Chapter 5

"Aria! You ungrateful bitch! I'll make you pay for this!" Kane roared behind me. But I didn't look back.

I walked out of the auction house, through the whispering crowd, and called a taxi.

My fingers trembled as I dialed a number I never thought I'd use: Elder Marcus Thorne of the White Fang Pack, leader of their Elder Council, and uncle to Alpha Kieran Whitefang, the most powerful Alpha werewolf in the state.

"Elder Marcus," I said clearly, despite my soul trembling. "This is Aria. I'm calling about that proposal you mentioned before."

After a brief silence, his deep voice came through, both surprised and satisfied. "Luna Aria," he said. "I was wondering when you'd come to your senses. Is everything alright?"

"Everything is perfect," I replied, a bitter smile crossing my lips. "I've severed the mate bond. I left him. I need your help dealing with Kane. And protecting my grandmother."

His tone became serious. "My private medical team is ready. I'll transfer your grandmother immediately to somewhere Kane can't reach her."

I felt a wave of deep relief.

"Thank you," I whispered sincerely. "But there's a condition, isn't there?"

"Do you remember my nephew, Alpha Kieran?" he asked subtly.

"The one who proposed mating before?" I asked back, a hint of worry making my voice tight. Kieran was powerful, dangerous, a true Alpha, but his dominance had always frightened me.

"Indeed," Marcus confirmed. "He's still willing to accept you as his Luna. Tomorrow. Public vows, mating ceremony, and signed agreements. In return, we'll help strip Kane of everything. He'll have nothing. Worse than nothing."

My mind raced as the puzzle pieces fell into place. Mate with Kieran? It was both a strategic alliance and freedom with revenge.

"Done," I said without hesitation. "Tell Kieran I accept. Prepare everything. Tomorrow, I'll become Luna of the White Fang Pack. And Kane... Kane will finally pay."

As I spoke, my mind drifted back to nine months ago when I first met Kieran. The annual Alpha Summit was like a gilded cage, filled with forced smiles and clinking glasses. I stood beside Kane, his arm around my waist, his gaze already wandering to the she-wolves across the hall.

Then, silence fell. Alpha Kieran entered, his presence filled with raw power, an untamed elegance. His molten silver eyes swept the room, paused, and locked onto me. Kane's hand tightened - both a subtle warning and a possessive squeeze. But Kieran strode through the gathered Alphas, heading straight for us.

He stopped directly in front of us, his burning gaze fixed on me, completely ignoring Kane.

"Mine!" he growled softly.

Kane stiffened beside me. "She's already taken, Alpha Kieran. By me."

Kieran's lips curled, his eyes never leaving mine. "What's your name, Luna?"

"A...Aria," I whispered.

"Break free, Aria. Stand with me. Be the Luna you were born to be. Don't be a pawn in someone else's game."

My heart pounded. Kane's hand gripped my arm tightly. My gaze shifted from Kieran's burning stare to Kane's rigid, angry face.

"I... I can't," I whispered. "I'm loyal to my pack. Loyal to Kane."

Kieran leaned closer, disappointment in his eyes, but also a flash of understanding.

"Remember this moment, Aria. Even when he breaks you, completely breaks you, my offer stands. The White Fang Pack will always be your sanctuary. And when you come back to me, Kane, I'll make you pay for every tear she sheds."

He turned, silently commanding Marcus, and they walked away, leaving silence behind. Kane pulled me close, whispering comfort, but Kieran's determined gaze lingered in my mind.

"Take me home," I told the driver, ending my call with Marcus and returning to reality.

I went back to my room and grabbed the luggage I'd packed days ago. The signed severance agreement lay on the nightstand. I picked it up, a dark satisfaction washing over me.

I burned every gift Kane had given me, every photo of us together. The flames consumed those memories, just as he had turned my life to ash. I took a photo of the fire and posted it on Instagram with the caption: "Finally free!"

I smiled, watching the post gather comments within seconds. Then I blocked everyone from the pack on social media, especially Kane and Athena. I destroyed my old SIM card, inserted a new one into a new phone, cutting the last digital ties to my past.

Before leaving, I made a detour to the kitchen. I found a small, untouched chocolate cake in the fridge. Perfect! I took the cake and grabbed a marker. On the counter, I scrawled a note on the cake box: "Kane, happy freedom. Don't worry, I'm inviting you to my mating ceremony." I placed the cake next to his favorite bottle of moonlight wine and a copy of the severance papers.

I slung my bag over my shoulder and left the mansion forever, heading to meet Alpha Kieran for the mating ceremony.

By the time Kane discovered everything, I would already be someone else's Luna.