Chapter 1

• Sunna’s POV
• “Deliver a box of condoms to the top floor of WaveBay Hotel immediately!”
• The message flashed on my phone while I was buried in paperwork at the office.
• At first, I thought I’d misread it. But the sender’s name froze the blood in my veins—Alpha Simon, my mate, my husband.
• As Luna of the Sky Pack, I had always believed I was the only woman who shared his bed. But that message… shattered something inside me.
• “Go find out,” my wolf, Diana, growled restlessly inside me. “Now.”
• I didn’t even realize I’d grabbed my car keys until I was already outside. The drive to WaveBay Hotel was a blur of flashing traffic lights and the pounding of my heart.
• When I reached the top floor, I rang the bell of the only luxury suite.
• The door opened—and there he was.
• Simon.
• “Sunna? What are you doing here?” His eyes widened, guilt flickering across his face before he quickly turned his head.
• Following his gaze, I saw her.
• A woman lounged on the silk-covered bed, her curves barely hidden beneath a thin black camisole. Her lips were painted crimson, and her golden hair spilled over the pillows like liquid fire.
• Caroline.
• The Beta family’s darling. Recently promoted captain of Imperial Airlines. The woman Simon had been praising for weeks.
• “Oh, Simon, I’m sorry,” Caroline purred, sitting up. “I sent that message to the wrong person.”
• Her words were addressed to him, but her blue eyes locked onto mine—sharp, smug, deliberately provoking.
• “That lying bitch,” Diana snarled, hackles rising inside me.
• I clenched my fists, forcing my voice to stay even. “Simon. What is going on?”
• The Sky Pack was one of the strongest in the northern frontlines. Women often threw themselves at Simon, but he’d always brushed them off before. I’d trusted him—trusted us.
• But this time felt different. Because Caroline had used his phone.
• Simon’s jaw tightened. “I was just… discussing something important with her.”
• “Really?” I asked coldly. “Is that why she’s lying on your bed half-dressed? And why she has access to your phone to message me?”
• He opened his mouth, then shut it again. The silence spoke louder than any excuse.
• Caroline rose from the bed, swaying her hips like a challenge. “You should watch your tone, Luna,” she sneered. “You’re speaking to your Alpha. Seems he’s been far too lenient with you.”
• That’s when I noticed the ring gleaming on her finger.
• A ruby set in silver—my mother’s ring.
• My breath hitched. “That ring— it’s mine!”
• Before I could reach for it, Simon grabbed my wrist midair. His grip was iron-hard.
• “Enough, Sunna. Stop causing a scene. I gave that ring to Caroline.”
• For a heartbeat, I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe.
• The pain in my wrist was nothing compared to the pain that followed his words.
• “You… what?” My voice trembled. “You promised you’d give that ring back to me. You swore—”
• That ring had been my mother’s. I’d pawned it years ago to help Simon start his company, believing in his dream, in us.
• He’d promised to redeem it. To return it to me.
• Now, it glinted mockingly on another woman’s hand.
• Caroline slipped it off and tossed it at my feet like it was trash.
• “Take it, if it means that much to you,” she said, her tone dripping with contempt. “Honestly, I don’t know why Simon even keeps you around. Maybe he pities you?”
• She crossed her arms, her smirk widening.
• “I can give him business connections, social standing, access to the Imperial Circle. What can you offer him, Sunna? You’re just a powerless stray from a ruined family who got lucky enough to be chosen as Luna.”
• “Let me tear her throat out.” Diana’s snarl rumbled in my chest, my claws itching beneath my skin.
• “Just one bite. She’ll never mock you again.”
• But I held her back.
• Because the real pain wasn’t Caroline’s words—it was Simon’s silence.
• He didn’t defend me. Not once.
• “Simon,” I said quietly, my voice shaking despite myself. “Do you think the same?”
• He sighed, looking away. “Sunna… why don’t you go home first? We’ll talk later, okay? I’ll come with you to collect your parents’ ashes when the time comes.”
• I crouched down and picked up the ring, wiping it clean with my sleeve. My throat burned.
• My parents had been soldiers—heroes of the Helian Empire. They died in the Battle of William Castle three years ago.
• That was when Simon found me—broken, grieving, lost. He wiped away my tears and promised me forever. I’d left the army for him. Chosen him. Built his empire beside him.
• And now…
• Maybe he was just under pressure. Maybe Caroline was an important contact he couldn’t offend. That’s what I told myself. That’s how I justified the knife twisting inside me.
• But deep down, the doubt had already started to bloom like poison.
• That afternoon, long past the time we’d agreed to meet, Simon still hadn’t come.
• When I called, he answered on the second ring.
• “Sunna? Sorry. Caroline’s not feeling well. I need to take care of her. You go ahead without me, alright? We’ll talk when you’re home.”
• He hung up before I could reply.
• My wolf whimpered softly inside me as I drove alone to the Hunterston military zone.
• In the Helian Empire, every werewolf knows there’s no higher honor than dying for the pack. My parents’ ashes were finally being returned home, and even the King himself was present to receive me.
• “Sunna,” said His Majesty, the Lycan King, Viserys Martinez, as he clasped my hand warmly. “Your parents were heroes of the Empire. I apologize that it took so long to bring them home.”
• Tears blurred my vision. I could barely speak. “They wanted a quiet burial in our hometown. Thank you, Your Majesty, for allowing that.”
• Viserys studied my face with sharp, unreadable eyes. “I heard you’re now the Luna of the Sky Pack. Where is your Mate? Why is he not here?”
• The question struck deeper than any blade.
• I forced a smile, but my silence said enough. The king’s expression darkened.
• “Your parents wished for you to live happily,” Viserys said, his voice firm. “That wish is now my duty to protect.”
• He placed a hand on my shoulder, his gaze glowing faintly golden.
• “Tell me, Sunna—has someone hurt you? Because if they have…”
• His voice dropped to a dangerous growl.
• “…I’ll make sure they regret it for the rest of their lives.”