Chapter 1
Alice's POV
The ropes bit into my wrists, cutting deeper each time I tried to move. The warehouse around me smelled of damp wood, rusted metal, and the sour scent of rogue wolves.
"Call your mate," one of the rogue wolves said lazily, tossing my phone onto the ground. "Tell him his Luna is in trouble. An Alpha should be willing to pay a nice ransom."
My fingers trembled as I picked up the phone. My body ached from the blows they had given me earlier—enough to keep me obedient, not enough to kill me.
Kelvin. My mate. My Alpha. Surely he would answer.
However, the call rang once… twice… then ended. No answer.
"Again," the rogue said, impatience creeping into his voice.
I dialed once more. Still nothing.
A low chuckle spread through the group.
"You sure you're his Luna?" one of them sneered. "Doesn't look like your Alpha cares."
I tried again. My hands shook so badly that I nearly dropped the phone.
This time, just as the final ring was about to fade—The call connected.
"Kelvin…" My voice came out thin and unsteady, but relief flooded through my chest.
His response was cool, distant. "What do you want?"
"I… I think I've been kidn*pped," I whispered, my voice breaking.
For a moment, there was silence on the line. Then another voice drifted through the phone. Soft. Familiar.
"Kelvin, the doctor said I shouldn't stand too long."
It was Emily. Hearing that familiar voice, bitterness rose in my heart.
Kelvin's tone changed immediately. "I'm coming," he said gently.
And then the line went dead.
A helpless, bitter smile crossed my lips as disappointment filled me.
The rogues stared at the phone before bursting into laughter.
"That's your mate?" one of them mocked. "If we'd known your mate thought you were this useless, we wouldn't have bothered wasting our time on you."
Another wolf stepped closer, examining me more carefully. His gaze moved slowly over my bruised face and torn clothes.
"Well," he said thoughtfully, "you might still be worth something."
My heart dropped. I tried to stand, but my legs collapsed. "Please…" I whispered.
"Relax, Luna. I'm sure you will...like it" the rogue murmured with a cruel smile, grabbing my chin to force me to look up.
They laughed viciously as they tore at my clothes. Their claws ripped through the fabric while their cruel laughter echoed around me.
My wolf was completely out of control. No matter how hard I struggled, I couldn't shift.
"Please… stop… please…"
I begged and struggled desperately, watching in horror as the last piece of clothing on my body was about to be torn apart.
Just then, a voice came from the distance.
"Let her go," the voice said coldly. "Don't make me say it again."
These words carried a command so overwhelming that it made the rogues tremble.
"W–Who's there?" one of them stammered.
No one answered. But the invisible pressure grew stronger.
The rogues suddenly panicked. Within seconds they scattered, crashing through the doors and fleeing into the night.
I sensed someone approaching. A warm scent reached my nose—deep, steady, strangely comforting.
My strength faded. Then darkness swallowed everything.
--
When I opened my eyes again, bright white light flooded my vision.
A hospital.
My body felt unbearably heavy, every muscle stiff with pain.
I stared at the wounds on my hands and the unfamiliar room around me.
I was lying alone on a cold hospital bed. My thoughts drifted back five years.
Kelvin and I met in college. The moment we first saw each other, we both felt the bond—we were destined mates.
Kelvin never looked down on me for being an omega. Instead, he insisted on claiming me and making me the Luna of his pack.
At the time, I believed it was the happiest moment of my life. And I thought my happiness would last forever.
But two years ago, everything changed.
Kelvin's older brother, David, returned from abroad—and he brought his mate with him. Her name was Emily.
From that moment on, Kelvin began to grow distant. He no longer cared about me the way he used to.
Later, I learned that Emily had actually been Kelvin's childhood companion. By coincidence, she ended up becoming his brother's mate instead. After that, Kelvin was depressed for a long time—until he met me.
I once believed I could win Kelvin's heart again, just like I had five years ago.
But this time… I knew I had lost.
Six months ago, Kelvin's brother died unexpectedly on the battlefield.
Since then, Kelvin had grown closer and closer to Emily… and farther and farther away from me.
I cried. I argued. But Kelvin's responses were always the same.
"Stop being unreasonable."
"She's my brother's mate. Can you stop being so sensitive?"
"You're the Luna of this pack. Fighting with Emily over jealousy is embarrassing."
Before I knew it, tears had already soaked my hair.
"You're awake." A doctor stepped closer when he noticed me.
"You're lucky," he said as he checked my chart. "Another hour and the outcome might have been very different."
My throat felt raw, but I managed to whisper, "Who… brought me here?"
The doctor shrugged. "A man who didn't give his name. He carried you himself… and left before we could ask anything."
I tried to recall the faint memory of that powerful scent.
"He looked young," the doctor added casually, "but very impressive. Tall, well-built… and extremely handsome."
"Thanks." My mind was still struggling to piece together the events in the warehouse.
A brief silence passed before he spoke again.
"Since you're pregnant, injuries like that are extremely dangerous. You should be more careful."
Then the doctor stepped out.
The words struck like thunder.
Pregnant.
Kelvin's pup.
I lowered my eyes, my thoughts spinning.
At that time voices drifted from the hallway outside.
A voice I knew too well.
Kelvin.
I slowly got out of bed, ignoring the dizziness that followed. Step by step, I moved toward the door and opened it slightly.
The scene outside froze me in place.
Kelvin stood beside another hospital room, Emily leaning gently against his arm. Her hand rested on her stomach while he looked down at her with unmistakable concern.
"What did the doctor say?" Kelvin asked softly.
Emily smiled faintly. "The pup is fine. Thank you so much, Kelvin. I really don't know what I would have done without you."
As she spoke, Emily leaned her head gently on Kelvin's shoulder.
Relief spread across Kelvin's face.
"That's good." His voice carried a warmth I had never heard. It hurt.
For a moment I simply stood there, watching them. It seemed like they were the kind of couple who would welcome a baby.
Watching them together, I let out a bitter smile. I had no idea how many times I had seen a scene like this.
Memories surfaced one after another.
On his last birthday, I spent half a day preparing dinner. But one phone call from Emily, and Kelvin left immediately. I waited the whole night. Kelvin never came back. Not even a single call.
Our bonding anniversary—Kelvin had once promised to take me to see the Northern Lights. The plane was just about to take off when Emily twisted her ankle. Kelvin left me alone at the airport and walked away without a word of explanation.
Every time I complained and expressed hurt, Kelvin gave the same explanation.
"I owe Emily. My brother died protecting me in the war. Before he died, I promised him I would take his place to take care of Emily forever."
Then he would add quietly, as if reminding a child—"You're the Luna. You should understand me better. Stop being unreasonable."
At some point, I guess I just got used to it. Gradually, I stopped caring.
But yesterday Kelvin called me, saying he had a headache. I rushed to bring him medicine. I never expected to be kidn*pped by a rogue wolf pack on the way.
Lost in these thoughts, I didn't even realize when the tears began to fall again.
My vision blurred. My head felt heavy, and I nearly collapsed. In my panic, my shoulder slammed into the door with a dull thud.
Kelvin turned immediately. "Alice?"
Emily followed his gaze.
She put on her usual smile and said with fake concern, "Alice, I didn't expect you to be here."
Kelvin walked toward me, his eyes narrowing.
"Why are you here?" His sharp voice rang out. "Didn't you just say you were kidn*pped?"
I tried to steady myself. "I..."
"So now you suddenly appear in the hospital…" His eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Let me guess—are you going to say you're sick again?"
Kelvin continued, suspicion filling his voice. "Or… have you been following me?"
His words cut into my heart like knives, leaving me speechless.
"You know Emily is pregnant," he said sharply. "She needs to be taken care of. And you…"
His gaze swept over me.
"You look perfectly fine. I told you not to lie just to get my attention. You're the Luna—don't forget your place."
Emily tugged softly on his sleeve.
"Kelvin, don't be so harsh, maybe Luna Alice really isn't feeling well…"
Kelvin sighed. "You're too kind," he said gently to her. "If Alice could be half as considerate as you, things would be much easier."
My fingers curled against my stomach. "I'm pregnant too," I wanted to say. But Kelvin had already turned away.
"Come on," he told Emily softly. "You shouldn't stand too long."
He supported her carefully as they walked down the hallway.
Emily glanced back once, wearing the pity of a victor and a fake smile.
"I hope you will feel better soon, Luna Alice."
Their footsteps slowly faded.
I remained standing there, staring at the empty corridor.
Inside my chest, my wolf stirred—no longer wounded, but exhausted.
Enough. The word echoed quietly through her mind.
For the first time, I did not push the thought away.
Break the bond.
Yes, it was time to leave.