache. I’m going to go rest.”

“Do you need me to come with you?” Darian asked, the question purely for show.

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “You should stay and entertain your guests.”

Back home, I took a shower.

Darian came back at eleven.

He was holding a fine jewelry box.

“For you,” he said, handing it to me. “As compensation for tonight.”

I opened the box.

Inside lay a moonstone bracelet, shimmering under the light.

“This was one of the auction items tonight,” Darian explained. “They say it can soothe a wolf’s pained soul. I know you’ve been through a lot for the pack recently.”

A tiny spark flickered in the cold embers of my heart.

“Thank you,” I whispered, touching the moonstone. “It’s beautiful.”

Darian seemed pleased with my reaction.

“I’m glad you like it. I’m going to take a shower.”

He walked to the bathroom, humming a little tune.

He was clearly in a good mood.

I put on the bracelet, feeling the faint energy from the stones.

Just then, a pulse came through our nearly dead mate bond.

A powerful wave of warmth—protective, possessive, and deeply satisfied—flowed from Darian’s side and wrapped around me.

My heart skipped a beat. It had been so long since I’d felt that from him.

Was he happy for me? Because I liked his gift?

With a sliver of self-mocking hope, I picked up my phone and scrolled through my social feed out of habit.

Suddenly, a post made me freeze.

It was a new selfie from Amara.

Around her neck was the crystal from the auction catalog—the one so pure it looked like it held a full moon inside. The ‘Moon-soul Crystal.’

Her caption read: “A new beginning. Thank you for giving me your ‘heart.’”

The comments were already flooding in:

“Oh my goddess, is that the final auction item? The Moon-soul Crystal?!”

“The Alpha spoils you so much!”

“That crystal is priceless! They say it can completely heal a damaged wolf soul! It’s a treasure for our kind!”

“So jealous! A childhood friend like that is a dream come true!”

I put down my phone and looked at the simple, weak-powered moonstone bracelet on my wrist.

I finally understood.

That wave of warmth I’d felt through the bond wasn’t for me at all.

I was just a pathetic eavesdropper, catching the overflow of affection he was pouring out for someone else.

He gave me a consolation prize.

The one thing that could have truly healed my shattered wolf—the Moon-soul Crystal—he gave to Amara to “cheer her up.”

How laughable. He knew exactly what I needed most, and he had given it away without a second thought.

And I, like a fool, had actually dared to hope.