Chapter 1

SELENE

The pain came out of nowhere—sharp, scorching, like claws raking through my chest.

I was in the middle of folding the baby’s tiny clothes—Lucien had just bought them the day before, whispering against my temple how excited he was to be a father—when the sensation struck me so hard I doubled over.

My wolf, Kiera, howled inside me, thrashing.

My hands trembled as I gripped the edge of the dresser.

This pain… it only meant one thing.

Lucien had kissed someone else.

And not just anyone.

Mira.

I knew it deep in my bones.

The sacred mate bond didn’t just bind hearts—it punished betrayal.

I gasped for air, clawing my way to the bed and curling around my stomach, instinctively trying to protect the pup growing inside me. My tears spilled fast, hot, unstoppable.

I tried to mindlink him, my voice shaking as I begged, Lucien, please… please stop. It hurts.

Silence.

Then, after what felt like an eternity, I felt him—his presence crashing into my mind, guilt and panic flooding the bond.

The door slammed open an hour later.

“Selene,” Lucien’s voice broke, raw with desperation as he stumbled into the room.

I didn’t look at him. I couldn’t.

He smelled like her. Her floral perfume clung to his clothes like a curse.

He dropped to his knees beside the bed. “I’m so sorry. Please, Selene, I didn’t mean to—I didn’t think—”

“Don’t,” I whispered, my voice shredded. “Don’t say it.”

He reached for my hand, but I pulled away.

“It was a mistake,” he said hoarsely. “It meant nothing. I didn’t want to hurt you or the baby—I swear to the Moon, I didn’t mean for it to happen.”

I laughed, bitter and broken. “You didn’t mean for it to happen? Then what did you mean to do, Lucien?”

He buried his face in his hands. “She kissed me and I—gods, I was weak. I didn’t stop her. I didn’t think about what it would do to you, I just—”

“You just kissed her,” I snapped, sitting up, ignoring the pain that ripped through me. “Three days, Lucien. She’s been back three days, and you couldn’t even stay loyal that long.”

His eyes shone with tears, but I didn’t care. “I messed up. I know I did. But I came back. I came straight back to you.”

“Because I called you,” I spat. “Because you felt my pain. Not because you suddenly remembered you had a Luna. Or a child.”

He looked like he’d been slapped. Good.

I turned my face away from him, the weight of betrayal crushing down on me.

“I forgave you,” I whispered after a long silence. “Because of our pup. Because I thought I could be stronger than this pain. But something broke, Lucien. And I don’t know if it can be put back together.”

He didn’t speak again. He just stayed there beside the bed, like he was waiting for mercy I no longer knew how to give.

And deep inside me, Kiera curled into silence, the crack in our bond still bleeding.

——

Now, ten days later, I stood in the grand hall preparing for the Moonlight celebration, pretending nothing had happened. Pretending that my mate hadn’t betrayed me. Pretending that everything wasn’t falling apart.

The scent of pine and pastries filled the air, and the pack buzzed around me with excitement. I stood at the long table, adjusting the floral centerpiece I’d spent weeks planning.

Then she spoke.

“Move that vase over there,” Mira said, pointing to a corner with a soft smile on her face, as if she owned the place.

My hand froze mid-adjustment. My grip on the table tightened.

She had been doing this all week. Subtly stepping in, offering unsolicited advice, undermining my authority with a smile too sweet to be innocent.

“That’s not where it’s supposed to go,” I said, my voice sharp, cutting through the hum of conversation.

Mira didn’t flinch. “Trust me, Selene. Aesthetics are my specialty.” She turned to one of the younger wolves. “Could you help me move it?”

The pup hesitated, caught between her charm and my position—but eventually moved to help.

I clenched my jaw.

Not here. Not now.

“Selene.”

Lucien’s voice.

I turned. He was walking toward us, his expression warm—not for me. For her.

“Mira’s suggestions are really good,” he said as he reached me. “You should’ve asked for her help sooner.”

I nearly laughed.

“I didn’t ask for her help. She just decided to take over.”

Lucien sighed, like he was tired of this—tired of me. “She’s only trying to help. You’ve been under pressure, and she has experience. Let her take some of the weight.”

I stared at him, my voice trembling as I whispered, “It’s not about the weight. It’s about the disrespect.”

“You’re overreacting.” His tone was too soft, too dismissive. “Let Mira handle this part. Take the night to relax.”

Relax?

How could I relax when the woman who kissed my mate was being handed pieces of my role like gifts? When he barely came home anymore, always at her side, always defending her?

How could I relax when I was carrying his child, and he was too blind to see how Mira was parading around like she still had a claim on him?

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. I couldn’t explode. Not yet.

The evening arrived faster than I expected.

The hall glowed with golden lanterns and silver ribbons. Laughter and music filled the air. I wore a gown I once loved, but tonight, it felt heavy.

Mira looked radiant beside Lucien, his hand brushing her arm like it was the most natural thing in the world.

I watched them, every interaction a blade across my skin.

“Mira really outdid herself,” one of the elders said nearby.

“She was born to be Luna,” another chimed in.

I turned slowly, my gaze settling on Elder Rowan—the one I’d exposed for stealing rations last winter.

“She’s delicate. Soft-spoken. Not like the current Luna. All she does is bark orders.”

I bit the inside of my cheek until I tasted blood.

Lucien leaned in to Mira, whispered something in her ear. She laughed, eyes fluttering.

That was it.

My wolf surged forward, furious and possessive. Kiera’s growl echoed in my chest.

I want to tear her apart.

“Lucien.” My voice rang through the hall, silencing a few conversations.

He looked over, brows raised, clearly irritated.

“What is it, Selene?”

I walked up to him, my posture straight, every step a fight to keep from shaking. “I need a word. In private.”