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Chapter 1

Midnight in the Northern Territory forest, deep within Alpha Kieran Nightshade's domain.

I was pressed against an ancient oak tree, my forehead against the rough bark, Kieran's hand gripping my waist—with enough force it felt like he wanted to merge me into his bones and blood.

The full moon's brilliance bathed us, wolf nature boiling in our blood. He was particularly wild today, changing positions so fast I could barely catch my breath. As the 36th climax hit, I felt shattered, suspended, able only to clutch his arm and let out broken moans.

"Raven..." He pulled me into his embrace, his voice low, husky, and dangerous. "Tell me, no male wolf—can make you submit like this."

I smiled and bit his shoulder: "You know the answer."

Afterward, I lay pressed beneath him on the soft grass, sweat and panting intertwined.

He suddenly spoke: "Tomorrow night, come to the pack gathering."

I couldn't help but lift my head to look at him, my heart trembling.

In the tenth year of being his secret companion, he had never been willing to bring me to formal pack gatherings. He said those were places only for fated mates, future Luna Queens.

Now, was he finally going to announce my identity to everyone?

I asked, suppressing my excitement: "Kieran, are you saying... you're going to make our relationship public?"

His eyes flashed golden in the moonlight. He took a deep breath, then said: "What's there to make public about our relationship? The gathering is to welcome my fated mate, the Southern Territory wolf pack princess Luna Silvermoon."

My ears rang, all air instantly sucked away.

I heard myself ask tremblingly: "What about me?"

He looked at me with cold eyes, devoid of any warmth: "Raven, you're very useful. I do enjoy your body."

He spoke as if evaluating a weapon, a mount, a tool.

"Kieran..." My voice broke into fragments. "Didn't you say... I was special to you?"

He smiled lightly, but coldly to the bone: "Raven, don't stare at me with those pitiful eyes. It makes me think you're expecting something you'll never have. I know your thoughts inside out. If we actually became mates... it would be too boring."

I lowered my eyes to look at the ambiguous marks on my body, feeling only deep despair spreading from the depths of my heart.

"Do you love her?"

"Love?" He rose and walked toward the stream, washing away the marks on his body with icy water. "Raven, this is an alliance, not a fairy tale. She represents the Southern Territory's power, land, wolf packs."

The sound of rushing water filled the air. Kieran stood behind the mist, his muscular lines outlined by moonlight, every inch as cold as marble.

Soon, Kieran walked back from the stream. He picked up a communication stone and sent a message: "That moonstone, the purest one, must be obtained. It's Luna's favorite. The jewelry box should be custom-made with pure silver carvings, air-shipped from the Southern Territory. She likes that cold texture. Also, prepare a complete set of ceremonial clothing. She'll be staying here during this time."

Hearing this, my chest hurt so much I could barely breathe. At that moment, a gentle smile appeared on his face—one I rarely saw.

I couldn't stay any longer. I shifted into wolf form and hurried away.

Back at my den, I pulled open the hidden cabinet and threw everything he'd given me over ten years onto the open ground:

The silver dagger, pack emblem, mate's collar, ancient totem, moonstone earrings...

All things he'd casually given me after our nightly entanglements.

I lit a bonfire and threw them in one by one.

The firelight gradually consumed them, just as it consumed everything I'd burned for him all these years.

I dialed a number I'd never dared call before.

The communication stone lit up and was immediately answered.

"Raven?"

It was my father, the Eastern Territory wolf pack leader.

Kieran never knew my other identity—I was the Eastern Territory wolf pack heir.

"Father." My voice was eerily calm. "I'm preparing to return to the Eastern Territory."

Father laughed in a deep voice. "Finally tired? Come back. I warned you from the beginning that being with Kieran would end badly."

I continued: "In five days, I want the name 'Raven Moonshadow' to disappear from the Northern Territory forever."