The wedding night is supposed to be the most sacred rite

Alexander was knocked off balance by the blow, his cheek swelling rapidly.

He clutched his face, staring at me in disbelief.

“Have you calmed down now?” He actually had the nerve to ask that.

My body trembled, my voice hoarse yet firm: “Alexander, I want to dissolve our bond.”

In the world of werewolves, this meant severing the soul bond—a decision that would leave both wolves in agony.

But he no longer deserves to be my mate.

...

That slap didn’t seem to have brought Alexander to his senses.

He rubbed his reddened cheek, a wry, resigned smile curving his lips, as if I were making a fuss over nothing:

“All right, stop this. I know you’ve been wronged, but this is all for the greater good…”

“I said I want to dissolve our bond!” I screamed hysterically, the wolf spirit within me pounding furiously against my chest in rage. “Otherwise, I’ll tell Alpha Silver what happened tonight!”

Alpha Silver may be strict, but he values the dignity of werewolves and the clan’s rules above all else.

If he were to find out that his beloved daughter and his assistant had done such a thing, Isabella’s position as heir would surely be in jeopardy.

Alexander, who had seemed utterly unconcerned moments before, turned ashen-faced the instant he heard I intended to use Alpha Silver to threaten Isabella.

“This has absolutely nothing to do with Miss Isabella! Stop making a scene!”

He grabbed my wrist with such force that he nearly crushed my bones. “Come home with me!”

I looked at this stranger standing before me, my eyes stinging as tears welled up. “That’s a laugh. It takes two wolves in love to make a home, Alexander. Look at us now—where is our home?”

Meeting my bloodshot gaze, a flicker of panic crossed Alexander’s eyes, before giving way to pity.

“Don’t speak in anger, Serena,” he said, trying to soften his tone. “You are the mate I’ve chosen; no one can take your place. You know that my feelings for Isabella were merely loyalty, not love.”

I let out a cold laugh, so hard that tears streamed down my face.

“Is that so? Not even Isabella? If she gave the order, you’d strip your mate naked and serve them up on a platter—and you call that loyalty?”

At the mention of Isabella, Alexander’s last shred of patience vanished completely.

He blurted out, “How can you compare yourself to Isabella? You’re not even in the same league! She is the moon in the heavens, destined to shine upon the entire tribe. I don’t understand why you’re making such a fuss over such a minor sacrifice!”

I fought back the tears, digging my nails deep into the palms of my hands.

That’s right. In the Alpha’s world, she is the moon, and I am the mud on the ground.

To be trampled upon at his whim.

Alexander frowned, his lips moving as if he still wanted to lecture me further.

Just then, a contemptuous female voice rang out from the doorway of the private room.

“Alex, you’re spoiling her far too much, aren’t you? Crying over such a trifling matter—it’s a real disgrace to our Silver Moon Pack.”

Isabella had returned without my noticing; she leaned against the doorframe, her expression brimming with mockery amidst the swirling smoke.

“Don’t worry, Serena.” She blew out a ring of smoke, her gaze sweeping over me with disdain. “My sights are set on the entire Silver Moon Pack—even the position of Alpha. I wouldn’t stoop to fighting you over a man. You really do think too highly of yourself.”

Isabella laughed defiantly, her tone dripping with condescending disdain.

Alexander looked at Isabella, his eyes instantly filling with desolation.

“Serena, Miss Isabella has had one too many. I’m worried about her, so I’ll see her home myself. You’ll have to take a taxi; we’re not going the same way.”

He immediately let go of my hand and turned to escort Isabella towards the lift.

A cold breeze swept past, and I couldn’t help but shiver slightly.

When we were marking our territory, Alexander insisted on buying our marital home next door to Alpha Manor so he could look after Isabella more easily. No matter how much I protested, it was to no avail.

Now, standing in the empty corridor, my mouth felt bitter, as if all my strength had been drained from me; I couldn’t even utter a word of protest.

I watched helplessly as their figures disappeared behind the lift doors, walking away arm in arm, as if they were the perfect couple.

After taking a taxi home, I lay on the bed in a daze, not knowing when I’d fallen asleep.

I was roused by the sound of Alexander flinging the door open.

It was already light outside, but he had clearly not slept a wink; his eyes were bloodshot.

He stormed into the bedroom and hurled a tube of ointment for treating redness and swelling at my face; the tube struck my forehead, stinging sharply.

“Did you tell Alpha Silver about what happened tonight?!” he roared.

“No, I didn’t…” I clutched my forehead, desperately trying to defend myself.

But Alexander didn’t believe me at all.

He lunged at me, grabbed me by the collar and yanked me off the bed.

“If it wasn’t you, then who else could it be? You’ve been jealous of Miss Isabella since you were a child. Serena, I’m so disappointed in you! When did you become so malicious?”

“You’re coming with me right now to explain this to Alpha Silver!”

He dragged me out.