Chapter 1

When I looked up, I realized everyone seated around the long dining table was staring at me.

Adrian held his wineglass in one hand and patted the empty chair beside him.

"Elena, come sit with me."

In the past, that seat had always been mine. Even though no one knew about our relationship, I had grown used to sitting beside him, pouring his wine, and holding his hand beneath the table.

This time, however, I ignored him and walked straight over to my brother, Ethan. I took the seat beside him instead. The legs of my chair scraped against the floor with an ear-piercing screech.

Adrian's expression darkened instantly. Ethan glanced at me, then at Vivian, and quickly tried to smooth things over with a laugh.

"Alpha, we all know you think of Elena as your little sister. But you're already mates with Vivian. You can't expect things to stay the way they used to be." He grinned, then added, "Wouldn't want Vivian getting jealous."

Adrian let out a scoff. "I just don't want Vivian to leave with any regrets. This arrangement will only last a month. Besides, if I really wanted to make her my mate, why would I have waited until now?"

Judging by the looks on their faces, no one believed him.

"When Vivian left the Frost Moon Pack, the Alpha was miserable for over six months."

"He used to say he never wanted to bond with anyone. Then Vivian came back, and all it took was one word from her for him to complete the bonding ceremony. Who's going to believe he wasn't waiting for her all along?"

"I remember him getting drunk and saying that if Vivian ever wanted to come back, he'd bond with her in a heartbeat."

"Exactly! And there were plenty of people around to hear him say it."

One after another, the guests chimed in, backing up the stories.

I lowered my eyes and ran my fingers along the rim of my glass, pretending I had not heard a thing.

No one knew that beneath the moonlight, in the snow-covered clearing, he had once lowered his head and kissed me.

"One day, I'll make you my Luna."

I had believed him for five whole years.

When I turned 20, I asked him to make our relationship public. Adrian took my hand and said softly, "Elena, you're still too young. The rumors around the pack would only hurt you."

When I turned 22, he gave me another deadline.

"Wait until you're 23. If we're still together by then, I'll tell everyone about us."

Today was my 23rd birthday. He had finally announced his mate to the world. Only, that person was not me.

"Elena." Vivian's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. Her eyes settled on the necklace around my neck, and she gave me a sweet smile. "That necklace is gorgeous. Would you mind giving it to me?"

My fingers tightened around my glass.

It was the 18th birthday present Adrian had given me, the necklace that marked the beginning of our love story. I had not taken it off once in five years.

Ethan glanced at me, clearly trying to help Vivian get what she wanted. "Elena, it's just a necklace. They've missed out on so many years together. Why not let Vivian have this one little thing?"

I looked up at Adrian. He had not said a word from the beginning. It was only when Vivian slipped her arms around his and started pouting that he finally spoke.

"Adrian, I really like it. Why don't you buy me an identical one? Then, even if I only have one month left, I won't have any regrets."

Adrian clicked his tongue and told her not to say things like that. "Don't say such things. It's just a necklace. It's not worth anything special."

Then, he turned to me. "Since Vivian likes it, give it to her."

I stared at him, stunned. An icy emptiness spread through my chest.

Ever since I turned 18, I had stayed by his side without ever asking for a title or recognition.

For him, I had accepted a secret relationship. I had accepted keeping my distance from him in front of every member of the pack.

He did not want anyone to know about us, so I had willingly stayed hidden where the moonlight could not reach.

For five years, I had given him everything I had. Yet only now did I realize that the love I had held out in both hands meant absolutely nothing to him.

Vivian was clearly enjoying his indulgence.

Amid the guests' cheers and teasing, she leaned forward and kissed Adrian.

His eyes instinctively flicked toward me. For a split second, he seemed ready to push her away. However, after the briefest hesitation, he closed his eyes and kissed her back.

I watched them wrapped in each other's arms. The last trace of pain in my chest slowly faded into numbness.

I reached behind my neck, unclasped the necklace, and placed it on the table. "Adrian is right. It's not particularly valuable."

I turned to Vivian. "You can have it."