Chapter 5: The Luna Who Was Replaced

Over the next week, my phone was flooded with notifications.

Seraphina's social media was on fire.

A picture of her lying in a bed at a luxury resort in the Rockies, Damien sitting beside her, peeling an apple.

Her in a hot spring, with Damien on the edge, holding a towel ready for her.

Her during a prenatal check-up, Damien holding her hand tightly.

Every photo had the same caption: "Thank you, Damien, for taking such good care of me. I've never felt so safe."

I didn't need to read the comments.

"The Alpha is so good to her."

"Now that's what true love looks like."

"What about Luna Isla? We never see her."

"I heard she's busy with her career."

I turned off my phone and went back to packing.

On the third day, I drove to my parents' house.

"Isla?" My mother opened the door, surprised. "What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you both."

In the living room, my father put down his newspaper and looked at me.

"What is it?"

"I'm going to Europe."

"For a vacation?"

"For work. The Laurel Healers' Guild invited me to join a research project." I took a deep breath. "I might be gone for a long time."

My mother's face fell. "What about your ceremony?"

"It's been postponed."

"Postponed?" My father frowned. "Why?"

"Damien has some things to take care of," I said, trying to sound calm. "We thought it would be better to hold it later."

My parents exchanged a look.

"Isla, don't lie to us," my mother said, her voice gentle but firm as she took my hand. "We're your parents. We can see the pain in your eyes. Tell us what he did."

I closed my eyes. "It's nothing, Mom. I just want to learn more while I'm young."

"Does Damien agree with this?"

"He's very supportive of my career."

Another lie.

My father was silent for a long time before finally nodding. "If it's for your career, we support you."

"But you have to stay in touch," my mother said, her eyes glistening with tears. "And take care of yourself."

After leaving my parents' house, I texted Chloe.

"Can you come help me pack?"

An hour later, Chloe was at my apartment door.

"My god, what happened here?" she asked, staring at the empty living room.

"I'm moving."

"Moving where?"

"Switzerland."

Chloe sat on the couch and studied my face. "Okay. Now tell me the truth. What the hell happened?"

I told her everything.

From Damien demanding to mark Seraphina, to the pregnancy report, to the canceled Rite of the Moon Spring.

When I finished, the living room was dead silent.

Chloe's face grew darker and darker.

"That bastard!" she suddenly exploded. "How could he do this to you?"

"He had his reasons."

"What reasons? Life debt?" Chloe stood up and started pacing. "Even if he owed her his life, he has no right to trample all over you like this!"

"Chloe—"

"No, I won't accept this!" She spun to face me, her eyes burning. "Five years ago, on the Blood Moon, you nearly tore your soul in half to save him from a rogue attack! And now he has the audacity to remember only her so-called 'kindness'?"

I looked away, saying nothing.