chapter 7

Years ago, Mia's instructor had been Yash's mother, Michelle Garcia, who was then the Luna of the Midnight Pack.

Despite her role as Luna, Michelle was also a part of the Werewolf Empire's Defense Project. As an imperial warrior, it was her duty to protect all werewolf citizens.

Because of that, Yash grew up mostly with his father, rarely receiving affection from his mother. Just when Michelle planned to finish her mission and visit Yash, she sacrificed herself to save Mia. Before dying, she held Mia's hand and said that she had no regrets about her life in the Werewolf Empire, but she was sorry for Yash.

Now that Yash had been kidnapped by the Bloodmoon Pack, Michelle couldn't leave her post to rescue him. She hoped Mia could help find Yash, save him, and then bond with him as mates, giving him a complete family life.

Mia was an orphan.

Without parents, she had joined the military at a young age. Her instructor, knowing her background, had treated her well, and Mia had come to see her as family.

So when faced with her instructor's last wish, she agreed.

Without hesitation, she left the military at the peak of her career and went to the Bloodmoon Pack to rescue Yash, sacrificing one of her tendons in the process, and eventually marrying and having children.

She had thought this was a blessing from the Moon Goddess, but it turned out to be a shackle binding them both.

She couldn't fulfill her dreams on the battlefield, and he couldn't love his first love openly.

If that was the case, they should part ways.

From then on, they would each pursue their own happiness without disturbing one another.

At that moment, Mia had four days left before entering the base.

She went to the Midnight Pack's black market, bought a death certificate, and had a box of ashes forged before returning to the villa.

She thought that if she was going to leave, she should do so cleanly.

Once dead, Mia would cease to exist. Only the iron-willed Ms. Lambert would remain in this world.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Yash was with Yolanda, but for some reason, he felt something was off. He was restless and had a suffocating feeling.

Strange. We've been out for a week, but Mia hasn't come looking for us. She hasn't even checked in through the mind link. Charles's words reminded the agitated Yash.

This wasn't like her. In the past, if Yash was away from her for more than half a day, she would bombard him with messages asking where he was.

Let alone being apart for a week!

Unease settled over Yash. Just then, Yolanda approached.

She wrapped her arms around his waist from behind and paused when she touched his wrist.

"Yash, why haven't I seen you wear that crystal bracelet in a while? Did you lose it?"

Yash snapped back to reality and looked at his wrist.

He was now wearing another crystal that Mia had bought. Remembering this, he quickly replied, "No, the crystal suddenly cracked a few days ago for some reason. I took it for repairs."

After saying this, he sent a mind link to his subordinate.

But when he heard the subordinate's response, his face changed dramatically.

"What did you say? You sent it to my house? Luna signed for it?"

Yolanda's gaze flickered.

Yash didn't have time to say more. He cursed under his breath and quickly hung up. Turning to Yolanda, he said, "Yolanda, I have something to take care of. Stay safe. Call me if anything goes wrong."

With that, he hurried back to the Midnight Pack, arriving home at eight in the evening.

Mia had just returned and was standing in the kitchen making soup.

As Yash walked in, he noticed the crystal box on the table, and he felt a wave of relief wash over him.

Thank goodness! It looks like Mia hasn't opened this box. Charles rejoiced inwardly. I can tell there's no trace of Mia's scent on the crystal.

Charles's words instantly eased Yash's worries.

He knew Mia wasn't the type to meddle. She had seen this crystal before. She just didn't know its secret.

As long as he didn't say anything, she would never find out that Yolanda was not only his savior but also his first love.

He looked toward the kitchen, where the woman was busy in her apron, her slender figure illuminated by the warm light. For some reason, even though it was a familiar scene, it felt unexpectedly tender to him after a long day.

It seemed that his feelings for her, beyond the bond of mates, had shifted slightly.

He thought that after all this commotion, the cold war between him and Mia should come to an end.

Yolanda had her qualities, but Mia would always be his rightful mate, and he didn't want to give up either.

Since she didn't like seeing Yolanda, he could let Yolanda stay outside. As long as they didn't meet, there wouldn't be any conflicts.

She would always be Luna, and he could have both worlds. Why not enjoy it?

At that moment, a message came through the mind link from his subordinate, "Luna seems very busy lately, leaving home early and returning late every day."

"What?"

Yash was taken aback.

He found it hard to believe.

What could Mia possibly be doing?

Isn't she just a decorative Luna? Charles scoffed. She should be spending all her time serving us and the kids, just like a mascot in the pack, right?

Yash disdainfully replied, "Yeah, she's valueless?"