Chapter 1
The day I turned sixteen, my childhood friend, the one who had promised to claim me as his mate the moment we both came of age, stood before the entire Griffin Pack and declared Jenna Dean as his chosen Luna. Jenna, the pretentious heiress of the Lycan Kingdom, with her golden hair and perfect smile, was everything I wasn’t. And there I stood, in the shadow of her radiance, feeling the weight of my own inadequacy.
But then, Axton Griffin, the Alpha of the Griffin Pack—a man revered for his wisdom and strength—stepped forward. His towering frame, muscles rippling beneath his tailored suit, commanded the attention of everyone in the grand hall. He looked at me, his dark eyes filled with something I couldn’t quite place, and confessed his love with a grandeur that left me breathless.
For five years, he treated me with a tenderness that felt almost too good to be true. His touch was gentle, his words sweet, and his devotion unwavering. I believed him. I believed in us. Until the day I overheard a conversation between him and his Beta, Emerie.
“Alpha,” Emerie said, her voice low but clear, “now that Jenna’s become the Lycan Princess, do you still need to keep up the charade with Sylvia?”
Axton’s response was cold, detached. “Since I can’t have Jenna, it doesn’t matter anymore. Plus, as long as I’m here, Sylvia won’t disrupt Jenna’s happiness.”
The words hit me like a blow to the chest. I stumbled back, my heart pounding in my ears. My wolf whimpered in the back of my mind, a sound of pure anguish. I had been a fool. A pawn in his game to protect Jenna.
I retreated to our chambers, my hands trembling as I opened the sacred texts Axton always kept by his side. Each page was inscribed with Jenna’s name, prayers and blessings meant for her, not me.
“May Jenna be freed from obsession; may her soul be at peace.”
“May Jenna attain all she desires, and may her love be unwavering.”
...
“Jenna, though fate hasn’t united us in this life, may I hold your hand in the next.”
The illusion of our marriage shattered in that instant. I couldn’t stay. I wouldn’t. I devised a plan, a false identity, and a staged disappearance. From now on, we wouldn’t have to meet again for an eternity.
Once the final arrangements were set for the faked death, I hung up the phone. In two more days, I would vanish forever as they wished. At that moment, a faint scent of coffee wafted in from outside. I instinctively looked up to find Axton standing in the doorway.
He crossed the room in a few strides, his presence overwhelming as always. He embraced me gently, his voice soft, “Who were you just talking to?”
“Nothing important, just something about the gallery,” I replied, trying to sound casual.
He kissed the top of my head and murmured, “Why so busy lately? Tonight, I’ll whip up something light for you, easy on the stomach.”
Five years of marriage, and he treated me with unwavering tenderness. People say when an Alpha truly loves, it lasts a lifetime. I once thought this was my happiness. But now, I’ve realized this marriage wasn’t my happiness—it was his way of shielding Jenna.
Gently stroking my shoulder, Axton suddenly mentioned, “By the way, the Deans are hosting a Thanksgiving celebration tomorrow. Jenna’s pregnant, and they’re celebrating her entry into the international art exhibition. You don’t need to go. I’ll send a gift and come back to keep you company.”
“But the art exhibition, I—”
He cut me off, his tone kind yet firm, “You shouldn’t participate in the exhibition. Haven’t you always said you wanted a pup? It’s a good time to rest at home.”
I lowered my gaze, trying to hide the turmoil inside.
We’ve been married all these years without pups. I once thought it just wasn’t the right time, but now I fear he never truly wanted them. Not letting me compete might just be his way of ensuring Jenna’s path remains clear.
He pressed a tender kiss to my forehead, seemingly unaware that my heart was sinking into the abyss.
“The day after tomorrow is your birthday. I’ve planned a surprise for you—a wish for eternal happiness.”
Eternal happiness. I repeated the words under my breath, suddenly finding them unbearably hollow.
For years, every blessing from his lips contained the word “eternal,” yet now I understood its true meaning. Those blessings were never meant for me.
“Alright, I’ve planned a few things myself for my birthday. Make sure you keep your schedule open for me.”
He nodded, “Of course, whatever our dear Sylvia wants.”
I looked up and smiled at him.
Axton Griffin, you really outdid yourself.
That night, unable to sleep, I gently moved the arm he’d draped over me. As I did so, I accidentally knocked his set of prayer beads to the floor.
Picking up the beads, I felt a strange texture on their surface. In the dim light, I examined them closely, only to discover each bead was inscribed with a word.
Jenna.
At that moment, my heart completely gave up.