Chapter 1

A week after the attack, my wounds finally healed.

As I unwrapped the last bandage, I took a deep breath. It was time to return home.

But the moment I stepped inside, an overwhelming emptiness filled the house. A thin layer of dust covered the furniture.

Kieran hadn't been back. Not once. He had spent the entire week with Seraphina.

Ever since the lead warrior told me the truth, I had cried all my tears in the hospital. I thought I had prepared myself for this moment. But standing in this cold, empty home, the truth cut deeper than I expected.

"Don't be sad, Lyanna. You need to hear his explanation first," my wolf, Linda, whispered.

Linda was right. If I was going to leave, I needed closure.

I let out a bitter laugh, took a shower, and changed into fresh clothes. Exhaustion weighed on me, and I collapsed onto the bed, willing myself to sleep.

Just as I was about to drift off, the door clicked open.

Kieran had returned.

The scent of perfume clung to him—

Not mine.

I recognized the fragrance. It belonged to Seraphina.

"Lyanna, I'm sorry. I should've been there when you were attacked, but you know how busy pack affairs have been." He walked toward me, voice laced with feigned guilt.

I forced myself to stay calm.

"I had Seraphina check with the pack doctor. I know you've recovered," he continued, a hint of dismissal in his tone.

I met his eyes, deep yet full of lies.

"I'm fine," I said flatly and turned away from him.

The truth was, I had lost more than just blood that night.

I had lost our pup.

A pup I never got the chance to tell him about.

When his car drove past me that night, leaving me to die, he severed the last thread between us.

Even now, he still chose to lie.

"Lyanna, what's wrong? Are you upset? I'm explaining things to you, aren't I?" He towered over me, watching for a reaction.

"I had Beta Seraphina investigate the rogues who attacked you. I promise this won't happen again."

Seraphina. Again.

"See, Linda? He trusts her more than me. He doesn't love us anymore. It's over." I spoke to my wolf, my voice hollow.

Linda hummed in agreement. "If we leave, we do it with dignity. We don't beg. We don't cry."

I smiled to myself.

Just as I was about to speak, Kieran's phone rang.

"Xixi? Oh, of course. I'm free anytime for you."

Without sparing me a glance, he left the room.

How ironic.

He had no time for his mate, but for Seraphina, he was available at a moment’s notice.

My phone buzzed.

A notification from his social media.

[A true connection is worth every moment.]

The photo attached?

Him and Seraphina, smiling at the beach.

I remembered when I asked him to post about our bond after our mating ceremony. He refused, saying he didn’t like making private matters public.

He didn’t mind it now.

I no longer felt sad.

Only resolute.

Another message arrived.

It was from Alpha Darius.

[Lyanna, send me your details. I’ll arrange everything for your transfer into the Blue Star Pack. I look forward to welcoming you.]

A small smile curved my lips as I typed my reply.

[I won’t disappoint you.]

Kieran, you had your chance.

Now, I'm walking away.

And this time, I won’t look back.