The war ended five days ago, yet Kade and his have not returned.I pace the garden outside the packhouse for the fifth time this morning with my fingers digging into each other.The sky is very pale, the wind is dry too, but my heart is even drier.I keep checking the gates, praying—begging the Moon Goddess—that I will see that tall frame, those cold gray eyes.I pray to her to make me set my eyes on that man who held me so tightly before leaving.He promised.He said I was his future, I want him back to fulfill his promise.The past few days without him have been hell, though the whole pack tried their best to cheer me, they have started treating me like the Luna already.The maids brought my meals to his quarters where I've refused to leave ever since he left.The Warriors bowed their heads when I walked past. Even the elders invited me to council meetings. I smiled politely at them, but inside, I was dying.What if he got injured? What if he—“Zoe!”I turned fast, nearly falling.Callen, one of the border guards, ran toward me with a wide smile.“They're back. Alpha Kade and his warriors just crossed the hill!” he shouted, breathless.I did not wait for him to complete his statement, my legs moved on their own, speeding toward the open field.My breath came to a halt when I saw them—dozens of warriors, bloodied, tired... but proud.My heart leapt when my eyes settled on him.Kade.He looked like he had just stepped out of a nightmare, he stood tall, strong with his sword on his back, his hair was being wind-swept.He was even more beautiful than I remembered.My heart screamed his name even before my lips could.“Kade!”He turned at the sound of my voice and our eyes locked for a split second.But something felt off.He didn’t run to me like he always did.He didn’t even smile, he only nodded slightly and turned to speak to the warriors beside him.I paused for a while, what's happening? Did he not recognize me anymore?Maybe he was just tired.Then, my eyes dropped on her.A woman stepped down from a horse behind him.She had the kind of beauty that makes your stomach twist.She had long black hair, her curves were like a siren’s, and her skin was pale and glowing like moonlight.Her gown looked nothing like war clothes—it was white, soft, almost royal.She walked beside Kade and stood beside him, looking at him like a pup looking so affectionately at its mother.I felt a sting in my chest but I quickly pushed it off.Zoe, stop being this way. She's probably a rescued prisoner and Kade just came back from war, he is not in the mood for lovey-dovey.Kade did not come to me that day, neither did he the next.He even missed the dinner the elders planned for him, he also missed our private lunch and skipped our morning walk to the waterfall.But tonight, the third night, he came to me.I was sitting on the edge of his bed, holding one of his cloaks close to my chest when the door creaked open.Kade entered quietly like a shadow.My heart jumped when I figured out it was him. “Kade!”He looked tired, so tired that I almost blamed myself for being angry at him.He looked into my eyes and his eyes held something I can’t place—guilt? Pain?But when I reached out, he pulled me into his arms.I buried my face in his chest, breathing his mint cologne in.“I missed you,” I whispered. “I was so scared.”He didn’t reply at first, his hands roamed my back gently, then tighter.“I missed you too, Zoe,” his voice was so hoarse, “So damn much.”We did not speak much, he looked so tired but still minutes later, our clothes were flying everywhere.His lips found mine, He touched me like he had been starving.I gave him all of me, like I did a month ago.I missed him, I really did, and I'm glad he's back now, he kept his promise.He was back for me and he was mine alone.He kissed my forehead as I drifted to sleep. “You’ll always be special to me.”*******************************The next morning, I woke up to find the bedside heavy, my heart dropped, he left me—but then I remembered today is the D-Day!Even though I'm in pain, I flew out of my bed and ran under the warm shower.I dressed in a soft yellow gown, my blonde hair fell in soft waves down my back.The whole pack gathered at the central ground, it was time for the Alpha to make his big announcement—his mate reveal.I had a very wide smile on my face, today was the moment I had been waiting for.Today he was going to announce me his Luna, I'm going to be his alone, the thought alone sent goose pimples all over my body.I could already picture the whole pack bowing to me and me waving at them all with that crown.When I sat down, my eyes fell on that new girl, I found out her name is Lira.She was wearing a silk red gown. Her hair was braided with gold pins.A strange necklace with a crescent moon symbol hung at her throat.Why was she so dressed up? I wondered, but I pushed it away.Kade surely had a lot to explain after this coronation.When he appeared, my heartbeat kept skipping, he's here, my king.I kept blowing him kisses from my seat.He stood on the raised platform with his Beta by his side.The wind kept lifting his cloak, making him look like an angel.“My people,” he began with an expressionless face and his voice deep and clear, “today I return to you not just from battle, but with a gift from the Moon Goddess.”The crowd grew quiet.“And in this golden hour, I present to you all my fated mate,” he announced, and the crowd cheered.I quickly stood up to prepare myself.I stepped closer to the platform with my heart hammering.“I introduce to everyone my fated mate, Lira Ketchup.”I stopped breathing.The world seemed to freeze.Is this a dream?Lira stepped up beside him, smiling like she already owned the world.No.No, no, no.My hand flew to my mouth and my body turned ice cold.Kade did not even spare me a look.What's happening?Before I could stop myself, I was already on the platform with them.The whole pack gasped, but I didn't care. I had to fight for what was mine.“Kade, are you insane now? Why are you making her your Luna? What about me?” I cried, looking into his eyes.Is this not the same man who promised me moon and earth?“You? She's my true mate and you are just my best friend.”My jaw dropped.