Chapter 7 Alpha Darius' POV The next morning at 9:30, I finally returned to the Nightbane packhouse. As I stepped inside, the silence felt unnatural-it felt too hollow, too still. Our housekeeper bowed slightly and said, "Alpha Darius, Luna Avelyn left you something for your mating anniversary. It's in the study safe." I froze as confusion and guilt started to creep inside me. Today's our mating anniversary? In previous years, it had always been Avelyn insisting we honor the bond. I never took it seriously, believing we had centuries ahead. I didn't realize how foolish that was until now. Flashes of her during the last full moon, weak, pale, her energy dimming-flickered through my mind like a haunting vision. Something inside me tightened, a clawed ache in my chest that wouldn't go away. As if compelled by instinct-or guilt-I walked into the study, where her scent still faintly lingered. I unlocked the safe. Inside lay a leather-bound journal. I picked it up, my fingers trembling. The first words jumped out at me in her familiar handwriting: Alpha Darius Nightbane, I loved you for three years. Back then, I was just the maid's daughter-a half-blood with no wolf, not worthy of an Alpha. Still, I hoped. Then I became the Moonveil Pack's ost daughter, but you still didn't want me.] When I was just the maid's daughter, Lexie tormented me. She'd command me to kneel, tc submit-and every time, you were the only one who defended me. That's when I first loved you You were my protector.] But when I came back, no longer powerless but the rightful Alpha blood of the Moonveil Pack... you started to hate me. You thought I'd stolen Lexie's place as my Alpha father's only daughter the pack is my birthright. I was just... coming home. Was that so wrong?] I knew you wanted Lexie. I thought I never stood a chance. But when she walked away, you chose me. I believed-naively-that if I gave you everything, you'd love me too. But I was wrong.] So I made a vow: if you hurt me ninety-nine times, I would leave you.] My breath caught in my throat. I flipped through the pages, my hands shaking, and my eyes ourning. Entry after entry-pain etched in ink. Each time I turned away from her, each cruel word, each rejection when she needed her mate the most-it was all here. Ninety-nine wounds. By the final entry, my vision blurred. She had been counting. She had loved me... and prepared to leave me, one heartbreak at a time. Below the journal were three documents. I picked them up slowly. The first-a pack separation decree, together with our bond severance, has already signed by her... and me. 2/3 63.5% 7:00 pm The second-was her resignation from the Luna Council and as my assistant. The third-a medical report. My heart stopped as I read it, word by word. Miscarriage... I dropped the pages. My knees hit the floor before I even realized. A feral sound tore from my throat. I had signed the decree myself. I had watched her slip through my claws, and now I knew -I hadn't just lost my mate. had lost our pup. The wind stirred the room. The journal flipped open to the final page. Her last words. 100th disappointment: My baby's gone.] It's time I leave too.] Alpha Darius, let's never see each other again.] My fingers curled into claws. I could feel my wolf snarling, thrashing against the walls of chest. But he was too late. We were both too late. Everything fell from my hands. my She loved me, I muttered like a man possessed, rising to my feet. "Why would she leave me?" tore through the house-her scent, her presence-gone. Vanished like smoke in the wind. Her closet. Empty. Her vanity was stripped clean. Even the vase of starlilies she adored, was all gone. spun around, panting, my heart racing. The pack servants stared, confused and frightened. One of them dared to speak. "Alpha, is... is there something you're looking for?" couldn't answer. I was spiraling. I lost her..." I whispered, my voice cracking. "I lost my mate..." The others looked at one another, unsure how to console an Alpha unraveling before their eyes. Maybe try calling Luna Avelyn?" One finally suggested it and the words jolted me. snatched my phone and dialed. Her number rang once-then a cold, robotic voice responded: 'The number you have dialed is no longer in service." froze as a cold shiver crawled up my spine, the kind that seeps into your bones and tells you something irreversible has happened, and even though I tried dialing her number again, and again after that, each time I was met with that same lifeless, disconnected tone, confirming the terrifying truth: she was truly, completely gone. I sank onto the couch, unable to breathe. Wasn't this what I'd pushed for all along-for her to leave me? So why? Why did it feel like my soul was tearing apart? Avelyn had no allies in our territory. There was only one place she could have gone to. The Moonveils, her own pack. 2/3 63.5% 7:00 pm A I stood. My wolf surged. And I ran. Avelyn's POV At the Ashton Family estate, Riven Ashton was already waiting, my bags in his hand as he opened the door for me. Their home was enormous-old blooded, ancient. Far beyond anything the Ashton pack could ever offer. Even my father, the Alpha of the great Alpha of the Moonveil Pack, had once bowed to the Ashtons. "This used to be my room," Riven said, leading me inside. "I had it remodeled for you. It's nothing special, but... I tried to make it your style." He looked at me gently. "If it doesn't feel right, I'll find another place. Or tear it down. Just say the word." He nodded toward the next door. "That's where I'm staying. If you need anything-day or night- call me." My eyes shimmered. I had grown up sleeping in a servants' room. Even when I became Luna, I was never given a space that truly felt like it belonged to me. But Riven. He had made me a sanctuary without me ever having to ask. This is what it means to be loved, I thought. He noticed my silence and frowned, clearly worried. "You don't like it? I'll have them-" I chuckled softly, placing a hand on his chest to stop him. "I do like it. I'm just... overwhelmed. Take me upstairs?" Relief softened his face. He smiled and guided me up. The room walls were a soft blush rose. Handcrafted dolls from distant packs lined the shelves. A vase of lilies graced vanity. Every detail reflected me. Even I couldn't have imagined a room so perfect for myself. 'If you'd chosen me," Riven said quietly, "you wouldn't have had to suffer all this time..." He trailed off as I turned and wrapped my arms around him. He stilled. "Thank you, Riven," I whispered. "For loving me all this time. I'll make it up to you now." His arms circled me gently, his wolf purring beneath his skin. "You said it yourself," he murmured. "In two weeks, we're registering our mating bond." I nodded. "We are. But before that..., I have one request. Let's not go public yet." He looked at me, surprised. I smiled though my eyes were still wet with old pain. "Let me be just Avelyn for a little while. Not Luna. Not Alpha blood. Just... me." Chapter 7 213 7:01 pm