chapter 1

"Ms. Audrey, the island you wanted across the sea is officially yours. And as for the 'custom family service' you asked for, it's all been arranged. They'll treat you like family and give you all the love you need."

The witch's voice came through the communicator—polite, but distant.

Audrey didn't respond right away. After a pause, she spoke in a calm, steady tone. "I'll be moving there in ten days."

She hung up and stood.

She stared at her reflection in the mirror. Wearing a snow-white wedding dress, she looked almost unreal—like something straight out of a dream. Each tiny crystal sewn into the gown had been handpicked by Alpha Ethan himself, deep inside the wild canyon. That place was off-limits to most werewolves, filled with toxic fog that only the toughest could survive.

"Ms. Audrey, are you done trying on the dress? Alpha Ethan's waiting outside."

The beta assistant's voice called out from behind the curtain.

Her thoughts snapped back. She answered smoothly, "Yes, I'm good."

Right after she spoke, the Beta pulled the curtain aside. Audrey turned and caught Alpha Ethan's eyes—he looked totally mesmerized.

"Audrey, you look ... stunning." He seemed almost breathless, then stepped forward and hugged her. His voice was filled with excitement and a hint of sobbing. "It's been seven years, and we're finally doing our bonding ceremony."

They had already marked each other. All that was left was the official celebration.

To be that emotional over finally holding a bonding ceremony—you'd think he was deeply in love.

If she hadn't already found out the truth, she might've believed it too.

She was deep in her own head when the Beta's excited voice snapped her back. "Ms. Audrey, Alpha had a hand in designing this gown himself. He even dug up the rubies under Sacred Frost Peak. Those gems go for crazy prices on the black market—and this dress has 99 of them!

"And usually, grooms get bored waiting around while the bride tries stuff on. But Alpha? He's shown up seven times for your fittings—even with his packed schedule. He hasn't complained once. He really cares about you."

As the Beta kept listing everything Ethan had done for her, Audrey looked at him again.

The way he looked at her—soft, full of love—was so different from the cold, intimidating Alpha the Moonshade Pack always saw.

That's how he managed to trick everyone in the Pack—including her—into thinking his feelings were real.

When they left the boutique, Ethan opened the door for her, made sure she didn't bump her head, fixed her dress, and then walked around to buckle her seatbelt. He moved like he'd done it a hundred times before.

As soon as they were in the car, the Beta started reporting, "Alpha, the Omega who snuck into your room has been kicked out of the Moonshade Pack. Her scent's been completely erased. From now on, no other female will bother you or your future mate."

Ethan shot him a cold glare, "Tell me that stuff in private. Don't upset Audrey."

Then, turning to her, he gently grabbed her hand. "Audrey, please don't be mad. I swear, I didn't touch her. She sprayed some flirty perfume, and it rubbed off on me. I went through ten cleansing rituals before I came near you. I swear to the Moon Goddess, you've been the only one for me all these years. You know that, right?"

He looked at her with such sincere eyes, and his voice was full of emotion.

But all she felt was exhaustion.

She knew he was telling the truth. Being a high-ranking Alpha, he'd dealt with tons of female werewolves throwing themselves at him. He always kept his distance, handled everything properly, and never messed up.

He was clean—too clean.

But it didn't make her feel happy. She managed a weak smile. "I know."

His loyalty wasn't out of love. It was for something else.

He played his role well. But she'd figured it out long ago.

Ethan didn't catch the shift in her mood. He gently held her hand and started handling work on his phone.

Then suddenly, his face shifted like something serious popped up.

"Stop the car!"

The tires squealed. Before she could say anything, Alpha Ethan had already jumped out.

"Audrey, there's something urgent. Let Beta take you home, alright?"

He walked away right after talking—no explanation, no second thoughts.

It might've sounded like he was asking, but she knew he wasn't actually giving her an option.

He walked off, leaving her in the car.

Audrey quietly stared after him, then pulled out her phone and checked Lucy's X.

There was a brand new post—just 60 seconds ago.