Chapter 1

My sister-in-law, Kristy Unwin, lounged lazily in the arms of my mate, Eugene Latham. She lifted her hand and admired the precious moonstone ring on her finger.

Her gaze flitted to me for a moment. Then, she put on a conflicted expression and said, "This ring is the Nightwind pack's heirloom. Only a Luna can wear it. Technically, this should be given to Eugene's true mate. But you gave it to me. Wouldn't Selena be upset?"

My mother-in-law, Grace Wilson, laughed and said, "She's just a lowly werewolf, so she doesn't have any right to be angry. The others in the pack have long wanted you to be the next Luna. Now that you're carrying the pup with Alpha bloodline, you're the only rightful Luna."

No one cared what I thought.

I looked down at my bare ring finger and didn't know what to say. Tears welled up in my eyes.

Finally, Eugene noticed me standing to the side. He let go of Kristy and gently took my hand.

His touch was tender, but I could smell the sickly-sweet scent of wine mixed into his usual woody musk. That scent belonged to Kristy.

I held my breath as he explained, "Ever since my brother passed away, Kristy's been deeply unsettled. Moonstone has calming properties, so I let her wear the ring. You don't mind, do you?"

I pressed my lips tightly together and said nothing, staying silent to show my disapproval.

How could a woman not mind her husband giving a ring to another woman? It was even worse when that particular ring symbolized the Luna's status.

I found it unacceptable.

Upon seeing my reaction, Kristy rolled her eyes and immediately made a great show of pretending to remove the ring.

"Come on, Selena. You know I'm pregnant. I've been having trouble sleeping at night. Eugene was concerned that my body wouldn't be able to take it. I didn't expect you to be so bitter. You're such a petty and cruel she-wolf. Fine! I'll take it off now and give it back to you!"

Kristy yanked hard at the ring. But after several tugs, it didn't budge. Instead, her pulling just rubbed her skin raw and red around the base of her finger.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she choked out, "Eugene, I wasn't trying to keep it for myself. It just... somehow fits my finger too well. Trying to take it off really hurts."

Eugene immediately stopped her. "There's no need to take it off. It's yours now. I'll buy Selena another ring later."

He turned to me and said, "Selena, you've always been so understanding. Just let Kristy keep the moonstone ring. It'll help her carry the pup better."

Grace couldn't help but chime in. She scolded, "Selena, you know full well that you have Omega blood in you. Any pup you bear would taint our Alpha bloodline! Kristy is carrying the heir of a noble bloodline for the pack.

"How can you have any objections to letting her have the moonstone ring? She took it upon herself to carry a pup for the future of our pack. Yet, all you do is get jealous. You're so shameless!"

Everyone looked at me with the same expression that implied I was acting like a clown. They made me feel like I was the one making a scene and that all of this was somehow my fault.

But I loved Eugene. I wanted to be the one standing by his side. What had I done wrong?

The moonstone ring shimmered with a soft, sacred glow that stung my eyes. I remembered when Eugene promised me that he would give that precious ring to me one day.

Ironically, it was on Kristy's finger now.

I swallowed the bitter taste of humiliation and said in a hoarse voice, "The moonstone ring suits Kristy better than me. If this is what Eugene wants, then she should keep it."

Grace snorted coldly. "I'm glad you're being sensible for once."

Eugene looked uneasy. I hadn't reacted as he had expected because I wasn't crying or making a scene.

As an Omega, I had always felt insecure in love. I used to cling to him, constantly asking for his reassurance. He used to call me his "sweet burden".

But now, my quiet restraint unsettled him.

That night, Eugene came to my room for the first time in a long while. He lifted the blanket and pulled me into his arms from behind.

"Selena," he murmured. "I know things have been hard on you lately. Kristy's pregnant now, and I've been confirmed as the next Alpha of the Nightwind pack. I can finally spend time with you."

I froze, pleasantly surprised. "You said that once she was pregnant, you'd stay away from her for good. Did you mean it?"

Even with everything that had happened, I couldn't ignore the flutter in my chest as he held me. He was my true mate. Even though he always used my frailty as an excuse not to mark me, the pull between us was undeniable.

If there was even the smallest chance, I still wanted to save our love.

Eugene cupped my face, smiling. "Of course I meant it. You're my true mate appointed by the Moon Goddess.

Everyone is aware that Kristy and I merely got together for political reasons. Now that she's pregnant, I don't have to go to her anymore. Even my mother can't say anything about this.

"We should plan for your marking soon. Once you're carrying my pup, you'll stop overthinking."

He kissed my cheek gently.

I wanted to respond, but the cloying scent of wine from Kristy enveloped my sense of smell. It felt as if there was an invisible third presence between us.

Reflexively, I covered my mouth and nose. I couldn't help but gag.

Just then, a sudden commotion broke out outside the room.

"Get the healer now! If anything happens to Kristy, can any of you bear that responsibility?"

"Alpha Eugene!" someone shouted from the hallway. "Luna Kristy says her stomach hurts. She seems to be bleeding!"

Eugene shoved me aside and bolted for the door. "What happened? Ask the guards to get the best healer for Kristy now!"

With that, he shifted into his wolf and tore off toward Kristy's residence. In his haste, he knocked over some furniture and shattered the anniversary gift we once exchanged.

My maid, Daria Newell, who had been with me since my childhood, came in to clean the mess.

She handed me a handkerchief and said sadly, "Stop crying, Selena. Crying too much is bad for your health."

I blinked, surprised. Had I been crying?

I reached up to touch my face and realized it was soaked with tears.