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Grayson's POV

“Kill me, and I promise you’ll never know true happiness. Don’t forget—you’re just a rogue who rose to Alpha thanks to my family’s power!”

The echo of my ex-mate’s voice vanished the moment the door creaked open and Ashen stepped into the room, pulling me out of my haunted thoughts.

“Hey, are you alright?” he asked, concern drawn across his face.

“Yeah. You’re ready?” I replied calmly. “Then let’s head downstairs. It’s time everyone heard the announcement.”

Ashen frowned and gently shook his head.

“I don’t think that’s necessary, Alpha Grayson. I’m just an omega… What’s the point in announcing that I’m leaving the pack?”

The hesitation in his eyes revealed the scars that had yet to heal. After all he’d endured, how could he believe he mattered?

“His soul trembles,” Morvek, my wolf, growled quietly within. “If only he had his wolf, I would’ve calmed it myself.”

I grasped Ashen’s hand and led him down to the main hall, where pack members bustled about with their duties.

“What?! Alpha—Alpha Grayson!”

The moment someone noticed me, silence fell. Dozens of heads turned, and in unison, the entire hall bowed.

“What the hell! You idiot! Do you not realize who stands before you?! Get over here!”

One of the pack members pointed at Ashen and began to march toward him in fury.

I didn’t hesitate.

My palm cracked against his face with enough force to hurl him into the wall.

Gasps filled the room. Even Ashen flinched in shock, trembling beside me.

“The one who’s going to speak is Ashen—not me,” I said, voice low but filled with threat. “If anyone dares cross him again, your fate will be worse than your former Alpha’s. He’s already facing the consequences of his sins.”

I looked at Ashen and gave a subtle nod, urging him forward.

He shook his head in refusal, but I wasn’t giving him a choice. I pulled him to stand before me, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

“My mate must be brave,” I whispered, “or I’ll have to punish you once we’re back at the mansion.”

Ashen inhaled deeply before speaking. My little threat had done the trick.

“I… I just want to say that… as of today, I’m no longer a member of this pack. I’ll be leaving with Alpha Grayson to the Graveshade Pack.”

Predictable. He still couldn’t say it—still too shy to admit what we truly were. So I said it for him.

“And he’s my mate. So if anyone dares to interfere with his life, I’ll end them myself.”

I clasped Ashen’s hand, guiding him through the stunned crowd. Eyes followed us, wide with disbelief.

Our car waited at the entrance. My men had arrived as ordered.

Ashen said nothing on the ride, head bowed in silence. The fear still clung to him, irritating me more than I’d like to admit.

“Listen closely, Ashen,” I said, breaking the silence. “You need to start adjusting. You need to adapt. Don’t let the poison from your old pack keep living in you.”

He turned to me slowly.

“I’ve never doubted the Moon Goddess’ choices,” he whispered. “But why would you choose someone like me—a weak omega?”

I leaned closer, brushing my fingers over his cheek. His eyes—so fragile, so full of fear—made me want to ruin him and remake him as mine.

“Because I want you. Isn’t that enough of a reason?” I smiled faintly. “Stop asking why. You’re weaker than most women I’ve met, Ashen. But don’t worry… I’ll change that.”

I kissed his soft, fragrant cheek. Damn it—I was losing control.

His scent was intoxicating, pulsing through my head the entire ride, and it took everything in me not to tear into him right there.

Two hours felt like forever.

The moment we arrived, I stepped out first to steady myself.

“You’re disgusting, Grayson. Look at you—can’t even control your urges.”

“That urge came from you, Morvek. You know what Ashen’s body will do to me once I mark him.”

“Yeah, but I’m not the one thinking about taking him the moment we step inside. That’s all you.”

The sound of the car door closing brought me back.

Ashen stood outside, staring at the mansion in disbelief.

“Welcome home, Ashen. This is your new sanctuary. A place of peace, of love. I swear—no more sorrow will touch you here.”

He looked at me, eyes uncertain. No smile, no trust. Not yet.

He moved to grab his bag from the trunk, but I gently swatted his hand away.

“You’re my mate, Ashen. You’re my Eclipse.”

The wind picked up, brushing against our faces like a whisper from the Moon Goddess herself.

“Eclipse, huh?” he murmured. “That’s… a beautiful word.”

“Yeah. Just like you.” I smiled. “Come on. There’s work to do. You can rest in our room.”

I took his hand again and walked toward the mansion. But after just a few steps, I caught the scent—pungent, familiar, wolf.

I stopped cold, turning toward the forest.

“What is it, Alpha Grayson?” Ashen asked quietly.

I didn’t reply. I waited.

And then, from between the trees, a white wolf bounded out, shifting mid-run into a woman—Elle.

She beamed at me, her voice bursting with joy.

“Grayson! I’m pregnant! We’re having a child—your heir!”

The words struck like lightning.

Ashen’s hand slipped from mine.