Chapter 1

The Alpha of the Redmoon pack, Alexander Rowe, pulled me from the depths of hell and made me his Luna. I thought I had finally found happiness, but he only marked me to free the woman who killed my father.

…

From the office, I could hear Alexander talking with Marcus Hale, his Beta. Every word felt like a blow, breaking me apart.

"Starting today, no one in the Redmoon pack is allowed to visit the prison. We can't let Savannah catch on that Joanna has disappeared and stir up trouble for Joanna's marking ceremony," Alexander said.

"Alpha, this is a critical time for the Redmoon pack's expansion," Marcus warned. "If news gets out that you hid the truth from Luna and arranged Joanna's release, it will have serious consequences. Besides, Joanna was involved in a hit-and-run…"

"Enough!" Alexander snapped, cutting him off with a wave of anger. "Joanna already knows what she did was wrong. As Luna, Savannah should show mercy and forgive her. I signed the letter of pardon on her behalf.

"I've already given Savannah's old pack a fortune in forest resources to make up for Thomas's death. There's no point in punishing Joanna any further. She never meant for any of this to happen!"

Joanna Grant had hit my father, Thomas Whitmore, and left him to die alone by the roadside. And now, Alexander was asking me to forgive her.

"What if the Luna finds out?" Marcus pressed with a heavy sigh. "No matter how well you try to cover it up, what's done always leaves a trace. The Luna will discover the truth eventually. When it all comes out, our pack's partnerships with the others will be at risk…"

I stood outside the office door, pressing my hand over my mouth as tears streamed silently down my cheeks.

Everything was a lie. Our bond was a lie, and everything Alexander did was all an act.

Joanna, the woman who killed my father, had only served a year in prison before being quietly released. She was now back with the White Wolf pack, preparing to be marked by my former fiance.

The murderer was out living her life, free and unbothered—all because of the man I trusted most.

What I thought was happiness had been nothing more than a cage built on lies.

After getting betrayed by my mate, it felt like a knife had torn through my heart. I could hardly breathe.

I stumbled down the stairs and stepped outside. As I stood under the moonlight, I tried to steady my breath and calm myself.

It was nearly midnight by the time the last light in the building finally went out.

Alexander appeared in the doorway. As soon as he saw me, he smiled gently and took my hand.

"What are you doing here? How long have you been waiting? Why didn't you just come inside?" he asked.

I turned away. "I just got here. You mentioned you've been busy lately, so I wanted to bring you some soup. Your staff told me you were in a meeting, so I waited out here."

"Vannah, you're so silly. Ever since I brought you home, your health hasn't been the best. Don't stand out here for me. Next time, just let someone else deliver it. I worry about you."

With that, he pulled me close and kissed my cheek.

His kiss was warm and gentle, but my heart had never felt colder. I knew it was all an act and that he never truly loved me.

After that, we got into the car together. As he drove, he casually brought up, "Vannah, did you hear? The Alpha of the White Wolf pack is about to mark his new Luna. Since you were his fiancee, it's better if you don't attend the ceremony."

So, Samuel West really was getting marked again? How loyal of him. He had waited a whole year just to make Joanna his Luna.

My chest tightened as I said, "He's getting marked again? Don't worry, I won't show up and make a scene. It's been a year already."

Alexander looked relieved and smiled. "I knew you'd be understanding. Having you as my Luna is truly my luck."

I didn't say another word and just turned to stare out the window as silent tears rolled down my cheeks.

Later, when we returned home, I waited until Alexander went to shower before opening his computer.