Chapter 1

Vera's POV

"Ms. Sinclair, are you sure you want to accept the Frostfang pack's research mission?" Charlie Hudson, the council member, asked excitedly over the phone. "The herbal research program really needs an expert like you to help us make a breakthrough. It's a great honor to have you on board."

"Yeah, I can join, but I have a condition."

"I'm listening."

"I need you to cooperate with me in staging an accident." I glanced at my pup, Remus Sterling, who sat beside me eating dinner, and lowered my voice. "When my pup and I are out, rogues attack us, and my car goes off a cliff. I need to create the perfect fake death."

Charlie sounded incredulous. "Ms. Sinclair, pardon me for being frank, but we all know how much Alpha Silas loves you. He also loves your pup very much… We don't understand why you would make such a request."

"If you agree to it, I'll sign the deployment agreement now. The Frostfang pack wants both my knowledge and the patented herbal formulas registered under my name. I believe you know how worthwhile this deal will be." I paused before continuing. "As for the other matters, I'll settle those myself."

Silence lasted more than ten seconds before the person on the other end finally agreed. "Okay, it's a deal. Two days later, a convoy will pick you up. Please be prepared."

"Thank you."

After hanging up, I turned to look at Remus.

He was sitting on a high chair, his little legs swinging as he clumsily scooped mashed potatoes from his bowl with a spoon. There was mashed potato smeared all around his mouth.

The phone I'd just hung up on buzzed again, and a message from Silas Sterling popped up on the screen.

"Vera, something happened to Eva. I have to go over to her place. I won't be able to make it back tonight. I'll make it up to you another time for our anniversary, okay?"

Another time.

I stared at these two words, not replying to him.

Just then, a news alert that popped up on my phone attracted my attention.

On the screen, a werewolf in a black uniform stood on a raised platform, a Moon Medal pinned to his chest, the highest honor one could receive.

It was Silas.

He had just completed an extremely dangerous border expulsion mission, single-handedly driving off an entire pack of rogues attempting to cross the border.

The news reporter spoke with admiration in her voice. "Alpha Silas is the strongest warrior in the Darkmoon Pack and also a leader who knows how to protect his wolves."

The camera briefly panned past Silas, and I saw a tiny, thin shewolf standing in the corner among the throngs of people. She was watching Silas timidly, her eyes full of trust and dependence.

Her name was Eva Parker, and she was an Omega.

Three years ago, her father took a fatal hit for Silas. Before he passed, he only asked Silas for one thing, and that was to take good care of his daughter.

Silas agreed, and he did a very good job of keeping his promise, so much so that the entire pack praised him for being a man of his word.

I looked down at the Moonstone ring on my left ring finger.

In our seven years bonding, I had never doubted Silas' loyalty toward me, and he had never done anything to betray me.

But over this past year, when Eva got frightened during hunts, he was with her. When Eva was alienated by our pack members, he stood up for her.

He always had a perfectly reasonable excuse, and every time, I was the one left behind.

I had tried to talk to him about it, but Silas always frowned and gently said to me, "Vera, you've always been strong and independent. But Eva has nothing. I can't just leave her behind."

I stared at the screen, at Eva. Her gentle, sunny nature brought out the protective instincts of even the strongest wolves.

I knew she might not be at fault, and neither was Silas. But why were Remus and I always the ones expected to be understanding?

"Mommy." Remus' childish voice pulled me back to reality. He was looking up at me, mashed potatoes sticking to the corner of his lips. "Mommy, I'm done eating."

He was only four, yet he hadn't asked for his dad in a while.

A week ago, Remus had a high fever, and I stayed at the infirmary with him the whole night, alone.

In the midst of his feverish haze, he opened his eyes. When he saw I was the only one with him, he didn't cry or call out for his dad.

Remus just said weakly, "Mommy, I want a hug."

In the end, Silas only sent me one message that day.

It read, "Has Remus' fever gone down? I feel better knowing you're there with him."

Because I was with Remus, he felt at ease.

It wasn't that he didn't love us. It was just that his love always came with priorities, and we were never at the top of the list.

I walked over to the desk and dumped all the carefully prepared dishes and desserts into the trash can, one by one. Then I took off the Moonstone ring on my hand and tossed it in without hesitation as well.

I picked Remus up from the high chair, and he quietly rested his head against my shoulder.

"Mommy, what's wrong?" he asked, wrapping his arms around my neck.

"Remus." I patted his back. My voice was light but firm. "From now on, I'll always be there for you. No matter what happens. I won't leave you behind."

Remus nodded, seeming to get the gist. He buried his face in my neck and mumbled, "Having Mommy is enough."

In two days, Silas would realize that he had not only lost his mate, but also his pup forever.

Since he was so good at protecting others, I'd let him continue doing it to his heart's content.