Chapter 1

1.

Dominic is my destined mate, but for another woman, he postponed our marking ceremony for the ninth time.

For his first love, Dominic would rather defy the will of the Moon Goddess and humiliate me again and again.

The first time he threw me out of his estate, the wolf inside me howled. The spiritual agony, like my soul was being ripped in two, almost made me faint.

I cried as I threw everything that smelled of his pheromones into the pouring rain.

The fourth time, he canceled my Luna coronation ceremony for that woman. I knelt on the floor and begged him, instinctively baring my vulnerable neck―a wolf's ultimate act of submission to their mate.

I was terrified he would completely sever our bond.

The eighth time, when he abandoned me on the night of the sacred blood moon, I had learned to be like a tamed omega. I silently helped him pack, afraid of angering this volatile Alpha.

My breakdowns, my prayers, my obedience.

All I ever got in return was his arrogant promise: "After I'm done with Serena's situation, you will still be my Luna."

And then came the next, perfectly predictable betrayal.

Until this ninth time. I used medication to suppress my inner wolf, packed my own bags, severed our faint mental link, and left alone.

In one month, I would disappear from his territory for good.

"We'll complete the marking ceremony in a month."

Dominic skillfully took the legal document that temporarily suspended our mate bond, his tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather.

I felt nothing as I signed my name. I didn't even have the desire to respond to his Alpha command.

"Elena."

Dominic frowned, his predatory eyes fixed on me, clearly displeased with my silence. He lowered his voice, releasing a hint of his power, trying to force my wolf into submission.

"Whatever you say."

I stopped folding my clothes and turned to look at the leader of the Black Moon pack, my face blank.

Dominic was an incredibly arrogant man. Every time he abandoned me for that woman, he would condescendingly inform me of the next time he would "grace" me with his presence.

He had only told me the truth once.

It was during our first―and only―bonding ceremony before the Moon Goddess. He held me close and whispered in the Old Wolf language, "You are the other half of my soul."

What a fucking liar.

He seemed surprised by my reaction.

After all, every other time we signed this agreement, I was on the verge of a complete breakdown. My wolf, suffering from the withdrawal of being rejected by her mate, would force me into uncontrollable sobs.

"This time... I'll just stay at the penthouse downtown..."

Dominic was still trying to find the right words, trying to maintain his charming facade, but I cut him off.

"Don't bother. I'm moving out. My bags are already packed."

A flicker of shock crossed his handsome, chiseled face.

Three days ago, he had given me a small gift. A little blue box from Tiffany's. It wasn't expensive, but it was a style I liked.

I had forced a smile, my heart aching.

In our twisted relationship, the Alpha rarely gave me sweet gestures. Every time he did, it was a sign that she―Serena―was coming back.

That night, tormented by our bond, I secretly checked his phone while he was asleep.

Pinned at the top of his messages was his first love, Serena.

"I'm coming back to New York."

That one sentence was a death sentence for my ninth attempt to bond with Dominic.

I clicked open another message, this one from his Beta.

"Elena is the perfect choice for Luna, boss. Don't mess this up again. The pack needs stability, and the elders are already unhappy."

"Didn't you say you would forget Serena?"

Dominic's reply was short and cold.

"I tried. I can't. A wolf may only have one mate in their lifetime, but Serena is my obsession. And Elena... she's not just the perfect replacement, she's also the most obedient sedative."

The endless heartaches of countless nights suddenly made sense in that one moment.

I shook my head, pulling myself from the memory.

Under Dominic's deep, unreadable gaze, I efficiently snapped my suitcase shut. As I carried my luggage towards the door, I planned how to completely escape this city, a city that reeked of him.

Behind me, Dominic's voice, laced with Alpha authority, commanded:

"Elena. In one month, I will bring you back for your coronation."

I didn't look back. I just gave a casual wave of my hand.

What a coincidence.

My flight to Zurich was also booked for one month from now.