After My Mate Humiliated Me, I Struck Back

The full moon hung like a silver pendant in the night sky, casting an ethereal glow over the Moonstone Pack's ceremonial grounds. I smoothed down the front of my silver dress, a garment I'd spent weeks selecting for this special occasion. Tonight was meant to be a celebration—a time when the pack came together under the moon's blessing, when mates reaffirmed their bonds, and when I, as Luna, should have stood proudly beside my Alpha.

Instead, I found myself on the periphery of the gathering, watching as Marcus commanded the attention of every wolf present. His powerful frame moved with casual dominance through the crowd, his dark hair catching the moonlight. And as always, Stephanie hovered nearby, her sleek figure draped in a dress that complemented his suit perfectly.

"You should join them," whispered Silvana, my wolf, her voice tinged with the same longing I felt. "You are his Luna."

I nodded, gathering my courage. Three years into our mate bond, and I still had to remind myself of my position. With trembling fingers, I pulled out my phone and approached Marcus during a rare moment when Stephanie had been called away.

"Alpha," I said softly, using the formal address he preferred in public. "Would you mind if we took a photo together? For the pack's social page?"

His eyes, cold amber in the firelight, flicked to me with mild annoyance before his public mask slid into place. "Of course, Luna."

The title sounded hollow on his lips, but I smiled anyway as he placed an arm around my waist. The touch was formal, distant—nothing like the passionate embraces I'd witnessed him share with others when he thought I wasn't looking. Still, I leaned into him, savoring the rare moment of connection.

Click. The photo captured us: the powerful Alpha and his Luna beneath the full moon. I looked radiant, hopeful even. Marcus looked... obligated.

I posted it immediately to the pack's social feed with a simple caption: "Blessed under the Full Moon with my mate. #MoonstonePack #FullMoonCeremony"

I didn't expect what happened next.

The celebration was winding down when Marcus's hand clamped around my wrist, his fingers digging into my skin with bruising force. His eyes had darkened to the color of tarnished gold, and his aura—that overwhelming Alpha presence—flared around us like a storm.

"My office. Now," he growled, the Alpha tone vibrating through my bones.

Inside the pack house, the door to his office slammed behind us. I stood with my hands clasped before me, confusion and dread building in equal measure.

"What were you thinking?" he demanded, throwing his phone onto the desk. My innocent photo glared back at me from the screen.

"I... it's the Full Moon Ceremony," I stammered. "I thought—"

"You didn't think," he cut me off. "Stephanie saw this. Do you have any idea what you've done?"

My confusion must have shown on my face because he let out a disgusted sigh.

"Stephanie is still recovering from her rejected mate bond," he