Mirael curled on Aldric's lap, lay her arm around his neck, laughing mischievously.
I clenched my claws, fury thrumming through my veins. She had no shame and Aldric ... took any opportunity to get closer to her when I was not near, forgetting I could return at any time.
Aldric’s attention was locked on Mirael, completely blind to my presence in the doorway.
A few packmates glanced my way, their gazes flickering with awkwardness—or barely hidden disregard.
The packmates ignored me, choosing instead to urge Adric, pushing him to flaunt his bond with Mirael. "Come on, Aldric, show us your joy with Mirael!" one called out, laughter ringing through the cavern like a chorus of hounds mocking the lone wolf.
Fueled by moonwine, Aldric yielded, dragging Mirael closer as the intimacy escalated.
The pack erupted in cheers and laughter, their delight twisting in my heart like sharpened claws.
It was unbearable—my heart shattered.
These were the same packmates who had never honored my bond with Aldric, even after our mating ceremony.
Yet now they howled in celebration of his betrayal with Mirael, treating her as if she were the true mate by his side.
My heart shattered into a thousand pieces, but I turned away from the pack's revelry and left the cavern behind
“Have a splendid night, Aldric,” I whispered, cold as a winter moon.
Outside, the rain fell on me relentlessly, soaking my whole body.
It mirrored the turmoil in my chest. I did not call a mooncharriot and ran into the rain, letting it conceal the tears falling on my face.
Mascara and eyeliner ran in wild streaks down my face, mingling with the rain. My hair stuck to my skin, my moon-dress soaked through—but I did not care.
I looked like a creature untamed, crying, drenched, disheveled. The rain became my shield, letting me release my fury, grief and despair.
Soon after, a message notification popped up in my crystal communicator.
[Aldric: Where did you go?]
[Me: Heading home. Not feeling well. Enjoy the gathering—don’t mind me.]
[Aldric: Alright, have a good rest, then. I’ll come home late, so call if you need anything.]
I was too lazy to give him a reply again. I already knew the reason behind his excuse to be “late.”
As soon as I reached our manor, I drew a hot bath and slid into the water as if it could cleanse my mind.
The warmth wrapped around me, but my body—pushed past its limits by heartbreak and being drenched for hours—finally gave out.
I must have collapsed in the tub. When I finally woke, an IV drip hung from my wrist and I lay tangled in healer’s den. Aldric hovered nearby, concern etched across his face.
And as if fate enjoyed mocking me, Mirael was there too.
I flickered, thinking I was hallucinating—no, she was truly there, sitting like some polite visitor, mocking everything I had endured.
Aldric noticed me waking and clutched my hand. “You’re awake?” he asked, voice thick with concern.
I glanced at him coldly and smirked, “Now, you’re worried?”
His brows drew together as he tightened his grip. “You collapsed through the whole night and woke at 9 this morning—do you know how terrified I was?”
“You said you weren’t feeling well. Why didn’t you alarm me it was this serious? I would’ve brought you here immediately.”
His words rolled over me, leaving no space for reply. Mirael, lounging close by, only flicked her eyes in annoyance but stayed silent. The affection Aldric once lavished on me—now meant nothing than an act.
I jerked my hand away. “You’re gripping too tightly. The IV pricked me.”
He leapt up, worry etched across his face. “I’m sorry! I’ll get the healer to check on you."
He glanced at Mirael. “Please watch over Seraphina for a moment for me.”
Mirael’s voice dripped sweetness. “Of course, Alpha Wolfsbane.”
As soon as he left, I turned my face to the side, refusing to look at her. Mirael, surprisingly, stayed silent, simply sitting beside the bed.
Perhaps she sensed the importance of keeping up her facade in public.
Just then, a notification appeared on my crystal communicator on the stone-table beside the bed. The crossing permit to the Lunebright Valley had been approved. Mirael, her eyes sharp as ever, caught it in an instant.
"Well," she said, her tone casual but sharp, "You don't need a crossing permit to go on holiday in the Lunebright Valley, actually, or do you intend to stay in the territory permanently?"
I snatched my crystal communicator from the stone-table. "Mind your own business," I snapped.
Before she could react, Aldric returned with the healer and I hurriedly hid my crystal communicator away.
After a brief check, the healer said I could be discharged tomorrow if my fever continued to drop.
The morning meal came soon after and Aldric—ever overbearing—insisted on feeding me.
"I can do it myself," I said, my tone firm.
“Ah, are you shy because Mirael’s here?” He teased, clueless as ever.
Mirael, the cunning wolf, offered a courteous smile. “Ah, sure, I shouldn’t interfere you. I'll excuse myself then and take care your duties today, Alpha Wolfsbane.”
"Good." He nodded in response. "Ensure everything runs smoothly, Mirael."
She slung her knitted-bag over her shoulder and gave me a sweet, insincere smile. "Recover soon, Luna Wolfsbane." She, with that, stepped out, her exit executed with the same practiced cunning as her entrance.
As the door clicked shut, I fought the instinctive urge to bare my fangs at Aldric.
I already found the truth—they had been together when the maid called him about my condition and he hadn’t left her side.
A helper accompanying her Alpha might look normal to outsiders, but I knew better.
The two of them could deceive the world, but not me.
Aldric, clueless to the tension creeping under my skin, continued feeding me. “I planned a trip for our anniversary,” he said, trying to sound concern. “But with you still healing … we might have to push it back.”
So, he did remember our moon-bond day. How amusingly ironic.
I let a faint smile cover the disgust coiling inside me. “It’s fine. A gift is enough. We can have a trip another time.”
“Great. I’ll make it something magnificent,” he said, proud of himself.
I nodded, keeping my voice low. “I’ll have something for you as well.”
His eyes brightened instantly, excitement sparking like a pup promised a new toy. “Really? I can’t wait to see it!”
He yawned and I asked him, “Did you stay up the whole night?”
“I’m fine. I’m used to stay up to handle my task.”
“No, no—you need rest. Go and sleep after the meal. I’ll be fine.” I urged.
He hesitated, then nodded. “Then, I’ll nap on the sofa.”
A moments later, he was soundly asleep.
I took a peek and ensured he was deeply asleep, then reached for his crystal communicator. The more proof I had, the faster I could end this bond.
Just as I unlocked it, both our crystal communicators buzzed at the same time.
My heart was beating so fast.
So, I hurriedly peeked at him, hoping him not to wake up. And as if hope was on my side, it seemed his tiredness made him fall into a deep sleep.
I checked his crystal communicator first.
Mirael texted him. [You owe me, since we didn’t get to enjoy our time last night.]
Below her message, she attached the scenic images of Silverhaze Plains.
[Mirael: When I was swiping my social-mirror, Silverhaze Plains kept showing up on my feeds. I think it’s a sign we have to go there. You said you wanted to celebrate my moon-blessed, right? How about a pupmoon in Silverhaze Plains tomorrow?]
When she was waiting for him to reply, she sent another message—an image of herself pouting.
[Mirael: Please? Our little pup will love it too.]
Her cunning and seductive tricks make me sick, “So disgusting.” I let out a long sigh.
Before scrolling up their chat, I checked my own crystal communicator.
Mirael had sent me a few provocative messages.
