Chapter 1

At Silvercrest Pack's Full Moon Festival, a firework exploded, sending burning debris into the crowd.

My boyfriend of three years, Alpha Adrian, rushed to protect Clara, the orphaned Omega I'd personally brought into our pack.

A metal fragment sliced open my arm, but Adrian didn't even ask if I was hurt.

Later that night, my car broke down near the Rogue-infested border during a thunderstorm. Bleeding and terrified, I tried to link him.

You're a strong wolf, Leah. Clara is an Omega. She needs me more.

Then he blocked me.

Three years ago, Adrian promised to make me his Luna.

For three years, I'd worked tirelessly to learn everything a Luna should know, counting down the days until he finally fulfilled that promise.

But that night, I was done waiting for a future he no longer seemed willing to give me.

...

Only two seats remained at Silvercrest Pack's Full Moon Festival. One was beside Alpha Adrian, my boyfriend of three years. The other was near the kitchen entrance.

I had barely stepped toward Adrian when he called out, "Clara, sit here."

My best friend Clara hesitated. "But Alpha, isn't that seat reserved for someone important?"

"You're a new here. I don't want you feeling excluded."

The surrounding wolves immediately started whispering.

"Alpha Adrian never lets anyone sit beside him!"

"He's so protective of Clara. Maybe she'll become our Luna!"

Clara blushed. "Stop teasing. He's only looking after me because I'm an Omega."

Adrian didn't correct them. He simply pulled out her chair.

I quietly took the remaining seat.

My wolf, Willow, stirred.

He promised we'd sit beside him someday.

Three years ago, Adrian had promised to make me his Luna. However, his leadership evaluation was still ongoing, and he insisted we keep our relationship secret until the Elders' Council approved him.

He didn't want anyone accusing him of favoring his girlfriend.

I'd agreed, believing it was temporary.

Then Clara came into our lives.

I'd met her eight months earlier during a healer exchange program. After her parents died in a Rogue attack, she'd suffered years of discrimination as an orphaned Omega in Blackthorn Pack.

I'd invited her to Silvercrest myself.

"My boyfriend is the Alpha," I'd promised. "I'll become his Luna someday. You'll be safe with us."

I'd even asked Adrian to look after her.

Apparently, he'd taken that request more seriously than his promise to me.

At ten, silver fireworks illuminated the sky.

Then an explosion shook the plaza.

A firework rack had malfunctioned, sending burning fragments toward the crowd.

"GET DOWN!"

Wolves screamed and scattered.

I turned toward Adrian, but he was already running.

"Clara!"

He rushed past me, grabbed her, and shielded her with his body.

A metal fragment struck my forearm, sending sharp pain through my arm. I stumbled against a railing as blood soaked my sleeve.

When I looked up, Adrian was kneeling beside Clara.

"Are you hurt? Did anything hit you?"

She shook her head. "I'm okay. Just scared."

"You're an Omega. Your wolf can't handle injuries like ours."

He carefully examined her arms and face.

A passing warrior noticed me.

"Miss Leah! You're bleeding!"

Adrian glanced over. For one hopeful second, I thought he'd come to me.

Instead, he said, "Leah's a healer. She can treat herself. Help Clara to the medical tent."

Then he turned away.

Willow whimpered.

He didn't even ask if we're okay.

I pressed my hand against the wound.

I know.

By the time another healer bandaged my arm, thunder was rolling over the mountains.

The cut was deep, and residue from the explosion had slowed my healing.

My phone buzzed with messages from the pack group chat.

Did you see Alpha protecting Clara?

They're practically a couple already!

Clara replied with a blushing emoji.

Moments later, Adrian messaged me.

Don't misunderstand tonight. Clara's a vulnerable Omega. Protecting her is my responsibility.

I stared at my bloodstained bandage.

I understand.

Outside, rain was pouring down.

At the building's entrance, I found Adrian helping Clara into his SUV. She was wearing his jacket.

"Alpha, I don't want to trouble you," she murmured.

"You're still shaken. I'll take you home."

He noticed me.

"Leah, you're driving yourself?"

"The storm's getting worse, and—"

"Good. You know these roads better than Clara."

He closed her door.

"Be careful."

Then he drove away.

Three years ago, Rogues had followed me near the eastern border. Adrian had rescued me and promised I'd never have to travel those roads alone again.

Apparently, he'd forgotten.

Twenty minutes later, my engine died.

A fallen tree had blocked the main road, forcing me onto the old forest route. Now my car sat beside the territory border while rain hammered against the roof.

I tried restarting the engine, but nothing happened.

Beyond the windshield, the forest was pitch-black.

I called the patrol office twice. No answer.

My bandage was soaked with blood again.

Willow stirred anxiously.

Link Adrian.

I hesitated before reaching for him.

Adrian? My car broke down near the eastern border.

Silence.

I tried again.

His irritated voice finally came through.

What is it, Leah?

I'm stranded. My arm's still bleeding, and I can't reach the patrol.

I'm trying to calm Clara down. She's frightened of the storm.

I gripped the steering wheel.

Adrian, I'm alone near the Rogue border.

You're a strong wolf. Clara's an Omega who lost her parents to Rogues. She needs me more.

But I'm hurt—

You're a healer. Stop expecting me to abandon my responsibilities every time something happens to you.

The connection vanished.

When I tried again, I discovered he'd blocked me.

For a long moment, I watched the rain blur the trees.

Three years ago, he'd promised to announce me as his Luna. Tonight, he wouldn't even answer when I needed help.

I'd left my parents' pack to be with Adrian and spent three years working hard to earn my place in Silvercrest. Clara, however, had been welcomed almost overnight, simply because the Alpha favored her.

I'd devoted myself to becoming a Luna worthy of standing beside him, but if he had no intention of keeping his promise, I saw no reason to keep putting myself through this.

I wanted to go home.

I opened the Elders' Council's official portal and submitted my application to transfer back to my parents' pack.

There was nothing left for me in Silvercrest.