Chapter 1

The night before my mating ceremony, a maid handed me a key.

A penthouse. The Alpha Tower of the Crimson Moon Pack.

The place my mate, Alpha Caleb Cross, proposed. The place we first mated.

I thought he wanted to relive that night. A pre-ceremony surprise.

Then I opened the door.

All I saw was his back. Strong. Pounding into some blonde she-wolf.

His hands were crushing her hips. He was groaning, entirely satisfied.

"Baby, you're so good."

He didn't stop until he came inside her. Then he turned. Lit a cigar. Looked right at me.

"It's nothing personal," he said, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "I'm just tired of the act. You needed to see the real me before the ceremony. So you don't give me any shit later."

He flicked his ash.

"Don't worry. You'll still be the official Luna. You've been with me for ten years. Everyone knows you as my ruthless mate. Who else in this territory would even dare to claim you?"

He smirked. "So, the ceremony's tomorrow. As planned. I'll give you your spectacle."

He thought I'd break. Scream. Beg.

I just calmly slipped the moonstone necklace off my neck. The symbol of my Luna status.

I put it on the table and walked away.

The next day, Caleb Cross expected his grand ceremony. He expected me to wait at the Moonlight Altar and bow to his authority.

I didn't run. I didn't hide.

I stood at that altar and took the arm of his greatest enemy. I held my head high, showing off the fresh mating mark on my neck.

"You wanted a ceremony. Here it is. The mate bond? I gave it to him."

……

Under the full moon, I stepped onto the sacred grounds of the Crimson Moon Pack: the Moonlight Altar.

The aisle beneath my feet was paved with rare moonstones and deep-sea pearls.

Alphas and nobles from all over the North crowded both sides of the altar.

"Damn, Crimson Moon really went all out for this."

"I heard this aisle alone cost three million. Caleb really knows how to spoil his Luna."

"Yeah? Then why is his Luna here alone?"

"...The Alpha didn't bring her himself?"

My wolf curled up inside me, letting out a soft whimper.

By ancient Northern tradition, the Alpha shifts and carries his Luna on his back to the altar.

It was the most primal way for an Alpha to show the pack: She is mine.

But tonight, no black wolf tore through the night.

Just me.

His arrogant words from last night echoed in my mind. "Who else in this territory would have you?"

He was so damn sure I’d still show up, even after what he did.

Through the crowd, his loyal Beta’s mocking voice reached my ears.

"See? The Alpha was right. Even if he screws another woman right in front of her, she'll still come begging for the ceremony."

I swallowed the lump in my throat and looked up, my face blank.

Just then, the crowd stirred.

"He's here! Alpha Caleb is here!"

I turned.

Caleb walked down the aisle in a silver-trimmed suit.

He stopped in front of me, his golden eyes slowly scanning my body.

"Aurora." His voice was husky, carrying that pure Alpha magnetism. "You look... drop-dead gorgeous tonight."

A flash of raw possessiveness crossed his eyes.

I nodded. "Thanks."

He seemed surprised by how calm I was. He raised an eyebrow and reached out for my hand.

Right before his fingers touched my skin, his hand froze in midair.

A mind link.

He frowned and stiffened.

Beta Marcus rushed over, lowering his voice. "Alpha? What is it? A pack emergency?"

Caleb rubbed his temples, frowned, and gave me an apologetic, petting smile.

"Aurora, be a good girl," he said. "Lila's heat came early. She's in a bad way. I need to go see her."

Dead silence hit the crowd.

Even with his earlier mockery, Marcus shot me an awkward glance. "Alpha, this... this is a bad look. Today is your and Luna's..."

"It won't take long to calm her down," Caleb cut him off with a dismissive smile. "The night is young. And the ceremony is more than a few minutes long."

He even turned around, grabbed a glass of moon wine from somewhere, and smiled at the guests.

"Sorry, everyone. Something came up. I'll be right back. Enjoy the drinks."

The crowd gasped.

Ignoring the chaos behind him, Caleb walked down the altar.

As he walked away without a second glance, my wolf howled in agony.

"Caleb Cross."

He stopped, looked back, and raised an eyebrow. "Hmm?"

His tone was casual, as if ditching me in front of hundreds was just a minor inconvenience.

I stared at him and said every word clearly.

"If you walk away tonight, I'm getting a new Alpha for this ceremony."