I Was Never Your Only Choice

Night had already fallen by the time I finally returned home.The Star Moon Pack was vast and prosperous, yet even after living here for three years, everything still felt unfamiliar.A photo of Kaine and me still hung in the living room. He held me gently in his arms, his gaze so tender it looked like it could melt into water.Staring at his face in the photograph, my mind drifted back to the day I first met him five years ago.I found him at the edge of the Golden River Pack's forest, slumped against a tree, drenched in blood and barely clinging to life."Hey… are you alright?" I had crouched beside him and gently tapped his cheek.He struggled to open his eyes. The first words he spoke weren't to ask who I was."You… wait, who am I?" he asked in confusion, glancing down at himself with a frown.I brought him back to the Pack. The healer said he had been poisoned by silver, severely. If I hadn't found him in time, he wouldn't have made it.Even though he survived, the injury

News of Kaine and Adele's upcoming bonding ceremony spread like wildfire across the continent.Even my father called, his voice filled with confusion and concern."Lara, didn't you say you would be Kaine's Luna? Why is someone else taking that place now?"A lump rose in my throat. I fought to keep my voice steady. "Dad... Kaine and I broke up."There was a long silence on the other end of the line, followed by a helpless sigh. "Silly girl. Even if you broke up, you should still stay in touch with your family. Do you know your mother talks about you every day? She's terrified you're suffering out there, all alone."Tears welled in my eyes, spilling over before I could stop them. "I'm sorry, Dad... I didn't mean to make you and Mom worry.""Don't be sorry," his voice softened. "You'll always be our beloved daughter.""Dad, I want to come home.""Yes. Yes, of course," he replied immediately. "I'll send someone to pick you up tomorrow afternoon."The next morning, I had just gotte

Kaine's subordinates forcibly dragged Adele away.Claudine quickly caught wind of the incident and stormed in to confront him."Kaine, have you completely lost your mind?" she snapped. "Adele is carrying your pup—the future heir of the Pack! And you're willing to throw away the Pack's future for that worthless Omega, Lara?"Kaine shot her a frosty glance. "Mom, my life is none of your business."Claudine's voice rose. "None of my—Kaine, how can you be so irresponsible?! Let me make this clear: the Luna of our Pack will be—and can only be—Adele!""Enough!" Kaine's voice cracked with emotion as he looked at her, anguish written across his face. "Do you even realize what you've done? You made me lose the most important she-wolf in my life. If it weren't for your constant contempt and your cruelty toward Lara, she wouldn't have left me!"Claudine paused for a split second, then sneered, "I treated her that way because she deserved it. She's a lowly Omega. She was never good enough to