Chapter 1 Mate's Indifference

• Isadora’s POV
• “Isadora, can’t you even give me a grandchild? Are you trying to starve me and Ryder?”
• At seven o’clock sharp, Madame Kendra’s scolding voice pierced my ears like clockwork.
• Cold. Vicious. As always.
• I lay trembling on the wide bed, too afraid to answer back.
• My name is Isadora Miller, heiress of the Moonveil Pack.
• Before I became the Luna of the Nightfang Pack, my greatest wish was to meet my destined mate, receive the Moon Goddess’s blessing, and live a happy life with him.
• Six years ago, when my blood stirred at the sight of Kael Harris, my wolf Vanessa whispered with certainty: This man is your fated mate. Your true love. The one meant for you.
• I was stunned. The Alpha of the Nightfang Pack, leader of the strongest pack on the continent and heir to a vast business empire was destined to be mine?
• But when I confessed my feelings, Kael looked me in the eyes and told me coldly that his mate was Freya.
• What a cruel misunderstanding.
• Freya Cooper, heiress of the Umbraclaw Pack, had suffered brain damage in a car accident. She lay in a hospital bed, comatose, hovering between life and death. Desperate, Kael swore he would do anything to save her.
• I begged my father to part with the Moon Grass—a sacred medicine guarded by my family for centuries. It saved Freya’s life.
• My condition was simple: I would become Kael’s wife.
• Three days later, he agreed.
• That day, when I took Kael’s hand, I promised myself that I would one day prove my worth to him, clear the misunderstanding, and make him truly love me.
• For six years, I endured everything. I served his mother faithfully, raised his younger brother, even donated my own blood to Freya year after year. I thought that if I gave him everything, Kael would eventually see me.
• But my devotion bought me no respect.
• Kael remained cold as winter ice, never sparing me a warm glance. His mother, Kendra, treated me as if I were a useless wife who couldn’t bear children, hurling insults daily.
• She never knew the truth: Kael had never touched me in all those years.
• “Are you daydreaming again?” Ryder’s mocking voice dragged me back to reality. “Come on and pack my bag! I’ve got school—I’ll be late if you keep standing there.”
• Kael’s younger brother, Ryder Harris, was a spoiled brat who delighted in tormenting me. Whenever I pushed back, he dragged his mother into it, and she punished me twice as harshly.
• For six years, I swallowed every insult and blow from them both.
• I cooked Ryder’s breakfast, packed his lunch, and set the table. “Mom, breakfast is ready,” I called softly.
• Kendra shot me a glare, her brows pinched. She slammed her water glass onto the table. “Isadora, how dare you give me that tone? You live off the Nightfang Pack’s wealth, in the Nightfang Pack’s house—do you think I won’t have Kael throw you out and turn you into a rogue?”
• Her threat was no idle one. My father had been killed in a tribal war last year. The Moonveil Pack was gone, absorbed by rivals. If Kael cast me out, I would be defenseless, reduced to a wandering rogue.
• Forcing a smile, I whispered, “Mom, I didn’t mean any disrespect.”
• Kendra sneered. “Don’t think the Matriarch’s protection keeps you safe. You’re nothing compared to Freya. In her eyes, you don’t even exist.”
• Six years ago, Freya had survived but she never woke. Kael still visited her constantly, tending to her as if she were already his Luna.
• To him, the woman in the hospital bed mattered more than the wife who stood by his side.
• Ryder grinned smugly. “Guess what? Freya’s waking up. My brother’s bringing her home soon.”
• My chest tightened. “What?”
• If Freya returned, everything I had fought to protect for six years would be ripped away in an instant.
• Kendra dismissed me with a wave, her tone sharp. “You disgust me. Get out of my sight. You’re ruining my appetite.”
• I staggered upstairs, numb, and collapsed on the bed. Despair washed over me like a tide.
• By dusk, the familiar growl of Kael’s Maybach rumbled through the drive. I wiped my tears and rushed to the balcony.
• He stepped out, tall and imposing, his presence radiating Alpha authority that made the servants bow in fear. His icy gaze swept upward and locked on me.
• It held no warmth. No recognition. No love. Only indifference, as though I were a stranger, an Omega beneath his notice.
• I forced a smile, but Kael turned away, smirking faintly as he entered the house.
• As usual, I prepared his bath. “Kael,” I began gently, “Grandmother called earlier. She said she wants to bless you at the altar…”
• “Come here. I have something to tell you,” he cut me off, his voice flat.
• I froze, then turned to face him.
• His dark eyes bore into mine, distant and merciless.
• “Freya is coming back,” he said evenly. “You need to move out tomorrow.”
• My blood ran cold. Ryder had been telling the truth.
• He expected me to step aside like I had never existed.
• No. I couldn’t.
• Clenching my fists, I lifted my chin. “What if I don’t?”
• For the first time, I dared to meet Kael’s eyes head-on.