Chapter 1

Zinnia’s POV

(Present day, now 24 years old)

The garden smelled like roses and fresh lemon tarts. Laughter floated through the air. Pack members stood in small groups, talking and eating. I moved between them with a big smile on my face.

Inside, my heart felt heavy.

I arranged the pastries on the long table. My hands moved slowly. I had woken up at four in the morning to bake them. Each tart had a perfect swirl of cream on top. I wanted everything to look beautiful.

"I am telling you, I saw them," a woman whispered behind the tall hedge.

I froze. My fingers stayed on the edge of the platter.

"With Maelis?" another voice asked.

"Yes. She left the east wing at dawn. Her dress was wrinkled. His scent was all over her."

My stomach twisted. I kept my face calm and picked up a fresh plate of tarts.

"You are sure?" the second woman asked.

"Very sure. And someone heard them three nights ago in his study. The sounds… they were clear."

I turned around with the plate in my hands. Two she-wolves, Cassandra and Fiona stood close together. Their eyes went wide when they saw me.

"Luna Zinnia!" Cassandra said quickly. Her cheeks turned red. "We were just"

"Would you like some lemon tarts?" I asked. My voice sounded light and friendly. "I made them this morning."

They both took one. Their hands shook a little.

"The party is lovely," Fiona said. She looked anywhere but at my eyes.

"Thank you," I replied. I kept smiling even though my chest felt tight. "I am glad you are enjoying it."

I walked away from them. My legs felt heavy. The mate bond in my chest pulled and burned. It had been hurting more often lately. Like something inside it was starting to crack.

I looked across the garden for my son. There he was — little Juniper. Five years old. He sat alone near the fountain, playing with the small wooden wolf I carved for him. His shoulders were hunched. He always looked small at these parties.

He lifted his head and saw me. A tiny smile touched his lips.

I smiled back and mouthed, “Five more minutes, then snacks.”

He nodded and went back to his toy. My heart ached. He was so careful. So quiet. He had learned early not to ask for too much from his father.

I kept walking through the crowd. I greeted everyone. I asked about their families. I played the perfect Luna. No one could see the storm inside me.

Then I saw her.

Maelis Crowe stood near the rose bushes. Her long pale hair shone in the sunlight. She looked beautiful and calm. And my son was with her.

June held her hand. He looked up at her with bright eyes. She leaned down and whispered something. He giggled. The sound hit me like cold water.

He rarely giggled like that with me anymore.

I walked toward them. Each step felt harder than the last.

"June, sweetheart," I said when I reached them. "Come get some cookies with me."

"But Maelis was telling me a story about a brave wolf," he said softly.

"Now, please," I said. My voice stayed gentle, but firm.

June let go of her hand. He looked sad as he walked to the dessert table. I turned to Maelis.

Her ice-blue eyes met mine. She smiled slowly.

"Stay away from my son," I said quietly.

Maelis tilted her head. "He came to me, Luna. He seems lonely. Poor boy spends so much time by himself."

Her words cut deep. I felt heat rise in my chest.

"I am warning you," I said.

Maelis stepped closer. Her voice dropped low. "Your husband prefers my company. Your son smiles more with me. You are losing them, Zinnia. And soon everyone will see it."

I wanted to shout. I wanted to let my wolf Selene push forward. But I swallowed everything down.

"Excuse me," I said. "I need to check on something inside."

I walked away fast. Behind me, I heard Maelis laugh softly. The sound followed me like a shadow.

The rest of the party passed in a blur. I smiled. I talked. I pretended everything was fine. But my mind kept replaying her words.

Later that evening, the garden grew quiet. Most pack members had gone home. I walked into the pack house. My heels clicked on the stone floors. The sound echoed in the empty halls.

I needed to find Draven. We had to talk. I could fix this. I could be better. I could make him see me again.

I went toward the east wing. His private study and chambers were there. My heart beat faster with every step.

Maybe he was stressed. Maybe Maelis was just there at the right time. I could change things. I could spend more time with him. I could be the wife he needed.

I reached his study door. It was slightly open. I lifted my hand to knock.

Then I heard it.

A low moan came from his private chambers behind the study.

"Ah… yes, Draven…"

My blood turned cold. The mate bond screamed inside my chest. Pain shot through me like fire.

I pushed the study door open. It moved without a sound.

The door to his chambers was open too. I could see everything.

Draven had Maelis bent over his desk. Her dress was pulled up. His hands gripped her hips hard. He moved against her with strong, steady thrusts. Her moans filled the room.

The smell of sex and his scent mixed with hers hit me like a wall.

I could not breathe.

Draven looked up. His ice-blue eyes met mine. For a few seconds, he did not stop. He kept moving while looking straight at me.

Then he finally pulled away.

Maelis turned her head. She saw me. A slow, satisfied smile spread across her face.

"Oh," she said, breathing hard. "Luna. You came at a bad time."

Draven straightened his clothes. His face stayed calm. Cold.

"Zinnia," he said. "You should still be outside with the guests."

I stood frozen in the doorway. My hands shook. The mate bond twisted violently in my chest.

"You are with her… while our son is outside?" My voice came out small.

Maelis laughed softly. She did not even cover herself properly.

Draven stepped forward. "This does not concern you."

"It does not concern me?" I repeated. Tears burned my eyes. "You are my husband."

He opened his mouth to speak.

But then small footsteps came from behind me.

"Mommy? I saved you a cookie"

I turned fast.

Little June stood there. He held a cookie in his small hand. His eyes went wide as he saw Maelis half-dressed and the messy scene in the room.

"Mommy?" he said again. But this time his eyes moved to Maelis.

Maelis smiled warmly and crouched down.

"Come here, sweet boy," she said softly. "Did you bring that cookie for me?"

June looked at me, then at her. Confusion filled his young face.

I reached out my hand. "June, come to Mama."

But he took one step toward Maelis.

The mate bond cracked louder inside me.

And then Maelis opened her arms.

June walked slowly into them.