The Luna He Never Wanted

I emerged with the document signed by the Dycan King and handed it to Byron.

He shot me a scornful glance, clearly assuming I had successfully invited the King, and reached out to open it.

But I placed my hand over his, smiling gently. "Look at it tomorrow. It’ll be a surprise."

Byron glanced at me. "How boring. Whether I look today or tomorrow, it's all about our bonding ceremony, isn't it?"

"You're acting strange today. Are you so excited about becoming my mate that you've lost your mind?"

I was, in fact, very happy.

Because I can finally see you alive again.

I smiled. "I think you're the greatest wolf in the world. Any she-wolf would be happy to be your mate."

"Let's go home," he snorted, turning to leave.

If I didn't know the truth, I might have thought he was being shy.

On the drive back to the Ironwood Pack, we passed through the bustling commercial district.

I rolled down the window and heard a few she-wolves on the roadside excitedly discussing something.

"I heard today is the day of the Moon Goddess's blessing! You can see a once-in-a-century aurora from the observatory on North Mountain Peak!"

"Legend says that mates who see the aurora together will be blessed by the Moon Goddess with a lifetime of health, peace, and love!"

This brought back a memory from my past life.

I had heard similar news and had eagerly asked Byron to take me to the observatory.

Back then, Byron had looked at me with a cold, mocking gaze.

"Those are just stories for pups."

"How old are you? You still believe this stuff?"

"Do you think two complete strangers who happen to see the aurora together can stay together for life?"

"There's nothing between us but profit and coercion. There's no love."

"The Moon Goddess will not bless us."

Those words shattered my beautiful fantasy.

That icy glare from my past life still sent shivers down my spine.

I silently rolled up the window.

But this time, Byron spoke in a flat tone.

"Want to go?"

"I can take you to the observatory to see the aurora tonight."

"After we bond, I'll be busy with Pack affairs and probably won't have time to visit your parents' graves with you. Consider this compensation."

I looked up at him in surprise.

It was unexpected, yet perhaps not so unexpected.

Byron had always been like this—all harsh words and a surprisingly soft heart.

Even though he didn't love me, he had still risked his life to save me three times.

The first time was right after my first shift.

I couldn't fully control my wolf yet and nearly fell into a hunter's trap lined with silver spikes.

Byron saved me but fell in himself, suffering grievous injuries.

The tendons in his right leg were corroded by the silver.

To save his leg, the healer had to cut away the rotted flesh, and he almost lost his right to inherit the Ironwood Pack because of it.

The second time was while we were inspecting new territory.

I was swept away by a mudslide containing silver ore.

Byron rushed into the danger zone and tore apart giant logs with his bare hands to save me, only to be buried by a second collapse.

If the patrol team hadn't arrived in time to dig him out, he would have died.

The third time, a rival Rogue pack invaded the core territory of the Ironwood Pack.

He took the blow meant for me.

I escaped without a scratch, but the Rogue wolf's claws pierced his chest.

Byron was so good to me, but he didn't love me. That was the cruel truth.

I knew that after today, our paths would never cross again.

Even if we saw the once-in-a-century aurora together, the legend wouldn't come true for us. We wouldn't spend a lifetime together.

But I held back the tears welling in my eyes and forced the brightest smile I could muster.

"Okay, let's go see the aurora together."