Chapter 1: Betrayal

Jaxon Docker had always believed the Moon Goddess blessed every wolf with one perfect mate.

For years, he believed he had already found his.

Now, standing outside his office, he wondered if the Moon Goddess had made a terrible mistake.

The wooden door wasn't fully closed.

A soft laugh drifted through the opening.

Jaxon's footsteps stopped.

His heart pounded painfully inside his chest.

For the last two months, an unbearable ache had followed him everywhere.

Every night, his wolf, Drax, cried out in agony.

The pack doctor had called them betrayal pains.

Jaxon had refused to believe it.

Not Giselle.

Never his Giselle.

She was his fated mate.

The woman he had dreamed of making Luna beside him.

He still remembered the day they met.

She had just turned eighteen.

Golden hair danced beneath the summer sun.

Her blue eyes reminded him of a clear mountain lake.

The scent of lavender and sage wrapped around him the moment fate tied their souls together.

From that day forward, he believed his future had already been written.

He loved her without hesitation.

He trusted her without question.

Everything changed six months ago.

The Winter Moon Elders had appointed him as Alpha after the former Alpha was imprisoned for stealing pack funds.

The pack treasury was nearly empty.

Homes needed repairs.

Food supplies were limited.

The warriors lacked proper equipment.

Jaxon promised every member of Winter Moon that he would rebuild their home.

He worked before sunrise.

He trained until midnight.

Every coin earned by the pack went back into helping its people.

He never bought himself anything new.

He believed sacrifices today would build a better tomorrow.

Inside the office, Giselle laughed again.

"I miss you," she whispered.

"Tonight... don't keep me waiting."

Jaxon's breathing became shallow.

"Jaxon doesn't know anything," she continued.

"He's too busy trying to save that poor excuse of a pack."

His stomach twisted.

Drax growled weakly inside his mind.

'Something is wrong.'

Jaxon remained frozen.

"Alpha Jasper understands me," Giselle said.

"He knows how to treat a real Luna."

"I can't wait until I'm finally by his side."

Every word felt like another blade being driven into Jaxon's chest.

His hands slowly curled into fists.

"He makes me feel alive," Giselle whispered.

"Unlike Jaxon."

That was enough.

Jaxon pushed the office door open.

The room fell silent.

Giselle spun around so quickly that her phone slipped from her hand.

"J-Jaxon..."

Her face lost every bit of color.

The call was still connected.

A man's voice echoed from the speaker.

"Giselle? Are you there?"

Jaxon recognized the voice instantly.

Alpha Jasper.

Leader of Bloodlust Pack.

The richest Alpha in the Eastern Region.

Without saying a word, Jaxon bent down and ended the call.

Silence filled the room.

"How long?" he asked quietly.

Giselle looked away.

"Answer me."

She folded her arms.

"Does it matter anymore?"

"It matters to me."

She sighed dramatically.

"Three months."

Jaxon blinked slowly.

"Three months..."

"Yes."

"Since shortly after you became Alpha."

Everything inside him shattered.

Every kiss.

Every smile.

Every promise they had shared.

All of it had been a lie.

"Why?"

His voice barely rose above a whisper.

Giselle finally looked him in the eyes.

"Because I'm tired of living like this."

"Like what?"

"Poor."

She looked around his office with obvious disgust.

"This pack has nothing."

"Nothing except debts and broken buildings."

"You knew Winter Moon was struggling before we came here," Jaxon replied calmly.

"I thought things would change faster."

"It's only been six months."

"Exactly."

"Six miserable months."

"Do you know what Alpha Jasper offered me?"

Jaxon remained silent.

"A palace."

"Luxury."

"Power."

"Respect."

"Everything you can't give me."

The words hurt more than any wound he had received on the battlefield.

"Did you ever love me?"

For the first time, Giselle hesitated.

Only for a heartbeat.

"Maybe I did once."

"But love doesn't build kingdoms."

"Money does."

"Power does."

Drax whimpered.

Jaxon closed his eyes.

When he opened them again, the sadness was gone.

Only disappointment remained.

"So that's your choice."

"Yes."

Giselle stepped forward confidently.

"I've already decided."

"Alpha Jasper wants me as his Luna."

"I'm leaving Winter Moon today."

She lifted her chin proudly.

"I, Giselle Breyer, Luna of Winter Moon, reject Jaxon Docker, Alpha of Winter Moon, as my fated mate and Alpha."

The invisible mate bond snapped.

Pain exploded through Jaxon's entire body.

He grabbed his chest.

Inside his mind, Drax released a heartbreaking howl.

The pain lasted only seconds.

But it felt like an eternity.

Jaxon slowly straightened his back.

His golden Alpha eyes became cold.

"Then hear my answer."

"I, Jaxon Docker, Alpha of Winter Moon... accept your rejection."

Another bond shattered.

Giselle screamed as the connection between them disappeared forever.

She collapsed onto the floor, gasping.

Jaxon looked at her without emotion.

"From this moment onward..."

"You are no longer my mate."

"You are no longer my Luna."

"And you are no longer welcome inside Winter Moon Pack."

"Guards!"

The office doors opened immediately.

Two warriors entered and bowed.

"Alpha."

"Escort Giselle Breyer beyond our borders."

"She is officially banished from Winter Moon."

"Effective immediately."

"Yes, Alpha."

The warriors helped Giselle to her feet.

She glared at Jaxon with hatred.

"You'll regret this!"

"Alpha Jasper will crush your pathetic pack!"

"You'll beg me to return!"

Jaxon never answered.

He simply stared out the office window toward the rising moon.

When the room finally became quiet again, he whispered softly.

"Moon Goddess..."

"If this is what a fated mate brings..."

"Then never bless me with another one."

"I'd rather spend my life alone than ever feel this pain again."

Outside, the cold night wind swept across Winter Moon Pack.

It carried away the last traces of lavender and sage.

Along with the last piece of the man Jaxon Docker used to be.