Chapter 1

Will came rushing the moment he saw my message. I looked around the gathering hall. The guests were growing restless, their murmurs growing louder. Just then, my pack members arrived. My mother rushed over joyfully, taking my hands, her face radiant. "Dearest Louisa! My precious daughter, you're finally becoming the Luna of the Winter Song Pack! Mother is so proud of you!" She cupped my face, her eyes shining, but the light vanished the moment she saw my expression. "What's wrong, my child? Isn't this the day you've longed for all these years? To become Ronald's mate, his Luna? Why… why do you look so unhappy?" I was silent for a moment before replying: "Mother, Ronald didn't go through with the ceremony. Elizabeth was injured. He said… he said we'd hold it tomorrow…" Before, desperate to preserve Ronald's image, I had covered for him, making excuses and singing his praises. Now, I stated it plainly. Mother's face instantly darkened with fury. As the powerful Luna of the Frost Moon Pack, she could not tolerate her most cherished daughter being humiliated like this. Her expression turned thunderous as she snapped, "How dare he! I invited the elders of the Twelve Packs to witness this ceremony! What does he think this does to your dignity? To the honor of our Frost Moon Pack?" She whirled towards her guards, her voice sharp, "Go and fetch that insolent—" She was about to order Ronald forcibly brought back when she caught the look on my face. Her sternness softened instantly. Her eyes filled with pure pity as she looked at me. "Dearest, what do you want to do? Just say the word, and anything you desire, I will make it happen." I had been forcing a brave face for so long, but those words broke the dam. A wave of sour bitterness surged up my throat. Mumbling something about feeling unwell, I fled to the restroom like a coward. Locked in a stall, I choked back sobs, finally letting the tears flow freely. I counted all the times I had compromised for Ronald over the years, desperate for his love. What had it earned me? Only ever-increasing disregard. Did I even exist in his eyes? Thinking back, Ronald and I met as teenagers at the training camp. We fought side by side, building unshakeable trust on the knife-edge of life and death. He was so considerate then – draping his coat over my shoulders late at night, clumsily tending my wounds after practice… That year, he had said to me with deep emotion: "Louisa, if you can help me become Alpha, I swear to you, if I succeed, you will be my one and only mate." For that promise, I gave everything. I secured him the highest-tier training resources, even arguing fiercely before my father. My family's power poured resources into him, paving his path to becoming Alpha. Finally, he succeeded. He became the young Alpha of the Winter Song Pack. He kept his promise, declaring to the entire pack that I was his chosen future Luna, and setting today's ceremony date. I truly believed his love was mine alone. Until Elizabeth returned. Everything changed.