2

The moon hung low over Ashenwood Ridge, casting a cold silver light over the Alpha's estate. From my bedroom window, I watched patrol wolves make their rotations through the trees. I knew most of their names by heart. I used to stand out there with them, shoulder to shoulder. Now I felt more like a statue behind glass, always observing, never included.

Kael’s side of the bed was cold. Again.

He hadn’t come home last night. Or if he had, he’d been gone before dawn. I pressed my palm against the empty space where he should’ve been, where his warmth used to linger. Nothing. Just the faint scent of sandalwood and steel, already fading.

I got dressed slowly, deliberately, tugging on a fitted black tunic with Luna sigils etched in the sleeves. I didn’t feel like a Luna anymore. More like a decoration, a symbol he paraded when necessary and forgot when it wasn’t convenient.

Kael claimed to be busy with rogue threats near the western border. It was possible. But he hadn’t taken me to a strategy meeting in over a week. He was shutting me out. The moment I stepped into the corridor, I could feel it: eyes flicking toward me, quickly looking away. A pair of junior warriors stopped talking when I passed, exchanging a glance. It might’ve meant nothing. But maybe not.

I found Maris in the east wing training yard, sparring with one of the new recruits. She moved with fluid confidence, landing a well-timed sweep that knocked the boy to the ground with a grunt. She offered him a hand up and a grin before waving him off.

“You’re late,” she said, wiping sweat from her brow as I approached.

I crossed my arms. “Not all of us have mysterious lovers keeping us up at night.”

She rolled her eyes. “Still on that?”

“Yes. And I’m serious this time. If I don’t get a name soon, I’ll start interrogating everyone in this pack.”

Maris chuckled but didn’t respond. She reached for a water flask instead, drinking deeply. Her silence was starting to bother me.

“Does he even exist, or are you just faking a love life to make me jealous?”

She met my gaze. “He exists.”

“That’s all I get?”

Maris shrugged. “That’s all I’m giving you.”

I frowned. “You’re acting weird.”

“No weirder than usual.”

I stared at her, but she gave me nothing. I let it go—for now.

“I haven’t seen Kael since yesterday morning,” I said as we walked toward the inner courtyard. “He said he had a council meeting, but I went past the council wing. It was locked.”

Maris was quiet for a moment. “Maybe it was rescheduled?”

“I asked one of the advisors. They didn’t know anything about it.”

She glanced at me. “Selene…”

“What?”

“Don’t drive yourself mad over this. You’ll twist everything until it confirms your worst fears. You need to trust him.”

“I’m trying. But things don’t make sense anymore. And the more I try to talk to him, the more he shuts down. If there is something going on, I deserve to know.”

We stepped into the shaded corridor that led to the pack hall. The echo of our footsteps bounced softly off the stone. I lowered my voice.

“I’m not asking you to spy on him. But… if you knew something, would you tell me?”

She stopped walking. “Why would you even ask me that?”

I shrugged, uncomfortable. “You’re my best friend. The only one I really trust.”

Her mouth twisted slightly, like she’d just swallowed something bitter. “I wouldn’t lie to you, Selene.”

I nodded. “Good. Because I feel like I’m going crazy.”

Maris reached out and squeezed my arm. “You’re not. And I’m here. Always.”

I believed her. At least, part of me did. Later that night, after another empty dinner table, I went to Kael’s office. The door was locked. I pres

sed my ear against the wood and listened. Nothing. Just silence.