Chapter 1
“Luna, here’s the bond–breaking deal you asked for.”
Ophelia handed Evelyn a yellowed piece of parchment.
Looking down at the parchment, Evelyn saw it was the one Dante had signed five years ago during their mating ceremony. At that time, Dante, to show his loyalty to Evelyn, had signed it in front of the elders of the pack
The moment he signed, the enchanted parchment took effect: it couldn’t be burned, torn, or soaked through.
And as long as Dante betrayed their mate bond, Evelyn could sever it at any time.
All it took was a drop of her blood to break it.
She took a silver knife, sliced her finger, and let a crimson drop fall onto the parchment. The blood seeped into the paper, and the words glowed gold. A searing pain shot through the mark on her neck. When she glanced at her reflection, the once–elegant crescent moon had nwisted into an ugly, jagged scar.
She turned to look at the empty seat across from her, her expression hollow.
Today was the fifth anniversary of her and Dante’s sealed mate bond, but he had already forgotten.
But it didn’t matter.
Evelyn said to Ophelia, “Take the bond–breaking deal to the elders and prepare a grassland wedding. Set up the venue in advance.”
Ophelia troze for a moment before tentatively asking, “Whose names should we put on the wedding invitations?”
“Put down Dante Vance and Natalia Locke ”
Ophelia remained silent for a few seconds.
The whole pack knew that Natalia was Dante’s first love.
Ophelia’s voice trembled. “Luna… when should the wedding be held?”
Evelyn pursed her lips. “In seven days. And book me a flight to Crisantia for the same day.”
“Crisantia?” Ophelia froze for a second, then hesitated. “Luna, are you sure about this?
Evelyn tightened her grip on the parchment. There was actually an additional clause in the bond–breaking deal–if Dante ever betrayed ber or broke her heart, as the Alpha of the Stormwatch Pack, he would be banished from Crisantia, the capital of the werewolf kingdom.
At that point, Dante would never have the chance to see her again or ask for reconciliation
“I’m sure.”
Seven days later was also her birthday. By then, she would have left Dante, returned to her old pack, and arranged for him and Natalia to have a wedding–giving them what they wanted.
After Ophelia left, Evelyn’s phone buzzed. A message from Dante lit up the screen–a photo of a golden–frosted cake with the caption:
“Happy five years, my love. Forever yours.”
Evelyn stared at the empty space across
her, he
her expression fcy.
She had prepared a lavish dinner, candles flickering, wine poured–waiting alone.
Where was he now? Who was he celebrating with?
The truth was, she and Dante were fated mates.
On the day they both acknowledged the bond, Dante had promised her he would never betray her or do anything to weaken the mate bond.
For seven years, he had given her everything–wealth, the title of Luna, devotion.
But just a month ago, on the night he was away on a business trip, she discovered Dante had already turned his heart elsewhere.
That night, Dante sent her a voice message. When she played it, an unfamiliar woman’s voice purred through the speaker:
“Six months back in the pack, and all it took was one cocktail to reel him in. Tonight, he got me a golden birthday cake. But I hate cake -especially gold. So we took a picture and tossed it. How’s that for a wedding anniversary treat? Bet your eyes are full now.”
At that moment, she didn’t know who the woman was.
It wasn’t until two weeks ago at the pack’s bonfire gathering that Dante walked to the lakeside with this woman.
Dante introduced her as his cousin
Natalia’s lace beamed with a bright smile as she greeted Evelyn, “Hi, I’ve been back in the pack for over six months, finally meeting
Luna.”
That familiar, playful voice made Evelyn’s mind go blank. She excused herself early. When Dantestumbled home drunk past midnight, another anonymous text arrived?
“The lake was so cold… so thrilling. Couldn’t help leaving marks all over my ex.”
Evelyn locked at Dante, drunk and passed out on the bed. Two buttons of his shirt were undone, and his chest was covered in scratches
He was wearing the gray sweatshirt she had made for their mating anniversary the previous year.
The hoodie had her magic–infused red thread embroidery on the edge of the hood, spelling out: “Fated Mate.”
That night, when Dante had received the hoodie, he was moved. He took her hand and promised, “Evelyn, every time I wear this hoodie, I’ll remember my promise to you, the strong bond we share, and remind myself to be loyal only to you.”
Now, those words had a fresh red lipstick mark across them.
And today today was the fifth anniversary of their mating bond.
She had just sat down at the dining table, excited to enjoy the candlelight dinner she had prepared for them both. Waiting, but, five minutes in, Dante called.
“I’m setting up a surprise for you,” he said. “Can’t make it to dinner, Eat without me.”
The line went dead. Dante sent a picture two minutes later.
When Evelyn opened it, he saw he was at a pool party with Natalia.
And now this lovey–dovey text? It was clear now–Dante had probably sent it while holding Natalla in his arms.
Evelyn ignored Dante’s distant gestures of affection.
She had the maid throw all the food away, then returned to the bedroom and pulled out a pair of scissors.
Evelyn took her custom–designed female couple hoodie and cut it into strips of fabric, then shredded their wedding photo into pieces.
She packed everything into a gift box with “Second Mating Gift” written on it.
Just as she finished, she turned around and bumped into Dante, who had come back.
Dante quickly spotted a gift box sitting on the vanity.
He placed his hand on the lid, ready to open it. “What’s this?”
Collect
