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DAVINA’S POV

The Alpha insisting on claiming me as his mate felt unbelievable. I hadn't left the Eclipse Pack to find a mate, so his persistence stirred an unfamiliar feeling inside me.

Now it all made sense.

I stared at the bracelet on my wrist and couldn't stop myself from laughing softly. I hadn't sensed him as my mate, but my gift had.

That explained the warmth I had felt. It explained why healing him had barely consumed any of my energy.

He was my mate after all.

My gaze drifted to the official wooden tag that now identified me as a Den Healer, and I chuckled again. I couldn't help wondering whether I had earned the title because of my skills or simply because I was the Alpha's mate.

My fingers brushed over the smooth wood, tracing the words carved into it.

There had to be something special about the Alpha's bloodline. There was still so much I needed to learn.

As the Rose Moon approached, I became increasingly restless. Anxiety coiled tightly in my chest, and the headache that had plagued me for days intensified until I groaned in pain. I searched through the cupboard for willow bark, ground it into powder, boiled it into tea, and drank it slowly.

The pain eased almost immediately.

Weeks had passed, and I had been so busy in the infirmary that I barely thought about anything beyond its walls. I also hadn't seen Alpha Jasper during that time.

Two weeks ago, he used to visit the infirmary, claiming he couldn't get me out of his mind.

His words had been sweet, but they hadn't been convincing enough. First impressions mattered deeply to me, and he had ruined his. Now he seemed determined to win me over.

Despite myself, the thought of him brought a small smile to my lips.

I had expected rejection, yet it seemed possible that someone could care for me regardless of my appearance. To him, I was practically a stranger, which made his attachment to the mate bond all the more surprising.

Ambassador Flinn entered the infirmary for his usual inspection. Once the documentation was complete, I handed him a new request for special herbs, and he left shortly afterwards.

Surprisingly, my workload was light today. There were far fewer patients than usual. The infirmary, which was normally crowded with wounded warriors and sick pack members, was unusually quiet.

The reason was obvious.

Tonight, the full moon will rise. The moon's energy itself could aid healing, so everyone was waiting for its appearance.

With nothing left to do, I returned to my quarters.

The Den Healer's quarters were only a short distance from the infirmary, which stood at the far end of the packhouse. It had clearly been built in relative isolation from the palace and the other residential units.

I still wasn't an official member of Deep Paw Claw. No blood ritual had been performed, which meant I wasn't bound by the Alpha's authority. I was more like a lone wolf—or perhaps simply a stranger temporarily living among them.

The pack's laws couldn't compel me.

I still had my free will.

Since I wasn't part of the pack, I saw no reason to attend the Moonlight Ritual, so I quietly exempted myself from their traditions.

My room was surprisingly comfortable and perfectly suited to my taste. Alpha Jasper had provided me with the finest furnishings and resources available.

I stepped onto the balcony and gazed out at the darkening sky, patiently waiting for the Rose Moon to appear.

Even with my wolf masked, I could still feel the full moon's power reaching for me.

My eyes flickered silver beneath the moonlight, and my nails elongated slightly. Energy surged through my veins, sharpening my senses. My hearing and sense of smell became extraordinarily acute, though nowhere near my true Lycan capabilities.

That was the moon's influence.

Even my suppressed wolf stirred restlessly beneath the mask, howling for freedom.

"When the full ritual is completed, she becomes our Luna."

The words drifted to me in the wind.

I froze.

Under the full moon, my hearing could pick up conversations from astonishing distances. My brows drew together in confusion.

Who were they talking about?

I focused my senses in every direction, searching for more.

"Alpha Jasper has always loved the princess. Finally, she is becoming our Luna."

Princess?

What princess?

Surely they couldn't be talking about me. No one here knew my true identity.

Tonight was the full moon, which meant the entire pack would be gathered at the pack grounds to perform the Moonlight Ritual.

A deep sense of unease settled over me.

I sniffed the air and rushed out of my room. Borrowing strength from the moon's energy, I ran swiftly through the packhouse, following my instincts.

I needed answers.

Then I heard Alpha Jasper's voice carrying across the night as he addressed his pack.

He stood before the Moonstone Altar, and beside him was a breathtakingly beautiful she-wolf dressed entirely in white.

I stopped abruptly.

Jasper held her hands gently in his own, his gaze locked onto hers with unmistakable affection.

This wasn't an ordinary Moonlight Ritual.

It was a Luna Ceremony.

He was crowning another woman as his Luna.

My breath caught in my throat.

I couldn't make sense of what I was seeing. Our mate bond still existed. How could he mark someone else while remaining bound to me?

My eyes remained fixed on the altar as his voice rang clearly through the grounds.

"By moon and blood, by pack and earth, I, Alpha Jasper, claim you, Cassidy Hudson, as my Luna. Your strength is my strength. Your pain is my pain.

I vow to protect you, honour you, respect you, and stand beside you until my last breath. Under the Rose Moon, may the Moon Goddess bear witness. You are the heart of this pack."

He had spoken the Luna Vow.

This wasn't a nightmare. 

It was real.

These were mere words, but right now they felt like daggers piercing my heart. 

I didn't love him, but something in me felt hurt. 

His fangs extended, ready to seal the vow with a ceremonial bite.

My hands curled into tight fists, and a sharp ache spread through my chest.

So this was why he had stopped visiting the infirmary. Who does he think he is?

No one plays me for a fool. 

A melancholic laughter found its way out of my lips. 

Was this what betrayal felt like?

"Alpha Jasper!"

I called out, my voice echoing across the silent pack grounds.