I followed my family to the clinic to say goodbye. The air was thick with tension. My parents, Daphne and Matt, were sitting in the waiting room.  I took a deep breath, preparing myself. Daphne's piercing gaze glared at me, then her lips curled in a sneer. "What are you doing here?!" I swallowed hard and stepped forward, paying my respects to Alpha Martin and the Luna."How's Matt?" The question tumbled out, my voice barely a whisper. "He'll be alright. He's a strong wolf, so he'll heal in a few weeks," his stepmother replied softly, her tone unexpectedly gentle. I was taken aback; she had always treated me like an outsider. Once Matt's parents left, a suffocating silence filled the waiting room.My mother's voice shattered the stillness with venom. "You are the reason this is happening!" she hissed, raising her hand to strike. Pain radiated through my cheek as her palm connected, the metallic tang of blood lingered in my mouth. Daphne nodded while my father stood mutely. Nobody wanted the truth, the reason for Matt's challenge against Kennis. It was because he didn't want me to leave... Him."Mervis," my father's voice warned lowly as his wife marched towards me again."She shouldn't have been in our lives to begin with!" Her words sliced through me more than the pain on my cheek. My heart shattered. What kind of mother says such things? Mervis Sinclair. I had always felt like an unwelcome guest in her life, a thorn in her side as she cradled Daphne, the perfect child. Our relationship had been fractured between repair.A wave of tears cascaded down my cheeks. Why couldn't she love me? Mom sneered at Dad, brushing him aside as she stormed out, her golden child in tow. Dad approached, his hand gently on my shoulder."Your mother didn't mean what she said," he attempted, but his voice quivered. I wanted to scream that she absolutely did. I wiped my cheeks dry, standing tall. "Alpha Kennis and I are leaving. I wanted to tell you that." His expression darkened, but I could see the flicker of concern in his eyes. "I want to believe you'll be alright," he murmured, bending to place a gentle kiss on my forehead. He lingered for a moment, his lips pressed against my skin. I wanted to throw my arms around his warm body and sob, but I held myself back. This man was complicit in how his wife treated me. Many years ago, he used to cherish me. He would carry me in his big arms and toss me into the air while I giggled until he caught me. Again and again, I always knew he would catch me, and then he'd put me on his shoulder, and we'd go sunset watching. A pang of pain coursed through me at that memory. That was a different time, a different life. We pulled away, and the coldness returned to my body. Alone now, I entered Matt's room. I stood by his bedside, longing and betrayal twisting my gut. I had loved him once, and I wished for his recovery. Just as I turned to leave, a grip tightened around my wrist.

"Hi," Matt said, voice dry and cracked. "Came to check if I died?" He tried to smile, but it faltered.

"I'm leaving with Alpha Kennis," I said. 

"No, please don't leave me!" Matt begged, his eyes wide with desperation. "I love you." 

"Goodbye, Matt. Be happy," I whispered, fighting back tears. I walked away, his cries echoed in my mind, each shout twisting the knife deeper. 

I hurried to my room to pack for the Night Moon Pack. The words of my mother clung to me. After a long shower, I dressed and pulled my curly hair into a ponytail. I sat on my bed, overwhelmed by sadness, until Usher, Alpha Kennis's man, entered.

"You ready, Luna?" he asked kindly. I nodded, pointing to my suitcase.

Outside, two cars waited in the driveway. No family, no pack, just an empty farewell. Alpha Kennis and Louis approached me when they saw me. I felt unease. 

Kennis grabbed my chin, forcing our eyes to meet. I struggled against his grip. 

"What happened to your lip?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. 

"Nothing," I said through clenched teeth.

"This isn't nothing. Who hurt you?" he growled.

"I fell," I shot back defiantly. He released me, rough enough to make me stumble.

"Let's go home. I might end up killing everyone here," he said, heading toward an SUV.

"You're traveling with the alpha," Louis informed me as Usher opened the passenger door. Skirting around, I climbed into the backseat. Kennis let out a low snarl, and I shivered.

The drive was long and still. The silence hung heavily between us, a welcome reprieve. I considered jumping out, but knew better than to test his wrath. Kennis's grip on the steering wheel was tight, his jaw clenched.

I fought fatigue and hunger, managing to drift into a restless sleep.

When I awoke, the scenery had transformed. Towering trees framed a picturesque landscape with quaint buildings that harmonized with nature. The roads were immaculate, with charming shops lining the street.

For the first time, I stole a glance at Kennis through the rearview mirror. He wore the same icy expression. 

As we went deeper into the Night Moon Pack, a strange sense of familiarity washed over me. Pack members strolled along cobblestone paths, their warm smiles inviting. Maybe this new place wouldn't be so daunting after all. But it will with him as my Alpha, I glared at him and stared out the window.