Chapter 1

Blake frowned slightly and stepped in front of Lydia.

“Erica, what happened between Lydia and me was a misunderstanding. I was poisoned that day, and she put herself at risk to help me purge it. The situation was urgent, and you weren’t there. There was no other choice…”

“I didn’t know that one time would get her pregnant. But don’t worry. I already warned her that she has to respect you. I’ll deal with what she did today.”

Blake glanced at her, seemingly annoyed by the way she had provoked me earlier.

Then he stepped closer and reached for my hand, trying to soothe me.

I took a step back, my expression cold.

Holding the pup in her arms, Lydia leaned against Blake’s arm and said pitifully, “Blake, I didn’t mean to disrespect the Luna. I was just scared. I have no title and no place in this pack. I only wanted to secure a future for my pup. I didn’t mean anything else.”

Lydia timidly tugged at Blake’s arm. “You promised you’d have dinner with me and the pup today.”

I looked up at her and spoke calmly.

“You were the one who suddenly came over and started talking about who won and who lost. Why stop now?”

“I’m Blake’s Luna. I’m the one who stands at his side, and every wolf in this pack respects me.”

A faint, mocking smile touched my lips.

“As for that wolf-fang pendant of yours, I have one too. Except yours is a fake.”

Lydia’s face went pale.

I continued.

“And as for having a pup, Blake was so distressed by what I had suffered after I was gravely injured six years ago that he promised he would never make me endure the pain of childbirth.”

I looked at the pup in her arms.

“So really, you gave birth to that pup for me.”

Lydia completely forgot to keep up her pitiful act.

Her lips trembled as she tightened her arms around the pup, as though terrified I might reach out and take him from her.

The corners of my lips lifted.

“So, I won.”

Tension filled the air.

One of Blake’s packmates finally spoke. “That’s our Luna. Even her jokes are more entertaining than anyone else’s. Still, Lydia did go too far today. How could she embarrass the Luna in front of everyone at the Full Moon Gathering? At least there aren’t any outsiders here.”

He looked at me.

“But since she lost, she should accept a punishment. Luna, you decide.”

Seeing someone step in to ease the tension, Blake visibly relaxed and came to my side.

“Since Lydia lost, I’ll cancel the dinner I promised her tonight. How about I take you to that restaurant you’ve been wanting to try instead?”

Blake thought he had given me an easy way out and that, just like before, I would take it.

But this time, I didn’t.

I shook my head and turned my gaze toward the little pup in Lydia’s arms.

“A punishment?”

“I want your pup.”

Lydia flew into a rage and shouted, “I went through hell to give birth to him! Why should I give him to you?”

“No, no, no.”

I shook my head and cut her off.

“I was never joking. I’m Blake’s Luna. Naturally, his child should acknowledge me as his mother.”

I motioned for the Beta beside me to take the swaddled pup.

Lydia stepped back in disbelief.