Chapter 1

In my fourth year as King Alpha Kieran Ashworth's mate, I carried his child.

Seeking the High Priestess to perform the "Protective Blessing Ritual" for our unborn pup, I traveled to the Pack's sacred temple. But after extending her mystical senses, her expression grew grave.

"I'm deeply sorry, Seraphina. You and Alpha Kieran have not established a true mate bond. I cannot perform the blessing ritual. Without his genuine acknowledgment, this pregnancy will be extremely perilous."

"That's impossible! We had a mating ceremony,everyone knows I'm his Luna!"

The High Priestess shook her head solemnly. "True mate bonds depend on whether two souls willingly resonated during bonding. My spiritual sight doesn't deceive me. Alpha Kieran's legitimate bond connects to another: Isabella Morgrave."

I emerged from the temple like the walking dead, tears streaming down my cheeks.

Four years ago, I married Kieran in place of my runaway sister Isabella to preserve both families' honor.

Initially, he treated me with cold indifference, wouldn't even let me near his wolf form.

But I never complained, tending to his every need with meticulous care. During full moons when his power raged uncontrollably, I stayed by his side, soothing his tormented wolf with my gentle strength.

Gradually, he allowed me into his study.

After hunts, he brought back prey I favored.

When I fell ill, he wrapped me in his powerful aura, driving away chills with his alpha warmth.

I believed I'd truly become his Luna.

Until two months ago, when Isabella suddenly returned.

Isabella claimed to have contracted "Luna's Eclipse",the werewolf affliction spoken of in whispered terror. A pack healer declared she had at most three full moons remaining.

That night, my father ,as the tribal chieftain subordinate to King Alpha Kieran Ashworth，called an urgent family meeting.

"Seraphina, Isabella's regret was leaving Kieran. Her only dying wish is to become his mate in her final days, even if only in name."

My stepmother wept. "It's temporary, just to fulfill her dying wish. When she's gone, everything returns as it was."

Isabella sobbed. "This is my only wish before death. I beg you to grant me this mercy."

My eyes blazed red with fury. "You pushed me out like a puppet to marry in her place, and now you want Kieran to wed my sister again? I absolutely refuse!"

My father used his authority to imprison me in the power-suppressing "Isolation Chamber" until I "came to my senses."

During captivity, through whispers and gossip, I learned Kieran had publicly declared before the Wolf Council: "My Luna can only be Seraphina."

He'd severed all support to Morgrave territory and sent elite guards demanding my release.

This became my beacon of hope:Kieran was fighting for me.

A month later, my prison door opened. I stumbled into his embrace, only to hear: "Sera, forgive me. Your parents were unyielding. For our packs' ancient alliance, I must play this charade. It's merely ceremonial, won't create a true bond. I swear, my heart belongs only to you."

After stunned silence, I gently caressed his face. "You've already done more than enough."

On the next full moon, I watched helplessly as a grand "Mating Ceremony" was held. Kieran and Isabella exchanged power tokens, their energies merging into a clear resonant connection.

Standing below the altar, I felt those energy waves,this was no "false" ceremony at all! This was sacred betrayal.

After the ceremony, Kieran spent increasingly longer periods in Isabella's territory, returning home carrying her clinging scent. He explained it as "necessary to stabilize her condition."