Chapter 1
733words
As a pureblood Omega, my heat cycles have always synchronized with the lunar phases.
My bedroom reeks of my uncontrolled pheromones—rain-soaked grass mingled with lily of the valley.
A scent that would drive any Alpha wild.
Especially my bonded mate.
Alexander should have been here three days ago to help me through my heat.
It's written in our bonding oath—an Alpha must provide comfort and care during their Omega's heat.
But he's nowhere to be found.
His phone goes straight to voicemail. The bond link—blocked from his end.
I curl into my nest of his clothes, desperately seeking relief in his fading scent.
It's useless.
An Omega in heat needs more than scent—we need our Alpha's presence.
The bonding. The marking. The direct infusion of pheromones.
Footsteps approach my door.
My heart leaps—he's back.
"Alexander?"
The footsteps falter, then quickly retreat.
Something's wrong.
Those steps were too light. Not his.
I drag myself to the door, cracking it open.
At the hallway's end, our butler whispers urgently to a young woman.
"Miss, that area is off-limits. It's the Wolf King's private quarters—"
"But Alex promised to watch the moonrise with me tonight."
Her voice—sweet. Young. Entitled.
Her scent hits me next—roses and sugar—another Omega's pheromones.
My heart hammers against my ribs.
"The Wolf King is with important guests at the moment, please wait—"
"Guests?" She giggles. "I am the guest. The most important one."
Her voice fades as they move away.
I stumble to the balcony, leaning heavily against the wall.
On the rooftop terrace, candlelight flickers.
A romantic dinner. Champagne on ice. Rose petals scattered across the floor.
Alexander wears his black suit—the one I bought him last Christmas.
Across from him sits a blonde in a white dress, laughing like she hasn't a care in the world.
Their pheromones dance together in the night air—the unmistakable chemistry of an Alpha and Omega in sync.
While I—his Luna, his bonded mate—suffer through heat alone,
Locked away in our bedroom below.
My phone screen lights up.
One message from an unknown number:
"Luna, as someone who respects you, you deserve the truth. Attached are security recordings from this month. Your Alpha sneaks out weekly after you're asleep to meet Jessica. The entire pack knows. Only you've been kept in the dark."
I open the attachments—multiple video clips.
Timestamps spanning the past three months.
Alexander guiding her into a hotel, his hand possessively at her waist.
Alexander kissing her forehead tenderly.
Alexander wrapping his coat around her shoulders.
The final video—dated three days ago—when he should have been coming home to me.
In the footage, he fastens a necklace around her throat.
A silver chain with a moonstone pendant.
I touch my own neck.
An identical necklace rests against my collarbone.
The one he placed there during our bonding ceremony.
"This is one of a kind," he'd whispered. "My eternal promise to you."
Not so one-of-a-kind after all.
He gave her an exact duplicate.
Or worse—perhaps mine is the copy?
Heat pain and heartbreak collide inside me.
I collapse to my knees, my Omega instincts howling, body convulsing.
I bite through my lip to stay silent.
I won't let him hear me break.
I won't give him the satisfaction of knowing I've discovered his betrayal.
Another notification pops up on my phone.
An email from the Berlin Werewolf Research Institute:
"Ms. Carter, your employment offer expires in 48 hours. As a pureblood Omega scholar, you'll receive the respect you deserve here, free from pack politics and hierarchical constraints."
Three years ago, I declined this offer to become his Luna.
Now it reappears.
Like fate offering me an escape hatch.
With shaking fingers, I type my reply:
"I accept. Please arrange the earliest flight possible. I'll need mark-blocking sanctuary upon arrival."
Send.
I pull a velvet box from my bedside drawer.
Inside lies a document.
"Bond Dissolution Request."
The very thing Alexander had drunkenly asked for months ago: "Emma, if I ever get tired of all this… would you set me free?"
I'd thought he was just drunk and rambling.
Now I understand.
The subconscious never lies.
He's wanted out for a long time.
I sign my name on the Luna line with steady hands.
I place the document in a beautiful gift box.
His birthday is next week.
This will be my gift to him.
