Chapter 2

My voice wasn't loud, but it cut through the silence. "Seven years ago, all of you were convinced Evan could never inherit the Alpha title, so you publicly ended the engagement and scrambled to curry favor with someone else."

My gaze settled on Alicia's pale face. "Am I right?"

Her lips trembled, but not a single word came out.

"Shut up!" Evan's roar shattered the silence.

The next instant, his palm cracked across my face with a sharp, resounding slap. "Erin Bloodmoon, you've gotten completely out of hand!"

I clutched my cheek, staring at him in disbelief. But he didn't even glance back. Instead, he scooped up the unconscious Lilian in his arms and strode out of the banquet without a backward glance.

One by one, the werewolves rose and hurried away like they were fleeing a plague. Within moments, only Alicia and I remained by the dying fire.

She approached me, her face alight with undisguised glee. "No wolf would ever want a she-wolf who's more dominant than him. You were never worthy of the Alpha!"

The sky had darkened without warning, and right at that moment, a single cold raindrop splashed against my face.

Then, the heavens opened up. The downpour extinguished the fire and soaked me to the bone.

I trudged through the rain toward Alpha Estate, but all that greeted me was a firmly shut door. I pounded on it desperately.

After a long while, it finally cracked open. The butler, Darius Redfur, peered through the gap, his head bowed, unable to meet my eyes.

"The Alpha's orders," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "The Luna is to... remain at the estate gates and reflect on her mistakes."

With that, the door was slammed shut in my face.

Rain blurred my vision, and the last of my strength drained away. Bone-deep cold seeped in, wrapping around me tightly.

Then, everything went black, and I collapsed into the mud.

…

When I came to, I was lying in my bedroom. The air was thick with the bitter scent of medicinal herbs.

"Luna, you're awake." A soft voice came from beside the bed. It was Lilian.

She held a mug of medicinal brew, her face a mask of perfect innocence and vulnerability. "I brewed this especially for you. Please finish it."

I stared at her blankly without moving.

She pretended not to notice my coldness and continued brightly, "The Alpha also said that I'm to stay at the estate until I give birth to his pups. I'll be able to look after you while I'm here."

She emphasized the words "look after you" deliberately.

I raised my hand and knocked the mug out of her hand in one swift motion, and the brown liquid splashed on her.

"Ah!" Lilian shrieked, clutching her chest as she stumbled backward. "Have you lost your mind?"

Evan quickly appeared in the doorway. In two strides, he was there, catching Lilian before she hit the floor.

His gaze lingered on my pale face for a moment. Then, he looked away and said stiffly to Lilian, "Please leave us."

Lilian shot me a wounded glance before obeying.

As the door closed behind Lilian, Evan stepped to the bedside and loomed over me. "Erin, I'm doing this to protect your position as Luna! The Elders have been complaining for years about you not bearing pups.

"I told you, once Lilian delivers the pups, I'll send her away immediately. Then, we can go back to how we were. Isn't that good enough?"

I looked up at him and felt like I didn't know him anymore. "Have you forgotten the oath you made before the Moon Goddess?"

He froze, and his gaze drifted past me into empty space.

"You said you'll never betray me, no matter what. It's only been seven years. Have you already forgotten about it so quickly?"

Anger surged through me, and my words came tumbling out faster. "Had I known this was how things were going to be, I never would have left the Forest Shadow pack! And I sure as hell wouldn't have helped you become the Alpha!"

His expression iced over. "So? Are you saying you've regretted it? Don't you forget, Erin, according to pack law, the Council of Elders can move to depose a Luna who fails to produce an heir after three years.

"I was the one who stood against the pressure to keep you in place year after year! Me! Otherwise, you'd have been long demoted to a humble Omega!"

He leaned in, his voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "Besides, no male can ever stomach your damn temper!"

I fell silent. After a long moment, I spoke quietly. "I can't bear pups because I took that silver dagger for you."

Evan went rigid, but his voice stayed cold. "That was your choice, Erin. I never asked you to sacrifice for me."

This time, it was my turn to freeze.

He continued, "Lilian will bear my pups. That decision is final, and nothing you say will change it!"

Then, he turned to leave. Just before he reached the door, I called out, "Evan."

My voice was soft, but it carried absolute finality. "Do you remember what I said would happen if you ever betrayed me?"

The words pinned him in place, and a long silence stretched between us. Finally, he opened the door and left.

I lowered my head and ran my fingers over the wolf-fang bracelet on my wrist.

He had personally fastened it on me during our mating ceremony seven years ago.

I mumbled to myself, "Evan, I told you, if you ever betray me, I will make you disappear from my world forever."