Chapter 1

The day I left the hospital just happened to be the day of the wedding photoshoot.

I headed straight for the wedding dress store and, from outside the door, caught their conversation—like a bucket of ice water dumped over my head.

“Alpha Ethan, Lena’s dress is so beautiful. I wish I could have one too! She’s so lucky. Not like me… She has noble blood, and you belong to her.” It was Ava’s syrupy, performative voice.

Through the glass I saw Alpha Ethan respond with tenderness: “Don’t be sad, Ava. I’m here. I’ll give you everything you want.”

Then he told her to put on the wedding gown that belonged to me. He didn’t even think to call me.

I had designed the gown myself. A wedding dress you wear once in your life—of course I wanted it to be my own design.

A dull pain pricked at my chest. He had once promised to give me everything I wanted in this life.

But now Ava—the fated mate he cradled like a treasure—was wearing the dress I’d made with my own hands, holding Ethan’s arm, smiling like a flower in bloom.

It hurt like a blade twisting in my heart, but for the sake of our three years together, I still wanted to give Alpha Ethan one last chance.

I pushed open the door. The store window reflected three figures.

I instinctively touched my lower abdomen, forcing down the grief and anger, and kept my voice even. “Please settle the design fee at the front desk.”

As I said it, I felt a slight tremor in my body. I was terrified he’d agree— then we would be truly over.

We had been perfectly in sync once, always standing together in Pack affairs.

I was the mate he chose himself, and I loved him deeply. But now he was going to betray me because the reappearance of his fated mate.

Was our love always doomed to be defeated by fate?

“Lena! What do you mean? You’re just in time. Let Ava wear the dress and jewelry first. You’re my Luna—you should be magnanimous.” Alpha Ethan’s voice carried the aggressive pressure of an Alpha.

Ava glanced at me with artful fragility. “Ms. Lena, please don’t misunderstand Alpha Ethan. He only wants to fulfill my last wish. I’m begging you—could you let me have this one thing?”

Such a smooth talker. Snatching someone’s fiancé and somehow sounding righteous—if I refused, I’d be too mean to be a Luna.

Before I could answer, Alpha Ethan’s face cooled. “Ava has already begged you. Why do you still care about this small point? You know our pack has only just risen again. I’m busy—I don’t have time to prepare everything for her, and she can’t wait. You’re Luna. Be nice.”

Because our Pack had been rebuilding and needed money everywhere, I’d paid for almost everything for the wedding myself.

Even the houseware for our new home—I’d picked it all alone. I’d asked him to come with me. He’d said he was busy.

It was hurt, going through the preparations by myself. But I kept reminding myself: he’s an Alpha; the Pack needs him; men put work first.

Only now do I understand: Alpha Ethan would always be trapped by the bond to his fated mate. Even if Ava died, she would live in his heart, a wall between us for life.

A triangle like this could never end in a happy marriage.

I decided to let him go.

I swallowed the agitation. “Alpha Ethan, let’s break up.”

He froze, then asked, voice gone cold, “What do you mean?”

“Exactly what it sounds like.” I turned to leave without another glance.