Chapter 1

At our Mating Ceremony, Alpha Christian was just about to mark me.

Suddenly, his childhood best friend halted the entire ritual.

Clinging to Christian’s arm, Elena announced she wanted to toast me with three glasses of wine.

"Serena, our future Luna," she began, smiling brightly. "This first glass is for you. Thank you for taking such good care of Alpha Christian."

"During the Silver Hunt two years ago, he brought down three silver wolves for me in a single breath."

"The second glass is for your obedience."

"Last year, when you were poisoned by silver and miscarried, you crawled into the Healer's clinic all by yourself. That was the only reason Christian and I could enjoy the Moonlight Ball in peace."

The grand hall instantly erupted into cheers and thunderous applause.

My mind went completely blank. A loud ringing filled my ears.

Back then, I had been hovering between life and death in the Healer's ICU. When the Healer called Christian, he claimed there was an emergency at the pack borders and that he couldn't get away.

So his "emergency" was dancing with Elena at the Moonlight Ball.

Amidst the cheering crowd, Elena pouted playfully, demanding Christian join her in the toast.

Before raising her glass, she flashed me a sweet, wicked smile:

"And this final glass is for your generosity."

"Thank you for letting Alpha Christian mark me first. Because of his mark, I won the territory battle against my ex."

"You two... completed a mating bond?"

My voice shook. I stared at Christian and Elena in utter disbelief.

In the five years I had been with Christian, I asked him to mate with me ninety-nine times.

Every single time he was about to agree, Elena would have some sudden emergency and drag him away.

Not long ago, I gathered my courage to ask him one last time.

This time he agreed, and we planned our Mating Ceremony.

And yet, on the very day of our ceremony, he dropped this bomb on me—he had already legally bound himself to Elena under pack law, complete with a mating bond!

Then what was I to him?

I looked at Christian, desperately waiting for an explanation.

His face was completely calm. He didn't offer a single word.

The air in the room grew stifling. Our mutual pack friends quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

"Come on, Serena, don't take it to heart. Everyone’s from the Bloodmoon Pack. Helping each other out is totally normal."

"Yeah, Serena. It's just a mating bond. Christian was only doing me a favor as an Alpha. What's there to be jealous about?" Elena added innocently.

Before she even finished, Christian chuckled and tapped her lightly on the head.

"Shut it. Even food can't keep that mouth of yours shut."

Elena punched him playfully in the chest.

"A banana isn't nearly as big as yours—it could never satisfy me the way you do~"

The hall went wild, followed by a roar of laughter.

"Elena, you know him too well! Sounds like you've had plenty of practice!"

"Back off, guys! Christian and I grew up together in the Bloodmoon Pack! Back when he was bursting with energy, I was the one who helped him release it. None of you can compare to that."

The moment those words left her mouth, the bustling banquet hall fell dead silent.

My mind shattered into pieces.

Seeing me frozen, she casually laughed and added:

"Oh, speaking of which, Serena, you should actually be thanking me."

"If I hadn't trained Christian’s skills in bed, how could you ever enjoy him giving you such good service?"

Blood rushed straight to my head. Unable to bear it for another second, I grabbed my wine glass and hurled it straight at Elena’s face.

Before she could even scream, Christian moved in a flash, shielding her tightly in his arms.

"Serena, are you out of your mind?! What are you throwing a tantrum for now?!"

I stared at the reddened skin on the back of Christian's hand, digging my fingernails painfully into my palms.

"Growing up in the same pack gives you the right to sleep together whenever you want?"

I let out a bitter, mocking laugh.

"If the two of you are so inseparable, why didn't you make her your Luna? You make a perfect pair—a shameless slut and a cheating bastard."

Christian lost his temper instantly. He raised his hand and slapped me across the face.

"Shut up, Serena! When did you become so venomous?!"

"Apologize to Elena right now!"

Elena nestled safely in Christian’s arms, shooting me a smug, provocative smirk.

Tears spilled down my cheeks against my will. Suddenly, everything felt utterly meaningless.

I turned on my heel to walk away.

Christian grabbed my wrist with bruising force. "You insulted Elena in front of everyone and broke her heart. Apologize to her right now."

"If you don't apologize, today's Mating Ceremony is off."