Chapter 1

I sent the message. Then my wolf took over. She tore through the forest, a blur of fur and rage under the moonlight.

Seven years. For seven years, I'd guarded this broken pack like a fool, waiting for a man who was never coming back.

My claws tore through the earth.

Rage and pain churned in my chest. Running was the only thing that kept the suffocating feeling from ripping me apart.

Leon’s words echoed in my head:

"Luna, Gavin's new pack is already one of the three great powers in the North. Everyone says Sarah is his Luna. They even have a pup..."

I skidded to a halt, threw my head back, and howled.

The sound was pure despair. Pure, undiluted betrayal.

Enough.

I turned and ran back toward the crumbling pack house. It was time to end this farce.

The moment I pushed the main door open, a scream shattered the night.

"Ah! Intruder!"

A bucket of liquid flew at me. The acrid smell hit my nose…

Silver!

My fur smoked on contact. Agony shot through every pore.

Worse, my throat began to close. I couldn't breathe.

SWISH!

A flash of silver. A sharp blade sank into my front paw.

A pained howl ripped from my throat as I forced the shift back to my human form.

"Dammit…" I clutched my bleeding hand and stumbled toward the infirmary.

I snatched the anti-silver antidote from the shelf and downed it in one go. The burning sensation finally started to fade.

Gasping for breath, I walked out of the infirmary and finally got a good look at my attacker.

Sarah.

Gavin’s dead brother’s mate. The woman who should be in the North, living her perfect Luna life.

She was wearing a priceless silk robe, a diamond necklace glittering at her throat. She looked radiant.

And I was covered in my own blood.

"Elara! What happened?"

Gavin’s voice came from the stairs.

He rushed down, heading straight for Sarah and pulling her into his arms.

"Sarah, are you okay? Are you hurt?" he asked, anxiously checking her over.

My wolf snarled in my chest, a low, guttural sound of agony.

"I... I'm fine," Sarah said softly, nestling against his chest. "I just thought there was an intruder, so..."

"An intruder?" Gavin frowned and glared at me, his voice cold. "Elara, what the hell are you doing? Shifting inside the pack house? Is this how a Luna should act?"

I let out a bitter laugh. "Invade what? This ruin?"

Besides, you stopped seeing me as your Luna a long time ago, I thought.

A flicker of malice crossed Sarah’s eyes before she put her innocent mask back on.

"I'm so sorry, Elara. I didn't know it was you..."

"Enough," I cut her off. "You two are off living in luxury, leaving me with this mess, and now you pretend you know nothing?"

"Elara!" Gavin roared. "Apologize to Sarah! You scared her!"

I stared at them.

At that woman in her expensive clothes, clinging to my mate.

"Why should I apologize?"

"Because you are the Luna of this pack!" Gavin's eyes glowed a dangerous gold. "You have a duty to protect your people!"

Luna? He dared say that word to me again.

Where was he for the seven years I carried this entire pack on my back?

"Sarah needs to be calmed down," Gavin said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Go make her a calming draught."

"I was just poisoned with silver..."

"And that's your own damn fault!"

I looked at his cold, hard face and nodded.

"Fine."

I turned and walked back into the infirmary.

On the table was the healing serum I’d finished making yesterday.

It was the most potent potion I could create, made from my own blood. It was supposed to be for Gavin.

For seven years, I’d worked tirelessly, researching how to make my blood into stronger healing agents.

The weakness after drawing blood, the frustration of failed experiments, the joy of a breakthrough…

It was all so he could fight without fear in the North. So that one day, when our packs merged, we could be together forever.

Now, I just felt like a joke.

"Elara?"

Gavin pushed the door open, a first-aid kit in his hand.

"Give me your hand."

I hesitated for a second, then held out my hand, the one with the gash from the silver blade.

He expertly cleaned the wound, his movements gentle and practiced.

Then, he picked up a moonstone from the table.

I held my breath.

Charging a moonstone. It's one of the most intimate rituals between mates.

The Alpha channels his power through the stone to give his mate the purest healing energy.

Gavin closed his eyes, his palm covering the moonstone.

A soft blue light began to swirl inside the stone, growing brighter.

His movements were fluid, practiced.

Like he’d done this a thousand times.

But never with me.

The glow of the moonstone lit up the side of his focused face.

Even knowing what I knew, a wave of sadness washed over me.

He’d already done this for another woman. Countless times.

I didn't need an explanation anymore. It would all be over soon.