The Alpha's Regret I Gave Up My Luna Title

Three years into my marriage with Lucas Harrington, the Alpha of the Crimson Pack, Chloe Whitfield returned from Europe.

He started attending elite banquets he used to look down on, just to accompany her. At every Pack gathering, he had her sit right next to him.

He even used the Harrington family's immense influence to pave her career path.

Everyone in our circle was whispering that Chloe was the only woman truly worthy of being our Alpha's Luna. Overnight, I became the biggest joke in the Pack.

They mocked me, saying the title I "stole" was finally going back to its rightful owner.

They sneered, questioning how a wolfless shifter like me had managed to occupy the Luna seat for so long. But they all chose to forget one thing—I was Lucas’s fated mate.

That very afternoon, I went to Elder Luna Margaret and requested to dissolve our mate bond.

Little did I know, when Lucas found out about my departure, he would completely lose his mind. "Are you absolutely sure you want to dissolve the mate bond?" Elder Luna Margaret took a slow sip of her coffee and set the porcelain cup down.

Her haughty eyes swept over me, dripping with condescension. She had always looked down on me.

Back then, and still now. "Yes," I said, my voice steady. "I remember you mentioned before that if I agreed to break the bond, you had a way to make it happen.

I refused then, but I’ve changed my mind. I want to sever my mate bond with Lucas as soon as possible.

How long will it take?" "A month," she replied flatly, as if she wanted to say more. I cut her off before she could. "Don't worry.

Once the bond is broken, I won’t take a single dime from the Harrington family." A flicker of surprise flashed across Margaret's cold eyes. I didn't give her a chance to speak.

I stood up and walked out. The moment I stepped out of the Harrington estate, a sense of relief I hadn't felt in three years washed over me. I tapped my phone screen.

My lock screen showed a picture of a bright, smiling teenage boy. Jay. If you hadn't jumped into that freezing lake to save Lucas back then, would we be the ones living happily together right now? But it was fine.

Now, everything was finally coming to an end. My chest ached with bitterness and sorrow. I took a deep breath, locked my phone, and walked forward with long strides.

However, before I could make it very far, the sharp screech of tires echoed nearby.

I looked up to see a sleek black Maybach pulling up smoothly right in front of the Harrington estate. The passenger door opened, and a pair of designer heels stepped out.

It was Chloe. She walked around to the driver's side and naturally wrapped her arm around Lucas’s. The two of them walked toward the gates, laughing and talking.

I froze on the spot. It felt like all the blood in my body was rushing backward. Actually... Right after Jay died saving him, Lucas had treated me quite well.

Perhaps out of guilt toward Jay, he would stay by my side, trying to make me smile when I was drowning in grief.

During that time, his tenderness toward me exceeded how an Alpha would normally treat an ordinary, wolfless pack member.

Back then, I foolishly thought it was because he was grieving too, and that we were just two broken souls missing the same person.

But a month later, the truth was revealed—the Moon Goddess had declared me his fated mate. From that day on, everything changed. He began to avoid me.

His eyes would dodge mine, his voice grew cold, and he would even quicken his pace whenever he passed by me in the hallways.

Perhaps in his eyes, taking care of the surviving friend of a warrior who died for him was an Alpha’s duty. But it didn't mean he wanted to marry me.

After all, I was a wolfless shifter—a useless weakling in the eyes of the pack. And the Luna of a powerful pack could never be a useless weakling.

Unfortunately, the pull of a fated mate bond was not something he could easily run from. When Elder Luna Margaret found out, she was furious.

To her, an Alpha rejecting his fated mate was the ultimate insult to the Moon Goddess. She forced him to marry me.

On my birthday that year, he ordered a massive fireworks display over the city. Under the glittering sky, he stood by the window for a long time before finally turning to face me.

He pulled out a velvet ring box, his voice completely devoid of emotion. "Put it on.

It’s what my mother wants." There was no "I love you." No "Let's give this a try." Only cold obedience. I had tried so hard to please him back then.

I studied his preferences, and in an attempt to have something to talk about with him, I forced myself to read dry, complex books on business and economics.

But whenever I nervously tried to start a conversation, he would cut me off with pure impatience. He had said, "Aria, some things are inborn. You either have it or you don't.

Your pathetic attempts at acting only make you look ridiculous." To this day, I couldn't forget the cold disdain on his face when he said those words, or the stabbing pain that ripped through my heart.

Yet, I still didn't give up hope. I kept telling myself that he was a born Alpha, and it was only natural for him to be colder than others. Until Chloe came back.

Until I saw him—a man who hated social events—frequently appearing at parties just to be near her, letting her hold his arm in front of everyone.

Beside Chloe, Lucas was no longer an unreachable iceberg. The way he looked at her was filled with absolute indulgence.

The entire high society was buzzing, calling them the perfect match made in heaven.

And I, in this marriage, was officially demoted from an unacknowledged Luna to a pathetic piece of background noise. I had to leave.

I forced myself to look away from the pictureperfect couple and turned to walk away. Suddenly, a sweet, delicate voice called out from behind me.

"Aria!" Chloe let go of Lucas’s arm and quickly jogged toward me. Looking incredibly warm and friendly, she linked her arm through mine. "What a coincidence!

I finally had some free time today to visit Margaret with Lucas. I didn't expect to run into you here!" She looked at me with wide, innocent eyes.

To anyone else, she looked completely harmless. But only I knew the deepseated malice hiding beneath her pretty gaze.

I pulled my arm out of her grip without saying a word, attempting to walk around her.

But Lucas stepped in, blocking my path. "Aria, what are you doing here?" His questioning tone boomed over my head.

I looked up, meeting the thick suspicion and disgust etched on his face. "Are you here to complain to my mother about Chloe and me again?

Or did you spy on us and show up on purpose?" "Aria, I’ve told you a thousand times, Chloe and I are just—" "You're overthinking," I interrupted before he could finish.

I met his freezing gaze, but this time, my heart didn't ache at all. "I’m not that childish anymore," I said quietly.

A flash of genuine shock crossed his face, his eyes locking onto mine. Well, it made sense. Ever since Chloe returned, our already fragile relationship had hit rock bottom.

We had fought countless times because of her. But now, I was done fighting. "I have things to do. Enjoy your visit," I said.

Ignoring his reaction, I turned on my heel and walked away without looking back. I hadn't walked far when my phone buzzed. It was a Snapchat message from Chloe.

It was a series of photos of her and Lucas at the Harrington estate, along with a short video. In the video, Chloe was sitting closely next to Lucas on the couch.

Elder Luna Margaret sat on one side, and Lucas’s younger sister sat on the other. They were all laughing and chatting happily.

Unlike the disgusted look Margaret always gave me, her face was glowing with genuine joy. They looked like a real, loving family.

And honestly, in the eyes of everyone in the Harrington family, Chloe was indeed the rightful Luna. If this were in the past, seeing these photos would have driven me crazy.

My chest would have tightened with suffocating pain, and I would have called Lucas to scream at him. But now, my heart was completely flat.

I calmly typed back a few words: [You look great together. Congrats.] Then, I locked my screen and put the phone away, completely shutting it out of my mind.

That night, as expected, Lucas didn't come home.

Instead, his name popped up on the local pack’s highsociety tabloid page: Lucas Harrington and Chloe Whitfield Spotted Together at Harrington Estate, Sparking Rumors. In the featured photo, Chloe was holding Lucas's arm intimately, and he was looking down at her with a soft, indulgent smile.

They looked incredibly perfect for each other. I scrolled down to see a few posts from mutual pack members on Snapchat.

Many pack warriors and shewolves were commenting underneath: "Is it finally happening?" "Chloe, if you finally bag our Alpha, you have to buy us all drinks!" Chloe replied to those comments with a string of blushing emojis.

I closed the app, unable to care less. Just as I was about to turn off the lights and go to sleep, my phone rang. When I saw the caller ID, I froze.

It was Howard Grant, Lucas’s Beta. Ever since Lucas and I got married, he had rarely introduced me to his inner circle, let alone invited me to their hangouts.

Why was his Beta calling me now? As I was hesitating, my finger accidentally swiped the screen and answered the call. "Aria, Alpha Lucas is completely wasted at Twilight Bar.

Can you come pick him up?" "What?" I frowned. Shouldn't he be calling Chloe instead? Logically speaking, Chloe should be right by his side.

I wanted to ask more, but the line went dead. I tried calling back, but no one answered. After debating with myself, I finally got out of bed, changed my clothes, and drove out.

I arrived at the bar Howard mentioned. Following the VIP room number, I walked up to the second floor and stood before the heavy wooden door.

Just as I was about to push it open, a burst of laughter drifted out from inside. "Is she actually coming?" "Hey Lucas, do you think she’ll really show up?

It’s past midnight." "Who cares if she comes or not? She should have learned her place by now.

Chloe is back, yet she’s still clinging to that Luna title like a leech." After a wave of mocking laughter, Chloe’s voice chimed in, playing the peacemaker. "Alright, guys, stop it.

Lucas and I are in the past now." "What past, Chloe? You have no idea how much Lucas missed you while you were in Europe." "Exactly!

The only reason he even bonded with Aria was to make you angry.

Who knew things would turn out like this..." What?! The loud voices inside crashed into my ears, suddenly becoming piercingly clear.

Lucas didn't mate with me because of any sudden affection. He did it... just to spite Chloe? In an instant, my mind went completely blank. I stood there, utterly numb. "Right?

And Aria actually thought Lucas fell in love with her..." The mocking continued. Until Lucas’s deep voice cut them off. "Enough. Drop it." The room fell dead silent.

Someone quickly tried to smooth things over. "Yeah, she should be here soon anyway.

Aria... she’s probably rushing over as we speak." Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open. "Aria—Aria!" The speaker’s voice died in his throat.

In an instant, every eye in the room locked onto me. "Aria, you're here!" Chloe was the first to react.

She immediately stood up and walked over to me, looking both welcoming and completely innocent. I ignored her.

My eyes went straight to Lucas, who was sitting in the center of the plush leather sofa. His eyes were perfectly clear. He didn't look drunk at all.

Then I looked at Howard, who had called me. He immediately avoided my gaze, looking highly uncomfortable. "Aria, please don't be mad. We were just playing Truth or Dare and lost.

It was just a joke," Chloe said, reaching out to grab my hand. A joke? A bitter laugh escaped my lips. Seeing her fake, hypocritical face, I couldn't take it anymore.

I forcefully yanked my hand back to leave. But the moment I pulled away, Chloe let out a soft cry and collapsed onto the floor. "Aria!

I just wanted you to stay and hang out with us. Why did you push me?" she whimpered, looking up with tears in her eyes. Immediately, everyone's gaze turned hostile. "Aria!

How can you be so vicious? Chloe just wanted to include you, was there any need to push her?" "Exactly!

She’s just bitter because Chloe has a better family background than her." "People like her are just mentally twisted.

How could she put her hands on someone as sweet as Chloe?" I stared at them coldly and spoke up. "Are you guys done playing your pathetic games?" They looked completely unbothered. "It was just a harmless prank.

What, can't take a joke?" "Yeah, we were nice enough to invite you out, and you show up with this attitude?" Nice enough? I scoffed.

I didn't want to waste another second on these people. I turned to walk out.

But before I could take two steps, a powerful grip clamped onto my arm, yanking me back violently. "Apologize," Lucas’s icy, emotionless voice boomed from above. "It's fine, Lucas," Chloe chimed in quickly, playing the victim. "Aria is probably just emotional.

I'm okay, really. Don't make things hard for her." Her words only sealed my "guilt" even further.

The whispers of disgust from the crowd grew louder, and their sympathy for Chloe reached a peak. "Why should I apologize?" I asked, tearing my arm out of his grip.

If this were the past, I would have swallowed my pride and bowed my head. But now, in less than a month, our bond would be completely severed. Why on earth should I apologize?

The moment the words left my mouth, Lucas’s face darkened visibly. An aura of terrifying, icy pressure radiated from him. "Aria. Apologize.

I won’t say it a third time." "And I’m telling you, I won't!" My voice was crystal clear and absolute.

Without looking back, I ran out of the bar, leaving a room full of gasps behind me.

I thought the drama would end there. But when I woke up the next morning, everything belonging to Jay in my bedroom was gone. Our old photos.

The protective talisman he had climbed the high mountain church to get for me. Every single birthday gift he had ever given me.

Overnight, every trace of Jay had been wiped from the house. I searched the entire place like a madwoman, ripping drawers open, but I found absolutely nothing. Lucas.

It had to be Lucas. I called him, but the call was declined. I rushed to his corporate office in the city, but his assistant blocked me at the door. "I’m sorry, Mrs. Harrington.

Mr. Harrington is currently discussing important matters with Miss Whitfield.

Perhaps you should come back another day." I ignored the assistant entirely and pushed the heavy double doors open. A soft gasp echoed in the office.

Chloe quickly scrambled out of Lucas’s lap, looking flustered. "Aria, please don't misinterpret this.

I just got some dust in my eye, and Lucas was helping me look." I didn't even look at her.

I marched straight to Lucas's desk. "Where are Jay's things?" My voice was trembling with rage. This was the first time in three years I had ever raised my voice at him.

Lucas's face darkened instantly. But I didn't care. "Answer me!

What did you do with Jay's things?!" "Aria, this is the price you pay for your reckless behavior yesterday," Lucas said, his voice dropping to a freezing temperature. "What do you want me to do so you'll tell me?" my voice cracked, practically begging. "Simple.

Apologize to Chloe." Without a single second of hesitation, I turned around.

Under the crushing weight of his Alpha aura and my own desperation, my knees hit the floor with a loud thud. I knelt right in front of Chloe.

I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms, forcing the words out one by one. "Miss Whitfield, I am incredibly sorry for last night. I shouldn't have pushed you.

Please forgive me." After saying that, I whipped my head back to Lucas. "Is that enough sincerity for you?" "Can you tell me where Jay’s things are now?" A flicker of some complex emotion flashed through his dark eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. "The Pack's private cemetery," he muttered.

I bolted out of the room. I caught a cab and sped to the Pack’s cemetery. The moment I got out of the car, I saw a large yellow excavator slowly driving out of the gates.

An ominous, sickening feeling gripped my chest. I ran toward Jay's grave. When I saw the scene before me, I froze. Something snapped in my head. My Jay.

The boy I had buried with my own two hands. Even in death, they wouldn't let him rest in peace. His grave had been dug up.

My emotions, bottled up for years, completely shattered in an instant. I collapsed onto the dirt and wept hysterically. The cemetery caretaker walked over, looking apologetic.

He told me that Lucas had personally ordered the excavation. They had no choice but to obey the Alpha. He handed me a small, dirty box. "I'm so sorry, Miss Vance. Mr.

Harrington's men threw Mr. Hayes’s relics and urn onto the ground.

I managed to gather them before they were ruined." "Please don't blame us... we really couldn't stop the Alpha's men..." The caretaker's voice drifted away.

I couldn't hear a single word. My mind was filled with one realization: Lucas did this. He had dug up Jay's grave just to punish me.

I clutched Jay's urn and his remaining belongings to my chest, sitting in the dirt next to the ruined grave for a whole day and night.

During that time, my phone buzzed with a text message from Lucas. [Aria, you brought this on yourself.

This is your punishment for being disobedient.] Looking at the message, the tears I thought had run dry poured down again, splashing onto the cold screen.

I held Jay's ashes close and cried until my voice went hoarse. Yes. You're right, Lucas. I brought this all on myself. The moment I found out you were my fated mate, I should have run as far away as possible. This is my punishment.

And I will bear it.