Chapter 1

My husband Kian's female graduate student Lila sent me a photo.

In the picture, my Alpha lay naked beside her, with a message that screamed defiance:

"Luna Elara, Professor Kian was so passionate, he's tired and asleep. He asked me to tell you he won't be home tonight."

I stared at the photo for three seconds, then lightly tapped my screen, taking a screenshot of the photo and chat history.

I immediately sent it to both the Blackspire Pack's Council SnapChat group and the entire Chicago University faculty and student SnapChat group.

"Congratulations, Lila, on successfully claiming your spot by Alpha Kian's side."

Sent, powered off, all in one swift motion.

When I switched my phone back on two days later, the entire North American werewolf community was already in an uproar.

0In the photo, Kian lay naked, sinking into the hotel's down pillows, with Lila, equally unclothed, sleeping beside him.

I zoomed in on the picture, my gaze falling on the red marks on his neck, and a smile touched my lips.

No reply, just a screenshot saved.

Then I tapped into the two most active group chats and sent it with one click.

"Congratulations, Lila, on successfully claiming your spot by Alpha Kian's side."

The moment the message popped up, I silenced all notifications and placed my phone screen-down on the table.

The world outside abruptly fell silent.

Beyond the apartment's floor-to-ceiling windows, Chicago's city lights stretched out like a silent, endless sea.

I walked to the liquor cabinet, pulled out an unopened bottle of whiskey, and poured myself half a glass.

The amber liquid clung to the glass, leaving slow, tear-like trails.

Today was Kian's and my third wedding anniversary.

Kian had sent a voice message via FaceTime that afternoon,

saying the closing dinner for the academic conference was unavoidable, with several elder researchers attending, so he had to be there.

He said he'd try to come home early to "make up" for tonight.

So, his "dinner" was this.

His "make up" was this kind of make up.

I carried my glass to the dining table.

The black wolf figurine on the cake stood with its head held high, proud and solitary.

I reached out a finger and gently pushed it. The black wolf toppled into the cream, its head snapping off.

What a shame.

I drained the glass in one gulp, the pungent liquid burning my throat.

Good.

Years ago, the Blackspire Pack was severely hit by a winter blizzard. Our supply lines completely collapsed, so we proactively sought an alliance marriage with the Frostveil Pack, hoping to use their resources to overcome the crisis.

My father had planned to pick just any Omega, but I'd seen Kian once at a Pack summit and was drawn to him.

I personally canceled a territory cooperation agreement with the Ironclaw Pack that had been in discussion for six months.

For three consecutive months, I flew to the Blackspire Pack's territory three times, pulling all-nighters to rework their winter supply chain plan, helping them reduce winter losses by thirty percent.

I proved to all the Elders that I wasn't just there to be a figurehead Luna.

Kian had held my hands then, swearing before the Elders, "Elara, I'll protect you for life. We'll govern the Pack together."

Vows, the more solemnly they're made, the more cheaply they're broken.

Since he broke our pact first, this marriage, bound by Pack interests and youthful infatuation, should end here.

I didn't cry or make a scene. I pressed the intercom and called Ethan, my guard captain, whom I’d brought from the Frostveil Pack.

"Organize and load all my personal belongings and research data," I instructed, pointing to the study and walk-in closet.

"Leave Kian's personal items untouched. Register all the gifts he gave me and place them in the living room storage. They'll be returned to the main villa tomorrow."

I walked into the study myself, collecting my authored papers and the original alliance documents into a fireproof safe.

The photos from our Rocky Mountains expeditions, our picture from when he became a tenured professor – I simply placed them neatly in a file box.

No need to destroy anything, just as there was no need to be hysterical over a relationship that had turned sour.

The break needed to be clean, dignified, and absolute.

Two hours later, everything was loaded into the SUV convoy.

I took one last look at the villa.

Our wedding photo still hung on the wall, him holding my hand, his gaze earnest and passionate.

I nodded to Ethan: "Let's go."

The cars drove out of the community, merging into the late-night traffic. I didn't look back.

My new residence was a secluded cabin I'd bought long ago on the edge of the Blackspire Pack territory, always left empty.

One always needed a fallback.

Now, it seemed, that decision was absolutely correct.

By the time we arrived at the cabin, the sky was already growing light.

Ethan and his team helped me settle my belongings. I sent them back to rest, keeping only one trusted aide for external liaison.

I took a hot shower, then sat at the solid wood table and opened my laptop, quickly sorting through the entire situation in my mind.

Lila, Kian's second batch of graduate students, had been enrolled for a year and a half.

Young, beautiful, always wearing sweet white peach perfume, impressive academic performance, and always knew how to work a room.

That was everyone's assessment of her in the department.

Every time she saw me, she'd say, with just the right amount of reverence,

"Luna Elara, your model is truly incredible.

Professor Kian often says you're the most talented ecologist he's ever met."

Before, I'd simply taken it as a junior's respect for a senior.

Now, looking back, every seemingly casual consultation was a probe into Kian's and my core research progress.

Every act of thoughtfulness in front of Kian subtly made me seem bossy and cold in comparison.

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