Chapter 1

It was well past nine o'clock at night when Nora returned to Silvermoon Pack.

The cottage stood in darkness, its windows unlit, and no one waited to greet her at the door.

"Dear Nora, Happy Birthday. Your birth was a gift to the world."

A message flashed on her phone—a simple birthday wish from a friend.

It was warm but impersonal, a reminder of the absence that loomed heavier than the night.

Standing alone in the shadowed villa, Nora scrolled through her chat app.

Message after message appeared—greetings from acquaintances, colleagues, and distant friends.

Yet, the one name she longed to see remained silent.

Seven days.

It had been seven days since she last exchanged a message with her husband, Alpha Arnold.

Seven days of unanswered texts and unreturned calls.

And now, on her birthday, his silence cut even deeper.

Nora's forced smile faltered in the dark.

"Luna? What are you doing back here?"

The sudden flicker of light startled her.

The omega maid stood at the entrance, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Where are Arnold and Alex?" Nora asked, slipping off her shoes.

The maid hesitated, her voice tinged with unease. "Alpha isn't back yet, and the young master is…"

She paused before continuing vaguely, "Writing something in his room."

Nora handed the maid her bags and strode toward her son's room.

She pushed open the door and found Alex, her ever-active five-year-old, sitting at his desk.

He was bent over a notebook, completely absorbed in his work.

Alex is five years old and has the physique and keen senses of an Alpha heir.

His golden hair gleamed under the desk lamp, and a faint glow from the golden wolf's head symbol on his neck—the mark of his lineage…reminded Nora of the legacy he carried.

He sensed her presence instantly, his head tilting slightly toward the door.

"Alex, I'm home…"

Nora smiled and stepped inside, but before she could finish her greeting, Alex turned away sharply, his eyes returning to the pages in front of him.

He kept writing, completely ignoring her.

Nora's heart sank as she approached. Resting a gentle hand on his shoulder, she glanced down at the notebook filled with scribbles and diagrams.

"Do you want to go somewhere?" she asked softly. "I just finished my tour of the pack, so we can plan something fun together."

Alex didn't look up. Instead, he snapped, "I don't want you to come."

The sharpness in his voice cut deeper than she expected.

"It's Aunt Linda's birthday in a week, and Dad and I are going on a trip with her," he said matter-of-factly.

Nora blinked, taken aback.

Alex pushed the notebook toward her, revealing detailed plans for the trip—rafting, soaking in the hot springs of Spectral Shadow Valley, and taking pictures of the Wolfsbane Sea of Flowers.

Nora's chest tightened, but before she could speak, Alex added, "And that's not all. Dad got Aunt Linda a gift too. I heard it's a necklace made of moonlight gemstones."

Nora froze.

A necklace?

Nora froze, her hand brushing against her bare neck.

She hadn't even received any gifts when she married Arnold.

Nora hesitated before asking, "Alex... do you remember Mom's birthday?"

"Hmm? What?" Alex responded impatiently. "Mom, don't you have anything better to do? I'm busy making travel plans and don't have time to talk about stuff that doesn't matter."

Nora dropped the hand that had been stroking his hair and fell silent.

Her sharp eyes caught a painting inside Alex's travel brochure.

It depicted two adult wolves running with a cub in a rainforest under a full moon.

The golden-furred wolves were unmistakably Arnold and Alex.. the symbols of the Alpha family.

But the she-wolf beside them wasn't Nora, whose silvery-white coat was pristine.

Instead, the she-wolf had a strand of red fur on her forehead.

Those were Linda's features.

Nora stood still for a moment before softly saying, "Actually, today..."

Alex's green eyes glinted with hostility. "How much longer are you going to stand there?"

Her words stuck in her throat. Nora paused, then quietly left the room.

The maid approached and said, "Luna, I just called Alpha. He said he had something to do tonight and told you to get some rest."

"I know," Nora replied, her mind replaying Alex's words. She walked over to the house's payphone and dialed Arnold.

She didn't use her cell phone… she knew he would just ignore her call.

The mental link between them remained silent.

After several rings, Arnold's impatient voice finally answered, "I already said I don't have time for her. Tell her—"

"Honey, who's calling?" Linda's syrupy voice interrupted. "Come stay with me, won't you?"

Nora gripped the phone tightly, her knuckles turning pale.

"It's nothing, just the housemaid," Arnold said dismissively.

Before Nora could say anything, he hung up.

They hadn't seen each other for two or three months.

During that time, Nora had been traveling extensively for Silvermoon Pack's official business.

She had poured her heart and soul into her duties.

Now, finally back home, she found no warmth from her husband or son.

Even for a phone call, Arnold hadn't let her finish speaking.

"Nora, don't be sad," a gentle voice echoed in her mind.

It was her inner wolf, Lena, trying to comfort her.

"They've always been this way. Maybe... they just don't know how to love you."

Nora forced a bitter smile.

After so many years of marriage, she thought she'd grown accustomed to Arnold's coldness, detachment, and impatience.

Yet, her heart still ached at their indifference.

When they first married, Nora had tried hard to be the perfect Luna.

She'd sent frequent messages to Arnold, asking when he'd be home so she could prepare special meals.

Arnold never replied.

Eventually, he even severed their ability to sense each other's location.

Perhaps it was that she was feeling too tired.

Nora suddenly felt exhausted. She was powerless to make any more moves to keep her husband.

The next morning, Nora checked her phone. Arnold's messages remained absent.

Instead, her friends had texted:

"Honorable Luna-sama, what's your birthday wish this year?"

"I've already bought a present. When are you visiting? I'll treat you to dinner!"

Seeing the words 'birthday wish,' Nora felt another pang in her chest.

She had rushed to complete six months' worth of work in four, hoping to spend her birthday with Alex and Arnold.

That had been her only wish.

Nora hesitated but decided to call Arnold using her own phone.

He didn't pick up.

After a long wait, Arnold finally mindlinked her: [Something wrong?]

Nora replied: [Are you free for dinner with me and Alex? Since today is my...]

Before she could finish, his icy voice cut her off. [Yes. Let me know when you've finalized the location.]

Nora: [...Okay.]

The link went dead.

He didn't remember her birthday.

Nora had expected this, but the sting of disappointment still lingered.

Suddenly, she remembered the suitcase she'd left downstairs—the one with gifts for Alex and Arnold.

She hurried to the hall, but as she approached the staircase, she overheard Alex speaking to the maid.

"When is she leaving?" Alex asked, annoyed.

"Young master, this... this is Luna's home too. It's up to her."

"It's not her home. It's Dad's home! He's the leader of Silvermoon! I'd rather have Aunt Linda live here. She's beautiful and gracious—and Dad and I love her! Why can't she be my mom?"

"You mustn't speak like that," the maid scolded gently. "Luna will be sad if she hears."

"She's just an incompetent she-wolf who can't stay away from me and Dad. It doesn't matter if she hears."

Alex shrugged. "Tomorrow, Dad, Aunt Linda, and I are going on a trip. Just leave her alone in the cottage."

Around the corner, Nora felt like she'd been struck by lightning.

Everything faded into a blur.

After giving birth to Alex, she'd raised him almost entirely on her own. Arnold had rarely been involved.

Once, Nora had been confident and ambitious. She had dreamed of building a diplomatic career or becoming a jewelry designer.

Marriage changed everything.

She abandoned her aspirations to devote herself to raising Alex and supporting Arnold.

Only in the past two years had Nora started contributing to the pack's work again.Sometimes she traveled to other packs to strengthen alliances.

During those times, Linda occasionally visited Alex.

Nora had never imagined that Alex would come to see Linda as a better mother.

There were no words more devastating.

Nora leaned against the wall, trying to steady her breath.

She'd sacrificed so much, working tirelessly to finish her tasks early, just to spend time with Alex.

But now, it all felt meaningless.

Nora returned to her room, packed the gifts she'd brought for Alex and Arnold back into her suitcase.

Perhaps she was never truly welcome here.

It was time for her to leave.

Chapter 2

In the afternoon, Nora wandered aimlessly through the pack's territory.. familiar, yet somehow distant.

Her footsteps slowed, hesitating as she debated whether to share one last dinner with them before leaving.

Her internal conflict was abruptly interrupted by a mind-link from Arnold, delivered in his usual clipped and emotionless tone:

"Something came up. Dinner is canceled."

Nora froze mid-step, her breath catching in her throat. She shouldn't have been surprised. Disappointment had long since become a companion in her marriage.

It wasn't the first time he'd canceled plans with her—and likely wouldn't be the last.

After all, whether he was meeting a business partner, a friend, or even spending time with Linda, everything else seemed more important than her.

The shrill ring of the school bell jolted Nora from her daze.

It was then that she noticed her surroundings.

Unknowingly, her wandering feet had brought her to the school where Alex studied.

The gates swung open, releasing a flood of students.

Her gaze instinctively sought him out.

Alex stood out easily, his sharp features already reflecting Arnold's near-perfect looks. He was going to be a striking man one day.

Nora's lips parted, ready to call out to him, but the words died on her tongue.

A brilliant smile lit up Alex's face—not for her—but for someone else.

He dashed across the crowd and threw his arms around a tall, long-haired woman.

"Aunt Linda! Did you come to pick me up for dinner?"

Linda's smile was warm, but her eyes glinted with triumph.

"Of course, sweetheart. Your father is already waiting for us in the dining room."

She took Alex's hand, leading him toward a sleek limousine.

Nora's breath caught in her throat. She knew that car well—she had chosen it herself, specifically for its spacious cabin, perfect for family trips.

But now, another woman sat inside it.

Her heart pounded painfully as she flagged down a nearby cab.

Sliding into the back seat, she gave the driver a single command.

"Follow that car."

The driver obeyed, weaving through traffic until the limousine pulled up in front of an upscale restaurant.

Nora's stomach churned as she took in the name of the place.

It was the same restaurant she had suggested countless times for family dinners, only to be brushed off by Arnold with excuses.

Through the wide windows, she could see them.. the perfect picture of a family.

Arnold, Linda, and Alex sat together, laughing and smiling in a way Nora hadn't seen in years.

Arnold's eyes lingered on Linda, warm and full of admiration.

It was a look Nora had longed for but never received. Her breath hitched as her nails dug into her palms.

So that was his reason for canceling.

Nora forced herself to smile, though her chest felt hollow.

Her gaze lingered on the scene a moment longer before the driver interrupted her thoughts.

"Miss, are you getting out?"

She shook her head, voice faint. "No. Take me home."

Her fingers brushed against her bag, feeling the weight of the divorce papers inside.

She had prepared them long ago but never found the courage to bring them out.

Werewolves spent their lives searching for their fated mate, and Nora had thought she'd found hers the moment she caught Arnold's scent..earthy and rich, like pine and aged cigars.

It was intoxicating, the kind of scent that spoke of strength and elegance.

"Mate…" Lena, her wolf, had whispered with overwhelming joy.

Nora had believed in the Moon Goddess's blessing. She'd believed it would be enough.

But Arnold had never loved her.

If she hadn't fallen pregnant with his heir after that drunken night, he would never have married her.

She had spent almost seven years waiting for him to see her.. to truly see her.

Now, she finally understood. Some dreams weren't meant to be.

When Nora arrived home, she placed the divorce papers on her desk.

The documents were meticulously detailed.

Once Arnold signed them, they would need to present the papers to the werewolf council to make the separation official.

The rejection ceremony required the presence of the council elders.

It was a long and arduous process.. fitting for the severing of a bond that was meant to last a lifetime.

Nora exhaled softly, brushing her fingers over the papers one last time before turning away.

She dragged her suitcase to the waiting cab, gave the driver an address, and didn't look back.

The driver hesitated, glancing at Nora through the rearview mirror.

"Are you sure, miss? It's quite far, and it could take hours to get there."

Nora's gaze remained steady, her voice calm but resolute. "Yes. Just take me there."

It was the place she used to call home.. a place that now felt like a distant memory.

---

By the time Arnold and Alex returned to the villa, the clock had already struck past nine.

"Dad, I don't want to go home," Alex whined, clinging tightly to Linda's arm as though letting go would make her disappear.

Linda ran her fingers gently through his hair, her tone soft and coaxing.

"Be a good boy, Alex. Go home, or your mom will feel sad."

"That's not the way to convince him," Arnold interjected, his tone indifferent. "You should've said, ‘If you don't come home, your mom's coming on a trip with us.'"

"No way!"

Alex's eyes widened in horror. He jumped out of the car, his voice sharp with protest.

"I don't want her to ruin our travel plans!"

Linda shot Arnold a reproachful look, but he only smirked, leaning in to drop a light kiss on her cheek.

Turning to the driver, he gave a quick instruction. "Take Linda home safely."

---

When Arnold stepped inside the villa, the maid was already waiting in the foyer.

She handed him a sealed envelope with a respectful bow.

"Alpha, this is the letter Luna left for you."

Arnold accepted it absentmindedly, flipping it over without opening it. "Where is she?"

The maid hesitated. "Luna returned this afternoon, packed her things, and left." She paused, then added cautiously, "Didn't you know?"

Arnold froze halfway up the staircase, his hand tightening slightly on the envelope.

"Left?" He turned, his sharp eyes piercing. "Where did she go?"

Before the maid could respond, Alex's excited cheer rang out behind him.

"Yay! That's great!"

The boy's voice echoed through the hall as he celebrated, practically bouncing with joy.

He had been worried Nora might tag along on their trip and ruin the plans, but now, with her sudden departure, all his concerns seemed to vanish.

Arnold, however, knew perfectly well that Alex didn't need to worry about her following him at all.

He knew Nora too well. As long as he said no, Nora would never even have the guts to follow them on a trip.

She had never once dared to defy him.. not in seven years.

Like a shadow, she had always followed his lead, meek and obedient, never stepping out of line.

So well behaved and so ...... Boring.

---

Later, Alex sat in his room, flipping through the glossy pages of the family's travel brochure.

Excitement sparkled in his eyes, but slowly, his expression darkened.

It occurred to him that, without Nora, their plans might not be as perfect as he'd imagined.

After all, who would cook for them while they traveled?

And who would take pictures to capture their memories?

He frowned, suddenly uncertain about the trip.

For the first time, the absence of his mother felt strangely inconvenient.

Chapter 3

The maid couldn't suppress the frown tugging at her lips as she overheard the careless exchange between father and son.

The **Silver moon Pack's territory stretched vast and wild, but with such size came peril. Its borders, rugged and unforgiving, were a haven for rogues.. feral wolves lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

Patrolling these borders wasn't a task taken lightly.

It was grueling, treacherous work that most wolves avoided at all costs.

Yet, for nearly half a year, Luna had volunteered to shoulder the burden.

She braved those dangers without hesitation, enduring hardships few could imagine.

What's more, Arnold and Nora hadn't seen each other in months.

The maid, ever loyal, spoke cautiously. "Alpha, you should contact her. Luna looked so sad when she left…"

Arnold merely scoffed, his lips curling into a dismissive smile.

"Her wolf is too weak to take care of itself for a few days."

Without another word, he turned and strode back to his den.

**Angry?**

The idea seemed laughable.

Nora. .the meek, soft-hearted woman who wouldn't even raise her voice—angry?

Absurd.

Later, in the dim glow of his study, Arnold ran his fingers along the sealed envelope she'd left behind.

He was just about to tear it open when his phone buzzed.

Linda.

Without hesitation, he tossed the envelope onto the desk and answered the call.

The conversation stretched longer than he'd intended, and as the minutes ticked by, the forgotten letter remained untouched.

A cool breeze slipped through the open window, stirring the paper until it fluttered silently to the floor, landing out of sight beneath the heavy wooden desk.

Arnold didn't come home that night.

Far away, in the backseat of a car, Nora counted her belongings.

She'd amassed a small fortune over the years.. not through luxury or privilege, but through hard, backbreaking work.

Devoting herself to the harshest and most exhausting tasks in the pack had left her with little time, or desire, to spend money.

Her expenses were limited to gifts.. thoughtful tokens for Arnold and Alex..and as a result, her savings had quietly grown.

Now, the balance on her card reflected several million dollars.

It wasn't the wealth of an Alpha or Luna, but it was hers. Every penny hard-earned.

By the time she arrived at the modest home she once called her own, exhaustion weighed heavily on her limbs.

Days of travel and sleepless nights took their toll, and the moment she collapsed onto the bed, she drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.

It was the first restful night she'd had in years.

Nora had long battled with insomnia.

In the early days, it was Alex's cries that kept her up..nights spent rocking him in her arms until the sun peeked over the horizon.

Later, it was the relentless tension of border patrol.

The constant fear of ambushes and attacks had left her nerves frayed, her body permanently wired for danger.

Friends had often chided her, reminding her that as Luna, she didn't need to work herself to the bone.

But Nora had only smiled, her pride shining through.

"I want Alex to be proud of me as his mom," she had said.

Now, looking back, those words felt hollow. Foolish, even.

---

When she woke, the world seemed different.

The sunlight spilled in as she pulled back the curtains, warming the room and her heart.

For the first time in years, the weight pressing down on her chest felt lighter.

She tidied up the small house, sweeping away dust and memories.

Just as she finished, her phone buzzed.

"Ding, ding"

Her heart skipped a beat.

The sudden blare of her cell phone alarm startled Nora out of her thoughts.

She froze for a moment before recalling the purpose of that ringtone.. it was her reminder to call Alex.

Memories rushed back, sharp and vivid.

The day of Alex's birth had been harrowing.

Nora had hemorrhaged on the delivery table, her body trembling with exhaustion and pain.

The labor had stretched over twenty-four grueling hours.

Nine times, the doctors had warned of the worst, yet against all odds, Alex had been born safely.. a miracle in itself.

That miracle came with a price.

From the moment she first held him, frail but alive, Nora had been gripped by an overwhelming fear for his health.

She poured herself into caring for him, fussing over every detail, and making sure he took supplements regularly to strengthen his fragile constitution.

But Alex had been a playful child, constantly distracted by toys and games.

The only way Nora could keep track of him was through daily phone calls.. calls that served both as reminders and opportunities to chat, to check on his life, and to soothe her maternal worries.

She had even set alarms to make sure she wouldn't forget to call, especially on days when exhaustion from work threatened to overtake her.

Once upon a time, those calls had been precious.

Alex used to chatter endlessly, his sweet, childlike voice refusing to be the first to hang up.

He would babble about his day, his friends, and even the smallest details that had made him laugh.

But over time, things had changed.

His eagerness faded, replaced by short, distracted replies.

Conversations grew shorter, and his tone shifted from warmth to impatience.

Nora had sensed it then.. the growing distance.

He was going to have a new mom, wasn't he? Someone soft and sweet, who wouldn't nag him about vitamins or patrol duties.

He wouldn't need her anymore.

A bitter smile tugged at Nora's lips.

Without a second thought, she deleted the alarm, silenced her phone, and grabbed her coat.

It was time to get out and clear her head.

---

Meanwhile, across town

Alex tore through his closet, tossing clothes aside in frustration.

"Where's my navy-blue shirt? The one I had custom-made last year? I need it for the trip!"

The maid hesitated, wringing her hands.

"Young Master, Luna packed and organized a lot of your belongings before she left. Perhaps you should give her a call and ask?"

"I'm not calling her!"

Alex's voice rose an octave as he shoved another hanger aside. "And I'll pray she doesn't call me either!"

Arnold appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame with his usual casual air.

"If you can't find it, forget it," he said. "Linda's taking you out anyway. Finish packing when you get back tonight."

Despite his nonchalant tone, Arnold's eyes flicked to the clock.

Nora usually called by now.

The silence felt… off. But he brushed it aside. Nora was probably busy. It wasn't worth worrying about.

Besides, Alex didn't seem to care.

The boy practically lit up whenever Linda was around, showering him with toys, sweets, and endless affection.

She was everything Nora wasn't..carefree, glamorous, and always ready to take him somewhere fun.

Unlike his own mother, who left for months at a time and nagged him about supplements and responsibilities.

Today was no different.

Alex grinned as he spotted Linda waiting for him outside. He darted past the maid and bolted toward her.

"Wait!" the maid called, hurrying after him. "Young Master, you haven't taken your supplements yet! Luna specifically said—"

But Alex ignored her, diving straight into Linda's outstretched arms like a freed bird.

There was no way he was sticking around for his mother's call.. if it even came.

And he didn't notice that this time, it wouldn't.

---

Back at the House :

Nora finished tidying up her things, her hands moving methodically as she sorted through stacks of documents and folders.

Years of work as Luna of Silvermoon had left her with countless files—territory maps, patrol reports, alliance agreements.

It was all there, neatly organized and ready to be handed over.

Her phone rested silently on the counter.

No alarms. No calls.

Taking a deep breath, Nora dialed a number she hadn't called in a long time.

"Hello, Cody?" Her voice was calm, steady.

"It's Nora. I'm ready to hand off Luna's work."