The following day swept me into a flurry of responsibilities. As Luna, my duties to the pack consumed my time and energy. After wrapping up the morning meeting, a mind link from Cassian interrupted my focus—his tone laced with irritation.
"Selene, why didn’t you wake me up? You left early without telling me, and now I’ve overslept."
A familiar wave of frustration surged through me. Since our mating, I had devoted myself entirely to him, attending to his every need. Each morning, I carefully laid out his clothes, lovingly prepared his breakfast, and gently woke him to ensure his day started smoothly. This routine, one I had meticulously upheld, had become second nature to me. Yet, his tone now revealed an unsettling truth—my acts of love had turned into mere obligations and duties he expected me to perform without question.
Taking a deep breath, I let the weight of my realization settle. I was not his caretaker—I was his Luna. His unreasonable demands were not mine to obey.
"Well, since you’re running late, you’d better get up soon," I replied, my voice carrying a subtle edge.
"What am I going to wear today?" he asked, as if dressing himself was an impossible task.
"Just pick something from the closet, Alpha. Everything you need is there," I answered, my patience wearing thin.
"But I can’t find it..." His voice trailed off into a familiar whine of dependence.
An Omega called for me, and I seized the opportunity to end the ridiculous conversation.
"I have other matters to attend to. You’ll have to manage on your own," I said, turning away.
Barely a moment passed before his voice pierced through the mind link again.
"The shirts are wrinkled! You didn’t iron them? How am I supposed to attend a meeting like this?"
And, as expected, another complaint followed.
"You didn’t prepare anything to eat!"
As his words echoed in my mind, the weight of my choices bore down on me. I had given up my wolf—my essence—to be with Cassian. I had envisioned a life filled with love, pups, and leadership by his side. But now, those dreams feel foolish, naïve. Staying with him no longer held any appeal. I felt nothing but emptiness.
Desperate for peace, I left the pack house and wandered into a nearby town. There, I found solace in an inn catering exclusively to she-wolves. A sanctuary. A place where I could momentarily escape the suffocating weight of my regrets.
Lying on the bed, I stared at the wooden ceiling, lost in memories. Regret clawed at me as I reflected on the past. Then, a mind link shattered my thoughts.
"My daughter..." My mother’s voice—soft yet filled with concern. The Moon Goddess. She had always been my guiding light, warning and advising me. And yet, here I was, drowning in remorse.
Her voice was a balm to my wounded spirit, a reminder that I was not alone. But it also served as a stark symbol of the price I had paid for my choices—a burden I would carry forever.
Flashback
My 18th birthday—a momentous day for every wolf.
"Are you excited to find out who your mate is?" my mother asked, her eyes shimmering with both joy and apprehension.
"Yes, Mom! Can you show me?" My heart pounded in anticipation.
With a wave of her hand, the mystical orb she possessed revealed my destined mate. As the image materialized, I saw him—Alpha Cassian of the Celestial Night Pack in Moonvale Town. His strong, commanding presence filled the orb. My heart soared. But then, my mother’s smile faded into something more troubled.
"Your mate..." she began, her voice tinged with hesitation.
"What is it, Mom?" A knot of anxiety tightened in my stomach.
Her gaze softened, her concern unmistakable. "He is cursed. His bloodline has been plagued for generations. This curse was placed on by a wolfless woman, betrayed by his ancestor—an Alpha who was friends with a powerful witch. It is a dangerous fate, Selene."
My mind reeled. "What kind of curse? What happened?"
With a deep sigh, she explained, "Many years ago, an Alpha from Cassian’s lineage cruelly rejected his wolfless mate. He belittled her, played with her emotions, and tormented her until she was driven to abort their unborn child. In despair and fury, she sought the aid of her closest friend—the most powerful witch of that time. Together, they cursed his bloodline. Every Alpha would be doomed to make their mate wolfless. If you choose Cassian, you will lose your wolf. Your wolf will never wake again."
A pang of sorrow pierced my heart. But as I gazed at the orb, I saw more than a curse—I saw the man I had loved long before I knew he was my mate.
"But..." I hesitated. My love for Cassian burned brighter than any warning. "Mom, I don’t care anymore. I’m so sorry, but I will choose my mate!"
Her eyes widened in silent plea. "Are you sure? Think carefully, my daughter. Won’t you regret losing your wolf—your essence?"
I inhaled deeply, the weight of my decision pressing upon me. "But, Mom, choosing my wolf means turning away from my fated mate. I choose Alpha Cassian."
End of Flashback
Regret coursed through me. The choice I had made for love now felt like a distant echo of foolishness. I had embraced my mate, only to later realize the depth of my sacrifice.
Outside the window, darkness had settled. I remained silent, ignoring my mother’s mind link. I couldn’t face her—not after what I had done. The weight of my regret was unbearable, and I let the stillness of the inn swallow me whole.
Then, Cassian’s mind link intruded again, his voice brimming with impatience.
"Why aren’t you home yet? Where’s dinner?"
A deep, unsettling revulsion stirred within me at the thought of returning to him. I chose to stay at the inn, savoring the quiet—a stark contrast to the chaos I had left behind.
If only. If only I had listened to my mother—the wisdom of the Moon Goddess. I could have been the Lunar Princess, radiating power and grace, instead of this pitiful Luna, shackled to a faithless Alpha.
"I had something urgent to take care of," I lied, my voice steady despite the turmoil within. "Let the maids cook dinner tonight."
His surprise was palpable. "What?"
In the past, the very idea of eating food prepared by the maids was beneath him. I had been the one to cater to his every meal, dedicating myself to his comforts.
"Is there a problem?" I asked, my tone edged with challenge.
A pause. Then, his voice softened, hesitant. "No. Just... take care of yourself."
"Thank you," I replied flatly, devoid of warmth.
A heavy silence stretched between us before he finally asked, "Selene, are you angry?"
His question—so painfully late—stirred something within me. Anger, perhaps. But mostly, disappointment. Was he truly this oblivious, or did he simply not care?
Yet, with startling clarity, I realized it no longer mattered. The anger had long since faded, leaving behind nothing but emptiness.
"I’m not angry," I murmured, more to myself than to him.
Anger was a luxury I could no longer afford.
