Chapter 1

I’m the Luna, married to my Alpha for five years, but I never truly had his heart.

Then, during his big video conference with other Alphas, this cutesy voice pipes up, "I didn't know you were in a meeting! You promised me three days, but you've been all work! I'm so bummed!"

The call went dead silent. Every Alpha stared, waiting for me, his official Luna, to lose it.

I bit my tongue, kept the meeting going. Later, he flat-out denied it.

Then I saw her social media post – a cozy candlelit dinner... on my birthday. The one he 'had to miss' for an 'emergency.'

My heart shattered. I decided to break our mate bond.

But his little fling wasn't done. She actually hired people to scream outside my office, "Jacqueline's the other woman! She's destroying their sacred mate bond!"

"Other woman?' I shot back. 'Honey, who do you think you're calling the other woman?"

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1

"I didn't know you were in a meeting with the Alphas. You swore you'd dedicate three days to me, but you've been in councils nonstop. It's so frustrating."

During a secure video conference with allied Alphas, a young she-wolf's voice echoed from Frank Mistwood's display.

She seemed oblivious to the situation, cooing at Frank as if they were completely alone.

The other Alphas, just moments before debating territory, fell silent, their eyes all waiting for my reaction—Frank’s Luna.

They all wanted to watch me break.

This time, I was a statue of ice. I addressed my husband's allies calmly, "Please continue. Ignore the disturbance."

A heavy silence filled the link. I stared coolly at Frank’s screen.

The she-wolf’s sweet, cloying voice didn't stop. I pushed it all away and let the Alphas resume their council.

In the past, my wolf would have raged, and I would have challenged Frank on the spot, but today I was unnervingly calm.

For all our years bound together, Frank never let me near his laptop, even though I am his Luna.

Yet this she-wolf could access it without a thought. I knew their connection must be a flagrant betrayal.

Looking back on my mating bond with Frank, every time I sought his affection, he never returned it. He only saw me as a burden.

"Jacqueline, you are a Luna. You cling to me constantly, isn't it unbecoming."

"Jacqueline, do not touch my laptop, that is my private channel. I expect you to respect that."

But seeing this unfold on the screen, my entire mating bond felt like a bitter joke.

Frank's call came. "Did you see anything just now?"

I spoke with chilling composure, "See what? I'm too consumed with pack business for distractions."

Through the phone, I heard the faint whoosh of his relieved breath.

I asked with purpose, "Did you need something, Alpha?"

He stammered a quick excuse and ended the call.

This was the first time I hadn't raised my voice to him.