On the same day that Jayceon and my father were to hold their mark ceremonies, the grand halls of the Moonstone Pack were adorned with flowers and banners, stretching from the entrance to the Alpha’s den. The air was thick with anticipation, but for me, it felt suffocating.
The night before the ceremony, my father, Alpha Kyson, visited my mother’s room for the first time in years. He had stripped off his ceremonial attire, leaving him in a simple white shirt, reminiscent of the day they had first met. My mother, Kaitlyn, sat before her mirror, applying a faint layer of makeup, her movements cold and deliberate.
“Alpha,” she said without turning, her voice icy, “shouldn’t you be with your Luna, enjoying your celebration?”
My father hesitated, his expression unreadable. Then, he pulled out a small, silver pendant from his pocket. It glimmered faintly under the soft light of the room.
My mother froze, her hand pausing mid-air.
“Do you remember this?” he asked quietly. “The day we marked each other, you gave this to me as a token of our bond. I’ve kept it all these years.”
She didn’t respond, her eyes fixed on the pendant.
“I want to use it now,” he continued, his voice steady but heavy with regret. “To ask for your blessing. Marisol has been by my side for so long, loyal and unwavering. She’s given me a son, an heir. I can’t let her live in the shadows any longer. She deserves to be recognized as my Luna.”
My mother’s lips trembled, but she didn’t cry. Not yet. “Kyson,” she said, her voice breaking, “I thought this pendant was a symbol of our love. A promise between us.”
He reached out, brushing a tear from her cheek, his touch gentle but distant. “Kaitlyn, I do love you. But you can’t expect me to remain bound to a single mate. Even among wolves, Alphas take multiple mates. I’m an Alpha, a leader. I need a Luna who can stand beside me, who can ensure the strength of our pack. Marisol is that person.”
He took her hand, his tone softening. “She’s kind, unassuming. She and our son will stay in the side den. She won’t interfere with your life. You’ll see—we can coexist peacefully.”
My mother said nothing, her tears silently streaming down her face.
My father’s patience wore thin. “Kaitlyn,” he snapped, his Alpha aura flaring, “it’s been years. How long will you cling to this resentment?”
I watched from the doorway, my heart heavy with sorrow. My mother had always warned me: when a wolf claims you as his mate, he will say anything to prove his devotion. But when that bond weakens, he will find a thousand reasons to justify his actions.
My father had once called her pure, honorable. Now, he dismissed her as stubborn, unreasonable.
I turned away, retreating to my room where Jayceon lay sleeping. His features were serene, untouched by the chaos around us. Even in his sleep, he murmured my name, his voice laced with worry. “Nora, don’t leave me.”
Jayceon had always been kind to me. He and Malaysia had never crossed any boundaries, always respectful, never overstepping. But I knew him better than anyone. I could see the subtle shifts in his demeanor—the way his brow furrowed when Malaysia was upset, the faint smile that played on his lips when she was near, the way his scent lingered in the air after she passed by.
I didn’t understand how years of our bond could be overshadowed by a fleeting connection, by the allure of something new.
Both Jayceon and my father—one had betrayed our bond, the other had let his heart wander.
My mother and I, we were done waiting.
I gently pushed Jayceon’s hand away, my reflection in the mirror aligning with my mother’s. Together, we spoke the same words, our voices steady and resolute.
“Where there is no love, there is no need to stay.”
