Chapter 1 Half a Month
“Miss, are you sure you want a pheromone-cleansing potion? Once it’s used, you’ll be wiped clean from existence. Not even the most powerful Alpha King will be able to track your wolf scent.”
Ariel Allen paused for a moment before nodding firmly. “Yes. I want no one to find me. Not even my mate.”
There was a slight pause on the other end of the line, but the reply came quickly. “Understood, Miss. The potion will be ready in about two weeks. Please be patient.”
After hanging up the call with the witch, Ariel took out her phone and booked a one-way ticket to Frelandia—departure in exactly two weeks.
At that moment, the television was replaying the Thornfang Pack press conference.
Thornfang Pack was known for its rich mineral resources and made its fortune through gemstone trading.
A week ago, Alpha Damon Draven had crafted a necklace from a Starshard Diamond mined from the Moonvale vein. This gem could only be cut by the claws of a pureblood werewolf. Its brilliance could entrance ordinary humans and was considered a sacred symbol of Bloodbond among werewolves.
The necklace was named “Ariel.” At the press conference, Damon had sliced his palm open and let his blood soak into the diamond, sealing the Blood Oath—the most sacred ritual declaring one’s eternal mate.
He declared to the world: Alpha Damon would forever love his Luna, Ariel.
After the press conference, the screen cut to reporters interviewing random bystanders.
“Hello, ma’am. Are you familiar with the legendary romance between Alpha Damon and Luna Ariel?”
A woman in a floral dress answered with envy written all over her face. “Of course! Who doesn’t know about them? Just because Ariel loves cherries, Damon planted cherry trees all over Thornfang Pack and even in his own yard! I told my mate to do the same, and he said, ‘That kind of man doesn’t exist.’ I swear, other people’s mates really put mine to shame!”
The reporter moved on to a few others.
A young she-wolf clasped her hands to her chest, eyes sparkling. “Alpha Damon would tear down heaven and hell to protect his mate. Four years ago, Ariel was attacked by rogues. Her injuries were too severe to heal naturally—she needed a kidney transplant to survive. Alpha Damon ignored everyone’s objections and got on the operating table that same day. He said Ariel was his life. If she died, he wouldn’t want to live either. I want a mate who would die for me too!”
Werewolves lived by desire. Even with a fated mate, many still gave in to temptation and formed bonds with others.
Betrayal was common—except for Alpha Damon.
Every werewolf knew Alpha Damon was fiercely loyal, utterly devoted. For the past ten years, his heart had belonged to Ariel and Ariel alone.
He would even die for her.
But Ariel could only smile bitterly.
Because of her stunning beauty, she’d always had countless admirers.
But after seeing her parents’ early divorce and witnessing betrayal among wolves all around her, she’d never believed in love. Every time someone confessed to her, she’d turn them down without hesitation. “Sorry, I’m not looking for a boyfriend. I’m not interested in love. I’ll reject my mate too when the time comes.”
That is, until she met Alpha Damon.
On her eighteenth birthday, the moment she came of age, she felt it—Damon was her fated mate.
She sensed the bond between them and saw the excitement on Damon’s face.
But he was an Alpha. The kind of man who would only attract more female wolves.
He’s bound to betray me someday. I don’t want a mate who could break my heart at any moment.
“I reject you, Alpha Damon,” she said.
“I don’t accept your rejection!” Damon’s eyes reddened as he pleaded with her. “Ariel, give me three years. If I can’t make you fall in love with me in three years, I’ll let you go.”
And so he pursued her relentlessly for three years. No matter how many times she turned him down, he refused to give up. In the end, he even risked his life for her—charging into a pack of rogues alone, again and again, barely making it out alive.
That was when she finally opened her heart to him.
On the day of their Mating Ceremony, Ariel looked down at the ring on her finger, tears welling up as she told Damon, “Damon, from now on, I’ll do my best to be your Luna. Through life and death, rich or poor, I’ll never betray you. But you must remember one thing—if you ever betray me, I’ll disappear from your world forever.”
What once had been a beautiful memory was now shattered by cruel reality.
Three months ago, she found out Damon had another woman.
He spent his days with her, his nights with someone else.
His heart had long been split in two.
So it’s true. The ones who love hard always fall first. The slow-burners just keep burning, even when it hurts…
Ariel smiled bitterly, turned off the TV, and printed out the mate-bond dissolution form she had long prepared. With steady hands, she signed her name.
Now that the betrayal was real, she would keep her promise.
She would disappear from his world—forever.
She placed the signed form into a delicate gift box and wrapped it with care.
An hour later, Alpha Damon stepped through the door.
Before he could even take off his shoes, he hurried over, pulling her into a hug and apologizing in a low voice. “I’m sorry, Ariel. I went to pick up your jewelry today and came back late. I missed our Mating Ceremony anniversary. Please don’t be mad, okay?”
He opened the box containing the “Ariel” necklace, trying to coax her. His black dress shirt was slightly open at the collar, the top button undone.
In that brief moment when he bent down, the skin beneath his collar was revealed—covered in kiss marks and scratches.
The sight stabbed Ariel straight through the heart.
Jewelry pickup? Or sex with Isabelle?
He probably just crawled out of her bed.
Damon didn’t notice anything wrong. His eyes were full of affection as he fastened the necklace around her neck. Its dazzling brilliance only made her already-beautiful face even more breathtaking.
“Ariel, you look stunning,” he said, genuinely awestruck.
Ariel lowered her eyes and handed him the gift box. “This is for you.”
He looked puzzled. “What is it?”
“A gift. Since you gave me something, it’s only fair I give you one too.”
His eyes lit up instantly, and he eagerly reached for it like it was treasure.
Ariel stopped him. “Open it in two weeks.”
“Why?” he asked, confused.
“Because it’ll be more meaningful then,” she replied slowly, carefully.
Damon froze for a second, but didn’t press the issue. He simply took her hand and kissed it gently.
“Whatever you say. I’ll wait for the surprise.”
Then, like a well-trained little wolf pup, he tore off a sticky note, wrote down a line, and solemnly stuck it on the box.
Open in two weeks.
Ariel quietly watched him do it.
Damon, I hope when the time comes… you really do feel surprised.
