His Betrayal Shattered Me, My Fury Left Him Ashen and Hollow

On the night of our fifth mating anniversary, I was five months moon-blessed with our first pup when my parents and I were ambushed at the border of our territory.

As the healers rushed me toward the Moonstone Chamber, I held onto my mate, Alpha Jareth Darkhowl’s hand with everything I had.

“Jareth…” my voice cracked, “hunt down whoever dared attack us!”

His crimson wolf eyes trembled as he bent closer. “It’s already handled,” he vowed.

But before I even woke from the healing trance, I heard him whispering beyond the curtains...speaking to his Gamma.

“Alpha,” the Gamma murmured, “Luna Eirene’s parents… they could’ve survived. Why did you order the healers to withdraw the lunar essence?”

Jareth’s voice was cold, almost bored. “I didn’t want to do it either. But they saw Lucienne’s face. If they lived, she would stand trial before the Council. I couldn’t allow that. This was the only path.”

“Alpha… if the Luna discovers...” Theron hesitated.

“She won’t,” Jareth said sharply. “Take this non-accusation decree to the Council. I’ve already forged her mark. Make sure it never reaches her.”

That’s when it hit me like a claw to the chest. The she-wolf who attacked us… was Lucienne gods-damned Rydell...Jareth’s precious first mate-bond that never snapped.

For that wretch… he let my parents die?!

I was the only one who ever fought for this marriage.

Fine.

If that’s how it was, then I would reclaim every single thing that was mine. And I’d drag Jareth straight into the abyss with me.

***

When they wheeled me out of the chamber, my eyes were still shut, but I heard Jareth again...this time speaking to the healer-sage.

The sage’s voice shook.

“Alpha… the Luna has just lost her family. To take her pup as well...this is too much.”

Jareth paused before replying, voice void of remorse. “This is the perfect moment. No one questions a failed pregnancy after a violent attack. I promised Lucienne she’d be the only one to bear my bloodline. She’s asking me to keep that promise. I can’t say no to her.”

“And what of the Luna?” the sage asked quietly.

“She’ll never know. She will remain by my side...always.”

The sage exhaled heavily. “After the attack and now forcing her body to purge the pup before she’s healed… she may never be able to conceive again.”

I felt Jareth’s presence above me. His hand brushed my hair, gentle...yet the words dripping from him were the cruelest I had ever heard.

“That’s fine. When Lucienne gives birth, Eirene can raise the pup. My child and I will care for her for the rest of her life.”

The moment the door closed behind him, my eyes snapped open.

Tears burned. My entire body shook. I wanted to roar, to shift, to tear him apart...demand why he’d do this to me.

He once knelt before my parents, swearing he would cherish me for all his days.

Five years...just five...and everything had decayed.

No… maybe it was already rotten from the beginning.

Once I learned the truth, everything shattered.

There was no “us” anymore.

He thought he could play the devoted mate and I’d keep believing?

What a joke.

I’d rather rot than spend a lifetime beside that traitor.

There was only one thing left I craved...to bleed his name, his pack and his kingdom dry.

A tribute to the lives he stole from me.

With trembling hands, I grabbed my crystal communicator.

“Brann,” I rasped, “use every resource in my family’s company. Liquidate everything. Transfer it all to the Silver Coast within seven nights.”

There was silence, then my steward asked carefully, “Luna… the Valemont Consortium’s projects are at their peak. A withdrawal now will cripple the pack. Should we notify the Alpha?”

His question froze me for a heartbeat.

“I owe him nothing,” I said sharply. “I’m severing the mate bond.”

Brann fell silent. Who could blame him?

Just days ago, Jareth and I were preparing for our anniversary ritual.

And now… we were a signature away from ending everything.

I stared down at the divorce decree...the severance contract.

My decision was already made.

I would leave this bond...but never empty-handed.

I would take back what was mine.

I would make Jareth pay for every soul he stole.

Just then, his voice rose behind me.

“Eirene… what is that you’re holding?”