Chapter 3

Beta George swiftly contacted the High Priestess of the Moon Temple.

The voice on the other end responded with unexpected enthusiasm:

"Alpha King, the temple's healer recalls Anna visiting, but not for herself. She was accompanying a friend whose child suffered from a rare wolf soul affliction."

A tremor of relief coursed through my fragmented soul. The healer had safeguarded my secret.

The voice continued, hesitant:

"If necessary, we can check for any treatment records pertaining to Anna in the Lake Shadow Pack archives..."

Alpha Caelen's voice cut through, cold and resolute:

"No need. I only need to know if she's dead. If she is, then my return here holds no purpose."

A searing pain, inexplicable yet profound, surged from the depths of my soul.

He truly despised me.

I remembered the first time our paths crossed, the intoxicating scent of his presence igniting a fire within me. My wolf whispered, "Anna, it's him. I crave his mark." For a year, I lingered in his shadow until he finally agreed to bind our souls.

We shared three blissful years. His pack was still finding its footing, and our life was simple, yet filled with joy.

I believed that our bond would shield us from any storm.

But I was wrong. Moon Sickness took hold of me, turning me into a liability.

When the pack doctor gravely informed me that the illness would, through our mate bond, weaken Caelen's rising power, my thoughts weren't of my own mortality, but of his destiny.

At that time, Caelen was preparing to annex the Black Forest Pack—a territory brimming with challenges and opportunities.

I knew that if he discovered my condition, he would forsake everything to save me. But he was destined for greatness, not to be anchored by my fading light.

So, I did the unthinkable. I severed our bond, tearing apart our souls.

When he invoked Alpha’s command to compel me to stay, I resisted, repeating daily for thirty days, "I, Anna, reject you, Caelen, as my mate." Each declaration was a dagger to our hearts.

On the thirty-first day, his eyes, bloodshot and filled with anguish, he cursed me:

"May you wander as a lone wolf forever, never finding peace."

Then, he departed to conquer the Black Forest Pack. That was our final farewell.

Before the banquet concluded, Caelen, holding his three-year-old son's hand, addressed the assembly:

"In a week, I will host a long-overdue wedding here, officially introducing the new Luna. All are welcome."

He paused, then added with a smirk:

"If any of you can reach Anna, extend the invitation. I'm eager for her blessing."

I believed my heart had turned to stone, immune to pain. But hearing him speak of a 'new Luna' pierced through, igniting a fresh wave of sorrow.

I recalled our modest wedding, devoid of grandeur, yet filled with love. He had promised that once he became Alpha King, he would give me the grandest ceremony.

Now, he was fulfilling that promise—but not with me.