Chapter 1

The first time I saw Alpha Caleb Vaughn's golden eyes glow under the full moon, I knew he was my fated mate. The Moon Goddess had woven our souls together, and when he marked me during our mating ceremony, I thought our bond was unbreakable.

After nearly dying in childbirth, Alpha Caleb yanked me off the hospital bed without warning. His strength made it effortless, though my instincts screamed at the rough treatment from my mate.

"You're usually tougher than this. Juliet says she feels dizzy, and now you're suddenly unwell too?"

My legs hadn't regained any strength. I collapsed to the cold floor, a searing pain tearing through the incision in my abdomen where our pup had been born.

Alpha Caleb scowled, full of disgust, his canines elongating slightly. "Get up. You're bleeding all over the place. Don't make me look at that mess."

Beside him, Omega Juliet Everly tilted her head to get a better look. As an Omega woman, she lacked the golden glow of an Alpha's eyes, but her smirk was just as sharp.

He immediately shielded her eyes. "Don't look, baby. It's gross."

I clutched the crumpled leukemia report in my hand and nodded weakly. "Okay."

I pushed myself up from the ground, my legs trembling, while Omega Juliet flashed me with a sugary smile and stuck out her tongue.

"Oops. Sorry, Scarlett. It's all my fault—Caleb spoils me too much. He just didn't want me to get scared seeing you like that." She giggled. "I'll bring you something pretty when we go dress shopping for the mating ceremony tomorrow."

Before I could say anything, Alpha Caleb was already pulling her into his arms, grinning like the perfect mate-to-be.

"Don't worry about her, Juliet. It's just childbirth. She's acting like she's dying."

So it wasn't that he didn't see my pain—he just didn't give a damn about his fated mate.

A year ago, I would've broken down, sobbing, trying to defend myself, trying to make him care.

But this time, I didn’t cry. I didn’t scream. I just breathed and said, calmly:

"Alright. I won't be a burden here."

Alpha Caleb blinked, thrown off by my tone. Then his usual sarcasm returned, his Alpha dominance rolling off him in waves.

"New tactic? Playing the martyr today? I don't have time for your little jealousy games."

I didn't respond. I made it to the door, but my body gave out again. I collapsed, gasping, the pain flaring through my abdomen like liquid silver—the one thing that could burn a werewolf from the inside out.

He rushed over, picked me up with a look of irritation. "Seriously? Is this how you want to get my attention?"

But Alpha Caleb, I wasn't seeking attention. I was just... done.

Done wasting tears, done breaking apart for an Alpha who only saw me as an inconvenience.

He carried me to another room, his voice softer now. "Stay put. I'll get the pack healer to redress your wound."

He adjusted the blanket over me. For a second, I almost believed he still cared.

Then his phone rang. Omega Juliet's ringtone—some cutesy love song—filled the room.

He picked up instantly. Her whiny voice echoed through the speaker: "Caleb~ my heart feels funny... I think I need you."

He glanced at me, torn.

I forced a smile and waved a hand. "Go. She needs you."

He hesitated, then gave me a long, unreadable look. "I'll get the healer and be right back."

But he didn't come back.

No healer ever showed up.

What did come... was a social media post from Omega Juliet.

A photo of two hands intertwined, a sparkling mating band on her finger—the exact same design as mine.

Caption: The one who loves you... shows up when you need them most.

It felt like a silver dagger through my chest.

For her, Alpha Caleb would always come running.

He believed everything she said—even the lie about her "heart condition."

Meanwhile, after three years as mates, even the pup I carried wasn't enough to make him stay.

I used to think the Moon Goddess had blessed us with a fated bond.

But that was just my favorite lie.

Later that night, I woke to the sound of moaning. An Omega woman's voice. Sweet, breathy, and far too close.

"Caleb~ slow down... it hurts..."

There was only a wall between us.

The sounds weren't loud, but every word cut like silver.

Our newborn daughter slept beside me in her crib... just feet away from where my mate was claiming another Omega woman.

A wave of pain ripped through me. My head throbbed, cold sweat dampening my forehead. I fumbled for the painkillers on the nightstand and swallowed too many—anything to quiet the agony clawing at my insides.

I booked a one-way flight for the following week.

Alpha Caleb, if you knew how little time I had left...

Would you even care?

Would you finally regret breaking our fated bond?

Or would you still be in her arms, pretending I never mattered at all?