When the Moonmark Was Switched

When Seth told me for the sixth time that he had failed to draw the Moonmarkagain and could not bond with me this year, asking me to wait another year, I only nodded calmly and whispered:

“Alright.”

Seth’s comforting words caught in his throat. He looked at me in astonishment.

“Layla, are you angry?”

He sighed and pulled me tightly into his arms.

“Luck is unpredictable. Maybe next year I’ll get the Moonmark!”

I buried my face in his chest, tears streaming down silently.

“It doesn’t matter anymore.”

If I hadn’t overheard his conversation with his Beta two hours earlier, I would still foolishly believe that failing to draw the Moonmarkfor six years was truly just bad luck.

But now I finally knew it was all deliberate.

For Ian, he had lied to me for six whole years.

Six years ago, Seth brought Ian back to the Nightfang Packterritory and arranged the most comfortable dwelling for her himself.

He said to me:

“Ian’s father died fighting to save me. I owe him a debt of gratitude.”

“She grew up in the Barren Wastes, so I brought her here to live under the Nightfang Pack’s protection.”

I didn’t think much of it then, only feeling deeply thankful that her father had saved my mate.

I never expected she would make such an absurd request to Seth.

Even more chilling, he actually agreed to such an unreasonable demand.

“What do you mean it doesn’t matter? I’ve just been unlucky. Next year, I will definitely draw the Moonmark!”

His tone was so certain, as if everything was under his control.

I knew exactly why, but after today, there would be nothing between us anymore.

The night before the lot drawing, an elder from my own pack came to see me in private.

“This is Seth’s last chance to choose his mate freely. If he still fails to draw the Moonmark, it will prove your union is not blessed by the Moon Goddess. According to the pack’s ancient law, he will no longer have the right to choose his own mate.”

He looked at me meaningfully and continued:

“It’s been six years. You should be prepared. If you cannot complete the mating ceremony with Seth this year, you must return to your own pack and begin your training as the Future Alpha. This is your pack’s iron rule. There will be no more delays.”

That day, I resisted the truth with all my heart and firmly believed that Seth would surely draw the Moonmarkthis time, and we would bond soon.I had even decided that on the night of our bonding, I would confess my true identity to him.

Yet reality slapped me hard.

And the conversation I overheard completely shattered all my hope.

Seth was about to make another promise when the flap of the tent was suddenly thrown open.

Ian poked her head in, sticking her tongue out playfully.

“Sorry to interrupt, but I can’t wait any longer…”

She waved eagerly at Seth, not sparing me a single glance.

“Seth, the hunting party is waiting at the territory entrance. Let’s go quickly!”

“I’m coming!”

Seth let go of me and explained apologetically.

“Ian insisted on having a new moon-carved wolf-bone pendant. I haven’t forgotten yours either. The silver-vine pendant you liked has already been prepared by the pack’s craftsman.”

He reached for my hand, but I gently pulled away.

“I’m not feeling well. You two go ahead.”

Seth was displeased by my refusal, but urged by Ian, he only said hastily:

“Don’t be angry. I’ll bring you a gift when I return.”

The patience in his gaze when he looked at Ian used to be mine alone. Now, he gave that to her too.

Watching their retreating figures, I closed my eyes and made up my mind.

I would not wait any longer.

I would go back to my pack and accept my duty as the Future Alpha.