Healed by the Moon: Mate Rewritten

It was already dark when I arrived at the packhouse. The living room was empty, so I thought Maro wasn't yet home. But then I sniffed in the air and caught a faint whiff of his scent. I followed it, and my feet led me to the backyard, where I found a table with a lot of freshly cooked food laid out. Scented candles lit the room, and I could see Marco standing by the table. He picked the flowers on the table and walked towards me with a sheepish smile, saying, "Happy birthday, Fiona." Marco’s eyes glimmered with tenderness as he pulled out a chair at the table. He gestured for me to sit, and though every instinct screamed at me to leave, I forced myself to stay. This was part of the act, after all—pretending everything was fine until I could disappear from this life for good. "Where have you been?" he inquired nonchalantly as he sat down beside me in his chair. "I tried reaching your phone." This was the question I have expected. "I was inspecting our jewelry stores at the city," I countered unflappably. He leaned over and caressed my shoulders. While I felt my body responding positively to his touch, the mind of me kept shrieking at me to guard myself. "Fiona, are you fine? You seemed tired." I nodded, pushing the big lump forming in my throat back. "Just a long day," I whispered. Sorry I wasn't able to be there with you, love. I was supervising at the mines today on-site. You know, these rogue clans have just started hitting up territories left and right. I did not want to leave them vulnerable for this one's safety," he explained kindly. My heart was breaking at the excuse. So Kira was one of those miners, and he was digging in her cave! "It's okay," I mumbled, trying to muster up a small smile. He didn't ask for more but instead reached for a stack of brochures on the table. "By the way, I wanted to show you these before dinner," he said, spreading them out in front of me. "These are the new gems we're adding to our stores. Imported from the finest sources." I nodded, barely looking at the shining stones in the photos. My head was elsewhere, with all my attention to stifle the anger that just barely didn't erupt. Marco took up another folder, which was thinner. "Also, about the upcoming promotions, I think we should use models this time, not celebrities." That made me take notice. "Why?" My voice came out harder than I intended. He shrugged off. "Celebrities are too demanding. Models are more flexible and easier to work with. It's better for the budget and the timeline." His words felt like a knife twisting in my chest. Models. Of course. He meant Kira. My stepsister was a model. I stared at the papers in front of me, my vision blurring as my wolf whirled in despair. But I couldn't let him see my pain. Not now. I took the pen he offered and signed the documents with a steady hand, sealing my part in this sham of a partnership. It didn't matter. I'd be gone soon enough. Dinner passed in strained silence. Marco talked about plans for the pack and the boutiques in the city, while I nodded and occasionally hummed in agreement. Every word he spoke was a bitter reminder of the man he was pretending to be—the man I once loved. As I drank my wine, Marco leaned back in his chair. "Why don't we go for a swim?" "I'm exhausted," I said quickly with a sigh. He frowned, regarding me. "Come on, Fiona. It'll calm you down. The pool is warm." I hesitated. My bruises hadn't healed enough yet, and I wasn't about to let him catch sight of them. But before I could say anything, his posture stiffened. His eyes glazed over-the sure sign of a mindlink. "Who is it?" I asked. He hesitated, then shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "It's my father. There's an urgent matter with their pack. You should sleep while I take care of this." I didn't believe him, but I said nothing as he carried me to the bedroom, laying me gently on the bed. He pulled out the bottle of vitamins I'd been taking and handed me two pills. "Take these. You need to rest." I swallowed the pills in front of him, forcing a small smile as he kissed my forehead and whispered, "Goodnight, Fiona." As soon as he left the room, I sprinted to the bathroom and tried to vomit the pills into the sink. My body trembled as I leaned against the counter and could only shake my head, catching my own reflection in the mirror. I knew his plan now. Every time I slept, he left for her. With Kira. My heart was aching, but I clenched my fists, forcing myself to be straight. "Just a few more days," I told myself. A few more days, and I would get out of this nightmare.

The minutes dragged on like hours as I sat on the edge of the bed, staring into the darkness. My wolf stirred restlessly in my mind, pacing like a caged animal. I could feel her irritation, her desire to break free and roam. She growled lowly, her frustration buzzing in the back of my mind. Let it go, I told her firmly, though I wasn’t sure if I was speaking to her or to myself. None of this matters anymore. It’ll be over soon. But my wolf didn’t listen. Her restlessness only grew, and it was contagious. I clenched my fists, trying to suppress the rising urge to give in, but it was no use. My wolf was my other half, and tonight, she was in no mood to be ignored. “Fine,” I muttered under my breath, rising from the bed. My wolf’s growl echoed in my mind as I slipped out of the room. I stepped outside the packhouse, the cool night air kissing my skin as I let the transformation take over. My clothes shredded as my body shifted, fur sprouting as my limbs lengthened. In seconds, I stood on four legs, my silver-gray coat shimmering under the moonlight. “Luna!” Beta Jay called. He sounded as though he was out of breath, likely trying to catch up to me. But I wasn’t in the mood to deal with anyone from the pack tonight. So, I opened the mindlink. ‘Stay away, Jay. This is my only warning!’ There was a pause, and then his reply came, hesitant but obedient. ‘Yes, Luna.’ When his presence faded, I slowed my pace, my sharp ears picking up the sound of soft rustling ahead. I sniffed the air, catching the scent of a deer grazing peacefully in a by the pond. The sight of it triggered something primal in me. My wolf crouched low as her instincts took over. She stalked silently with her focus narrowing to the prey before her. And then I pounced. The deer didn’t stand a chance. My claws tore through its flesh, and my teeth sank into its neck. The kill should have been quick, but my sorrow and rage boiled over, driving me into a frenzy. I clawed and bit at the lifeless creature long after it had drawn its last breath, the blood staining my silver-gray fur. When it was over, I stepped back, panting in the deepest pit of my wolf. The clearing was silent again, but the air was heavy with the scent of death. My wolf howled mournfully as the guilt settled in as we looked at what I had done. The poor dear didn't deserve my wrath. Kira and Marco did. I shook my head, trying to rid myself of the overwhelming emotions. I couldn’t go back to the packhouse, not like this. Instead, I turned and ran, my paws pounding against the earth as I headed toward the neighboring pack. It wasn’t long before I reached the edge of their territory. I stayed hidden among the trees, my silver-gray fur blending into the shadows. My eyes scanned the packhouse where Marco’s father, Elder Khan, lived. For a long time, there was nothing. I began to doubt my suspicions, wondering if perhaps for once, Marco had been telling the truth. But then the wind shifted, carrying a familiar scent to my nostrils. Marco. I shifted back in my human form. My heart clenched as I saw him emerge from the forest on the other side of the sward. He was heading toward the packhouse. But he wasn’t alone. Kira was with him. She clung to him, her arms wrapped possessively around his waist as she laughed at something he said. My wolf whimpered softly, the sound filled with heartbreak and anger. I watched as they approached the door, where Elder Khan stood waiting. “Elder Khan,” Kira greeted warmly, her voice carrying across to me. “Finally, I’m pregnant with Marco’s heir.” The world blurred around me as our entire being was shattered by Kira’s words. ‘You heard them!’ she roared. ‘She’s pregnant, Fiona! They’ve made us fools! Let me take over. I’ll tear them apart!’ Her rage was suffocating, pressing against my will. I stumbled back into the shadows as my chest heaved, struggling to keep her at bay. “No,” I whispered. "Not like this. We don’t even know the full story yet—” ‘There is no story! The truth is right there! They betrayed us, and you want to sit here and watch? Coward!’ I gritted my teeth, my fists clenched as I fought for control. The urge to shift again, to let her take over, snapped at me. My wolf’s instincts were hot and raw and demanding action. But I wasn’t ready. I couldn’t act on blind rage, not when every part of me felt so fractured. I needed to think, to process, to breathe. “Let it go,” I snapped back at her, though my voice was cracking. “I’ll handle this, not you.” She snarled, pushing harder. ‘Handle it? Look at you. You’re weak! You’re breaking! Let me fix this!’ My chest tightened as she surged forward, tearing at the barrier between us. For a terrifying moment, I felt myself slipping, her will overpowering mine. My fingers twitched, and the familiar burn of a shift began to ripple through me again. “No!” I screamed, slamming my mental walls shut, forcing her back with a strength I didn’t know I still had. The shift retreated, leaving me gasping and trembling in my human form. The silence was deafening, save for the sound of my ragged breathing. My wolf was still there, growling low in protest, but for now, I was in control. Barely.

Even with the sedating drugs, I had not slept. Not really. I'd spent the night lying on my side, hugging a pillow to my chest as if it would protect me from the pain. My wolf howled mournfully in my consciousness, and her sound merged with my sobs till I couldn't tell the difference. I couldn't help but recall Mother's words when she was still alive. "Fated mates aren’t always the ones who’ll bring you happiness, Fiona. Sometimes, the Goddess’s will isn’t what you’d choose for yourself." At the time, I had dismissed her advice. I was too young, too caught up in the fairy tales spun by the elders and books. The stories of perfect love and eternal devotion had been a dream I clung to desperately, even when the reality was far more bitter. And now I understood what she had meant. I wasn’t in love with Marco—I never had been. I had fallen in love with the idea of Marco. The fantasy of the perfect mate, the alpha who would protect and adore me, who would make me feel whole. But it had all been a lie. My phone vibrated on the bedside table, and I gasped, snatching it up with trembling fingers. My heart leaped, hoping it was the National Pack Registry with news of my new record's release. But the screen displayed a different name: Marco. For a moment, I stared at it, my chest tightening as I debated whether to answer. Finally, I swiped to accept the call. “Hello,” I croaked. “Fiona, I’m so sorry I didn’t come home last night. My father needed me as my brother and the warriors are on a five-day hunt. Someone had to manage things in their absence.” My wolf growled low in my mind. The audacity of him fabricating a perfect lie to cover up his mess, namely a mistress with a baby on the way! “I understand," I said, shutting my eyes. There was a pause on the other end, and I could almost hear the relief in his exhale. “Thank you, Fiona. I’ll make it up to you today, I promise. I’m all yours for the rest of the day. What do you want to do? We could go shopping in the city or spend a relaxing day at the beach. Just say the word.” Shopping. The beach. All distractions, all meaningless compared to the ones I deserved the most—love and loyalty. “I’ll think about it." “Perfect,” he replied. “I’ll head back now to pick you up. Take your time, love.” By the time Marco arrived, I had transformed myself into the perfect picture of a Luna. My hair was neatly styled, my makeup was flawless despite my sleepless night. I wore a sleek, fashionable dress, the emerald pendant glinting at my throat. When he stepped inside, his eyes lit up at the sight of me, though the stiffness in his posture didn’t escape my notice. “Have you decided?” he asked eagerly.

“I want to visit your father’s pack,” I said. Marco's smile faltered, and he blinked rapidly as though trying to process my request. “My father’s pack? Why would you—” “I haven’t seen him in a while,” I interrupted smoothly. “And I think it’s important for us to maintain good relations with the neighboring pack, don’t you agree?” Marco hesitated, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. “Of course, but... wouldn’t you prefer to go somewhere sophisticated? We could visit the new art gallery in the city, or—” “Are you hiding something? Is there a reason you don’t want me to go?” He froze. “No, Fiona. I’m not hiding anything.” “Then let’s go,” I said, brushing past him toward the door. I could feel his nervousness bleeding through our shared bond. Marco kept glancing at me out of the corner of his eye, his hands gripping the wheel tighter than necessary. Minutes later, the packhouse loomed into view. The sight of it stirred memories of past visits, where I had once felt like I belonged here. Those memories felt like shards of glass now. Marco parked the car and stepped out, circling to open the door for me like the perfect gentleman. As we approached the entrance, Elder Khan himself appeared at the door. “Fiona! It’s been too long.” I forced myself to return his smile as he pulled me into a hug. Just last night, these same arms had welcomed Kira with the same warmth. “It’s good to see you, Elder Khan,” I said. As he stepped back, the sound of footsteps on the staircase drew my attention. My breath caught in my throat as Kira appeared, descending the stairs with her blonde hair gleaming under the light. She froze mid-step when her eyes landed on me, her face paling in shock. My blood boiled at the sight of her igniting the anger I had barely managed to suppress. But I kept my expression neutral, my lips curving into a polite smile. “Kira. What a surprise to see you here.” “W-Well, I visited Mom and Dad, but they’re not in the house. So I dropped by the packhouse. After All, we used to work here,” Kira explained, her shock quickly replaced by a forced smile of her own. “They are not always around. What do you expect?" My gaze was sharp as it lingered on her, and she stared at her feet. The room buzzed with civility as we all settled at the long lunch table. Elder Khan, at the head, began introducing the lavish spread of dishes, but I couldn’t focus. My attention was locked on Kira. The bitch sat a few seats away, but I could see the discomfort roiling just beneath her skin. Her eyes darted nervously toward me and Marco, especially when his hand brushed mine. It was subtle, innocent even, but I noticed how her expression darkened. That’s when the idea struck me. If Kira wanted to be uncomfortable, I’d happily help her along. Turning to Marco, I let a soft smile curve my lips and leaned closer. “Marco, can you help me with my plate? I can’t seem to reach the salad.” My voice was sweet as my fingers brushed against his when he reached for the serving spoon. His eyes widened slightly, flicking toward Kira. “Uh, sure,” he said, scooping the salad onto my plate. “Thank you,” I murmured, making sure my fingers lingered just a moment too long on his arm. I didn’t miss the way Kira’s knuckles whitened as she gripped her fork. But I wasn’t done. “Marco, would you mind slicing me a piece of that cake?"I asked next, resting my chin on my hand and gazing up at him through my lashes. He hesitated but complied. I took my time with the next act, holding up the fork with the cake piece and teasingly bringing it to his lips. He blinked in confusion, and before he could protest, I leaned in, brushing the icing smudge from the corner of his mouth with a kiss. “Newlyweds?” Elder Khan chuckled, raising a glass of water. “Perhaps it’s time for vow renewal, eh?” I laughed, nudging Marco playfully. “Oh, we’ve got plenty of time for that.” Lunch continued, and Marco steered the conversation to business. “The jewelry campaign is shifting gears. We’re hiring models now instead of celebrities.” Kira’s face lit up at the mention of models. Now, her discomfort was temporarily replaced by excitement. And that was where I saw my opening. “Will Kira be one of the models?” I asked. “Well, uh, we were considering her,” Marco admitted as his eyes flicked nervously between Kira and me. I smiled sweetly, letting the silence linger before I sniffed the air and turned to the bitch's direction. “Kira, your scent seems different.” Kira stiffened, her fork clattering against her plate. I pressed on, tilting my head with mock curiosity. “Are you pregnant?” “What? No! Why would you—” “Are you sure? It smells undeniable.” “Fine. Yes, I’m pregnant,” she admitted. “I have a boyfriend, and he's one of the models.” Liar. I could feel the fury simmering under my skin, but I didn’t let it show. Not yet. “Well, that’s going to be a problem for the campaign. We can’t have a pregnant model when the shoots are so demanding. It’s not healthy.” “I can handle it!” Kira snapped. “It won’t affect my work.” “I disagree,” I said sharply, pulling out my phone. “Marco, you understand, don’t you? This isn’t personal. it’s business.” He looked trapped, caught between Kira’s pleading gaze and my firm tone. I dialed my secretary anyway, speaking loud enough for them to hear. “Draft a termination letter for Kira. She won’t be part of the campaign.” Kira’s chair screeched against the floor as she stood, tears streaming down her face. “You can’t do this!” she cried before storming out of the room. Marco’s voice cut through the tense silence as soon as the door slammed shut behind Kira. “Fiona, what the hell was that?” His tone was sharp, his jaw tight as he turned toward me. His eyes burned with anger and confusion. “How could you make that kind of decision without consulting me first? Terminating her contract like that. It’s outrageous!” I stared at him, my blood simmering beneath my skin. There it was—his true colors. He wasn’t upset about my business decision. He was upset because it hurt Kira. The woman who’d stolen the nights I once thought belonged to us. My voice was quieter than I intended when I spoke, but the venom in my words was unmistakable. “You’re mad because of Kira. Because I dared to stand up to her.” “Stand up to her? Fiona, this is ridiculous! You’re acting out of jealousy!” “Cut the crap, Marco!” I snapped, standing so abruptly that my chair scraped loudly against the floor. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. My wolf whimpered in my head, urging me to let it out and say everything I’d been holding back. And for once, I listened to her. “Since when, Marco? Since when are you sleeping with Kira?” Marco’s face paled for a moment before he recovered, and a nervous laugh escaped his lips. “You’re being insane, Fiona. I don’t know where you’re getting this from, but you’re overreacting.” I felt the lie resonate through our bond like a knife twisting in my chest. My wolf snarled, clawing at the edges of my mind, begging for release. Slowly, I shrugged off my coat, letting it drop to the floor and revealing the ugly and purple bruises on my arms and chest. “Where did those come from?” Marco asked innocently. I met his gaze. “They’re from your betrayal. They’re from the nights I cried myself to sleep, knowing you were with her. They’re from a mate bond you’ve desecrated beyond repair.” Marco’s face darkened, his confusion twisting into anger. “What are you talking about? Fiona, stop this—” “I’m leaving you, Marco. You can have her. You can spend the rest of your life with your mistress. I’m not going to fight for a cheater like you!” Before he could respond, the door opened, and Kira walked back in, her face smug despite the lingering redness from her earlier tears. “You should’ve left a long time ago. Everyone knows you’re not fit to be Luna. You’re infertile. You can’t even give Marco an heir.” Her words hit me like a slap, but I refused to show it. Marco, however, turned on her and yelled. “Kira, enough! How dare you say that to your Luna?” But she only laughed. “Oh, come on, Marco. You agreed to be with me because I can give you what she can’t. She’s useless, and you know it. And admit it, my bed skills are far superior to hers!" The sound of his palm connecting with her cheek echoed through the room, silencing her cruel laughter. Kira staggered back, clutching her face in shock. "Y-You hurt me." “You’ve said enough!" Marco growled, gripping her arm tightly. "Take back what you had said and apologize to Fiona!" I sighed, turning my eyes away from them. But then my wolf advised me to do the next step. So, I turned to Marco, meeting his frantic, pleading eyes with a calmness I didn’t feel. “I, Fiona Henderson, reject you, Marco Grant, as my mate.” I walked out of the packhouse with my heels clicking against the floor, leaving behind the scandal I had caused. Even Elder Khan had become silent as he observed the fallout of my words. Marco's desperate protests echoed faintly behind me, but I didn’t stop. “Fiona, please. I’m sorry. Don’t do this.” He caught up quickly, grabbing my arm. I ripped my arm from his grasp and said, “It’s too late, Marco. You broke us. You broke me.” Tears streamed down my face as I turned and ran, but I didn’t make it far when his alpha aura surged over me, freezing me in my tracks. “I command you to stop and submit to your alpha!" My body betrayed me, stopping against my will. I clenched my fists, rage boiling inside me as I felt my neck instinctively bare to him. He approached. The way he hissed in my ear made my wolf whimpered in fear. “You’re mine, Fiona. You can’t leave me. You’ll stay, and you’ll obey me until I decide otherwise.” His words snapped something inside me. My wolf roared, and I straightened, meeting his gaze with defiance. “I’m not your toy, Marco.” Then, an idea sparked in my mind, and my wolf howled in agreement. If I’m no longer part of his pack, he can no longer control me. Summoning every ounce of courage, I lifted my head and shouted, “I, Fiona Henderson, denounce my loyalty to you, Alpha Marco Grant, and declare myself a rogue!” The bond between me and his pack snapped like a taut rope finally breaking. Marco’s aura faltered, and I took the opportunity to shift into my wolf form. Without looking back, I sprinted into the woods. His voice echoed behind me, desperate and pleading, but I didn’t stop. I wouldn’t stop. For the first time in years, I was free.