Chapter 1

In the sixth year of being Kaelen Vance’s fated mate, I found a ring box in the pocket of his jacket—the one for our Mating Ceremony.

My heart pounded with anticipation for my birthday party, where I was sure he would officially propose and complete our bond.

But then, I saw it on another pack member’s Instagram: a picture of him at a five-star restaurant with another girl.

I drove there immediately, my hands shaking on the steering wheel.

I saw it with my own eyes. Kaelen was down on one knee, proposing to Layla Croft. The pack members around them were cheering, shouting, "Mark her! Mark her!"

I didn't scream or cry like I used to. In the depths of my despair, I simply felt… numb.

I calmly pulled out my phone and dialed my father, the Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack.

“Dad, I agree to the alliance with the Nightwood Pack. You can begin the preparations for my bonding ceremony.”

My father was silent for a moment, then his voice filled with relief.

“My dear daughter, you’ve finally seen the light! In our world, power and bloodline are everything. Those little players on the outside are fine for a bit of fun, but we could never let a weak Beta lead our pack one day!”

“Mm,” I whispered, standing alone in the restaurant lobby, watching as Kaelen and Layla kissed to thunderous applause.

Everyone was celebrating them. Only I stood apart, a hollowed-out puppet.

My father could hear the noise on my end. “When are you coming home? The Alpha King of the Nightwood Pack has been waiting a long time. He’s eager to meet you and finalize the alliance.”

“In three days,” I said. “I just need to clean up a few things here first.”

After I hung up, perhaps my lonely figure stood out too much against the celebration. After slipping the ring on Layla’s finger, Kaelen stood and finally saw me.

Our eyes met across the crowded room. He looked slightly surprised, a frown creasing his brow, before he turned and led Layla back to their table.

Roses, champagne, romantic music… In my six years with him, I had never had any of it.

I turned to leave. Kaelen’s closest friends were all there; one of them must have posted the photo.

As I walked away, I heard them whistling and cheering. “Kaelen, you and Layla are a perfect match! It’s about damn time!”

“A toast! To our future Alpha and Luna!”

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. I had been his fated mate for six years, yet almost no one in his pack knew my true identity. But everyone, it seemed, knew about his special “friendship” with Layla.

A sour, nameless feeling clawed its way up my throat.

Today was my birthday. The sweetness I felt when I found the ring had turned into a fatal poison, piercing my heart.

When I got back to our apartment, I found a birthday cake by the door. The card was in Kaelen’s familiar handwriting: Happy birthday to my baby. May you always be happy.

The delivery guy smiled at me. “Ma’am, your boyfriend really treats you well. This is the most expensive cake in our shop, and he wrote the card himself!”

I opened the door and slammed the cake down on the table. So, he remembered my birthday. But what else had he done today?

I collapsed onto the sofa, my eyes instantly turning red in the empty room.

This place was filled with traces of our life together, but my fated mate had just used the ceremony meant for me to propose to another woman.

Now, the sight of that cake just made me sick.

I don’t know how long I sat there before the door suddenly swung open.