chapter 1

"Kelsey, Alpha Louis betrayed us for that Omega."

Catherine Erickson removed her heavy wedding dress, her face cold, as she informed her wolf, Kelsey.

She then took out her communicator and dialed a number.

After a long pause, the witch, Nina Alexander's voice came through.

"Ms. Erickson, welcome. We just received your order. The potion to dissolve your mate bond is being prepared. You can collect it in a month.

"Also, your father, Alpha Kevin, has learned the details. I must warn you, once you drink it, he may fabricate false circumstances, erase your current identity, and take you back to Snowfall Pack for a marriage alliance."

Nina's voice was hoarse but calm as she asked carefully, "Are you sure you won't regret it?"

"I'm sure."

Catherine's fingers tightened until they went white. As long as she could get away from the Alpha of the Stormwind Pack, Louis Welch, nothing else mattered.

The cold voice from the communicator faded, and the vast mansion returned to deathly silence.

Moments later, Catherine opened Twitter and saw everyone was indeed talking about the Alpha, Louis, running from his wedding.

Facebook was also flooded.

Louis' friends, who had disliked her for years, were hyped up, enthusiastically celebrating Avra Dean's return to the Stormwind Pack.

[This is the power of a first love. Once Avra's back, that Rogue who tried to steal her place has to step aside!]

[For years, Alpha Louis had only ever loved Avra. That woman was clingy and scheming, always trying to take advantage of him just because she had once saved him. Did she really think she could marry Alpha Louis and become Luna of the Stormwind Pack?]

[She's just a Rogue, a worthless outcast no pack wants. Avra comes from a noble family of the Stormwind Pack—even if her family's power has weakened, she's still stronger than that lowborn orphan!]

Catherine smiled bitterly, noticing Louis had not sent a single explanation. She quietly unpinned him from the top of her chat list.

Their last message had been warm, still discussing the details of their bonding ceremony with sweetness and happiness.

But now, the chat was full of 15 missed messages she had sent, and he hadn't replied once.

Catherine couldn't help but remember when she first arrived at the Stormwind Pack.

Back then, Louis wasn't the Alpha in charge of a pack, but the illegitimate child of the Stormwind Pack's ruling family, shunned and seen as a disgrace.

The werewolves in the pack took cruel delight in bullying and tormenting him.

Young Louis was often punished with extreme werewolf training, and one time, he collapsed in the grass, unable to endure it any longer.

Avra saved him, giving him another chance to keep fighting.

She never laughed at his dreams and told him that even an illegitimate child could become a hero of the pack.

That was the first time Louis felt recognized. Avra became the first light in his endless darkness.

From then on, he loved her deeply, even though she was just an Omega.

He was almost obsessed with her, as if his entire existence was meant to give everything to Avra, even to the point of risking his life for her.

But unfortunately, Avra's heart belonged to someone else, and she never accepted Louis.

Catherine met Louis in this situation and recognized him as her fated mate.

Yet Louis's thoughts and heart were entirely devoted to Avra. Even feeling the pull of a fated mate, he coldly rejected her, stubbornly chasing after Avra's shadow.

Though disappointed, Catherine became even more curious about what kind of werewolf Louis truly was.

Why would the Moon Goddess tie us together?

She had left the Snowfall Pack to escape a family marriage alliance and traveled to the Stormwind Pack. In the days that followed, Catherine decided to stay and quietly watch Louis.

She saw him being challenged by the pack's werewolves, taking on dangerously extreme training, falling again and again, yet rising each time.

His wolf eyes burned with fierce fire, unyielding and untamed.

Catherine couldn't help but think of her father, whom she admired most, and his werewolf army—who were steadfast, brave, and defeated all invaders.

That same unwavering figure gradually merged with the man before her.

Catherine resolved to help him.

During Louis's darkest years, she stayed by his side.

She used public opinion to make the elders see his talent, effort, and dedication, giving him a chance to stand out.

She risked her own safety to help him complete deliberately difficult tasks, earning the recognition of the pack.

She worked tirelessly for him, gathering resources, and even secretly begged her father in Snowfall Pack for help.

Even more absurdly, when he spent nights drinking over Avra being with another werewolf, she made bowl after bowl of hangover remedy and stayed up all night handling his piled-up work.

Everyone said that the illegitimate child of Stormwind Pack had a loyal hanger-on by his side.

Days passed like this, and Catherine, endlessly waiting in despair, gradually went from full of enthusiasm to completely heartbroken.

Until one day, Avra was abducted by the Bloodshield Pack, enemies of the Stormwind Pack, during an external conflict.

Without hesitation, Louis moved to shield Avra from the attack, but Catherine transformed into her wolf first, throwing herself in front of him, letting the silver bullet pierce her chest.

In that moment, normally calm and indifferent Louis went mad, holding her in his arms, crying in despair, and begging the Moon Goddess to spare her.

Catherine was unconscious for three days and nights, with Louis's sorrowful wolf howl echoing beside her the entire time.

"Catherine, don't leave me, please… I can't live without you…"

At that moment, she realized she had finally attained her love.

When she woke up, she accepted Louis' pursuit.

By then, Louis was no longer the bullied illegitimate child.

Using the secret connections Catherine had helped him establish within the pack, he overthrew the old Alpha and took control of the entire pack in a swift move, becoming the new Alpha.

He spoiled Catherine endlessly, gifting her countless expensive moonstones, charm necklaces from the Moon Goddess, gems, pearls, mansions, and villas. Facebook, Twitter, and other social media were all filled with her presence.

Even in interviews, she was mentioned in almost every sentence.

Unfortunately, this happy life was doomed to be broken.

On the day of Catherine and Louis's bonding ceremony, Avra and her fated mate severed their bond and returned to Stormwind Pack, posting on Twitter.

"Love—it hurts too much. If only I had never come into this world… how wonderful that would be."

The subtle hint of self-harm in her Twitter post instantly darkened Louis's expression.

Before the bonding ceremony was even complete, he abandoned Catherine, ignoring the fierce struggles of his wolf, Auri. He left her alone, mocked by the entire pack.

In that moment, Catherine finally understood.

Some things, impossible to obtain in youth, will haunt one for life.

Louis had never forgotten Avra.

And now, it was her turn to leave.