Chapter 2

That night.

The pack hall was full.

Damian's mother. The pack elders. Several important pack members.

Chloe sat beside Damian, a light shawl around her shoulders. One hand rested on her belly. Her expression was gentle, as if the whole room should make way for the child inside her.

Damian pulled out her chair and handed her a glass of warm water.

When I walked in with Leo, no one stood.

"Sit over there." Damian's mother pointed to a seat against the wall. "Today we're discussing pack arrangements."

I sat down with Leo.

Damian's mother cleared her throat. "Chloe has conceived the heir. The elders have discussed it. Before the child is born, Damian will continue to care for her, until the birth."

I looked at Damian.

Half a year ago, he said Chloe successfully conceiving was their endpoint.

Chloe was pregnant.

But he hadn't come to fulfill his promise. Instead, he'd pushed the new deadline to "after the child is born."

An elder picked up the thread. "Now that we have an heir, the Luna's position should be settled. Damian and Chloe will hold the Mark ceremony."

Leo looked up at me.

I held his hand and said nothing.

Damian's mother looked at me. "Mia, you can stay in the pack. We'll tell outsiders you're a stray wolf the family took in. You can take care of the child and stay in this house."

Someone laughed.

"She doesn't even have a Mark. What kind of mate is she?"

"The child isn't a recognized heir either. Once Chloe's child is born, the family assets should go to the real bloodline."

Leo clutched my sleeve. His fingers were cold.

I was about to speak when Damian frowned first.

"Mother, there's no need to be so harsh."

"Then do you have a better solution?" His mother countered. "The pack needs a pureblood heir. Your Mark ceremony with Chloe is the best way to stabilize the pack."

Chloe lowered her eyes and gently touched her belly. "If I'm in Mia's way, I can step aside. It's just that the child hasn't been born yet. I can't guarantee I can take care of him alone."

Damian immediately took her hand.

"No one is asking you to step aside."

Chloe leaned against him and said nothing more.

The elders looked at Damian, waiting for his decision.

He was silent for a moment, then spoke. "We'll do as the elders arranged. We'll set the ceremony date later."

Leo's hand slipped out of mine.

"From today on, Leo has nothing to do with any of you," I said.

Damian looked at me. "Mia, don't make a scene."

"I'm not."

"Didn't I say that once the child is born, I'll hold the ceremony with you? That hasn't changed."

He lowered his voice. "Chloe is carrying my heir. She needs the pack's recognition. Wait a little longer. After the ceremony, I'll make it up to you."

I stared at him.

"You're going to hold a ceremony with her."

"That's just to appease the elders."

"But you promised me."

He didn't answer.

Then Chloe raised her hand and pointed at the ring on my finger.

"Since Damian is going to hold the Mark ceremony with me, the family ring should come to me. It's the Luna's token."

I looked at Damian.

He didn't look at me.

"It's just a ring," he said. "Give it to Chloe first. After the ceremony, I'll buy you another one."

I pulled off the ring I'd worn for seven years and placed it on the table. I pushed it toward Chloe.

"You really are more suited for it than I am."

Chloe's hand stopped midair.

Damian froze too.

I took Leo's hand and walked toward the door.

"Wait." Damian caught up. "Where are you going?"

"Home."

"We still need to discuss the ceremony arrangements."

"You discuss them."

I didn't look back.

Leo put his hand in mine and held on tight.

This time, I didn't let him go.