Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Chapter One

Elisa's POV

After the last financial meeting of the day finally ended, I slumped into the heavy wooden chair behind my desk, exhaustion pressing down on me until every muscle ached. As the Luna of the Crescent Moon Pack, my responsibilities went far beyond internal management-I had to ensure the economic stability of the entire pack.

It wasn't easy. My husband, Derek, the Alpha of our pack, had left for the frontlines on the very night of our marking ceremony. I was left behind to learn the operating patterns of a new pack, and in the beginning, many doubted my abilities. Especially as a woman, every decision I made was placed under a microscope.

But I couldn't afford to falter-because my husband Derek, Alpha of the second-largest werewolf kingdom, was out there fighting for our people. As his Luna and his most powerful supporter, I had to guarantee the safety and stability of our pack while he was away.

So far, the Crescent Moon Pack had accepted me.

I massaged my temples lightly, trying to ease the tension in my nerves. But suddenly, a searing pain flared at my mating mark. What's happening?! my wolf roared.

I shot to my feet instantly. I understood her confusion. Ever since my father and brothers died in battle, the scar had ached under stress-but this was different. This felt like claws raking through my flesh.

I flinched, pressing a hand to the burning skin. I need to see the pack doctor- I told my wolf.

"Luna!!" An Omega servant burst in, eyes sparkling with excitement. "Alpha Derek has returned!"

Derek? Back?

My heart lurched. According to the last report, he wasn't due for another two weeks. If he'd arrived early, it could mean only one thing-victory.

Pride swelled in my chest. My Alpha had once again brought glory to the pack.

Just thinking of him-his strong frame, those piercing blue eyes-made my thighs tremble, heat pooling between them.

The pain in my neck didn't ease, but Derek's return dulled the heaviness in my heart. When he was back, I could finally relax into my place as Luna.

We weren't fated mates, only a chosen pair-but our bond was still strong. His touch still set my skin ablaze; his growl still echoed in my dreams. My fingers brushed the mark again, but the heat there was relentless.

"Take me to him," I ordered.

Servants swarmed around me, smoothing my gown, fixing my hair as I strode toward the pack's entrance. One of them even giggled. "Perhaps tonight, the Luna and Alpha will finally give us an heir!"

I forced a smile-but the pain in my neck flared sharper.

Our mate has betrayed us, my wolf snarled, her voice dripping with rage.

I froze. That's impossible! Cora, you're wrong! But the throbbing at my neck made me frown.

I refused to believe Derek was a bastard. My mother had chosen him herself-she called him an honorable man. And I, with my skills and my family's resources, had helped the Crescent Moon Pack become the kingdom's second-strongest pack. He would never humiliate me.

This pain had to be from exhaustion. I'd been working for three days straight, sleeping less than four hours a night.

I tied the last silk ribbon of my gown and waved the servants off. "That's enough. I don't need more fussing."

My pace quickened as Derek's scent reached me-familiar, powerful, laced with a hint of sweetness.

My eyes lifted-and there he was, standing proud and commanding. He looked even more striking than when he'd left, his features sharper, more defined. I would have run straight into his arms-if I hadn't seen the woman in his grasp.

Derek didn't even look at me. His hands clutched the woman as if she were the most precious jewel in the world. The way he looked at her was the same way he'd once looked at me during our marking ceremony.

A sharp cry escaped my throat as the mark on my neck exploded with pain, flames rushing through my veins. I lifted a hand, my voice cold. "Everyone-leave."

I couldn't let them see their leader unravel. That would shatter the pack's stability.

The servants hesitated.

"Now." My icy command cut the air, and they scattered.

At last, Derek lifted his gaze to me. I forced a slow breath, keeping my composure. My parents had taught me-calm was strength. And I believed Derek would give me a reasonable explanation.

"Derek, what's going on?" I asked at last.

"Elisa, this is Maya," he said, his gaze soft as it fell on the woman beside him. "My mate."

My fists clenched-at both his words and the audacity in his tone.

"No," I shot back coldly. "I'm your mate, Derek. I'm your wife."

His face remained impassive. "You're my choice. She's my destiny."

My brows shot up, both at his words and the shamelessness with which he spoke them. "No, I'm your mate, Derek. I'm your wife."

"Not my true fated mate," he said calmly, not realizing each word was cutting deep into my soul. "Maya is."

I drew another deep breath, steadying myself. "Derek, have you forgotten the vow we made at the alliance ceremony? We chose each other-we swore to reject the fated bond."

A flicker of guilt passed through Derek's eyes.

"Elisa, you're too controlling!" the woman beside him suddenly snapped, her tone dripping with venom. "How dare you force an Alpha to deny his fate? You're defying the Moon Goddess herself!"

My gaze finally shifted to her. She wore warrior's leather armor, her figure undeniably striking-full of fire and sharp edges. But when her challenging eyes met mine, my spine straightened instinctively.

If she thought intimidation would work on me, she was gravely mistaken.

I stepped forward, lowering my voice into the commanding tone I used on the disobedient. "You will address me as Luna. Until you've successfully usurped my place, you will show me respect."

Even as Derek's mistress, rank mattered. In the werewolf kingdom, disrespect toward hierarchy was not tolerated.

Hatred flashed in her eyes, but before she could retort, Derek stepped in front of her. "Enough, Elisa! Soon, you will no longer be Luna."

A victorious smile curled at Maya's lips.

"What exactly are you saying?" I hissed. "Do you think I'm some rag you can throw away?"

"I'm not throwing you out," Derek said with an infuriating shrug. "In fact, I have a proposal. You can stay in the pack-be my concubine."

Something inside me broke.

The fire that surged wasn't from heartbreak-it was from pure, unfiltered disrespect. Six months of my blood, sweat, and devotion for this pack-and this was their gratitude?

Tear out their throats, my wolf growled. Hang their corpses at the gates.

In that dangerous moment, I felt my claws lengthen. But I forced them back.

I had promised my mother.

No one could know about my wolf. She didn't want me to become another corpse in this endless war-she wanted me safe.

She had chosen Derek for me, believing he'd be a partner who respected me.

And now, his betrayal proved he would never fulfill that promise.

The irony was bitter.

By parading his mistress in front of the pack, Derek had ensured my humiliation would spread like wildfire. But he had miscalculated-badly.

The Crescent Moon's prosperity? It came from my businesses, my wealth.

If I walked away, they'd become the poorest pack in the kingdom overnight.

But the Alpha King's approval was required to dissolve our bond.

"Absolutely not," I said at last, my voice like ice. "I will never degrade myself to be your concubine. The sooner you accept that, the sooner you can make a smarter decision."