Chapter 5

Willow’s POV

"Willow," Rowan's voice deepened. "Your parents are coming. What does it look like if the pack's Luna does not attend her own family dinner?"

"Aunt Maeve is dying," I said, my voice steady, the lie like ice in my heart. "I am in no mood to celebrate."

"She is old," Rowan said dismissively. "A healer in her position has lived long enough. But Isolde is pregnant."

He placed his hand on Isolde's stomach. "This proves her body is healed. She is carrying new life. You know which is more important."

My nails dug into the flesh of my palms. Aunt Maeve had always respected him, even though I was not her own flesh and blood. And Rowan could so casually dismiss her life as "long enough."

"Do not be so selfish," he tried to persuade me again. "Isolde wants you there with her..."

"I will say this one last time. I am not going."

Tears welled in Isolde's eyes. "I just wanted our family to be together. But if you will not even do this one small thing for me..."

She choked on a sob. "If you truly despise your adopted sister this much..."

"I am just worried about Aunt Maeve," I said, turning my back and continuing to pack my bags.

"She is not your real mother," Isolde muttered under her breath. "She is just a lowly border-dweller..."

"Shut up," I snarled, my voice so cold I did not recognize it. "Finish that sentence. I dare you."

Isolde shrank back a step, hot tears rolling down her cheeks.

She turned to Rowan. "See? She hates me. I try so hard to be a good sister, and she..."

"Enough!" Rowan's voice was a commanding Alpha growl.

He glared at me. "You will be at the dinner table tonight, on time. And you will attend next week's full moon ceremony in your finest gowns. This is an Alpha Command, not a request."

"I said I am not going."

"You will go." He took a step forward, his Alpha aura pressing down on my shoulders like a physical weight.

Through the mate bond, he issued a command. "You are my Luna. You will attend both events, you will smile when you are told, and you will offer your public blessing to your sister. Understand?"

I stared into his eyes. The mate I had loved without reservation for seven years. The cold-blooded executioner who had slaughtered our own pups.

"Fine," I replied, surprisingly calm. "I will be there."

A flash of triumph crossed his eyes. "Good. Dinner is at seven sharp."

He turned, wrapped an arm around Isolde's waist, and whispered something in her ear that made her giggle.

The door closed behind them.

I stared at the closed, ornate oak door for a long, long time.

Rowan did not know that this time, the Moon Goddess had already chosen a side.

He did not know that at the next full moon, the storm sweeping down from the North would not be his allies, but a force strong enough to tear his pack out by the roots.

At seven o'clock, I descended the grand staircase, dressed in a plain black formal gown.

Rowan and Isolde were already waiting in the main hall. He looked up at me, his brow instantly furrowing.

"You are wearing all black?"

"I have nothing to celebrate," I answered calmly.

He clenched his jaw but said nothing more as our parents arrived.

Isolde's silver-white gown clung to her slightly rounded belly. As moonlight streamed through the window, she looked like a freshly polished pearl.

"You look as beautiful as a vision of the Goddess," Rowan murmured, his voice spun from honey.

Her eyes curved into crescents. "Thank you, Alpha."

He did not look at me again.

The main doors swung open.

"Your parents are here," Rowan said, moving to greet them.

I watched as he performed a formal Alpha's greeting, grasping my father's forearm and kissing the back of my mother's hand.

My mother caught sight of me and her face immediately fell. "Willow, what is the meaning of these mourning clothes? This is a day for miracles."

"Aunt Maeve is still unconscious in the infirmary. I cannot bring myself to wear festive colors," I said flatly.

"Oh." My mother's face showed no flicker of emotion. "A shame. But tonight is about Isolde's joyous news. Do not ruin the mood for everyone."

Just as I expected. In their eyes, nothing concerning me was ever worth a second thought.

We moved to the long dining hall.

I was seated at the far end of the long table. Rowan sat in the Alpha's seat of honor, with Isolde brazenly taking the Luna's rightful place to his right. My parents sat to his left.

They chatted warmly about pack gossip, laughing freely, treating me as if I were invisible.

Halfway through the main course, Isolde slowly rose to her feet.

"I have something to tell everyone," she said, her voice trembling with practiced emotion.

All eyes turned to her. Rowan's smile was bright enough to illuminate the entire moonlit night.

"The Moon Goddess has blessed me," Isolde said softly, her hand resting on her belly. "I am carrying a pup."

My mother gasped, rushing forward to embrace her. "Oh, my darling daughter! The Moon Goddess has shown us a miracle!"

My father grinned with satisfaction. "Well done, Isolde."

"And who is the father?" I asked, my voice flat and my face a mask.

The air in the dining room froze.

Isolde's eyes widened. "What?"

"I asked who the father is," I repeated. "You have no mate. I have not heard of you being with anyone. So who put a pup in your belly?"

"Willow!" my mother snapped. "How dare you ask such a thing..."

"It is pack law," I said evenly. "When a daughter of the elders is with pup, the Council must be informed of the sire's identity. I am simply following protocol."

Isolde's eyes instantly reddened, tears welling up. "I... I was secretly seeing a Beta warrior, but he was killed on a border patrol a few months ago. This unborn pup is the only piece of him I have left."

The lie flowed from her lips like water, her tears perfectly timed.

I glanced at my parents without a word. They avoided my gaze, raising their wine glasses to hide their expressions.

In that moment, I understood everything.

They knew. Of course they knew.

They knew exactly whose pup it was.

My own birth parents knew that my fated mate had been sleeping with my adopted sister. They knew how the bastard in Isolde's womb had been conceived, and yet they raised their glasses of ceremonial wine to celebrate.

"May the Goddess rest his soul," I said, my voice like ice. "And congratulations on your pregnancy."

Rowan cleared his throat to cover the awkwardness.

"As I was saying, I am holding an unprecedented ceremony next week on the night of the full moon. It will be a grand affair. All the allied Alphas, elders, and ranked wolves will be in attendance to witness this joyous miracle."

My mother clapped her hands. "How thrilling! Isolde, we must have the most magnificent gown made for you!"

"It has already been arranged," Rowan said, a corner of his mouth lifting. "Only the finest materials are worthy of my... of Isolde."