Chapter 1

Olivia's POV

"Luna, does the surgery really have to be tomorrow?"

The healer looked at me, hesitation flickering across his face.

"It's not urgent. I heard the Alpha's coming back soon. Why not wait? His pheromones could help you recover—"

I cut him off softly. "No need. I can handle it myself."

The healer blinked in surprise.

I used to be famous for being clingy—I'd run to my mate, Alpha Luke Wilson of Silvermoon Pack, over the tiniest scratch.

I'd barely stepped out of the healer's cabin when I spotted a familiar figure.

Luke.

He was striding toward me, cradling a blood-soaked woman in his arms.

Sonya Smith.

The princess of Bloodmoon Pack's Alpha.

Our packs had always been allies, fighting side by side against common enemies. Sonya had been fighting alongside Luke for years.

Luke wanted me to be like her.

My eyes swept over her—and caught the pendant hanging around her neck.

I gave that to Luke.

He was always patrolling the borders, clearing out rogues that threatened the pack. I was so worried about him that I traded a whole bowl of wolf blood to a witch for that charm—it was supposed to boost strength and steady the wolf.

And he'd just handed it off to another woman.

Luke spotted me and frowned.

"What are you doing here? Did you follow me again? Olivia, when are you going to start focusing on your own business?"

I'd followed him around too many times before. The irritation on his face was written all over.

He thought this was the same old thing—that I'd come to the healer with some scraped knee just to get his attention.

I didn't bother explaining. I grabbed the healer's diagnosis note and ripped it to shreds.

"It's nothing. Minor issue."

Luke frowned, bending down to pick up a scrap—one that said I had surgery scheduled for tomorrow.

He froze, looked up at me, and asked, "What's going on?"

"Just a small procedure." I shrugged.

"I'm busy tomorrow. Push it back a day. I'll come with you—my pheromones can help you heal faster."

The words slipped out before I could stop them. "I can handle it myself. Don't bother. Thanks."

The cold formality hit him like a slap. He stood there, frozen.

The old me would've clung to him, told him everything.

But now, with something as big as losing a pup, I didn't say a word. I was going through surgery alone.

Even if he offered to be there, I didn't need him anymore.

I snatched the rest of the diagnosis note from his hand and threw it away, forcing myself to look indifferent. "You should go take care of Sonya instead..."

My voice trailed off. I was afraid I'd choke up if I said another word.

I'd already asked his Beta. Luke had no pack business for the past two days. And yet, he didn't come home.

Now I knew why.

There was another woman who needed him.

"Don't take it the wrong way."

Luke loosened his grip on Sonya slightly, his face turning serious. "Sonya got hurt protecting me. The Silvermoon Alpha sent her to us—we can't just let her bleed out."

Sonya forced herself to stand straight, but her injured body still wobbled. "Alpha, I'm fine. You should take care of Luna. The healer's right here—I can manage."

Luke immediately reached out to steady her, his eyes full of concern. "No, her surgery can wait. But you were hit with silver by those rogues—your injury is serious."

Then he turned to me.

"Sonya took out another group of rogues threatening us. That should've been your job as Luna, but... forget it."

"Olivia, we have healing herbs at home that speed up wound recovery. Go brew some for Sonya."

With that, he turned and walked away with Sonya in his arms.

My eyes burned, but I forced a smile. Pretended nothing was wrong.

It'd always been like this, hadn't it?

In his eyes, I was never a qualified Luna.

I didn't have Sonya's strength. Wasn't independent and tough like her. Couldn't fight beside him like she did.

But I was just an Omega.

No matter how hard I trained, I'd never be an Alpha like her.

But all he wanted was a powerful Luna.

He couldn't see that I managed the pack well. That our members actually liked me as their Luna.

Couldn't see my healing skills—that I'd saved plenty of pack wolves with my medicine.

Luke would never be satisfied with who I was.