See You Never, My Alpha

On the ninth year after our bonding ceremony, my mate, Alpha Kyle Burns, finds himself hopelessly in love with Ivy Cline, an Omega who's taken in as a prisoner of war from a pack that has been conquered by the Silver Moon pack. Ivy is supposed to be a lowly prisoner, and yet she often keeps her head high in an arrogant manner. One time, she kicks the things gifted to her by Kyle into a puddle in front of everyone else. "I might be a prisoner, but I refuse to become a traitor who clings to wolves of power for survival! You can keep your disgusting charity act to yourself!" Those are the exact words that have Kyle wrapped around Ivy's little finger. In order to conquer the wild-spirited Ivy, Kyle personally severs the mind-link that he has maintained with me for the past nine years. He completely disregards the fact that I'm his fated mate as well as the most reverent Luna of the pack. But he most likely has forgotten the blood curse my father, who was also the former Alpha of the pack, asked the witch to place on him. If Kyle and I don't head over to the Moon Goddess' altar to extend our bond once ten years are up, the curse will take effect. That's when the mate bond between us will be completely severed. Chapter 1 Kyle Burns once got down on his knees before the Moon Goddess statue and swore that nothing, not even broken limbs, would stop him from reaching the altar. There was a time he claimed Rosa Ashford was his everything. Now, it was Ivy Cline. Rosa zoned out. Her eyes were fixed on the dates she'd marked on the calendar. In just three short months, he had hurt her 99 times. The 10th time happened on the day of Rosa's birthday banquet. Ivy, a war captive, came down with a fever, and Kyle stayed by her side the entire night. The 23rd time was when Rosa was in agony because of her cramps. Kyle had severed their mind-link just so he could focus on keeping Ivy company. As for the 50th time, in an effort to cheer up the ever-melancholy Ivy, Kyle pointed at Rosa's most trusted Beta, Vance Woodard, and said, "Ivy feels inferior and looked down upon. From now on, the Beta position is hers." Rosa planted herself in front of Vance. "Vance is the pack's most loyal Beta, whereas Ivy is a captive. Aren't you worried that she might act against you?" "It's just a Beta. What, can't bear to part with your old subordinate?" Kyle's gaze turned icy. "Or is it that your subordinate can't bear to part with you?" When Rosa didn't respond, Kyle let out a cold snort. His impatience was evident. "So long as Ivy's pleased, I'd even give her control of the entire pack. A Beta position is nothing." The light in Vance's eyes went out. The man who once swore loyalty to the Silver Moon pack bowed deeply to Rosa. That very night, he left the pack. And now, there were only five days left until their ten-year bond would be dissolved. The blast of a horn rang out, marking the "Relics Purification Rite" before the Full Moon Ceremony. In the center of the square, a bonfire roared sky-high. The elders placed the pack's relics on the altar to be cleansed by moonlight. Among them, a necklace made of snow-white wolf fangs stood out the most. It was a keepsake that Rosa's father, Henry Ashford, had left her in his final moments. It symbolized the Alpha who came before. Ivy, who was dressed in a washed-out linen gown, stood beside Kyle. Her gaze lingered briefly on the necklace. Pulling her in by her waist, Kyle asked in a low voice, "Did that catch your interest?" Ivy lowered her gaze. Her tone was cool and distant. "And what if it did? That's a keepsake given to the Luna by her father. As a war captive, I shouldn't even be looking at it." A sense of foreboding hit Rosa, making her heart lurch. Instinctively, she stepped in front of the altar. Her eyes were locked on Kyle. It was the only thing Henry had left her, the one non-negotiable thing. The surrounding pack members held their breath, eyes trained on the three figures atop the platform. Kyle arched his brow. "If you're that reluctant to part with something from a dead man, then keep it." Rosa let out a breath of relief. Maybe Kyle still had a shred of care left for her. Rather than going for the necklace, Kyle moved his hand straight toward the top of her head to take off her Luna Crown. In an instant, Rosa's hair came undone, cascading down in wild strands. Without even asking whether Rosa was okay with it, Kyle turned around and, in front of all the elders and the rest of the pack, he placed the crown on Ivy's head. "What's so great about a lame necklace anyway? This suits you better." His gaze turned warm and tender as he added, "Ivy, this crown carries my scent. It will keep those low-ranking wolves in the pack in line. With this, you can't complain about being picked on anymore." He then turned to the pale-faced Rosa. His tone was casual, as if talking about the weather. "Rosa, you're already the Luna. Don't fuss over material things." Rosa froze where she stood, her breathing growing shallow and quick. The crown was a sacred relic passed down for centuries in the Silver Moon pack. It symbolized the Luna's absolute dignity and honor. Yet now, it had become a prop for Kyle's flirtation. However, Ivy didn't look pleased. Taking off the crown, she shoved it back to him as if it were something filthy. "Alpha Kyle, please show some restraint." Ivy held her head high. Her eyes shone with a hint of pride. "I'm a sinner from a defeated pack. I'm not fit to touch a sacred relic. Besides, it's been worn for nine years. I don't like used things." She took a step back, putting on a flawless display of dignity before the entire pack. Kyle froze for a moment. Then, his gaze intensified. He looked as if he was even more captivated by her. "If it's no longer clean…" Kyle raised his hand. Rosa's pupils shrank instantly. "Kyle, don't!" Her scream wasn't enough to stop him. The crown that had witnessed their bonding vows was tossed into the bonfire like trash. Chapter 2 "Kyle, even if the crown had to be thrown away, you shouldn't have been the one to do it!" Rosa screamed herself hoarse. In that moment, it was as if she had forgotten her status as the noble and dignified Luna. She couldn't even hear the pack's collective gasp as she charged straight toward the flames to grab the already warped metal crown with her bare hands. The smell of burning flesh filled the air. Though the pain was excruciating, she didn't loosen her hold. Looking on, Kyle was taken aback for a moment before Ivy's quiet cough snapped him out of it. Ivy seemed to have choked on the smoke. She held her chest, and her brows were slightly furrowed. Kyle immediately looked away from Rosa and gently patted Ivy's back, not sparing Rosa another glance. He softly said, "Since it's trash, we don't need it. I'll have someone make you a new crown, one that'll only belong to you." "Alpha Kyle, please refrain from saying things that can cause misunderstandings in the future." Ivy turned and walked off, prompting Kyle to trail after her all obsequiously like a pathetic mutt. Late that night, in the pack's healing hall, Rosa stared quietly at the moon outside the window while cradling her bandaged hand. From the corner of the hallway came the hushed whispers of two healers. "Alpha Kyle's gone crazy over that outsider Omega. He even destroyed the Luna's crown." "Tell me about it…" "I heard back then, when he wanted to become mates with Luna Rosa, he knelt in front of her father for three days straight, swearing to give her his life." "It hasn't even been that long. How did things turn out like this?" "Maybe he's grown tired of her. Lost the thrill, you know?" Their voices faded down the corridor. Rosa looked down, stroking the charred crown with her uninjured hand. Her thoughts drifted back to three months ago. Kyle had won a massive victory in a territorial battle. Most of the captives chose to submit. Only Ivy didn't. She got rid of all of Kyle's gifts, lifted her chin stubbornly, and shouted, "I don't want your charity. Just kill me. I will never submit!" The way she stubbornly held her ground was just like Rosa back in the day. It was then that something changed in Kyle. He then began chasing Ivy like a man possessed. The pack members all said the same thing—that Kyle had fallen out of love with Rosa. Rosa had confronted him with reddened eyes. "You swore before that you'd only ever have one she-wolf. Me." In a casual tone, Kyle had replied, "That was before. I'm the Alpha of the pack. Having a few she-wolves by my side is normal." He took Rosa's hand in his before speaking in a voice gentle enough to soothe a pup, though his every word cut deep. "Rosa, take a page from the Lunas of other packs. Don't be so small-minded." Rosa forcefully shook off his hand. "I can't accept this! Kyle, there's no place for a third person in our relationship!" "Do you seriously want to hear the truth?" His voice turned cold, and his tone was impatient. "We've been together for nine years. Seeing the same face and body every day is boring. But Ivy's different. She's unfamiliar, new. You can't give me that." "So, to sum it up, you're just tired of me." Rosa closed her eyes as tears streamed down her face. Kyle reached out to wipe her tears. In a softer tone, he said, "Dummy, what's there to cry about? To me, Ivy's just a plaything. Once I'm done with her, I'll reestablish our mind-link. "You're my only Luna. You don't need to take her so seriously." Pulling herself back from her thoughts, Rosa stared at the scorched crown in her hands. "Five more days." She whispered to herself, "After five days, I will have nothing to do with you anymore, Kyle, no matter what you do." Chapter 3 Rosa had just returned to the fortress when she noticed servants hurrying in and out of the room next to their main bedroom. That room was where she kept her wedding gifts and Henry's keepsake, and besides their main bedroom, it had the best light in the entire fortress. Kyle was standing on the stone steps, directing the servants as they dragged Rosa's belongings out and haphazardly piled them in a dark corner of the corridor. "You're back?" He regarded Rosa from above. His tone was full of entitlement as he said, "Ivy's been having nightmares lately. The full moon is tomorrow. Since she's a captive with no family to protect her, I'm letting her stay here." Rosa's gaze fell on Henry's portrait, which was dumped on the floor. The anger she felt instantly became more intense than the pain in her hand. "On top of being from another pack, she's a captive!" Rosa rushed forward to stop the servants. "By Pack Law, captives can only stay in the dungeons or outer barracks. They have no right to stay inside the fortress! Kyle, what you're doing is an insult to my father!" Kyle's eyes turned cold, and his Alpha aura exploded from him. "The Alpha sets the laws. In this pack, my word is law!" No longer wanting to hear another word from her, he swung his hand hard. Before Rosa could even react, she was flung back by a powerful, invisible gust of wind. She slammed into a stone pillar in the corridor. Blood ran down over her eye, turning half the world before her red. Clutching her forehead, she stared at the man who had once sworn he'd take a knife for her in disbelief. "Kyle, you actually laid a hand on me?" Even Kyle seemed startled by the strength he'd used on her. He approached her, using his thumb to wipe the blood from her temple. "I know that you said Ivy is a war captive and doesn't deserve to stay here. But since you're injured and can't get around easily now, she can move in to take care of you. She knows a bit about herbs after all. She'll simply be serving you." Rosa froze. Wow. What a perfectly justified excuse. Not only was he letting the other woman move in, but he was also dressing it up as "taking care of her"? What kind of twisted logic was that? Holding her bleeding forehead, Rosa stared at Kyle through her blurred vision. Somehow, he seemed like a stranger to her. Back when they first bonded, she had slipped in the bath and scraped her knee. Back then, Kyle's eyes had gone red with worry. He then replaced all the carpets with the thickest plush ones and even padded the corners of the tables. He had said, "Rosa, I'll never let you get hurt in my territory again." And yet, now, he had made her bleed with his own hands. How ironic. Just then, a slender figure appeared at the doorway. Ivy, who was wearing a thin white dress, looked proud and aloof. "Luna Rosa, I think you've misunderstood." She continued in a cold voice, "I'm not the one who wants to move in… It's your mate. He's just too overbearing. I'm just a captive Omega. I can't refuse the orders of someone more powerful than me." Though she spoke of being forced, she stepped inside naturally, as if this place had always been hers. She gave Rosa a look that was totally devoid of respect. "Luna Rosa, I made this herbal decoction just for you. It's very effective on external injuries. You can use this on the wound on your forehead. Consider this my compensation to you." Ivy approached Rosa, wanting to apply the decoction to her wound. However, the moment the soaked cloth touched Rosa's wound, a searing pain overwhelmed her. Rosa broke out in a cold sweat from the pain. That mixture wasn't for pain relief at all. A tiny amount of wolfbane had been added. Though the mixture wouldn't blister her skin, the pain was excruciating. "You…" Rosa's vision was starting to go dark from the pain, and she instinctively shoved Ivy away. The decoction spilled everywhere. Ivy fell backward before hitting her head on the floor. She let out a startled cry, and tears spilled down her face. "Luna Rosa, I know you hate me, but I just wanted to ease your pain. Why did you have to do that to me?" Kyle helped Ivy up, then turned his glare on Rosa. "Rosa, Ivy was just trying to help you! How could you push her? When did you become this nasty? Have you forgotten that as the Luna, you're supposed to be tolerant of your pack members?" As wolfsbane had seeped into her wound, the pain rendered Rosa unable to speak. And yet, her mate turned a blind eye to all of it, caring only for the she-wolf who hadn't even gotten a scratch. Ivy cried as she struggled to leave. "Alpha Kyle, if I'm not welcome here, then I'll leave…" "Who dares make you leave?" Kyle stopped her before coldly ordering Rosa, "Apologize to Ivy. If you don't, you'll regret it!" Rosa lifted her head. Her blood and cold sweat mingled. "You're going to force your Luna to apologize to a captive from a different pack?" Kyle said coldly, "It's so you'll learn some manners. Don't make me repeat myself!" Rosa squared her shoulders. Her teeth were clenched, and she was determined not to lower her head. "I see." Running out of patience, Kyle leaned in close to Rosa. "If you don't apologize, then your father's old guards won't be needed anymore. I'll send them to the deadliest edges of the territory as cannon fodder." They were the last elite guards Henry had left for the pack, the pack members who had watched her grow up. Rosa shuddered violently. As she looked at the man who was no longer the one she once knew, the last bit of affection she held for him disappeared entirely. How dare he treat Henry's guards like tools for that woman? Chapter 4 Rosa stared at him, feeling utterly empty inside. She could've sworn Kyle used to be different. In the past, if anyone so much as disrespected Rosa, Kyle would've torn out their throat without hesitation and said, "My Luna bows to no one." Yet, he was now forcing her to apologize to a captive who, by right, should've been kneeling at her feet. "Forget it, Alpha Kyle. How could a lowly Omega like me deserve an apology from the noble Luna?" Ivy said magnanimously, as if sparing Rosa. That only made Kyle angrier. "Apologize!" The servants nearby whispered among themselves. Some even muttered that Kyle was going to replace his Luna. Rosa took a deep breath. "Fine, I'll apologize." She slowly bent at the waist toward Ivy, enunciating each word as she said, "I am sorry." "Louder! Did you skip a meal or what?" Kyle barked. Rosa clenched her fists. "I'm sorry!" A flicker of triumph crossed Ivy's gaze, though she acted all flustered and afraid on the surface. "It's alright, Luna Rosa. Next time, try not to do a good person wrong. "After all, you'll be addressing the pack at the Full Moon Run tomorrow night. Me being wronged is nothing. Losing the trust of the pack would be the real problem." She got behind Kyle and lightly tugged on his sleeve, no longer resisting his touch as she had earlier. Kyle stiffened. His face lit up with excitement like a child who'd just been handed candy. His reaction hurt Rosa more than words could. Kyle frowned deeply as he stared at the silent Rosa. "Ivy's talking to you. Why aren't you responding? Don't forget that you're the one who hurt her. If you want to show sincere remorse, then you should personally help her integrate into the pack during the Full Moon Run tomorrow night." Rosa was about to refuse when Kyle added in a tone that brooked no argument, "You're the Luna. Ivy's new and in a sensitive position. If even you refuse to support her, how do you expect the others to respect her? "Don't test my patience. If I don't see you tomorrow night, those guards will pay the price." The mention of Henry's guards left Rosa no choice but to agree bitterly. … At the gathering, young werewolves crowded around Ivy, eager to win their Alpha's approval. Ivy approached Rosa with two cups of honey wine. "Luna Rosa, I specially made this for you. I added herbs that can calm the nerves. Drink this, and let's put everything that happened behind us." The color of the wine looked slightly off, so Rosa didn't want to drink it. Just as she was about to refuse, Kyle shot her a sharp look. Without a choice, she took the cup and downed the wine in one gulp. As the atmosphere grew livelier, someone suggested playing a game called Hunters. To make Ivy happy, Kyle deliberately lost again and again, giving away his finest furs and gemstones. When Ivy won another round, the onlookers began to jeer playfully, "Giving away things is boring. How about a kiss instead?" "Forget kissing! Go for a playful neck bite!" Biting someone's neck in public was no joke. For werewolves, it was practically a public courtship and marking. Rosa refused to believe Kyle would go along with such a frivolous suggestion. Yet, in the very next moment, he agreed to it. All she could do was watch them act intimately in a daze. It felt like her heart was being sliced apart piece by piece. Soon after, Ivy lost a round. The crowd roared again. Ivy blushed, staying quiet. "Kyle…" Rosa called out instinctively, hoping to stop him. Ignoring Rosa, Kyle grabbed Ivy and leaned in for a bite. Ivy staggered away as she avoided his touch. Her tone held a mix of embarrassment and indignation. "What do you take me for, Alpha Kyle? I'm not that kind of she-wolf." The others exchanged glances. Someone whistled, teasing, "Can't even handle a she-wolf? Maybe Alpha Kyle isn't capable of it." "Who says I'm not?" Kyle's desire to dominate was stirred. His gaze darkened with desire as he looked at Ivy. Ivy fled, while he chased her. Afraid of hurting her, he held back each time he caught her. Despite his flirtatious bites being cut short again and again over several rounds of the cat-and-mouse chase, rather than being discouraged, Kyle only got even more worked up. Finally, Kyle pinned Ivy down on the couch. Shamelessly, he leaned in to bite her neck in front of everyone. Howls erupted from all around. The energy in the air reached a fever pitch. Everyone was caught up in the excitement—everyone except Rosa, who was sitting alone in the corner. Not only was her heart in agony, but her body was starting to feel off. The searing pain in her throat made it nearly impossible to draw a breath. It dawned on Rosa that there was something wrong with the honey wine. It had been laced with silver powder. Rosa struggled to her feet and grabbed Kyle's sleeve. "Kyle… There's silver in the wine… Save me…" Swept up in excitement, Kyle didn't even glance at Rosa when he heard her. "How annoying! You pick now to ruin the mood? Ivy's just a captive. Where would she get silver powder?" "I didn't… say…" "Enough!" Shoving Rosa aside, Kyle lowered his head again to bite Ivy. A low, beastly growl escaped him. This time, Ivy didn't resist. Just as Rosa collapsed, Ivy wrapped her legs around Kyle's waist. "I once swore I'd never let an enemy's teeth near my neck. But if this is just a game, I don't mind you leaving your mark on me." She tilted her head willingly, exposing her throat. Watching the woman who had fought tooth and nail just moments ago finally give in, Kyle became so consumed with excitement that he forgot everything else, including Rosa, who was in the corner. As the poison reached Rosa's heart, her vision went black, and she fell unconscious. Chapter 5 At the last second before darkness swallowed Rosa, all she heard was the pack's cheers and Ivy asking, "Why is Luna Rosa unconscious?" Right away, an urgent voice called out, "Rosa!" How noisy. Rosa thought that maybe it wouldn't be so bad if she just died right then. However, with only four days left until their bond dissolved, dying now would be such a waste. When Rosa came to again, she was lying in the healing hall. Her throat burned like it was on fire. She tried to speak, but no sound came out. Outside the door, she could hear someone sobbing. "I'm sorry… I really didn't know that there was silver in it." Ivy's voice sounded broken and helpless. "If anything happens to Luna Rosa, I'm willing to give my life to make up for it…" "What are you saying?" Kyle's voice rang out, but he wasn't scolding Ivy. "Don't talk about giving up your life so casually. She has a strong body. She won't die." Rosa stared blankly at the ceiling. Her eyes felt rather dry. Even though she had nearly died, in his eyes, she simply wouldn't die. The portiere rustled, and Kyle stepped in. There was hardly a flicker of relief or joy in his eyes when he saw that Rosa was awake. He merely remarked, "You're awake? Ivy spent half the night kneeling outside because of you. Since you're fine, let's call it even." Rosa stared at him, questioning him with nothing but her gaze. Kyle frowned. "What's with that look? It's not like Ivy did it on purpose." Then, without giving Rosa another glance, he took Ivy, who was still wiping her tears, by the hand and strode away. For the rest of the day, Rosa lay alone in the healing hall. She could hear the cheers of the pack from the window. Kyle had taken Ivy hunting in the forest. Rosa had begged him to take her there for three years, but he never did. Rumor had it that Ivy caught a snowshoe hare, and Kyle was so pleased he rewarded the whole pack. Rosa shut her eyes, burying the bitterness deep within her. On the day of her discharge, the sky was overcast. A storm was approaching. Kyle's car was waiting in front of the healing hall, but he wasn't there for her. He was holding a bouquet of white irises. Seeing Rosa come out, he tossed them to her. "For your father's memorial." Rosa caught the flowers, thinking maybe Kyle hadn't completely forgotten about her after all. However, as she opened the car door, she found Ivy already seated in her seat. Instead of making a scene, Rosa silently got into the back seat. By the time they reached the cemetery, it was already pouring. The guards watching over the cemetery rushed over. Worry was etched on their faces. "Alpha Kyle, the recent heavy rains have loosened the soil on the hill. The previous Alpha's tomb is at risk of collapse. We need to relocate the urn immediately." Kyle nodded. "Alright. Get to it." Rosa struggled up the slippery stone steps. Her body was still weak. The guards quickly dug open the tomb and took out the urn. "I'll take it," Rosa said, waving the guards aside before picking up the urn. She pressed the icy urn to her chest, and it gave her a faint sense of long-lost comfort. "Luna Rosa, the rain's coming down hard. Allow me to shield you with this." Ivy came up beside her without warning. She was holding a black umbrella. "There's no need!" Just as Rosa tried to move aside, Ivy slipped and fell forward in a panic. Rosa, who was already weak, lost her balance from the impact and fell backward. Her back slammed hard against the edge of the stone steps. The sudden pain made her vision go dark, and her hands fell slack on reflex. The obsidian urn slipped and flew from her grasp. With a crisp crack, it shattered into pieces. Chapter 6 The scattered ashes blended into the soil almost instantly. Staring at the murky puddle, Rosa felt as if all the blood in her body had frozen. Just like that, Henry's ashes were gone? "I'm so sorry! It wasn't on purpose!" Ivy covered her mouth. "The ground was slippery…" Unable to tolerate Ivy's act any longer, Rosa snapped, slapping her across the face. "Shut your mouth! You absolutely did it on purpose!" Ivy clutched her face, and her voice broke with sobs. "I already apologized and explained it wasn't intentional! Why are you…" Rosa swung her hand again, but someone grabbed her wrist. Kyle had appeared out of nowhere. His face was twisted in anger. "Have you lost your mind, Rosa? How dare you hit Ivy? Apologize to her!" Rosa stared at him in disbelief. She pointed at the ground. "You want me to apologize to the one who disturbed my father's peace?" Kyle shielded Ivy in his arms. "Apologize! Don't make me say it again!" "And if I don't?" Rosa raised her head. Whether it was rain or tears running down her face, it was hard to tell. "Forget it, Alpha Kyle. My face is just swollen now. It's nothing serious." Only then did Kyle notice that Ivy's cheek was puffed up. He turned to Rosa. His eyes were dangerously sharp. "Since you won't apologize, then an eye for an eye it is!" In the next second, Kyle swung his hand down hard. Rosa was knocked backward. The moment her lower back slammed into the steps, pain shot through her. That strike was at least ten times harder than the one she had just given Ivy. She lay in the mud, unable to get up. Even so, Kyle didn't even look her way, simply bending down and gently wiping the tears from Ivy's face. "Feel better now?" he asked. Ivy nodded. "Yeah… I don't blame Luna Rosa anymore." Kyle scooped Ivy into his arms. "Let's head back to the pack. I wouldn't want you to catch a cold." As she lay in the rain, Rosa watched their figures fade into the distance. "Father…" Burying her face in the mud, Rosa muttered in a choked voice, "Father… I was wrong. I shouldn't have ignored your advice and insisted on being with him…" By the time she returned to the fortress, her body had gone stiff from the cold. She collapsed onto the bed, drifting into a daze-filled dream. She dreamt of the day she turned 20, when Kyle swore at Henry's sickbed, "Alpha Henry, don't worry. Luna Rosa will suffer no harm for as long as I live. Anyone who wants to lay a hand on her will have to do it over my dead body." Henry had placed Rosa's and Kyle's hands together. "I hope you won't go back on your word." In the middle of the night, Rosa ran a high fever, which turned the sweet dream into a nightmare. The gentle young man from the dream was gone. All she saw now was Kyle turning his back on her. "Rosa… Rosa…" Someone seemed to be calling her. Rosa forced her heavy eyelids apart, only to find herself lying on top of a giant wolf. Its scent was all too familiar to Rosa. It was Kyle. Whenever she didn't feel like walking in the past and acted willfully, Kyle would shift into a wolf to carry her. Rosa croaked, "Kyle… Where are you taking me?" Kyle's reply came fast. "That bastard, John, attacked the pack and abducted Ivy." John? The moment Rosa heard the name, she immediately became fully alert. John Dunham grew up convinced Rosa was his fated mate, but in the end, she chose to be with Kyle. Heartbroken, John had taken the followers who were willing to go with him and promised never to return. "And?" Rosa asked. "John specifically demanded to see you," Kyle said evenly. "He said he'll only negotiate when he sees you." Rosa finally caught on. "So, you're trading me for Ivy?" "John liked you in the past. He won't hurt you. Ivy, on the other hand, won't survive in his hands." Rosa couldn't help but laugh, and as she laughed, tears started to fall. "So, you do know that was the past." "Enough complaining!" Kyle growled. "Once I get Ivy out, I'll come back for you right away. I promise." Leaping from a high ledge, he landed in front of an abandoned mine in the wasteland. John and a group of werewolves were already waiting. "I brought her," Kyle said, pushing Rosa forward. "Release Ivy." John wolf-whistled the moment his gaze fell on Rosa. "Long time no see, my dear Rosa. Back then, you were even willing to sacrifice your life for him. It hasn't even been more than ten years, and you're already reduced to this?" He glanced at Kyle. "You seriously have no idea how to cherish a beauty, Kyle." "Enough talk. Swap them now!" Kyle exclaimed, fixing his gaze on John. "You really care for your little lover, huh?" John kicked Ivy aside, and two of his men immediately dragged Rosa over. Tears streamed down Ivy's face. "Kyle, I'm scared." "You're safe now. There's nothing to be afraid of. I'm here," Kyle said, holding Ivy close. He seemed to completely forget Rosa's existence. Kneeling on the ground, Rosa watched the two disappear. Her heart filled with desolation. "So, this is what you meant by 'she's just a plaything,' Kyle…" John grabbed Rosa by the chin. "Still moping over that punk? Take a good look, Rosa. That is the person you insisted on being with, even if it meant defying the previous Alpha." He buried his face in Rosa's neck. "Tonight, you're going to realize just how foolish your past choice really was!" With that, John hoisted Rosa over his shoulder and strode toward the depths of the mine. The werewolves behind him howled in excitement. "That's right, boss! Teach her a hard lesson!" Chapter 7 Rosa struggled with all her strength. "John, you bastard! Let go of me!" John slapped her across the face. "You bitch! Don't act like you're all pure after you've been with Kyle for ten years! You should be glad that I even want you!" Rosa froze for a moment. By the time she snapped out of it, John had already stripped off all his clothes. "Get away from me! Don't touch me!" Rosa shifted into her wolf form before raising her knee to strike John's groin with all her strength. Caught off guard, John doubled over in pain and passed out. The rain had stopped. Rosa looked up at the moon. Their bond would dissolve tonight. Time was running out. Determined to give Kyle one last chance, Rosa sprinted with all her strength back to the fortress. However, when she opened the gates, she didn't see Kyle rallying the guards to rescue her. Instead, she saw Kyle and Ivy holding each other tightly. Ivy was nestled in Kyle's arms. "Alpha Kyle, I didn't think you'd go this far for me…" She looked up at him, and her eyes were full of adoration. "Do you really care more about me than Luna Rosa?" "How many times do I have to say it, silly?" Kyle tenderly brushed her nose. "Now and forever, you're ten thousand times more important than her." As soon as the words left his mouth, Ivy gasped. She covered her mouth and looked toward the gates in shock. "Luna Rosa, when did you get back?" Kyle stiffened. "Rosa?" He instinctively released Ivy and strode toward Rosa, reaching out to steady her. "What happened to you?" Rosa avoided his touch. "Sorry to disappoint you by not dying back there and ruining your fun." Kyle furrowed his brows. "It's not like I didn't send others to rescue you. Stop being snarky." Gazing at the person she'd loved for ten years, she found him utterly unfamiliar. She shook her head. "I just have one question. Are you sure you want to keep being by Ivy's side?" Kyle explained, "I'll have her under my control in no time…" Rosa didn't hear the rest. She glanced at the clock on the wall. It was 10:00 pm. Since Kyle chose to be with Ivy, Rosa saw no reason to stay and turned away. Kyle noticed the time, too. As he watched Rosa leave, he smirked. He'd never told Rosa, but he'd never forgotten when their bond would end. Two hours were plenty. He could enjoy Ivy's tender embrace first, then honor that tedious ten-year-old promise later. With how much Rosa loved him, she'd surely wait for him. "It's alright, babe. Stop crying. I'm all yours tonight." Kyle turned to comfort Ivy. He was confident that he could tame this fiery wolf tonight. Rosa didn't go to the altar. Instead, she went to the cliff at the edge of the pack's territory alone. Standing at the edge, she looked up at the moon. "You sure are full of yourself, Kyle," she whispered into the empty night. There was a mocking smile on her lips. "You think you still have two hours, but what you don't know is that ten years ago, Father left me a fail-safe in our bond." When the blood curse was being cast, Henry had made the witch advance the timeline by two hours. It was the final protection Henry had arranged for her. Henry had said, "Rosa, if that man truly loves you, he won't hesitate to be there early to wait for you. But if he can't even spare two hours and spends that time on other things, then he doesn't deserve to have you." And now, his words had become reality. It was now 10:05 pm. Just five minutes ago, their bond had dissolved. Rosa closed her eyes, feeling the Alpha mark Kyle had left on her rapidly vanish. The heavy chains that had bound her for nine years were finally broken. A flash of silver shimmered for a beat. Rosa transformed into a white wolf before looking back one last time at her former home. She then leaped forward, sprinting into the boundless wastelands without so much as a backward glance. "Goodbye, Kyle. Goodbye forever!" she thought.