Leon and I were known as the perfect couple in our circle.   We'd been together for 8 years. The bloodthirsty werewolf Alpha would tuck away his fangs to make me breakfast and fight his urges during his rut to stay by my side when I was sick.   The socialites always joked, "If Leon ever cheats, we'll never believe in love between species again."   So at this yacht party, we played truth or dare. Anyone who lost had to reveal the private nickname they'd saved their partner under in their phone.   Smiling, I held up mine.   Beside Leon's profile picture was the name Wild Wolf Who Can't Get Enough Every Night.   Everyone started teasing me. Only my best friend, Joanna, kept her screen covered, stammering excuses instead of showing it.   "You've had a secret sugar daddy for 7 years, and you're still this shy? Come on, let us see this mysterious big shot who's so well hung and so good in bed!"   She forced a smile.   "He doesn't like showing his face. Give me a different dare."   Thinking she was just embarrassed, I laughed and teased her as I snatched her phone when she wasn't looking.   "You've hidden him for 7 years. Let's see whose bed you've been sleeping in every night."   My voice cut off.   There, beside the name Master, was a shirtless photo of Leon showing off his wolf tattoo.   Joanna's expression changed. She snatched the phone back.   "It's not what you think!"   A second later, it rang.   In her panic, she turned on the speaker.   Leon's low, husky voice, thick with desire, filled the private lounge.   "Baby, why aren't you back at the estate yet? My rut's started. I want to rip your dress apart."   Then a little boy called out in a sweet, babyish voice, "Daddy, your little pup misses Mommy!"   The suggestive laughter around the table fell silent.   I looked down at the engagement ring on my finger.   Everyone envied our 8 years of devotion. I was the only one who hadn't known he'd already marked my best friend in the most primal way.

Falling in love with Rex, president of the Hellfire motorcycle club, was the worst mistake I ever made.   When I was 12, my mother remarried, and he became my stepbrother, the only person who protected me in that chaotic garage.   When I was 16, a rival gang ambushed me, intent on killing me. He opened the throttle, smashed through their blockade, and rescued me single-handedly.   When I was 18, he was ambushed and nearly killed. I rode in and took two bullets meant for him. The damage to my right leg ended my racing career.   That night at the repair shop, I saw him wrapped in bandages and couldn't help kissing the corner of his mouth.   He opened his eyes and pushed me away, his expression cold. "Ellie, I'm your stepbrother. This club has rules. We don't cross that line."   After that, he deliberately kept his distance, treating my love like something shameful.   Then Helena, the woman he was engaged to for a club alliance, became the target of a blood feud. The other side demanded she enter an illegal death race—a life for a life.   For the first time, the arrogant club president lowered his voice and begged me, "You're our best rider. Race in her place, just this once. I'll agree to any terms."   But my old injury couldn't withstand those speeds. Going back on the track could get me killed.   I refused.   Helena ended up dead in the street.   Rex didn't shed a tear. He acted as if nothing had happened.   But at her funeral, he took a hunting knife and publicly slashed apart the club's leather vest, the symbol of honor I wore. Then he announced coldly, "You lust after your own stepbrother, then let a fellow member die because you're too afraid to risk your life. You don't deserve a place in this club."   Branded a disgrace and cast out by the entire underground racing world, I fell off a cliff in a daze and died.   When I opened my eyes again, I was back in the garage, at the moment he humbled himself to ask me to race in her place.   Calmly, I accepted the helmet.   "Fine. Once I finish this death race, consider the life I owe you paid in full."   'Rex, once this leather vest comes off, there's nothing left between us.'

On the day of my mating ceremony, my fiancé left me alone at the Moon Goddess's altar and went straight to my older sister, Serena Mercer.   The wolves mocked me without mercy. "That's the fifth mate Ella's lost to Serena. No one can resist her."   Serena looked helpless.   "I'm sorry, Ella. I just wanted to test his loyalty. I didn't mean to ruin another mating ceremony."   I stood there, humiliated.   Then Kellen Voss stepped forward. He was the continent's most feared Alpha, leader of the Blood Moon Pack.   He took my hand, turned to the pack elders, and marked me as his Luna on the spot.   After we mated, Serena tried more than once to lure him with the scent of her heat. Every time, he humiliated her in front of everyone.   "Know your place, Serena. You're a low-ranking wolf. Stop throwing yourself at me."   For three years, Kellen had given me everything. He made me feel safe and cherished, as though I were the luckiest she-wolf alive.   Then one day, I came home early and heard his Beta speaking inside the room.   "Alpha... the Luna's sister is carrying your pureblood pup. What if the Luna finds out?"   Kellen's voice was low and calm. "What happened with Serena was a one-time accident during my rut. Keep the pup a secret from Ella. I'll make it up to her later."   I froze, heartbroken. I didn't rush in to confront him.   When he'd marked me, he'd sworn before the Moon Goddess that he'd never betray me.   But he had.   I would sever our mate bond.   And I would never look back.