The door to the penthouse slammed shut with such force that the glass rattled in its frame.

Nikolai Volkov stormed into the living room like a force of nature, the glowing Moonshadow Medallion still clutched tightly in his fist. Golden light continued to leak between his fingers, casting shifting shadows across the dark luxury interior. His ice-grey eyes burned with silver fire, and his wolf was no longer just close to the surface — it was *tearing* at his skin, demanding blood.

Lana Reed stood near the bar cart, pouring herself a drink with trembling hands. She had changed into a slinky black dress, clearly preparing for another night of playing the devoted savior. The moment she saw the glowing medallion and the murderous expression on Nikolai’s face, her carefully constructed mask shattered.

“Nik,” she breathed, setting the glass down too hard. “What happened? You look—”

“Sit down,” he snarled, voice low and guttural, laced with lethal Alpha power.

Lana froze. For the first time since she had stolen the medallion, real fear flashed across her face. She backed up slowly until her thighs hit the edge of the leather sofa and sank down.

Nikolai stalked toward her like a predator. Every step radiated raw dominance. The air grew thick with the scent of his fury — cedarwood turned sharp, wild forest on the verge of becoming a storm. His raven-black hair was disheveled, jaw clenched so tightly a muscle ticked. The golden light from the medallion pulsed brighter with every heartbeat, as if feeding off his rage.

“You lied to me,” he said, voice dangerously soft. “From the very beginning.”

Lana’s eyes darted to the glowing medallion. “Nik, whatever she told you — she’s manipulating you. I saved you. I was the one—”

“Enough!” Nikolai roared.

The windows vibrated. His wolf surged forward so violently that dark fur rippled across his forearms before he forced it back. He slammed the medallion onto the glass coffee table between them. It continued to glow brightly, casting Lana’s face in accusing golden light.

“A dying witness from the Silverfang pack described everything,” he growled, looming over her. “A woman with chestnut hair. Golden healing light. A gentle voice whispering to me in the rain. *Elena.* She was the one who pulled me back from death. Not you.”

Lana’s breathing grew rapid and shallow. Her hands twisted in her lap. For a moment, she tried to maintain the performance — wide eyes, trembling lips, the image of a fragile survivor.

“I… I don’t know what he’s talking about,” she stammered. “Maybe he was hallucinating from the silver. I was there, Nik. I dragged you off the road. I stayed with you—”

Nikolai’s hand shot out, gripping her chin with controlled strength, forcing her to look up at him. His silver-flecked eyes burned with barely leashed violence.

“Do not lie to my face again,” he warned, voice dropping into a deadly whisper. “The medallion only glows for *her*. My wolf has been going insane every time she’s near because she is my mate. My true mate. And you… you stole her moment. You stole *my* claim.”

Lana’s composure finally cracked.

Tears — real ones this time — spilled down her cheeks. She grabbed his wrist with both hands, not to pull away, but to cling desperately.

“Okay! Okay, I lied!” she sobbed, voice breaking. “I didn’t save you… but I didn’t hurt you either! I saw her healing you from the trees. I waited until she left, then took the medallion from her car. I was desperate, Nik. I had nothing. Loan sharks were going to kill me. When your men found me trying to sell it, I saw my chance. I thought… I thought if I became your Luna, I’d finally be safe. I’d finally have power.”

Nikolai’s grip tightened on her chin, his claws partially extended and pressing against her skin. Blood beaded where they pierced.

“You let me humiliate my true mate,” he growled, voice shaking with rage. “You let me threaten her family. You let me dance with you while she watched, knowing she was the one who bled for me in the rain. All for what? Money? Status?”

Lana sobbed harder, clutching at his arm. “I’m sorry! I was scared! I didn’t think you’d ever find out. I can still be useful to you. I can help you—”

Nikolai released her chin with a snarl of disgust and stepped back. His wolf was losing control. Dark fur rippled across his neck and shoulders. His claws lengthened fully. The temperature in the room seemed to drop as primal fury rolled off him in waves.

“You poisoned me against the one person fate chose for me,” he said, voice distorted by the partial shift. “You made me hurt her. Again and again.”

In a sudden explosion of violence, he grabbed the glass coffee table and flipped it with one hand. It shattered against the far wall, glass exploding across the floor like diamonds. The medallion skittered across the marble, still glowing defiantly.

Lana screamed and scrambled backward on the sofa, eyes wide with terror.

“Nik, please! I love you! I can make this right—”

“You don’t know what love is,” he roared, the sound more wolf than man. He grabbed her by the front of her dress and hauled her up until her feet barely touched the ground. His eyes had gone completely silver, fangs elongated. “You are nothing but a thief and a liar.”

Lana dangled in his grip, sobbing and gasping. “I confess, okay?! I stole the medallion! I lied about saving you! But I never tried to kill you. I just… I just wanted a better life. Please… don’t kill me…”

Nikolai stared at her for a long, terrifying moment. His wolf wanted blood. It wanted to tear her apart for what she had done to his mate. The instinct was so strong his muscles trembled with restraint.

With a sound of pure disgust, he threw her onto the sofa. She landed in a sobbing heap.

“Get out of my sight,” he snarled. “Before I change my mind and rip your throat out.”

Lana didn’t wait to be told twice. She scrambled to her feet and fled the penthouse, still crying, her footsteps echoing down the hallway.

Nikolai stood alone amidst the destruction, chest heaving, claws slowly retracting. The medallion continued to glow softly on the floor, a golden beacon calling him toward the truth he could no longer deny.

He dropped to his knees in the middle of the broken glass, not caring when shards cut into his skin. Blood pooled beneath him, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the agony ripping through his soul.

“Elena…” he whispered hoarsely into the empty room.

The storm of rage had passed.

Now only crushing regret remained.

And the terrifying realization that he might have already lost the only woman who was ever meant to be his.