Chapter 1

They called me barren.

Five years as Luna to Alpha Killian, we'd never once consummated our bond.

The gossip had spread like wildfire— servants whispering in corridors, merchants trading stories at the market, nobles discussing it over wine.

Some said I was as plain as dirt. Others claimed Killian's heart belonged to a dead first love.

The most ridiculous version? That I was barren—unable to bear the Alpha his heirs.

I walked through the estate gardens, catching fragments of conversation from the servants trimming hedges nearby, my expression unchanged as I continued my path.

Lily's eyes reddened with rage. "Luna, how can they spread such lies about you? I'll—"

"Let them talk," I interrupted softly, keeping my voice calm. "The worse they make it sound, the safer the Alpha stays."

Only I knew the truth.

On our mating night, Killian stood by the bed, his face twisted with shame.

After a long silence, his voice came out hoarse: "Maeve, I have... an affliction. I cannot fulfill a mate's duty."

He told me he suffered from what the healers called Mate-Shame—

A psychological condition that made him recoil from intimate touch since childhood, let alone consummate our mating bond.

The condition was rare. If word got out, he'd be mocked across the realm, and the Pack's honor would be ruined.

"If you're unwilling, I'll petition the Lycan King tomorrow to dissolve this arranged mating."

Back then, his words were sincere.

He'd been the only one to extend his hand when my family was slaughtered, my father murdered.

I remembered Father's dying words: The Winterpeak Pack can be trusted.

Gently, I reached for his sleeve.

"I didn't accept this bond for that reason, Alpha. If you trust me, I'll protect you."

That protection lasted five years.

Five years of blocking every attack, swallowing every insult.

Outsiders said I wasn't favored. Said I couldn't breed. Said this Luna was nothing but decoration.

I never defended myself.

Hell, I encouraged the rumors, shaping myself into a jealous, useless mate so everyone would believe I was the problem—not him.

I thought we were protecting a secret together.

Until three days ago.

Killian came to my quarters for the first time in months, his eyes bright with something I hadn't seen in years—hope.

"Maeve, I found a healer. Says there's a seventy percent chance he can cure me. I need to leave the Pack for a few days."

My heart jumped.

Five years. I'd long stopped hoping for a real mating, but if he could heal, if we could be like normal mates—

"Good." I gripped his hand, smiling softly. "I'll wait for you."

I waited three days.

On the third evening, Killian returned.

I heard the news and rushed out, barely smoothing down my dress.

Then I saw him.

Killian was holding a pup, maybe two years old, giggling as he tugged at Killian's collar.

Beside Killian stood a she-wolf in a pale green dress.

The she-wolf was delicate, fragile-looking, with one hand resting lightly on Killian's arm.

My feet froze on the porch.

Killian saw me. Something complicated flickered across his face.

He walked forward with the pup and the she-wolf, his voice still gentle but carrying a new, unfamiliar distance.

"Maeve, this is Bella."

He paused, looking down at the pup with soft eyes. "And this is my son. Leo."

The winter wind cut through the courtyard like a blade.

I stared at the pup's features—an exact copy of Killian's. Stared at how Bella nestled against him.

Suddenly, these five years felt like a complete joke.

Mate-Shame. An affliction.

Bullshit.

He'd just been saving himself for her.

And I—I'd spent five years shouldering every insult, every humiliation, all to be his fucking shield while he protected his true love.

Killian kept talking, like he'd rehearsed this speech a thousand times.

"Bella saved my life. Leo was... an accident. I've wronged her all these years."

"Now that I've brought them home, I want to give them proper status. Since Bella bore my heir, I need you to step down as Luna—"

Every eye in the courtyard locked onto me, waiting for the show.

But I just smiled softly.

I raised my head, my gaze sweeping over Killian, over Bella, finally landing on the pup's face.

"Alpha, the healer cured you, didn't he?"

Killian's expression shifted. He couldn't find words.

I didn't wait for an answer. My voice stayed light. "Then congratulations, Alpha. As for the Luna position—whatever you say."

Killian froze.

He'd expected tears, accusations. He'd already prepared excuses. But not this.

"You really agree?" He searched my face, irritation rising in his eyes for no reason I could name.

"Yes." I nodded slightly. "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

I turned without another word and walked back to my quarters.

Lily hurried after me, voice trembling. "Luna..."

I didn't stop. "Get ready. We're going to see the King."

I changed into my simplest dress and pulled out a dusty wooden box from a hidden compartment. Holding it close, I walked straight out of the estate.

When I left the Royal Court, the box was empty. In exchange, I carried a sealed decree—effective in seven days: formal dissolution of the mate bond.

In the carriage home, Lily finally broke. "Luna, you really asked for Rejection? After all this?"

I nodded.

"But I've seen it—these five years, you loved him. You're just gonna walk away? Let that rogue bitch win? Can you really let go?"

I stared at the swaying curtain, silent for a moment.

These five years, yes—I'd felt warmth when he remembered to bring me soup from the West End on cold nights.

When I'd poisoned myself testing medicine and he'd stormed the Royal Healers' Hall in the middle of the night, staying by my bedside without sleep, I'd almost believed in happily ever after.

But all those small sparks, all that warmth—today crushed them to dust.

I remembered why I became his Luna. And I'd never forgotten this was never my real home.

"I bonded with him to honor my father's dying wish. That debt's paid. We're done."

"My mother's apothecary—I never abandoned it these five years."

"Leaving here just means doing what I should've done all along."

I glanced at Lily, a faint light in my eyes.

"Besides, someone is waiting for me."