Chapter 2

Years ago, long before Claus became the undisputed Alpha of the Mooncrest pack, he was just an ambitious, rogue-born wolf trying to establish his own territory.

His rapid rise threatened the surrounding old-guard Alphas, and they chose blood over diplomacy.

During that time, I had finished my training under the Kingdom’s eldest healer’s guidance. I was just a fresh graduate, eager to heal, not to fight.

But when I stumbled into a secluded alley and saw a bruised, bleeding Alpha cornered by a pack of feral enforcers, I couldn't just stand by.

I not only informed the law protectors of the Kingdom on time, but also brought him to my home. But his condition was fatal. His blood was infected with a rare wolf’s bane. I could not detox it; no one could. But I could transfer it to someone else.

That night, drained by my work’s passion and grief for a young, promising soul, I did something no one would ever believe. I detoxed his blood with mine, poisoned my own wolf to treat him, a stranger to me.

Later, we were rushed to the sanctuary infirmary. His injuries required further treatment. He insisted on pushing through his staggering pain, sitting by my cot and tending to my shredded back for an entire month.

We were young, passionate, and bound by blood and survival; we fell deeply in love. Once he successfully conquered his enemies and officially established his pack, he claimed me as his Luna.

Not long after, our eldest daughter was born.

But my wolf was draining. Claus knew the reason better than anyone else. So, he asked me to relax at home and look after our baby while he handled both Alpha and Luna duties all by himself.

So, I became the quiet force behind his throne, managing the domestic tides, treating the wounded warriors, and anchoring the pack's spiritual bond.

Others in the werewolf elite ridiculed me back then, sneering that a fragile wolf who stepped straight into Luna's throne without first proving herself in the wild hunts would only end up rejected and broken.

When Claus found out, his fury was terrifying. He exiled those pack lords from our lands and gave me the lunar chime in front of everyone, stabilizing my position in the pack so that no one could talk behind my back. Even after our second and youngest daughters were born, our fated bond remained as fiercely vibrant as the day we met.

But everything started to change two years ago.

He slowly began coming home later and later from the grand council, frequently going on night patrols that sometimes lasted till morning. The telepathic mind-link between us grew terrifyingly quiet, and my instinct told me that Claus’s heart had changed. It's just that my heart was not ready to believe it yet.

However, my instincts were proven correct when Claus kept blocking my mind link. It was our ninth Anniversary. I had planned a surprise banquet despite my weak wolf form resisting me from overworking.

My daughters, dressed in pink frocks, were already sleepy, half of the guests had returned, and Pack's elders were watching me in pity.

That's when someone whispered behind my back. “I have heard Alpha Claus had been avoiding all the pack’s affairs to give Lady Erica company ever since she returned. Guess the rumours are not wrong.”

Erica Vance. I hadn't heard this name before.

“Sshh… Don't mention her name lest Luna be devastated. Lady Erica is our Alpha's first love. Had she not eloped with her fated mate, would there be any chance for Luna to get her chance over our Alpha? She just got lucky.”

“You are right. Now that Erica has returned after breaking the bond with her mate, it's obvious that our Alpha would not miss a chance to win her back.”

My heart began to tremble in my chest after listening to these words. Not long ago, Claus had promised to celebrate my birthday at home, but ended up not showing up the entire night.

The next day, when he came, he pulled me into his embrace and apologized.

“An important meeting came all of a sudden, and I got carried away with the drinks. I’m sorry, sweetheart. I’ll make it up to you soon.” His voice seemed so genuine, but an unfamiliar scent coming from his body gave him away.

After I confronted him, he said, “It's Erica’s scent. She is my beta’s younger sister and my old friend. Tonight, she has been promoted to be my beta instead. That's why we had been celebrating, Elise. Don't be so petty.”

At that time, I didn't think much and believed him. As an Alpha, he had to meet countless she-wolves. I should be mature. That was how I comforted my heart.

But now that her name was mentioned again, it can't be a coincidence or a rumor.

I walked out of my own banquet and tracked Claus’s scent, only to find him in front of the beta’s house.

As expected, he wasn't alone. Erica stood by his side, sweating and moaning. Claus’s neck was filled with lipstick and nail marks as they seemed to have just broken a long kiss.

Claus seemed to feel my presence immediately and pulled back. Erica froze at her place as her gaze met mine. My wolf roared before me as I rushed forward to grab her by her hair.

“You bitch!” I spat as I raised my hand to slap her.

“Elise, if you dare touch Erica, don't even think of seeing your daughter’s back.”

“And the rare herbs you need for your mentor’s treatment, you can forget about that as well.”

My hands froze midway. I turned to look at Claus, my eyes red in grief and shock. “Why?”

“I’m your fated mate, the mother of your daughters, yet you choose to humiliate me in front of her. Why?”

In his response, he just looked at me with cold detachment and said with disgust, “Because Erica can follow me through thick and thin. She is strong enough to stand by my side, unlike you… weak and sickly.”

“You are right. She is strong while I’m weak, much inferior to stand as your Luna. But do you not know why?”

“If it was not because I took the poison for you, had my wolf suffered through all these years

the way it suffered? Claus Moretti, do you really have no conscience left?”