1. Eclipse On The Full Moon

LILIANA SPENCER…..

A soft smile bloomed across my lips as I looked at the reflection before me in the mirror.

‘Is it really me?’

Flawless skin. Rosy cheeks. Eyes shimmering with excitement. I hardly recognized myself. Behind me, Lucy, Noah and Cassie were grinning like I’d just won the Luna of the year award.

"You are smiling all the way to your eyes, my Luna." Cassie, my personal maid teased, holding a mischievous smile on her face.

"Is it really me?" I asked, pointing a doubtful finger at my reflection to confirm that I wasn't hallucinating.

"Yes. It's really you, my Luna" Noah — Beta Killian’s sister, beamed.

"Well?" Lucy, my make-up artist, stepped forward, proud as a peacock. “Now tell me how my work is? Do you like it?"

"It's beautiful," I breathed honestly. I truly hadn't expected to look… this enchanting.

"Then let's get you dressed now," Lucy clapped, and pushed me to the dressing room.

The gown they’d prepared was a daring red off-shoulder, with a high front slit that would reveal my long slim white leg every time I stepped forward.

I came out from my dressing room and Cassie knelt to buckle my golden color sky-high heels with straps, her fingers trembling with excitement.

"Perfect. Absolutely perfect! Now you are all ready, my Luna." Cassie cheerfully announced, clapping her hands.

"Mark my words, every eye will be on you at the New Moon festival party. You are so beautiful that no one can resist your beauty. I'm afraid that someone might abduct you." Cassie giggled saying the last line.

I laughed shyly, but Noah only hummed confidently.

“Don’t worry, no one will dare to put their eyes on what belongs to Alpha Zade. They are aware of the consequences.” Noah said and I smiled shyly.

“I’m so excited how Alpha will react after seeing Luna Liliana. I bet he will fall in love with my Luna all over again.” Cassie teased me, making my cheek flushed.

“Enough! Now you all leave before Alpha Zade…”

“Are you ready, Anna? I don't want to be la…” The door swung open. Zade walked inside the room and stopped — mid-sentenced when his eyes met mine. The trio left the room in a rush after bowing their heads before him.

Silence fell.

I noticed how his eyes traveled on every inch of my body from top to bottom admiring my beauty.

For a breathtaking moment, I thought I saw hunger flicker in his gaze. I didn't miss how his eyes darkened seeing me. His lips parted slightly as if a compliment was about to fall out.

But it didn't. It vanished like always.

“Let's go. We’re getting late.” Here comes his cold reply.

No praise. No smile. No acknowledgment.

In four years of our marriage, I had not received a single compliment from him. Somewhere along the way, I had stopped expecting one.

Perhaps… I simply wasn't beautiful in his eyes or it can be he doesn't know how to compliment someone. He's always very bad at expressing himself.

Zade’s brows furrowed. “Why have you bathed in perfume? I told you before — I prefer your natural scent. Don't use this again.”

Zade yelled at me. I blinked. I was confused. Should I take it as a compliment that he liked my natural fragrance or should I take it as a scolding?

“I will remember from now on. I won't use it again,” I replied meekly, stepping forward to adjust his tie — because he never tied it correctly.

I could feel his heated gaze on me when I was busy helping him with the tie. My heart raced. I felt like melting away under his intense gaze. So to avoid the awkward situation I tried to lighten the atmosphere.

“You know, you are looking more handsome in this suit that I had chosen for you? But do you like it?” I asked him in a soft tone and waited for his response.

“It doesn’t matter if I liked it or not. What matters is that it suits me. And I know you will choose the best for me. I trust your judgement. You know very well what is good for me. I never doubt your choice. You know me better than myself. So, yes. I always trust you blindly. Because I know you love me crazily.”

His voice softened. Just a little.

I looked up instantly to meet his eyes which were looking back at me. But to my dismay, there was nothing in his eyes except coldness. I flashed a smile and pulled him down by his tie to place a soft kiss on his forehead.

“I know, you don't feel the way I feel for you. But I believe one day I will be able to win your heart.” Saying that I let go of his tie. But he didn't move nor look away. He was still looking into my eyes. It was a complicated expression he was holding in his face that I could not put my finger on.

“What if you failed to win my heart?” Zade suddenly asked. The question sliced through my chest but I composed myself and flashed a wide smile.

“It doesn't matter to me. I love you so much that my love would be enough for both of us to spend the rest of our lives. It's okay for me if you don't fall in love with me. I will just ask one thing from you — just stay with me forever. And don't stop me from loving you.”

Again — silence.

He didn't say anything, just pulled back and looked away.

“Let’s go.” He forwarded his arm for me to hold and I happily held his arm and we both headed outside to leave for the New Moon festival.

The Alpha King’s palace was breathtaking — three hours of travel, but worth it. Lanterns floated overhead like fallen stars. Dozens of pack leaders greeted us, but my attention kept drifting upward, to the twinkling lights.

“Luna, Liliana!” Luna Athena appeared, tugging me away playfully.

“We know you have a handsome mate and you are afraid someone might steal your man in your absence. But we are your friends. You have to draw out some time to spend with us too. Come gossip with us!” Luna Athena teased me while asking me to join them.

“It's not like that,” I laughed.

“I trust Zade. Even if someone tries to approach him he will never lift her, let alone betray me. I have full faith in him.” I said confidently while beaming with pride.

“Wow! Lucky girl.” Luna Athena sighed, patting my arm.

Alpha Jasper chuckled. “I must say, Alpha Zade. You are a lucky guy to have such an understanding and amazing Mate. You must have done some good deeds in your previous life due to which you got a Mate like Luna Liliana. She trusts you blindly.”

“Yeah, you’re right.” Saying that he pulled me closer, his grip firm on my waist — a silent claim. I felt heat rush to my cheeks making me flustered.

Until —

“Men are not trustworthy. It is sheer foolishness to trust men.” Luna Athena muttered darkly, glaring at Alpha Jasper. Tension flared instantly between them.

The environment was getting heated up so I tried to ease up. “Luna Athena, come with me. I have a lot of things to share with you.” I pulled her with me to a corner away from there.

It was clear, they fought before coming here. Small fights between husband and wife are common. Until it's become a threat to your relationship.

“What was that Luna Athena? You are a Luna. Losing patience like this doesn’t suit you. You should get a hold of yourself. Learn to Keep the conflict between you two confined to your room, don't let it become a public matter. It will only make things worse.”

I tried to make her understand but she just smiled sadly and said softly.

“I know. But when he was praising you and telling Alpha Zade about being a lucky person to have a mate like you it felt like he was mocking me for doubting him. His relationship with Miss Lisa is way too close. But he keeps saying that they are just good friends. You tell me, would you allow a girl to go so close to Alpha Zade?”

I grew serious. “I would never allow that until my man showed any interest in her. If you find your man, let her come close to him, don't say anything, just keep your distance from him. Sometimes you just gotta leave people alone to see where you really stand in their life.”

“And if you see he doesn't care about you then leave him. Forcing someone to be with you who is not into you anymore is sheer foolishness. I hope you make a wise decision, dear.” I patted her arm and she pulled me into a warm hug.

“Wish me luck, Luna Liliana.” She muttered, squeezing me a little and I smiled.

“OMG! Isn't it Gianna!”

My world stopped spinning on its axis at the mention of that name.

Gianna.

I felt my heart skip a beat and instantly pulled away from her to see the owner of the name.

“Fuck! Alpha Zade’s Ex is back!” Luna Athena exclaimed in utmost shock.

But my condition was worse. The scene took away the earth which was under my feet till a moment ago, the whole sky fell on me within a moment, when I saw Zade hugging Gianna with a smile. He never smiled at me in our four years of marriage.

I couldn't move.

I couldn't blink.

I couldn't breathe.

My lips trembled, but no sound came out. My hands, which had been elegantly clasped in front of me seconds ago…were numb and cold.

It felt as if someone had reached inside my chest and twisted my heart without mercy.

There he stood my husband with another woman in his arms. Holding her like she was precious. Smiling like she was light.

A smile I spent four years trying to earn. A smile I thought… belonged to me.

My mind screamed, ‘No’. But my heart whispered, ‘I knew’.

Because deep down… I had always known. His silence. His indifference. His distance. They were not emptiness. They were prison walls — built out of loyalty to someone else.

Gianna Carstairs.

The ghost he never spoke of. The name no one dared to mention. Now she stood alive… laughing… glowing… undoing me with her presence.

A part of me wanted to run to him and cling to his arm like a desperate fool. Another part — my pride, my Luna dignity ordered me to stand still.

I forced a smile like I didn't feel it.

My nails dug into my palm until I tasted blood in my mouth from biting the inside of my cheek.

He never smiled at me like that. Not on our wedding day. Not when I waited for him late into countless nights. Not when I told him I loved him until my voice cracked.

Yet, for her… one glance, and he lit up like dawn breaking after a long storm.

Was I ever truly his wife?

Or was I just… a stand-in? A placeholder? A living promise he made to his pack while his heart stayed elsewhere?

Luna Athena whispered beside me, equally stunned. “Luna Liliana…” But I barely heard her.

My vision blurred. I blinked rapidly, refusing to let tears fall in public. Not here. Not in front of everyone.

I straightened my back, lifted my chin.

If my heart was shuttering… then it would shatter silently. If my world was collapsing… then I would stand among the ruins with grace.

Because it's not time to cry, it's time to stay strong.