Chapter 1:

Ezora's POV

My eyes glimmed with hope as the healer smiled up at me, her fingers still dug into the pulse point of my wrist.

“Luna, your vitals are stable now,” she let go and reached a hand into her satchel, and brought out a small transparent bottle, “This is the fertility portion you requested for. Take it and meet with the Alpha within the hour to keep it's effectiveness. An heir is guaranteed at once.”

“Thank you.” I took the portion and nodded once to Isabella, my handmaid, standing beside me to do the needful.

“One thousand gold coins, the Luna's generosity.” Isabella said to the healer whilst I stare into the green elixir. I could already see the promised future staring into the liquid.

“Five thousand.” I chipped. “Make it five thousand gold coins.”

Isabella gasped and whispered into my ears, “My Luna, an army's 3months worth for a portion were aren't even certain of?.” Despite her respectful tone, her voice edged with chastening and disapproval.

I smiled, my gaze still lingering on the portion. For an heir—and the glory of both the Blood moon pack and Moon Shadow pack— I could lay down my life if needed. A few thousand coins meant nothing.

“I trust her craft,” I kept my voice just as low, turning to Isabella with resolve “ she is the best in all of Crescentshire, remember?”

Isabella nodded and hands a big pouch of coins to the old lady who bowed in appreciation and exits.

I opened the wooden cork of the bottle and took a whiff of the scent. The smell of wild honey, chamomile and a blend mix of wild herbs wafted my nose. Not wanting second thoughts, I downed the content in one gulp.

The healer had helped unclog my meridians and steadied my vitals, what is left not to trust?

The bitter taste hits my tongue first, making me nauseous and unable to utter a word. I grabbed the arm rest of my seat tightly. I leaned backwards to stop myself from vomiting. A hot after taste builds slowly, and I found my voice again.

“Quick, dress me up.”

Isabella aids me up, and with swift moves helps me out of my gown into something more eye appealing and seductive.

Unease knotted my stomach as my Father's many letters urging me to restore Blood Moon Pack's glory by birthing the prophecy child or he cuts all ties with me, floods my mind. His recent letters had instructively said “Don't be useless.”

Once I was done, I stared at my reflection. Though the powder hid the dark sunken circles around my eyes and my lips brightened red, I looked nothing like the sunshine girl I was five years ago, standing on the altar and saying the marriage vows to my beloved; Arlan, Alpha of the Moon shadow pack and current Alpha king of the North.

But after four years and 8months with no child, rumours of me being cursed with barrenness spread far and wide like a disease. Not the good I had for the people, not the sacrifice I laid everything for…Not one good.

My shoulders slumped and I looked away. Fate is cruel—no, the goddess is—for giving me the responsibility of birthing a prophecy child to save the world and then makes it impossible to even conceive.

“Hurry, get the Alpha here as possible as you can”. Isabella nodded and hurried out.

Not long after, a loud bang startled me to my feet. My gaze dashed to the door in time to see it break off its hinges. Arlan marched in with the company of Moon Shadow Pack's most fierced warriors.

“Arrest the traitor!” Arlan barked, pointing at me as they motioned closer.

“Wha—”

I'm surrounded by five soldiers and knocked to my knees like an armed criminal before I could process what was happening.

“Arlan, what are you doing? What is all this?” My breath ragged as I looked confused at him.

He avoids my gaze and turned sharply to his men. “Lock her separate from the others, but use the main entrance so the world sees how traitors of the crown end up.”

“Traitor?! What are you talking about?! Is this madness that has come over you?” I yelled and tried to free myself from the strong hands pinning me down. My strength was like child's play. Arlan does not bother to glance my way, he whispered something in the ears of one of them. The leader, I recognise.

“Arlan! Answer me!” My cry grew louder.

The man he had whispered to closed the distance and struck my cheeks hard. Pain heated my face and the spot burned.

“Tis “Alpha” to you” He sneered.

The tears broke free and flowed down my cheeks. My face crumpled with disbelief as I stared back and forth between Arlan and the soldier.

For a few seconds, Arlan's throat bobbed and he clenched his palms . Hope warmed by chest and for a second I thought, whatever madness this was, my husband has finally come to his senses.

“Do as I've instruct” Arlan said, turning for the door.

My hope crushed with what was left of my dignity.

“Arlan!” I screamed. His steps halted immediately. “ I am your Luna, what could I have possibly done for you to humiliate me this much?!”

Silence stretched no longer than two heartbeats.

“MOON SHADOW PACK HAS NO LUNA” Arlan's voice rang loud and hard, striped of every warmth I've ever known.

Tight air trapped my breathing as I watched his back disappear out the room.

The men hauled me to my feet right after, and dragged me outside.

My heart wrenched at the scattered dead bodies of my pack members like a trail as we moved. My stomach knotted as I found Isabella’s body amongst the dead. She had not even made it past the main gate.

My wolf wriggled over and over again, but without the other half of my wolf spirit, it was useless.

I gritted my teeth. I had given up half my wolf spirit to save Arlan from the claws of death, if only I knew…

We arrived at a cave dungeon, the place reeked of blood, human dung, piss and sweat. I'm thrown like a sack of potatoes into one of the many cells.

Afraid and anxious, I curled myself up and waited. There must be an explanation. Arlan must've been bewitched! He loves me, he could never…

I hear keys juggle, and then…

“Ezora?” I recognise Nyx, my best friend's voice, at once.

Finally! My heart leapt. Father has sent someone!

“Nyx? I'm here!” My voice cracked with ache. “I'm over here.”

Nyx rushed over, accompanied by two servants; one with a box and the other held a firetorch.

“Quick, save me!” I tried to keep my voice down.

Nyx unlocks the door. “Wait,” she ushers herself and the servants in instead. “You can't go out there just yet.” Her eyes held mine with concern lining them. “Arlan has revolted against the Blood Moon pack, framed your family of treason to eliminate all of Blood Moon pack. Apparently you were just a pawn for his ambitions to become Alpha King!”

“No,” I shook my head hoping this would only be a dream —a horrible nightmare. “Arlan loves me, this has to be a misunderstanding somewhere, he would never–”

Nyx clasped my hands in hers and squeezed. “I knew you'd say that. But there's something you must see.”

She took the box from the servant and opens it. I gasped in horror, too shock to even scream as I stared wide-eyed at my father's severed head in a box, still fresh. I gripped the Iron bars for support as my knees gave out.

“No, no, no” I shook my head even harder.

Nyx drew closer with the box still in hand

“Look closely, Ezora, so you don't forget. Only an Alpha can kill another Alpha”

Her words made my head spin. I tried to place it, to imagine it, but pain shoots from my heart and bangs in my head. I clutched my chest with a free hand and looked, noting the fear in his eyes as though he died extremely terrified.

“There's more” Nyx said and takes an edict from the other servant, snapped it open and puts it to my face. “The Alpha has signed a decree to publicly execute You, alongside the captured members of Your Blood Moon pack first thing by dawn's light. You wouldn't let that happen, would you? You have to live and fight back! For justice!” She shoves it into my hand.

My insides heated up, and my anger grew by the second till I felt it everywhere; even my wolf.

“But how?” I asked, squeezing the edict.

“First, you drink this.” She brought out a vial from inside her dress. “It'll help you be as though you were dead. When the guards come to check on you and find you dead, they'll be forced to find a replacement without the Alpha's notice, and then bury you in the forest where I'll be on standby waiting with the antidote.”

“What?” I gaze dumbfounded at Nyx’ serious face.

“It's the only way out.”

“Is it safe? Is it guaranteed to work?”

“Would I be doing this if I weren't sure now, Ezora? Hurry, drink it, we don't have time!”

She uncapped the vial and forced it down my throat. I swallowed every drop and we waited for a reaction.

“Nyx, do you think—” Pain hooked me sharply inside like knives twisting. I dropped on all fours feeling nauseous again. Could the effect of the fertility portion be reacting now?

“Nyx I—” a spat of blood cuts me short, followed by pain storming inside me more than I could bear.

Nyx stood in her spot, I noticed the concern that once laced her face was now replaced with a cunning triumphant smile.

Nyx clapped. “Well, well, well, Ezora, aren't you so foolish? Did you really think I'd let you off after you STOLE from me?”

The pain slowly consumed every part of me like fire. What could Nyx possibly have for me to steal?

“Arlan was mine before YOU ever came into the picture, MY FATED MATE!”

Arlan? Her fated mate?

The betrayal crushed me further as everything suddenly made sense; their closeness even more than him with me.

“Did you know? I'm five months gone with his baby.” Nyx viscous laugh filled the room.

My body turns cold on her words, disconnecting me from the pain. I gazed up at her already waiting victory look.

“What did you say?” I could barely hear my own self. But I guess she heard me because she lowers herself till her lips were inches from my ear.

“Did you really think you drank a fertility portion?” She chuckled softly, “Have you ever wondered why you couldn't mother a child? The man you threw everything away for was poisoning you—for my sake,of course. You, my dearest, aren't worthy of bearing his children!”

One hand clenching my battered dress, I managed out. “Why? Why are you telling me this now? You could just end me without all of these. Why do you hate me so much?”

“Ugh, and where's the fun in that? Since you're dying anyway, it's best you knew the truth.” She turned to one of the servants, her back facing me.

A thought crossed my heart and I seized the opportunity, forcing myself up. Painstakingly, I moved slowly towards the servant with the firetouch. Her head bowed and oblivious; Perfect.

“Ezora, the chosen one.” Nyx mocked “Truly, I feel sorry for you.”

Nyx turned just as I neared my goal.

“Then die with me!” I pushed forward.

Perhaps sensing what I had in mind, she moved to grab me. But her shoe caught the hem of her dress and she slipped, giving me the opportunity to knock the torch down.

Fire engulfs the hay floor in seconds, spreading widely. The servants narrowly escaped screaming.

The forced strength caused my guts to twist again and more blood pools from my mouth. My vision slowly blurs but I could still see Nyx choking for air and trying to escape.

My wolf silenced inside me and I knew I'll be next as my eyes closes.

“Ezora!” I hear an unfamiliar voice scream.

Death is that you?

“Ezora!!!” The voice grew louder. I forced my eye lids to open as far as it could go.

Someone burst through the flames. A pair of black boots with golden lines ran to me. My vision darkens just as I try to catch a glimpse of his face.

I felt the warmth of his hands scoop me. Could a stranger really love me so?

The claws of death snatched me too quickly before I could find out.