Chapter 2

After cutting communication, I prepared Ash's farewell alone.

I wrapped Ash's body in a moonlight silk shroud — one I had woven by hand. It was meant to enfold his wolf form after his first successful shift, to help stabilize his newly born power.

As I wrapped him, I remembered the last words Ash spoke while he was still conscious.

That evening, Ash's body was already turning cold. He was shaking from the pain but refused to cry. He gripped my fingers and asked: "Mommy, is Daddy on his way? He promised to teach me to run under the moonlight. I want to learn so I can show him."

I told him, "Daddy will be here soon."

But Kael never came.

Ash died waiting for the father who had promised to teach him to run.

After I finished wrapping him, messages from Kael flooded my phone — "How's Ash doing?" "What did the Elder say?" "Why aren't you answering?"

I stared at those messages. I didn't reply.

The next morning, I carried Ash to the memorial hall to register the funeral rites.

I had just stepped out of the healing center when Kael burst through the entrance.

But he wasn't here for Ash.

Nora was right behind him, clutching an unconscious Lily. Kael's face was tight with panic as he barked at the guards: "Move! Something's wrong with Lily — get a healer, now!"

He didn't even notice me standing right there. He didn't see Ash wrapped in silk in my arms.

I stood still. I didn't call out to him.

When Kael brushed past me, he finally caught sight of me. His steps faltered for a moment.

I said nothing. I simply stepped aside to let him through.

Kael froze. Before, whenever he fussed over Nora, I'd always stop him, confront him. Now I wasn't saying a word, and he didn't know what to do.

He hesitated for a few seconds: "Let me deal with Lily first. I'll come see Ash right after — just wait for me."

Nora was sobbing his name behind him. Kael glanced at me, then turned and ran in after Nora.

A young female guard looked in the direction Nora had gone and remarked to her companion: "The Alpha really dotes on Nora. The second Lily cries, he drops everything."

Her companion nodded. "No kidding. Last Autumn Hunt he even carved a wolf fang pendant for Lily himself. He's never done that for his own kid."

The guard lowered her voice: "Who's that woman standing over there? Keeps hanging around the memorial hall with a bundle. Think she's trying to get close to the Alpha?"

Her companion scoffed. "A few days ago she came to register some pup for treatment, claiming she was the Luna. The Elder nearly laughed. Everyone knows Nora is the Luna. The Alpha's mark is practically on Nora's neck."

I heard every word.

Kael had said rogue wolves were a constant threat to the pack, and he was afraid that if people knew I was his mate, it would put Ash and me in danger. So he never let me attend any official pack functions, and never allowed me to present myself as Luna in front of the pack.

But after Nora returned, Kael brought her to the Winter Solstice Ceremony and the Full Moon Banquet. When pack members called Nora "Luna," Kael never corrected them.

The entire Silver Fang Pack believed Nora and Lily were the Alpha's mate and daughter. Ash and I were outsiders with no claim.

Kael found me after he finished with Lily.

He reached out to hold me. I stepped aside and avoided his touch.

Kael frowned slightly, his voice softening: "I know you're upset. The moment I'm done here, I'll go see Ash and infuse him with power to mend his wolf. Okay?"

I kept my head down and said three words: "There's no need."

Ash was dead. On the night of the full moon, his wolf had completely disintegrated.

Kael was silent for a few seconds.

Then he pulled something from the leather pouch at his side — a small pendant carved from wolf bone, shaped like a running pup.

"I had this specially made for Ash by a Frost Wolf craftsman up north. For when he learns to shift."

I stared at the pendant, lost.

Three months ago, for Ash's birthday, Kael had commissioned a moonstone talisman from the pack's own craftsman. Ash had spent ages choosing the design and waited an entire month in anticipation.

The day it was delivered, Lily saw it and threw a fit. Kael took it straight from Ash's hands and gave it to Lily.

He said, "Lily never had a father to give her anything. Let her have this one — I'll make you another."

Ash cried the whole night.

Kael never mentioned "making another one" again.

Now he'd brought back a new pendant from the north. But Ash would never wear it.

Before I could say anything, Nora rushed in, panicked.

She grabbed Kael's arm, sobbing: "Kael, the healer finished the exam — Lily's wolf is failing too, and it's getting worse fast. If she doesn't get an Alpha power infusion within seven days, she'll end up just like Ash!"

Kael's expression changed instantly. He grabbed Nora's hand: "I'll go confirm the plan with the Elder right now. Don't be scared — I won't let anything happen to Lily."

He turned away from me and hurried toward the Elder Hall with Nora.

I stood there, watching his back, and said one thing: "Kael — what about our Ash?"