Chapter 3

Zinnia’s POV

The word “new Mommy” came out of June’s mouth and stabbed me deep.

I stood frozen in the middle of the common room. Every pack member stared at me. The silence felt heavy. It pressed down on my chest.

June hid his face against Maelis’s shoulder. His small hands held her dress tight. He would not look at me.

Tears filled my eyes, but I blinked them away fast. I could not cry here. Not in front of everyone.

Draven stepped forward. His voice was calm and strong.

"This has been a long day for everyone," he said. "Zinnia is not feeling well because of the full moon. Maelis has kindly offered to watch June tonight so my wife can rest."

Murmurs moved through the crowd. Some people nodded. Others looked at me with pity.

I took one step closer. My legs felt weak.

"June," I said softly. My voice shook. "Please come with Mama. I will read you your favorite story."

He shook his head. He still would not look at me.

Maelis smiled sweetly and rubbed his back. "It is okay, sweetheart. Your mother needs to rest. I will take good care of you."

I felt my wolf Selene push hard against my skin. She wanted to come out. She wanted to take our pup back. My hands started glowing again with soft golden light. I quickly hid them behind my back.

Draven noticed. His eyes narrowed.

"Go to our quarters, Zinnia," he said. His tone left no room for argument. "Now."

I looked at my son one more time. His small body looked so comfortable against Maelis. My heart broke into even smaller pieces.

I turned and walked away. Each step hurt. The pack members parted to let me pass. No one spoke to me. Their eyes followed me like I was a wounded animal.

When I reached the stairs, I heard Maelis’s soft laugh behind me.

Aunt Vespera waited for me in my quarters. She closed the door quickly after I entered.

"Sit down," she said.

I could not sit. I walked back and forth across the room. My hands still shook. The mate bond felt like broken glass inside my chest.

"They took him," I whispered. "He called her new Mommy. In front of everyone."

Vespera watched me. Her face looked tired.

"Draven is building a case against you," she said. "He will tell the council you are unstable. He will say you cannot control your wolf. He will use tonight as proof."

I stopped walking. "What can I do?"

"You have two days," Vespera said. "Maybe three. After the full moon, he will call the council meeting. If you fight him openly, he will take June away forever."

I pressed my hands to my face. Hot tears finally fell. I cried quietly at first. Then my shoulders shook. The pain came out in heavy waves.

All the years I tried so hard. All the nights I waited for Draven to love me. All the times I smiled when I wanted to scream. It was all falling apart.

Vespera came closer and touched my shoulder.

"There is something else," she said quietly. "Maelis is not working alone. I saw her meeting with Baelor Shade two nights ago. The Beta. They spoke about money and power. This is bigger than just an affair."

I looked up at her. "What does that mean?"

"I do not know yet," she answered. "But you are in danger. Not just of losing your son. Something dark is moving in this pack."

A soft knock sounded on the door.

We both went still.

"Come in," Vespera said.

A young omega entered. She looked nervous. "Luna Zinnia, the Alpha wants you in the common room again. He says it is important."

I wiped my face quickly. I straightened my dress. I put on the calm mask I had worn for five years.

"I will come," I said.

Vespera gave me a long look. "Be careful."

I walked back down the stairs. My heart beat hard against my ribs. When I entered the common room, most pack members had left. Only a small group remained.

Draven stood in the center. Maelis sat beside him with June on her lap. My son looked sleepy.

But that was not what made me stop.

The tall man I saw earlier stood next to Draven. He had dark hair and sharp eyes. He watched me with a strange smile.

Draven spoke first.

"Zinnia, this is Joseph Storme. He is visiting from another pack. He came to discuss possible alliances."

Joseph stepped forward. He was very tall. His presence felt strong but different from Draven’s. He bowed his head slightly toward me.

"It is an honor to meet you, Luna Zinnia," he said. His voice was warm.

I nodded. I could not speak.

Draven continued. "Because of your… condition tonight, I have decided Maelis will take care of June until you feel better."

I opened my mouth to argue.

But June spoke first.

"I like staying with Maelis," he said in a small voice. "She tells good stories."

The words broke me again. I felt my knees go weak.

Joseph watched everything carefully. His eyes moved from me to Draven to Maelis. Something flashed across his face. It looked like concern.

Draven stepped closer to me. His voice was low so only I could hear.

"Accept this quietly, Zinnia. Or I will make sure you never see him again."

Tears gathered in my eyes again. I looked at my son. He would not meet my eyes.

I nodded slowly.

"Good," Draven said. He turned back to the others. "Now, let us discuss the alliance."

I stood there like a shadow. They talked about pack business while my world fell apart. Maelis played with June’s hair. Joseph kept glancing at me.

After what felt like forever, the meeting ended.

As everyone started to leave, Joseph walked past me. He leaned down slightly and whispered so quietly I almost missed it.

"Meet me at the old oak tree behind the garden at midnight. I have information that can help you."

He kept walking without looking back.

I stood frozen.

Draven and Maelis left with June. My son did not say goodbye to me.

I went back to my quarters alone. The rooms felt too big. Too empty.

I sat on the edge of the bed and cried until my chest hurt. The mate bond felt almost gone now. Only sharp pain remained.

Later, I looked at the clock. It was eleven thirty.

I stood up. I changed into dark clothes. I slipped out of the pack house through a side door.

The night air felt cool on my skin. The full moon hung bright in the sky. My wolf felt restless.

I walked quietly toward the old oak tree.

Every shadow looked dangerous. My heart beat fast.

When I reached the tree, Joseph was already there. He stepped out from behind the thick trunk.

"You came," he said.

"Why are you helping me?" I asked. My voice was weak.

Joseph looked around carefully before he spoke.

"Because Draven is not the only one with secrets," he said. "Maelis and Baelor are planning something big. They want to take the pack from him. And they are using you and your son to do it."

I stared at him. More shock hit me.

"But that is not the worst part," Joseph continued. He stepped closer. His eyes looked serious.

"Your mate bond with Draven… it was never real. Someone blocked it from his side since the beginning. Someone powerful."

My mouth fell open.

Before I could ask more questions, footsteps sounded nearby.

Joseph grabbed my arm and pulled me behind the tree. He pressed me against the trunk. His body shielded mine.

"Someone is coming," he whispered.

We stood very close. I could feel his warm breath on my forehead.

The footsteps came closer.

Then I heard Draven’s voice in the darkness.

"Who is out here?"