Chapter 2

After Magnus marked me as his mate, he treated me like a trophy, always calling me the perfect Luna—graceful, honorable, a leader in the pack and the ideal partner. For years, I believed him. But now, looking back, I realized his words meant nothing.

Seven years together, and yet our moments of true connection had been painfully rare. Maybe he had never really wanted someone like me. Maybe he craved females like Seraphina—wild, reckless, shameless.

The moment I walked into our den, I didn’t hesitate. I yanked a suitcase from the closet and started stuffing it with clothes and essentials, barely bothering to fold them. The space I had once lovingly arranged for us—**our home, our future as Alpha and Luna—**felt suffocating now. I wanted nothing to do with it.

While rummaging through the study, my fingers brushed against something cold and metallic. Tucked beneath a stack of documents sat a laptop. Not one I recognized.

An uneasy feeling settled in my stomach.

I powered it on. A password screen popped up.

I tried my birthday. Incorrect.

Frowning, I typed another date—Seraphina’s birthday.

The screen unlocked instantly.

A sick feeling washed over me as the desktop loaded. Folder after folder, all neatly categorized. With a shaky breath, I clicked one open.

Photos. Videos. Dozens of them.

Magnus and Seraphina.

My stomach twisted as explicit images flashed across the screen. Their betrayal was captured in painful detail—different positions, different settings. Seraphina bound, posed, displayed for the camera. A disgusting catalog of their time together.

They had done it everywhere.

**His Alpha’s office—**where Seraphina, dressed in a tight secretary outfit, knelt before him.

**Our den—**on the bed, the table, the couch.

Even here. In this very study.

I slapped a hand over my mouth, my body trembling. I barely managed to reach for an external hard drive, copying everything. Every last file.

Just as the transfer completed and I placed the laptop back where I found it, the front door creaked open.

Magnus was home.

It was late—he must have rushed back, worried that I had returned early and discovered his absence.

I inhaled sharply, shut my suitcase, and composed myself.

When he stepped into the study, his sharp Alpha instincts immediately took in the mess I had made while packing. His eyes narrowed.

“Why are you cleaning all of a sudden?”

“This place is filthy. I’m getting rid of the mess.” My voice was flat, detached.

Disgust curled in my stomach. I couldn’t even look at him.

Magnus chuckled, stepping closer.

“You must be tired after patrolling with the pack. Why don’t you leave it for tomorrow? I’ll have the Omegas handle it.” His tone was smooth, filled with fake concern. He reached for me, attempting to pull me close.

I shoved him away. Hard.

“Go shower. You stink of her.”

He blinked, then laughed. Oblivious.

“Alright, alright, I’ll wash up.”

Before leaving, he turned back with an easy smirk.

“You should stop worrying about this, too. We’re getting mated under the moon soon. Maybe we should build a new den—deep in the heart of the territory.”

He launched into a long speech about our future packhouse, renovations, decorations, furniture.

Before, I would have eagerly played along, curling against him, discussing every detail.

Now, my wolf was silent. Our bond was already breaking.

I said nothing.

Mistaking my silence for exhaustion, he kissed my temple before disappearing into the bathroom.

I muttered a half-hearted reply and went to my room.

Lying in bed, I stared at the ceiling, my mind racing. No matter how much I tried, I couldn’t sleep.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw those images.

Not long after, the mattress dipped beside me.

Magnus had finished showering and slid into bed, wrapping his arms around me like he always did. One arm beneath my neck, holding me close—his way of making me feel safe.

Once, it worked.

Now, I wanted to run.

I inhaled slowly, trying to steady my breathing. But the words burned in my throat, demanding to be set free.

“Magnus, I want to sever the bond—”