I stumbled to the ground, my fingers. desperately reaching for the phone that had slipped from my grasp. My hand trembled as I tried to unlock it, ignoring the rogue wolves circling. me like vultures waiting for a dying animal. My breaths came in ragged gasps, every heartbeat louder than the last. I needed to hear his voice- Klaus, my mate, the future Alpha of Snowfall Pack. He had to help me. He had to
The dial tone echoed in the cold, lonely night. "Please, Klaus, answer... please," I whispered, blood soaking my clothes as I waited. And then, that familiar voice-just not his
"Hello, the number you have dialed is currently unavailable..."
The sound of the automated message sent a shiver through me, colder than the night air. Despair swallowed me whole. The howl of a rogue wolf cut through the silence, followed by the low growls of the pack closing in. My heart clenched with terror, not because I feared death-but because I realized he wasn't coming.
The rogues lunged, their sharp fangs tearing into my flesh. I screamed in agony as one of them sank its teeth deep into my shoulder, while another raked its claws across my chest, reaching my heart. I gasped as blood poured from the wound, life slipping away with every drop.
The phone slipped from my fingers as the world around me dimmed. My body grew heavier, sinking into the cold ground. I was alone. On this dark, unfamiliar path, I was dying without my mate, without anyone to hear my final words.
Klaus had promised me forever.
Instead, I got this.
***
We were supposed to be happy. Klaus and I had just gotten engaged. Our mating ceremony was in a week, and I had been counting the days, dreaming of the moment I would be his Luna, The Snowfall Pack would celebrate, and for once, I would feel like I belonged. My younger brother even said he wanted to make a speech at the wedding, something funny to lighten the mood.
But all of that had been taken from me. The warmth of my body was draining fast, replaced by a terrifying cold. My vision blurred, and with it, the memories of what once was.
I was dying. I could feel my soul peeling away from my body, like a delicate thread unraveling. I tried to hold on, but it was useless. There was nothing left for me to cling to.
My soul wandered, drifting helplessly. And then, like a cruel twist of fate, I found myself at a house I knew too well-Claudette's.
Claudette. The girl who had always lingered in Klaus's shadow, waiting for her moment. She was there, curled up in Klaus's arms, her head resting against his chest. They looked so peaceful, so content.
My heart would have broken if I still had one. My wolf, once so connected to Klaus, would have howled in agony at the sight. But now there was only emptiness.
Klaus stroked Claudette's hair, his fingers gentle, his gaze soft. He lowered his head to press a kiss to her forehead.
I wanted to scream. To shout. To tear them apart. But I was just a ghost now-powerless and forgotten.
His phone buzzed on the nightstand. My name lit up the screen-my final call. He glanced at it, frowning. Then, without a second thought, he swiped it away. Dismissed.
My laugh was bitter and hollow, echoing in the silence. He had ignored my call. The last desperate plea for help from the woman he had promised to cherish. Instead, he stayed here, comforting her..
"Klaus," I thought, my voice breaking in the void, "If you knew this was the last call I'd ever make to you, would you have answered? Would you have regretted missing it?"
I doubted it.
For five years, Klaus and I had danced around each other, tangled in a relationship that felt both fated and doomed. When we finally got engaged, I thought it meant something. That we had found our way back to each other after all the challenges.
But I was wrong.
Everything changed after the war between the Snowfall Pack and the rival pack. That was when I first noticed it. He wasn't the same after the fighting ended, after we discovered the witch's curse. The witch had been on the enemy's side, and during the battle, she had caged Klaus's wolf. He could no longer feel the mate bond.
And without that bond, it was as if he'd never loved me at all.
Claudette returned soon after. She had left our pack to chase after another Alpha, but that had fallen through. And now, she was back. Back in Klaus's life.
The day I died, we were driving home from the Alpha gathering, where Klaus represented Snowfall Pack because his father was too busy. He was tense, distant-more so than usual. Then his phone rang.
Claudette.
She was drunk, alone, and called him to come to her. I saw the way his entire demeanor shifted, how his knuckles whitened on the steering wheel. I knew what was coming.
"Don't answer it, Klaus," I had begged him. "Please, not tonight. We need to talk."
But he didn't listen. We argued. And in a moment of anger, he stopped the car and kicked me out, leaving me on the side of the road. He didn't look back.
I didn't know rogue wolves were lurking in the woods. But even if I had, what difference would it have made? Klaus didn't care. Not enough.
Now, as my soul pressed against the window of Claudette's house, I watched them. He held her close, torn between the engagement ring on his finger and the woman lying in his arms.
"Klaus, you're disgusting," I thought, my voice bitter as the darkness closed in around me.
Chapter 2The next morning, Klaus stormed into his office, his mood as dark as the clouds hanging over Snowfall Pack. He wasn’t Alpha yet, but he carried the weight of it, even more so now with his father watching his every move. I followed him as I always did, drifting unseen and unheard. The hunters and warriors of the pack bustled around, preparing for patrols, but their chatter died down when Klaus passed by, his presence commanding respect even without the title.
I stayed close, my soul trailing behind, floating through walls and people. They passed through me without knowing I was there. Only Klaus could have felt it—if he still had our bond. But he didn’t.
Inside his office, Klaus dropped into his chair, his face etched with frustration. His right-hand man, Benedict, stood by the door, rattling off reports about pack logistics and training schedules, but Klaus was barely listening. His gaze flicked to his phone every few minutes, his thumb hovering over the screen as if expecting something.
“Is something wrong, Klaus?” Benedict asked, glancing at the uncharacteristic tension in his posture.
Klaus scowled but didn’t meet his eyes. “No. Keep going.”
Benedict hesitated, sensing the storm brewing, but pressed on with the report. He detailed the morning patrols, the rogue sightings near the border, and upcoming negotiations with neighboring packs. Yet Klaus’s mind seemed miles away, his fingers drumming impatiently on the desk.
"What was he waiting for?" I thought bitterly. "Was he waiting for me to give in like I always did after our fights? Was he expecting me to call, to make the first move again?"
But this time was different. I wasn't coming back.
At noon, Klaus abruptly slammed his hand on the desk. “Benedict, where’s lunch?”
Benedict blinked, clearly caught off guard. “Lunch, sir? We…we haven’t arranged for anything.”
Klaus’s eyes flashed, a growl rumbling in his chest. “Why the hell not?”
The man looked confused. “You never asked for anyone to take care of your lunch, Klaus. Mavis—well, she usually handled it herself. Omegas used to deliver it.”
I stood by Klaus’s desk, watching the moment unfold like a cruel joke. I was the one who made sure he had something to eat every day. I had learned how to cook because he was so picky because his stomach couldn’t handle the stress after the war. And now, he sat there, angry and hungry, without a clue that I had been the one behind every meal he enjoyed.
Klaus tensed, his fist clenching the phone. He hung up on Benedict, a low growl escaping his throat. “You’d better not reply to my messages,” he muttered under his breath, more to himself than anyone else.
I looked at the framed photo on his desk, one from our second anniversary. He picked it up, his fingers tracing the edges, and for a fleeting moment, his anger softened. But then, with a frustrated huff, he set the photo back down and reached for the stuffed wolf I had given him. He turned it upside down, a habit he’d developed whenever he was mad at me.
“This doll looks like you, Mavis,” he’d say, smirking. “Always watching me. Always by my side.” And whenever I upset him, he would make it stand on its head as if punishing it.
I cried silently beside him, remembering how everything between us used to be before Claudette came back. Back when I thought I was Klaus’s world, his mate, his Luna-to-be. But all of that had shattered the moment Claudette re-entered our lives.
Claudette. His childhood sweetheart, the one who left him for another Alpha, only to come crawling back after that relationship fell apart. I had watched as he secretly picked her up from work, bought her the jewelry I had been waiting for, and celebrated her birthday while forgetting mine. It was all so obvious now, but back then, I tried to deny it, tried to fight for him.
We had argued so many times—about her, about the distance growing between us. I compromised again and again, hoping that Klaus would choose me, that he would remember the bond we had, the one our wolves once shared. But the last time we fought was the final straw. He kicked me out of the car to pick up Claudette.
I died that night, and Klaus didn’t even know.
I watched as he walked into our house that evening. The place was eerily quiet, no longer filled with the smell of the meals I used to prepare or the warmth of our life together. He dropped his suit jacket by the door and called out for me, his voice echoing through the empty halls.
“Mavis?” He frowned when there was no answer. He glanced at his phone, then sent me a message: [Mavis, stop messing around. Come back home.]
No reply.
He dialed my number. “The number you’ve dialed is currently unavailable…” The automated voice grated on his nerves.
Klaus hung up and tried again. Still nothing.
I watched him stand in the dimly lit hallway, his shoulders rigid, his breathing shallow. For the first time in a long while, Klaus looked lost. And for the first time, I felt the tiniest bit of satisfaction.
"You’re too late, Klaus," I thought, my tears now dry. "I’m gone. You threw me away for her, and now you’ll live with that choice."
Chapter 3The next second, Klaus’s phone buzzed, cutting through the tension in the air. His eyes flicked down to the screen, a sigh escaping his lips as he saw the name.
Claudette.
For a brief moment, disappointment flashed in his eyes, but he quickly masked it, pressing the phone to his ear. "What is it, Claudette?" He answered, his voice rougher than usual.
Her voice was frantic, almost pleading. “Klaus, he’s found me again. My ex-Alpha—he won’t stop calling. I’m scared. Can you come?”
At the mention of her ex, Klaus stirred, a low growl rising in his chest. A threat to Claudette? He had never tolerated danger when it came to her, not in the past, and not now.
"Don't worry. I’ll be there soon." His voice was clipped, decisive, as he grabbed his suit jacket and keys.
As he stormed out of the house, I followed him like a shadow. My chest tightened painfully. He had forgotten. Forgotten about the calls, the messages, the gnawing feeling that something was wrong. You were so close, Klaus, just a heartbeat away from realizing I was already gone.
When he arrived at Claudette's place, the tension he'd been holding seemed to dissolve as he found her standing at the door, slightly unsteady. She was clearly tipsy, her cheeks flushed from the wine she’d had at a party earlier. There were no signs of danger, no ex-Alpha calling her nonstop. Just Claudette, looking lost and vulnerable, her eyes glassy with unshed tears.
“Klaus…” She slurred slightly, reaching out and wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. He stiffened, but only for a moment.
He helped her inside, guiding her toward the bedroom. "You’ve had too much to drink. Let’s get you to bed." His voice was gentle, the same voice he used when he wanted to comfort, to soothe.
But Claudette wouldn’t let go. Her grip on him tightened, her face inches from his. “Klaus, I missed you… I missed you so much. Every day I regret leaving you.”
Klaus swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he tried to pull away. “Claudette, stop. I’m… I’m engaged to Mavis now.”
“Do you love her?” Claudette’s voice was a whisper, but the question hung heavily in the air, cutting through the space between them like a knife.
My heart clenched, my soul aching for the answer.
Klaus’s jaw tensed. He didn’t meet her eyes. “We’re engaged,” he said, the words hollow and empty. He didn’t say he loved me. He couldn’t even bring himself to say the words out loud. Not to Claudette, not to himself.
Because I wasn’t his choice. I was his mate, but not his heart.
Claudette’s tears fell freely now, streaking down her flushed cheeks. “If I hadn’t left, Klaus, we would have been happy. We were meant to be.” She leaned in, her breath warm against his neck. "Klaus, please… just hold me…"
The distance between them disappeared, their foreheads touching, then their noses, and finally, their lips.
I stood frozen by the bay window, fists clenched at my sides as I watched Klaus—my mate, the one I had given my life for—fall into the arms of another. Claudette’s robe slipped to the floor, and Klaus’s usual restraint crumbled as he pressed against her, his lips moving from her shoulder to her chest with a tenderness that had once been reserved for me.
I closed my eyes, the pain too much to bear. My soul ached, the agony of betrayal cutting deeper than any physical wound. He had chosen her, even if just for a moment.
Suddenly, the shrill sound of a phone ringing shattered the intimate atmosphere. Klaus froze, his entire body stiffening as the spell between them broke. He scrambled off the bed, pulling the quilt up to cover Claudette as guilt flashed across his face.
"Sorry," he mumbled, not meeting her eyes as he fumbled with his belt and tie, hurriedly putting himself back together.
“Klaus…” Claudette’s voice was soft, confused, hurt.
But he didn’t turn back. His phone buzzed again, and he grabbed it from the floor, glancing at the screen before rushing out the door, the unfinished mess behind him a testament to his moment of weakness.
Once in the car, Klaus let out a shaky breath, raising his hand to his face. In a moment of frustration, he slapped himself hard across the cheek. “What the hell did I just do?”
Chapter 4I watched from beside him, feeling nothing but cold indifference. This was the man I had loved. The man who once swore to protect me, to stand by me. And yet, here he was, reeking of alcohol and Claudette’s scent.
But his thoughts weren’t on me. Not really. He looked down at his phone and saw the missed call.
It was from my mother.
Klaus hesitated before calling back. The phone rang only once before my mother answered, her voice warm and gentle as always.
"Klaus, I hope I’m not bothering you this late,” she began softly. “I just finished knitting those scarves for you and Mavis. When are you both coming over to get them?"
Tears welled up in my eyes. She was so happy to knit for us, so happy to think of me, her daughter, still alive.
Klaus forced a smile, though his face was tight with guilt. “We’ll come by soon, Madam. Mavis has been staying with Irene after a fight we had… You know how she is, always running off when she’s upset.”
He was lying. He didn’t know where I was. He didn’t even realize I was gone.
As he hung up, Klaus stared at his phone, his mind racing. He looked down at his hands, still trembling. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.
So, he did what he always did when he needed to clear his head—he drove to the riverside near our pack. The place where he would sit to rid himself of the stench of alcohol or the scent of other wolves before coming back to me.
But there was no point in doing that anymore. I wasn’t home.
The wind blew lightly through his hair as he sat on the stone bench, gazing out at the river. I stood beside him, watching the way the moonlight glistened off the water.
“Mavis…” His voice was barely a whisper. “Tomorrow is my birthday. How long are you going to keep this up?”
I had forgotten. Tomorrow was his birthday. The gift I had ordered for him was probably still on its way.
--
Klaus awoke, instinctively reaching for the other side of the bed, expecting to feel the warmth of my body beside him. His hand landed on cold sheets instead, the chill sinking deep into his bones. He frowned, his brows knitting together as he stared at the space. My pillow still carried the faint scent of lavender, but it wasn’t enough to fill the void of my absence.
It was Klaus’s birthday today, a Saturday—usually a time when I’d go all out with surprises. He sat up, the dim morning light filtering through the curtains, casting long shadows on the walls. He scrubbed his face with his hands, trying to shake off the creeping unease that had settled in his chest since I walked out.
His insides stirred, restless, uneasy. 'She’ll come back,' Klaus told himself, trying to calm the beast inside. 'She always does.'
Even during our worst fights, I never let his birthday pass unnoticed. I always had a gift and always prepared his favorite meals. Klaus clung to that hope like a lifeline. Surely, today wouldn’t be any different. With determination, he swung his legs out of bed and made his way to the kitchen.
He cooked a full spread of my favorite breakfast foods—pancakes, eggs, sausage, everything I loved. The scent of warm syrup and butter filled the air, mingling with the hope that I would walk through the door any minute now. But as the minutes ticked by, the house remained silent. Empty.
His phone buzzed, pulling him from his thoughts. He snatched it off the counter, eyes bright with anticipation, only to find disappointment waiting.
The caller was a jeweler, not me.
"Mr. Klaus of Snowfall Pack?" came the voice over the line. "This is to inform you that the custom diamond rings and tie clips Miss Mavis ordered a month ago are ready for collection."
Klaus stiffened, the weight of the words sinking in. 'A month ago? She was already planning my birthday this far in advance...' He couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt twist in his chest. I had thought of him and cared enough to plan. But he? He had let me walk away. He let me slip through his fingers because of her—Claudette.
Without another word, Klaus threw on his coat and drove straight to the jeweler, the anticipation growing heavy inside him. When he arrived, the jeweler handed him two small boxes. Inside, he found a pair of customized diamond rings, along with tie clips engraved with our initials, "K" and "M."
Chapter 5He ran his thumb over the engraving. His insides stirred again, the primal part of him yearning for the connection that the initials represented. 'We’re mates,' he growled softly within him.
The first gift I had ever given him, back when I was still an eager young twenty-year-old, was a simple tie. It wasn’t much, just a small, thoughtful gesture from a woman who loved him with her whole heart. He had treasured it, worn it to every important meeting, even when Claudette was still hovering around like a ghost from his past.
Now, here I was again, pouring my love into something more meaningful, something more valuable. But the weight of that gift felt heavier in Klaus’s hands than it ever had before.
He drove back home, the silence of the car suffocating. When he stepped inside, he laid out the rings and tie clips on the dining table, next to the feast he had prepared earlier. The food was cold now, untouched. He opened a bottle of champagne he had been saving for a special occasion—something we would have shared, laughing, talking about the future, about pups and plans for our pack.
He poured a glass, his fingers shaking just slightly, and picked up his phone. His heart thudded in his chest as he stared at the open chat.
[Mavis, I received your gift. I like it very much.]
He hit send.
[Please come back. I’ll explain everything, and I promise this won’t happen again.]
The minutes dragged into hours, the silence growing louder with every tick of the clock. The cold food mocked him from across the table, the champagne now flat and bitter.
Klaus prowled beneath the surface, agitated. "She’s not coming back," he growled. Klaus tried to push the thought away, but his patience had run thin.
His thumb hovered over Irene’s name in his contacts. She had always been there whenever I had stormed out, giving me a place to cool off and vent my frustrations about Claudette. But when Klaus tried to call, the line went dead. He was still on her blacklist.
Irene. She was a friend I treasured. Even in our previous pack, before going to the Snowfall Pack, she was always on my side. And when I found out that I was mated with Klaus, I immediately chose him and went here. Surprisingly, Irene left the Sapphire Valley Pack together with my family when she heard that I was leaving.
Klaus slammed the phone down on the table, his jaw clenched tight. He snarled, pushing at the edges of his control, but he ignored it. Anger bubbled beneath the surface, threatening to erupt.
'Why wasn’t she answering?'
The next day, Klaus walked into the office, his movements stiff and sharp, his usual calm shattered. The first thing he did was turn the photo frame on his desk face down. The picture of us, smiling and happy, was too much to look at.
He was angry. Angry at me for disappearing, angry at himself for not stopping me. He had always prided himself on control, on keeping his emotions in check. But now, he was losing it.
Just as he was about to immerse himself in paperwork to drown out the thoughts, Benedict entered the room, his face pale and his hands shaking.
“Klaus, there’s… there’s a call,” Benedict stammered, his voice barely a whisper. “It’s from the royal warriors.”
Klaus barely glanced up, his brows furrowing. “What is it this time?” he muttered, his patience already wearing thin.
Benedict swallowed hard. “They… they’re asking you to identify Mavis’s body.”
Klaus froze. His heart seemed to stop in his chest as the words registered. He let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head in disbelief. "Is this some kind of sick joke, Benedict? Tell Mavis to stop playing games and come home. She’s done enough."
But Benedict’s hands trembled as he handed Klaus the phone, his face ashen. “It’s not a joke.”
The line was silent for a moment before a cold, official voice crackled through. “Mr. Klaus of the Snowfall Pack? This is Captain Gregor of the Royal Warriors. We found a body matching the description of your mate, Mavis. We need you to come to the location to confirm.”