Chapter 1

"Madam Luna, here's the divorce agreement from the safe," the pack secretary said, placing the document before Luna Thea Blackwood at the upscale restaurant Moonlight & Wine.

Five years ago, on their mating ceremony day, Alpha Kieran Blackwood had signed this agreement and locked it away – a gesture of his devotion. If he ever betrayed their bond, she could dissolve their mating immediately.

Thea's pen moved swiftly across the paper. Her gaze drifted to the empty seat across from her, their fifth anniversary dinner becoming a solitary affair.

"Take this to Attorney Hawthorne," she instructed. "Then arrange for the Silver Moon Hotel's grand hall. Have it decorated for a mating ceremony."

The secretary hesitated. "Whose names should be on the ceremony documents?"

"Kieran Blackwood and Aurora Wintercrest."

The secretary fell silent. Aurora was Kieran's first love, before he became Alpha.

"When should the ceremony be held?"

Thea turned to watch the mystical blue moonflowers that had been blooming for the past hour in the night sky – a traditional werewolf display of love. They formed words: "Kieran & Thea, Happy 5th Anniversary."

"Seven days from now," Thea replied. "Also, book me a flight to the Northern Pack territories in Norvaria."

"Norvaria?" The secretary's voice wavered. "Perhaps you should reconsider..."

On their mating day five years ago, besides the divorce agreement, Thea's parents – leaders of the Norwegian Wolf Clan – had required one more promise. If their daughter ever returned home heartbroken, Kieran would be forever banned from Northern Pack territories.

"My decision is final." Thea's voice was firm.

The ceremony would be on her birthday. While Kieran and Aurora celebrated their union, she would be flying to her ancestral lands.

Her phone buzzed. Kieran had posted on the pack's official social media, sharing an image of the blue moonflowers with a message: "My Luna, my mate, my eternal love. Happy Anniversary."

Comments flooded in:

"The Alpha's moonflower display was visible across the entire territory!" "Five years, and he still courts her like a lovestruck pup." "Remember when he was wounded in the territory fight? First thing he asked about was whether his Luna had eaten..."

Kieran replied to one: "Thea is my mate. Loving her, cherishing her, and ensuring her happiness is my sacred duty as her Alpha."

But Thea stared at the empty chair, remembering their seven years together. Never a fight, never a harsh word. Kieran had given her everything – status, wealth, devotion.

Until a month ago, when she heard another she-wolf's voice in a misdirected message:

"Six months back in the territory, and he fell right into my trap." "He arranged these blue moonflowers for me, but I prefer silver ones. You can have them for your anniversary."

Two weeks later, at a pack gathering, Kieran introduced Aurora as a "distant cousin." The same voice, the same smirk.

Later that night, Thea received another message: "The rooftop was exciting. Left some marks on your Alpha."

When Kieran came home drunk, she saw the scratches on his chest – while wearing the ceremonial shirt she'd made him, embroidered with "My Alpha" in ancient wolf script. The same shirt he'd promised to wear as a reminder of his fidelity.

Now, he'd called to say he was "preparing a surprise" and couldn't make their anniversary dinner.

Minutes later, she received a photo – him sharing an intimate dinner with Aurora, surrounded by silver moonflowers and blood wine.

As Thea watched the blue moonflowers fade in the night sky, she wondered if he'd posted that loving message while in Aurora's arms.

Chapter 2

Thea ignored Kieran's public display of devotion. Upon returning to their manor, she requested silver shears from the pack housekeeper. With methodical precision, she took her ceremonial mate's robe – handwoven with moonstone threads to match Kieran's – and cut it to ribbons. Their mating certificate followed, reduced to fragments.

She placed everything in an ornate box marked "For Your Second Mating."

As she finished, Kieran appeared behind her, his aristocratic features alight with affection. He took her hand, leading her downstairs. "Come, my Luna. Your surprise awaits."

In their circular driveway sat a massive transport vehicle. It opened to reveal a custom-built Silverwind Alpha – the most prestigious vehicle among werewolf nobility, its pearl-white finish gleaming under the moon.

Two beta wolves held up a banner: "For Our Beloved Luna Thea."

The gathered pack members watched in admiration as Kieran presented her with the crystal key. "You mentioned wanting a new vehicle last moon cycle. As your mate, your wishes are my commands."

But Thea's enhanced vision caught something else – around his wrist, a delicate piece of fabric fashioned into a bracelet. The scent of another she-wolf clung to it. Her stomach churned.

"What's wrong? Not to your taste?" Kieran's dark eyes filled with concern, catching her expression.

"The car is beautiful," Thea replied, fighting back tears. It wasn't the Silverwind she was rejecting – it was him.

Back in their chambers, Kieran spotted the gift box. Before he could read the inscription, Thea covered it with her hand.

"A surprise for me?" His eyes lit up.

Thea's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Yes, but you'll have to wait. In seven days, you'll receive two gifts. Knowing you as I do... you'll find them quite fitting."

"A double surprise?" Kieran mused, trying to recall the significance of that date. Suddenly, realization struck. He immediately contacted his beta. "It's Thea's birthday in seven days. Arrange the grandest celebration the territory has ever seen. Spare no expense."

From the doorway, Thea's face turned to ice. In seven years, Kieran had never forgotten her birthday. Until Aurora returned.

Perfect. She wondered how he'd react when the guest of honor was absent from his elaborate celebration.

She messaged the secretary: "Find out which venue is hosting my birthday celebration. Book the mating ceremony one floor above it."

Later, Kieran's beta called again. "Alpha, don't forget to take Luna Thea to Moonrise Bakery by the old Academy. It's your tradition..."

"Right, right! Order her favorite – blood moon velvet with lunar berry cream."

These words reached Thea's sensitive ears clearly.

Moonrise Bakery held special meaning – it's where they first met, when she was still a student at the Lycan Academy. Every anniversary since their mating, they'd shared cake there. Now, he needed reminders from his beta.

The sleek black pack vehicle drew attention outside the modest bakery. A young wolf influencer livestreamed their arrival: "Look! It's true – Alpha Kieran really brings his Luna here every anniversary!"

When Thea's ceremonial boot lace came undone, Kieran knelt before her – an Alpha showing submission to his Luna in public. Young she-wolves sighed dreamily. "A territory Alpha kneeling to tie his Luna's boot! Such devotion!"

Inside, they sat at their usual window table. Kieran addressed the elderly baker, "Is our cake ready? Moon-blessed mango filling with blood berry cream? And 'Happy Fifth Anniversary' in ancient script?"

The baker, who'd watched their love story unfold, smiled warmly. "Just finished. After all these years, your devotion hasn't wavered. When will the pack hear the patter of pup feet?"

Chapter 3

"When it happens naturally," Kieran gazed at Thea lovingly. "Perhaps by winter's end. Boy or girl, any pup from my Luna would be perfect."

Thea stared silently at her cake, but before she could respond, a beta wolf rushed in, reporting damage to Kieran's vehicle.

"I'll handle this quickly," Kieran frowned. "Eat, love. And remember, no iced drinks – your moon cycle begins in two days."

The young she-wolves in the bakery swooned. "He even tracks her moon cycles! What a perfect Alpha..."

"You're blessed, dear," the elderly baker told Thea. "Finding a devoted mate is rare indeed."

Thea's smile was bitter. "Yes... rare indeed." If only she had actually found one.

Through the window, she watched Kieran follow the beta – straight into a rose-gold Lunar Runner parked beside their black vehicle. She recognized it instantly – Aurora's car, a "welcome home" gift from Kieran worth nearly as much as Thea's new Silverwind.

Her phone rang – unknown number. When she answered, she heard Kieran's voice, husky with desire:

"Our clever Aurora, sending someone to fetch me..."

"I asked your beta for your location," Aurora purred. "You promised to come once she's asleep."

"Thinking of you with her on your anniversary... it hurts," Aurora whimpered.

Kieran's low laugh rumbled through the phone. "Be patient, my honey. I won't touch her tonight."

"Hurry to me then. Follow my scent..."

The sounds of passionate kissing filled the line before Thea ended the call, her hands shaking.

The cake before her turned stomach-churning. Her wolf stirred restlessly inside her, clawing at her chest with grief and rage. She stabbed the chocolate "Happy Anniversary" plaque until it was unrecognizable.

When Kieran returned thirty minutes later, he immediately noticed her pallor. "You're pale as moonlight. Should we see the pack healer?"

Thea turned away. "I heard something revolting. Lost my appetite."

"What did you hear?" Kieran's brow furrowed with seemingly genuine concern.

"Nothing you want to know about." Thea's eyes gleamed with unshed tears.

When Kieran reached for her, she dodged his touch and fled to a waiting taxi. He pursued in their pack vehicle, while Aurora's rose-gold Lunar Runner followed behind – a grotesque parade through the territory.

At their manor, Kieran caught her arm. "Love, why are you upset? Because I left you alone with the cake?"

She studied his handsome face – concerned, guilty about the cake, but not about his betrayal.

"Yes."

He sighed. "I'm sorry. Next time, even if the car's destroyed, I'll stay with you." After a pause, he added, "A prominent pack member has been gravely injured. I need to go. May I?"

Thea caught the flash of anticipation in his eyes beneath the feigned reluctance.

So eager to leave, he'd invent an emergency?

She nodded silently, then walked toward their private garage. There, she witnessed Kieran and Aurora's passionate embrace in the rose-gold vehicle.

"I wore the moon-silk stockings you love," Aurora purred. "You haven't changed after all these years..."

Kieran's eyes darkened with desire. Aurora pressed his hand away playfully. "Let's go to the lake... your favorite spot."

"Consider it an early birthday gift," she winked.

As the rose-gold Lunar Runner disappeared into the night, Thea's phone buzzed with a message from Kieran – coordinates to the lake.