Chapter 5

I'd been humiliated before.

At a celebratory banquet not long ago, Yvonne offended the Alpha of the Eclipse Pack—a wolf notorious for his explosive temper and brutal duels.

And how did my dear mate, Alpha Harvey, handle it?

He demanded that I kneel and apologize on her behalf.

In front of every Alpha and Luna in attendance.

I'd been forced to lower myself that night, swallowing the laughter and whispers of my own kind.

But this?

This was worse.

If I knelt here—on live television, in front of every major media outlet—my dignity would be ripped to shreds.

A Luna who submits like this is no Luna at all.

I refused to move.

The tension in the hospital room crackled like lightning before a storm. Alpha Harvey's jaw tightened.

Then, he pulled out his phone.

I had no idea who he called, but a few minutes later, my phone buzzed.

A message from Angelica.

Jasmine, I've been fired! What do I do? I worked so hard for this job, and my grandma is still in the hospital. I can't afford to lose this!

My fingers clenched around the phone.

The bastard.

He wasn't just punishing me—he was going after my friends, my family.

I let out a slow breath, my heart hammering against my ribs.

Then, with a quiet, controlled rage, I sank to my knees.

The flash of cameras turned the moment into something eternal.

Every angle captured. Every humiliation frozen in time.

Behind me, Alpha Harvey didn't even spare me a glance.

He was too busy tending to Yvonne, his hand cupping her cheek, his voice soft and gentle as he reassured her.

Innocent?

Sure.

Because all mates take care of their "friends" like this.

The reporters weren't fools.

A sharp-eyed journalist finally asked what everyone was thinking.

"Alpha Harvey, you say Yvonne isn't a mistress… but with how close you are, is that really the truth?"

Alpha Harvey's gaze darkened. He opened his mouth to speak—

But I beat him to it.

I stood up, brushing dust from my knees as if it didn't matter—as if my soul wasn't breaking.

Then, I turned to face the cameras.

"Everyone, the truth is… Yvonne is Alpha Harvey's true fated mate."

A murmur swept through the room.

I let the words settle before continuing, my voice smooth, my expression unreadable.

"Years ago, she left the Silver Claw Pack for treatment of her depression. Before she left, they were already legally married. She is the rightful wife of Alpha Harvey."

"I was only brought into this because I saved Old Luna Gillian's life. Out of gratitude, she forced Alpha Harvey to marry me. He had no choice."

I turned to my mate, flashing a cold, mocking smile.

"Alpha Harvey, isn't that right?"

For the first time in his life, Alpha Harvey hesitated.

His broad shoulders stiffened. His nostrils flared.

He wanted to deny it.

But he didn't.

Because he knew—if he tell the true, Yvonne's reputation would be shattered beyond repair.

Silence.

Then—

"Luna Jasmine… Are you saying you're the mistress in this story?" a reporter asked, stunned.

I tilted my head back with a bitter laugh.

"That's right."

"I'm the mistress."

Yvonne's smirk was triumphant.

Alpha Harvey's expression was unreadable.

But none of it mattered.

Because from this moment forward…

I owed nothing to Old Luna Gillian.

That night

The moon was at its highest when I finally returned to the villa.

Alpha Harvey was waiting.

He stood in the living room, arms crossed, jaw clenched, pacing restlessly like a wolf sensing a storm.

The scene at the hospital played in his mind on repeat.

The way I knelt.

The way I smiled.

The way I accepted my role as the "mistress" so damn easily.

For the first time, doubt crept into his heart.

"Did I go too far?"

He shook his head, shoving the thought away.

He was an Alpha.

A Luna should submit.

Suddenly—

The doors flew open.

Beta Lionel rushed in, panting.

"Alpha Harvey!" His voice was shaking. "Something terrible has happened!"

Harvey's chest tightened. "What is it?"

Beta Lionel swallowed hard.

"Luna Jasmine…Suicide"

"She jumped into the sea!"