A Mark Stained By His Lies

I had just hung up when Jaxon stormed in, impatience etched on his face.

"Ivana, what games are you playing?"

"I've explained everything, so why are you still jealous of Helena? Why are you giving me the cold shoulder?"

My voice was steady. "Jaxon, I'm not jealous. And I'm not giving you the cold shoulder."

I gestured to my collar, which now covered the mark. "I'm not resentful, Jaxon. I wouldn't dream of it."

He hadn't expected that. For a moment, he just stared at me, stunned. He was about to say something, but a call from Helena summoned him away.

I locked the door behind him and closed my eyes.

Late that night, a sharp sting pierced my mind-link. It was Helena. She sent an image—her, draped in Jaxon's shirt, sitting provocatively in the chair in his study. Then, her voice slid into my thoughts: "So what if you married him, Ivana? With a single thought, I can have Jaxon running to my side. If you're smart, you'll hand over the Luna title now."

This wasn't the first time Helena had tried to drive me away. But it was the first time I responded.

"Of course. He's all yours."

All I wanted was to return to my father's side.

I wouldn't make the same mistake again—clinging to Jaxon's love like a fool.

I cut the link with Helena and tried to sleep. But when I closed my eyes, memories of my past life flooded back.

Jaxon had once saved me from rogues. I fell for him instantly. But the curse made me seem like a weak Mind-Whisperer, while Jaxon was the former Alpha's hand-picked successor. We were separated by bloodline, status, and power. Countless beautiful she-wolves vied for his attention. So on the eve of my coming-of-age ceremony, I left a letter saying I intended to leave the Silver Creek Pack.

But Jaxon—a man who was always so calm and composed—had shown up at my door in the pouring rain, drenched and wild-eyed. He grabbed my shoulders and said, "I don't care what you are. You're mine."

I believed him.

So I stayed and became his Luna. But gradually, I faded into the background of his life. He saved all his attention and warmth for Helena, leaving me to wait in an empty house, night after lonely night.

When I tried to talk to him, he was dismissive. "Helena lost her father because of me. I owe her. You're my Luna. You should be more understanding." I endured it. I endured everything. Until the day Helena desecrated my mate's mark, and I finally broke.

But this time, I wouldn't break. I would leave.

The next morning, I received a call from an unknown number. "The Alpha King has agreed to take your call. Please hold."

When a deep, weary voice came through the line, my heart hammered. "Who is this?"

"My name is Ivana." My voice trembled. "I think… I'm your daughter."

There was a tense, three-second silence on the other end. Then I heard a sharp intake of breath.

"Where are you?" His voice was hoarse. "Tell me where you are right now."

I told him the location of the Silver Creek Pack and asked him to come in two days—after the full moon sacrifice ceremony. It would give me time to prepare.

I hung up, and silent tears slid down my face.

For the first time in two lifetimes, someone truly needed me.

That night, Jaxon returned, regarding me with a strange expression. "Ivana. I've been thinking. The full moon sacrifice ceremony is approaching. As Luna, you should be in attendance."

"I know."

"Helena will be there too. Don't cause any trouble."

I stared at him. "Jaxon. Have I ever caused you any trouble?"

He paused, then turned away without another word. Later, I heard him on the phone.

"Helena, don't worry. I'll make sure she doesn't bother you at the ceremony."

The last flicker of warmth inside me died.

I called my father's Beta back and told him about the ceremony. "Have the Alpha King arrive during the ceremony. I'll need his help."

"Understood. The Alpha King has already assembled the royal guard. He will be there."

Good. Let Jaxon enjoy his last few days as Alpha.