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Pain shone in Denver’s eyes, breaking Moonlight’s heart into a million pieces.

He was all she had ever wanted, but she had no idea that the mate bond they desired to strengthen their relationship would instead destroy it.

If only she had the courage to reject Cairo, then she could be with Denver for the rest of her life after he also found and rejected his mate.

"Denver, I love you, but he’s my mate, and I love him."

Denver’s pain only intensified. He loved Moonlight so much that if he had been his mate before her, he would have rejected her for Moonlight.

Here lay the situation where she was the first to find hers, refusing to reject him, and destroying their dreams of spending the rest of their lives together.

"That’s ridiculous. How can you love two people the same, huh?" He paused, enduring the pain that seemed unending. "You already chose him over me, so you don’t love me."

Moonlight was pained by his words because she did indeed love him. What she felt for him was a natural love that could not be destroyed, and what she felt for Cairo stemmed from the mate bond. How could she explain that to Denver?

"I do," she sobbed. Denver bit his lower lip thoughtfully, as he had never felt so restless in his life before.

This was a woman he saw every day, one he loved with his whole heart. How could he live without her? Taking a deep breath, he stated his condition once more.

"Then for the last time, reject him or it’s over between us."

It was going to be hard for him to endure the pain of losing her, but she was not making it easy for him, especially when they had already planned everything out.

Moonlight stared at Cairo once more, and even as she tried, the words refused to form in her mouth. Her tongue felt too heavy to move, as her wolf was not in sync with her.

Only multiple tears rolled down her cheeks, but Denver had accepted the harsh reality that he had lost Moonlight forever.

That smile and softness that greeted him every time from her, calming his demons would not be there anymore. But what about the bond they shared? It refused to break, no matter how hard he tried.

With a heavy heart, he shivered as he embraced the loss that stared him in the eyes.

"I get it. I wish you a nice life."

Moonlight’s heart broke with his words as more tears washed her face. She was about to hold him, but a thick mist formed around him, and before it cleared, Denver was gone.

No one saw which way he went, and the car they drove in remained.

"Where did he go?" Fernanda asked, worry nudging her.

"He left in his wolf form, but I don’t know where. Did I do the wrong thing?" Moonlight sobbed, and everyone felt pity for her, except the unmated she-wolves.

Denver’s wolf form alone showed how powerful he was, and who would not want to be mated to him?

Denver was out of range because of Moonlight, and though they all came with the hope of being mated to Cairo, the twist of the event gave them the hope of being mated to Denver and becoming the Luna of the Evergreen pack.

That was every she-wolf’s dream pack, so internally, they were happy for Moonlight’s acceptance of Cairo.

Cairo was stunned, as he expected Moonlight to reject him as Denver demanded. As such, he felt his love for Moonlight explode for choosing him over Denver.

At this point, he would do anything for her.

"You did the right thing," Ashley rested her hand on Moonlight’s shoulders and said, Moonlight flung her arms around her, hugging her tightly.

Moonlight knew she did the right thing, and everyone could attest to it, but why was she still in love with Denver?

Cairo walked close to her and spoke as if he read her mind.

"I know the bond you both share, and I can understand his pain. Thank you for choosing me, Moonlight, but Denver needs you."

Moonlight felt as if she had just awakened from a dream. All her life, they had always been there for each other, and right now, Denver was in so much pain.

No matter where he went, she had to go search for him to make sure he was okay.

"You are right. I have to go. I’m sorry, but I need time to make him understand."

Indirectly, she was buying time from completing the mating and marking process.

How could she go ahead with it when Denver was hurting so much?

Cairo wanted her to be there for Denver, but that did not mean he was going to leave her to herself. With them not marking and mating immediately, who knows if she ends up rejecting him?

He had to ensure he was there until Denver got better. "It’s alright. I’ll come with you."

"Are you sure it’s safe? He might kill you," Idris countered, recalling how Cairo’s head would have been injured if he had not been there to shield him from the force of Denver’s throw. Moonlight shook her head.

"Don’t worry. Uncle Denzel and Auntie Valerie would not let him."

Idris only relaxed after that. Indeed, Alpha Denzel would not encourage such. It was also clear that Denver attacked Cairo with the conviction that Moonlight was going to reject him, which did not happen.

Cairo made an announcement. "Sorry, everyone, but the party is over."

He knew the gossip was going to flood the packs, but there was nothing he could do about it. Right now, he had to be there for his mate and knew that even if the party continued without him, the excitement would no longer be there.

Driving to the Evergreen pack, Cairo had to constantly comfort Moonlight and assure her that everything was going to be fine. By the time they arrived, she was shocked to see that Denver had his bags packed.

"Denver, where are you going?"