I waited three whole years for Caleb, the future Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack. I was his fated mate.

Even though his wolf howled with the mating frenzy every time he came near me, he refused to complete the marking ceremony on the full moon.

Then, he developed a sick obsession with my stepsister, Lila.

He claimed Lila was his "True Love." He didn't care about Pack laws. He spread his possessive pheromones all over the territory, just to court her.

This time, my wolf didn’t whimper. She didn’t try to beg through the mind link like she used to.

I watched them calmly. In that moment, I actively blocked the bond.

I got rid of every token that carried his scent.

I took the pure white lace nightgown I had secretly sewn for our mating ceremony and threw it into the fireplace. I watched the flames swallow it whole.

On the day of his first full moon shift as an adult, I severed my mental link with the Silver Moon territory and drove away.

Just before I got in the car, Caleb sent a message through the Pack link:

"Why aren't you here yet? The Elders and the members are waiting for you."

I looked at the screen and smirked. I didn't reply.

I blocked him. Then I blocked every single member of the Silver Moon Pack.

He didn't know. Two weeks ago, I made a choice.

I accepted the Mate Contract from the Alpha of the most powerful pack in the North—Lucas Knight of the Midnight Blood Pack.

When my plane lands in the North, I will accept his mark. I will become his Luna.

...

"Lucas, my wolf is ready."

I stood in front of the mirror. I looked pale and thin, the result of enduring the pain of a rejected bond for so long.

It turns out, turning your back on the Moon Goddess's original arrangement isn't that hard.

"Ivy... are you sure you want to accept my mark?"

On the other end of the phone, Lucas’s voice was low and husky. It carried the magnetic command of a powerful Alpha, yet he was incredibly gentle with me.

My nose stung—a biological reaction to being protected by a strong male.

As a tear rolled down my cheek, I whispered, "I accept."

"Ivy, did you know? Since the first time we caught each other's scent at the Wolf Academy, my wolf has been praying for this day."

I didn't realize I was smiling until I saw my reflection.

"Give me two weeks. I'll annul all alliance obligations with the Silver Moon Pack through the Council."

"Okay, Ivy. My wolf and I will wait for you."

The moment I hung up, my bedroom door was pushed open.

"Ivy." My father, Marcus, walked in. He was a Beta of the Silver Moon Pack. He cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Lila just went through her first shift. Her body is reacting badly. She’s a weak wolf. Your master bedroom faces the moon—it’s best for absorbing energy and healing. The Elders think, for the future of the Pack, you two should swap rooms."

I remained silent. My gaze drifted to the mother and daughter behind him.

My stepmother, Karen, quickly chimed in, "Marcus, we shouldn't trouble Ivy."

Lila shrank her neck back, radiating a sickeningly fragile aura. "Yes, Daddy, I'm fine. Don't let me ruin the harmony of the Pack."

"This is the Council's decision," my father said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Ivy, you are a Pureblood. Your body is strong. You should make concessions for the good of the Pack."

I stared blankly at my father.

I thought my wolf would go mad from the betrayal. I thought she would break because my father favored a mixed-blood stepdaughter over me.

But I didn't shed a single tear. My wolf just lay there, letting out a mocking snort.

"Fine. I'll switch with her."

In two weeks, I would sever all blood ties with this rotting Pack.

It didn't matter which room I slept in anymore.