Chapter 1: The Betrayal

The moon hung high over Silver Hollow, its cold light spilling through the arched windows of the manor. Shadows stretched across the stone floors, flickering like restless spirits. Serena Blackthorn sat in the grand hall, her fingers curled tightly around the armrests of her chair, knuckles pale against her skin. Lucien was late. Again. The crackling fire offered little comfort, its glow unable to chase away the chill seeping into her bones. The clock above the hearth ticked steadily, each click echoing louder in the silence. The door creaked open. Serena shot to her feet, heart pounding. Lucien stepped inside, the silver light painting his sharp features. He wiped his hand through his dark hair, damp strands clinging to his forehead, and shrugged off his coat. “You’re home late,” Serena said, her voice carefully steady. Lucien didn’t look at her. “Pack matters.” Serena’s eyes narrowed, tracing the faint scratches on his neck. “I thought you handled the rogue patrols this morning.” “I did.” He loosened his shirt collar, rolling his shoulders. “Something came up.” She stepped closer, catching the faintest trace of perfume clinging to his clothes — sweet, floral, and unmistakably not hers. “Lucien,” she started, but he cut her off. “Not tonight, Serena.” His tone was clipped, as if she were an annoyance he couldn’t be bothered with. “I’m tired.” “Tired?” She laughed bitterly, her hands trembling. “You’ve been ‘tired’ for months. Always gone. Always distant. And I’m supposed to keep pretending I don’t notice?” Lucien finally turned to face her, his silver eyes cold. “What exactly are you accusing me of?” Her chest tightened. “I found a necklace,” she said, voice quieter now. “Under our bed.” Lucien’s jaw clenched. “What are you talking about?” Serena dug into her pocket and held up the delicate chain. A tiny pendant shaped like a crescent moon dangled from it. “It’s Evelyn’s,” Serena whispered. Lucien’s face remained unreadable, but something shifted in his gaze — a flicker of something he quickly buried. “I don’t know how that got there,” he said, voice flat. Serena stepped closer, holding the necklace between them like a weapon. “Don’t lie to me.” Lucien exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple. “You’re imagining things.” “Imagining?” Her voice cracked. “You come home late, reeking of someone else. You barely look at me anymore. And now this?” Lucien’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “Maybe if you weren’t so obsessed with finding problems, you’d see there’s nothing wrong.” Serena flinched as if he’d struck her. She searched his face, desperate for a trace of the man she’d fallen in love with — the man who’d once promised to protect her, to cherish her. But all she saw was indifference. Footsteps echoed from the hallway. Evelyn Greythorn appeared in the doorway, her golden hair falling in loose waves around her shoulders. She wore one of Lucien’s shirts, the fabric hanging off her frame like a flag of victory. “Oh,” Evelyn said, feigning surprise. “I didn’t realize you were still awake, Serena.” Serena’s stomach twisted. “What is she doing here?” she asked, voice barely above a whisper. Lucien said nothing. Evelyn leaned against the doorframe, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. “Lucien invited me to discuss pack matters.” Serena’s heart shattered. “Wearing his shirt?” Lucien finally spoke, voice laced with frustration. “It’s not what it looks like.” Serena’s laugh was hollow. “Then what is it?” Lucien ran a hand down his face, as if exhausted by the conversation. “You’re being dramatic.” “Dramatic?” Tears welled in her eyes. “You’re cheating on me, Lucien.” Evelyn smiled, sharp and cruel. “Maybe he just needed someone who didn’t constantly nag him.” Serena lunged, but Lucien caught her wrist. His grip wasn’t gentle. “Enough,” he snapped, eyes blazing. “Go to bed, Serena.” She yanked her arm free, chest heaving. “I gave you everything,” she whispered. “I chose you over my family, my freedom, my life. And this is what I get?” Lucien’s expression softened for a fleeting second, but he quickly steeled himself. “Maybe you should have made a different choice.” Serena’s heart cracked wide open. She turned and bolted out of the manor, ignoring Lucien’s call. The cold night air sliced through her like knives, but she didn’t stop running. Tears blurred her vision as she sprinted toward the forest, her pulse roaring in her ears. Branches clawed at her skin, and her lungs burned, but she didn’t care. She couldn’t breathe inside that house. Couldn’t endure one more second of Lucien and Evelyn’s twisted charade. She collapsed near an ancient oak, gasping for air. The forest loomed around her, shadows stretching like claws. The bond throbbed painfully in her chest, reminding her of its existence — of the cruel tie anchoring her to Lucien. Serena pressed her hand against her heart, sobbing into the dirt. The forest stirred. Whispers curled through the trees, ancient and hungry. The leaves rustled, and a cold wind swept through the clearing, carrying a bitter scent of decay. “The bond can be broken,” the wind seemed to hiss. Serena lifted her head, her eyes rimmed with red. She wiped her tears, chest rising and falling with ragged breaths. If Lucien wanted Evelyn, he could have her. Serena would break the bond herself — even if it killed her. She pushed herself to her feet, the cold biting into her skin. She wasn’t sure how to sever a mate bond, but she would find out. And when she did, she would make sure Lucien felt every ounce of agony he’d inflicted on her. Serena vanished into the forest, her silhouette swallowed by shadows. And Silver Hollow fell silent, as if holding its breath.