(Olivia’s POV)

    In the car, I sat by the window, staring at Matthew in confusion. “We’re not mated?” I asked, then mumbled to myself, “No, that’s impossible. We clearlypleted the marking ceremony.”

    Matthew drew closer, gently lifting my face with his warm fingers. “Let’s talk about you first,”he said softly. “What did he use to threaten you?”

    I avoided his piercing golden gaze and pressed his hand down. “Nothing, he just… wanted me to apany him for a day…”

    I nced at my watch, trying to appear strong despite the tremor in my voice. “It’s almost midnight. After twelve, he’ll sign the mate bond severance papers for me. Even if you hadn’te, I could have handled it.”

    My wolf Zoe whimpered at the lie. I pushed forward anyway. “Now that my matter is settled, let’s talk about the marking ceremony.”

    Matthew’s eyes narrowed slightly as he saw through my false bravado. He leaned back, his voice calm but cutting. “Audrey Vale also asked me to apany her.”

    My eyes widened, a deep sadness filling them like ice water flooding my chest. So that’s why he was having dinner with her. The beautiful she–wolf with her perfect reputation.

    The moon hung high, silver light spilling into the grand hall of the Bloodfang Pack. The night should have been sacred—a night of renewal, a night when the Luna stood by her Alpha as one.

    But instead, Aria stood alone.

    Alpha Damien’s eyes, once filled with warmth and fire for her, were cold as stone. His voice carried over the gathering pack, sharp and merciless.

    “Aria, daughter of no true lineage, unworthy of my side… I strip you of your title. You are no longer my Luna.”

    Gasps rippled through the crowd. Wolves bowed their heads, some in shame, others in silent relief. The bond Aria once cherished—the bond that tied her soul to Damien—burned like fire and then snapped with a force that brought her to her knees.

    Her wolf whimpered inside her. A hollow ache spread through her chest.

    “Why?” she whispered, her voice trembling.

    Damien’s gaze flicked briefly to a golden-haired she-wolf standing smugly at the edge of the hall. “Because I have found a mate more suited to lead at my side. You, Aria, were nothing but a mistake.”

    The words cut deeper than ws.

    The pack watched, silent and obedient to their Alpha, as he spoke the sentence that sealed her fate. “Leave before the moon sets. By dawn, you are no longer wee in this territory. If you remain, you will be hunted.”

    Aria rose, her heart breaking, but her pride forcing her chin high. She would not give him her tears. Not here, not now.

    She turned, the weight of betrayal crushing her—but somewhere, faint and distant, a strange whisper stirred inside her: This is not your end, child. This is your beginning.

    The moon hung high, silver light spilling into the grand hall of the Bloodfang Pack. The night should have been sacred—a night of renewal, a night when the Luna stood by her Alpha as one.

    But instead, Aria stood alone.

    Alpha Damien’s eyes, once filled with warmth and fire for her, were cold as stone. His voice carried over the gathering pack, sharp and merciless.

    “Aria, daughter of no true lineage, unworthy of my side… I strip you of your title. You are no longer my Luna.”

    Gasps rippled through the crowd. Wolves bowed their heads, some in shame, others in silent relief. The bond Aria once cherished—the bond that tied her soul to Damien—burned like fire and then snapped with a force that brought her to her knees.

    Her wolf whimpered inside her. A hollow ache spread through her chest.

    “Why?” she whispered, her voice trembling.

    Damien’s gaze flicked briefly to a golden-haired she-wolf standing smugly at the edge of the hall. “Because I have found a mate more suited to lead at my side. You, Aria, were nothing but a mistake.”

    The words cut deeper than ws.

    The pack watched, silent and obedient to their Alpha, as he spoke the sentence that sealed her fate. “Leave before the moon sets. By dawn, you are no longer wee in this territory. If you remain, you will be hunted.”

    Aria rose, her heart breaking, but her pride forcing her chin high. She would not give him her tears. Not here, not now.

    She turned, the weight of betrayal crushing her—but somewhere, faint and distant, a strange whisper stirred inside her: This is not your end, child. This is your beginning.

    The moon hung high, silver light spilling into the grand hall of the Bloodfang Pack. The night should have been sacred—a night of renewal, a night when the Luna stood by her Alpha as one.

    But instead, Aria stood alone.

    Alpha Damien’s eyes, once filled with warmth and fire for her, were cold as stone. His voice carried over the gathering pack, sharp and merciless.

    “Aria, daughter of no true lineage, unworthy of my side… I strip you of your title. You are no longer my Luna.”

    Gasps rippled through the crowd. Wolves bowed their heads, some in shame, others in silent relief. The bond Aria once cherished—the bond that tied her soul to Damien—burned like fire and then snapped with a force that brought her to her knees.

    Her wolf whimpered inside her. A hollow ache spread through her chest.

    “Why?” she whispered, her voice trembling.

    Damien’s gaze flicked briefly to a golden-haired she-wolf standing smugly at the edge of the hall. “Because I have found a mate more suited to lead at my side. You, Aria, were nothing but a mistake.”

    The words cut deeper than ws.

    The pack watched, silent and obedient to their Alpha, as he spoke the sentence that sealed her fate. “Leave before the moon sets. By dawn, you are no longer wee in this territory. If you remain, you will be hunted.”

    Aria rose, her heart breaking, but her pride forcing her chin high. She would not give him her tears. Not here, not now.

    She turned, the weight of betrayal crushing her—but somewhere, faint and distant, a strange whisper stirred inside her: This is not your end, child. This is your beginning.

    Damien discovers Aria lives, stronger and more radiant than ever. Consumed by regret and fear, he demands she return to him. But when he touches her, shadows recoil, protecting her. For the first time, Aria smiles—not in love, but in power.