Chapter 2

In the end, my parents stayed to persuade me.

"Why not come back with us to our own Pack. The Crimsonclaw Pack would welcome you with open arms."

This wasn't the first time they had tried to talk me into returning. The Crimsonclaw Pack was one of the most prestigious in the Lycan Kingdom, and my parents held high-ranking positions within it. They were respected for their leadership and wisdom, and it was under their influence that I had been trained to be a capable Luna. Originally, they planned for me to take on a leadership role in the pack after I completed my training, but meeting Leonidas, Alpha of the Silvermoon Pack, during a pack alliance meeting led me to leave everything behind for him.

He came from a smaller, less influential pack but hated when people pointed out his humble origins. Because of this, I never told him about my true lineage. In his eyes, I shared his modest background.

In five years, I transformed from a novice pack member to someone who had earned the respect of the Silvermoon Pack. Leonidas and I had worked together to strengthen our pack's alliances, and everyone jokingly called us the perfect Alpha and Luna pair. Life was improving, and I thought it wouldn't matter, but I never found the right time to tell him the truth.

Lost in my thoughts, I sighed. Ultimately, there was no need to tell him anymore.

"Okay, I'll go with you."

Joy lit up in their eyes as they clasped my hands tightly.

"Good girl, we'll arrange your transfer immediately. We won't let you endure this any longer!"

After settling my parents, I returned to the pack house. The place was as cold and empty as ever. I casually made a sandwich and opened my phone to find Priscilla's latest update on the pack's private network.

In the photo, she wore her warrior's uniform, posing intimately with Leonidas.

"Tricked the Alpha out for a training session! He was a bit annoyed, but when I said we'd have dinner at my place later, he was happy again, lol."

I couldn't suppress a dry heave at the post. I knew he wouldn't be back tonight, just like before. Thankfully, we never completed the marking ceremony, and now there would be no more need to compromise.

Early the next morning, I took my packed belongings to the pack hall to formally resign from my duties. My contributions to the pack had been significant, and Elder Sebastian tried to retain me. During our conversation, Leonidas walked in, holding some scrolls.

My gaze landed on the faint mark on his neck and the lingering scent of Priscilla's floral perfume that surrounded him. He'd clearly had quite a night. He used to hate when I left any marks on him, complaining they were unprofessional. So, in moments of passion, I restrained myself, clutching at the sheets instead.

It wasn't that he didn't want marks; he just didn't want them from me.

As he entered, Sebastian sighed and spoke.

"Perfect timing, Alpha. Perhaps you can convince your Luna not to resign. Did you two have a disagreement?"

"It has nothing to do with him."

"You're resigning?"

Our voices overlapped, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw his gaze fixed intently on me, lips slightly pressed together.

"So, this is because you're upset I canceled the marking ceremony yesterday, isn't it?"

Sebastian tactfully left to give us privacy. As the door clicked shut, Leonidas stepped forward to confront me.

"I told you, Priscilla hurt her leg during training, so I canceled. You're being irrational."

I kept my composure, lied, and replied calmly, "I'm not angry. I'm resigning because I'm tired and want to take a break."

He crossed his arms, frowning in confusion.

"Why not just take a leave of absence? Quitting like this makes it look like you're upset with Priscilla. How's she supposed to lead the warriors if everyone thinks that?"

He forgot. I'd used up my leave days waiting for each marking ceremony he canceled. But all he cared about was Priscilla's position in the pack.

A wave of sadness washed over me.

My gaze drifted back to the mark on his neck, and I stayed silent. He noticed and instinctively covered his neck.

"It's just a scratch from training. Don't overthink it."

I was surprised he wasn't confronting me, rather explaining himself, albeit poorly. I might've believed it once.

I nodded without speaking.

Leonidas breathed a sigh of relief, seemingly thinking my anger had subsided, and smiled as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

"That's more like it. You'll make a great Luna by being magnanimous."

"You shouldn't quit. Let's have dinner at the pack's hall tonight, okay? Consider it my apology."

I remained silent, and he took it as agreement.

The plan to say a proper goodbye was pushed down, and I no longer wanted to tell him about my transfer to the Crimsonclaw Pack.

"Alpha!"

Priscilla burst through the door without knocking, startling Leonidas into letting me go immediately.

She offered an apologetic smile.

"Sorry for interrupting, but I'm struggling with the new training regimen…"

Without glancing back, Leonidas walked over to her, took the scroll from her hands, and patiently asked what she didn't understand.

Priscilla leaned deliberately close; the two whispered in front of me, forming their own world.

Then, she looped her arm through his, leading him out. As she shut the door behind her, she turned back with a taunting smile.

Bang.

The room echoed with just my breathing.

A moment later, the silver bracelet on my wrist slipped and shattered.

It was inexplicable. It had been my first anniversary gift from Leonidas, who had said he hoped our bond would be as seamless as the bracelet.

I stood silent for a long time before gathering the shards, ignoring the sting where they cut me, and tossed them along with any lingering attachment to him into the trash.