CHAPTER 1

Amelia’s POV

It was our anniversary.

I smiled when I heard the shower stop. Lars stepped out, steam following him, water still clinging to his skin,water sliding down his chest and stomach. He had a strong body, broad shoulders, a wide chest, hard muscles that moved when he walked. The towel around his waist barely clinging to the deep V-lines that carved into his abdomen. His brown hair, now wet, reached his shoulders. It clung to his skin and stuck to his forehead in thick strands.

My heart fluttered. I pulled back the covers

My fingers reached for him before I could stop myself. I let them slide up his chest slowly, feeling the warmth of his skin. I pressed my lips to his neck, tracing soft kisses down to his shoulder. I bit his earlobe lightly, teasing, as I moved closer, my body pressed into his.

When I slid my hand lower and wrapped it around his cock, I felt the heat between us.

But before it could make him hard, his hand closed around my wrist.

"I need to eat breakfast," he said flatly.

I blinked. "Lars, it's our anniversary," I whispered, trying to smile. "Surely you can spare a few minutes..."

I kissed his neck again. But instead, he pulled away.

Without a word, he turned and walked to the dresser. I watched in silence as he dressed shirt, pants, jacket. He didn't glance my way. He didn't even say happy anniversary.

The door clicked shut behind him.

I stood there, frozen. Then slowly, I crawled back under the covers. The sheets were still warm. I pulled the blanket tight around me, pressing my knees to my chest.

"Don't cry today" I told myself. "Don't ruin it."

But the ache in my chest was hard to ignore.

The silence wrapped around me, thick and heavy. My thoughts slipped to places I tried so hard to avoid.

The first time I lost a baby, Lars held me while I sobbed. He said we would try again. The second time he was still there. He stroked my hair and whispered that everything would be okay. And the last one... he didn't even hold me. Didn't say a word. He just turned away, like I didn't matter.

I told myself I had accepted it. That maybe I wasn't meant to be a mother. And I was convinced that Lars getting distant is his way of dealing with pressure from the pack.

But that sadness never left. It stayed.

Just like then, it was quiet now.

Only me. Alone.

I blinked back the tears and drew a shaky breath. Five years of trying. Of hoping. Of failing. Five years of being reminded that I was weak and useless, being reminded that I don't deserve the title of luna.

The morning passed slowly. I started preparations for our annual anniversary dinner. Moonfang cliff held so many memories, it was where Lars marked me as his mate.

I rang for the cook first. When she appeared, flour dusting her apron.

"I need a special meal prepared for tonight," I said. "Our anniversary dinner at Moonfang cliff."

"Of course, Luna," she replied with a warm smile. "What would you like?"

"All his favorites, roasted boar with wild herbs, redberry wine, and honeyed bread."

"I'll make sure everything is perfect. The boar will be tender as butter."

"Thank you." I managed a small smile. "Could you have it ready by sunset?"

"Absolutely. Should I send someone to help carry it up?"

"Yes, please. And... make sure it's our best presentation."

Next, I called for Elena, one of the younger maids. She curtseyed when she entered.

"Luna, how may I serve you?"

"I need flowers gathered for tonight," I said. "Blue heather and twilight daisies from the eastern meadow."

“I'll gather the freshest ones. Should I arrange them too?"

"Please. Simple but elegant."

"I know just what you mean, Luna. I'll make them beautiful."

When the head butler arrived, I was reviewing my mental checklist.

"Thomas, I need the silver lanterns from storage, and the small wooden table from the garden room."

"For dinner at the cliff?”

"Yes. Could you have everything carried up early?"

"I'll see to it personally, Luna. The young ones can help with the carrying."

"Thank you. I want everything in place before evening."

The servants helped carry everything up the cliff early in the morning. I supervised as they arranged the lanterns along the cliff's edge.

Elena approached with the flower arrangements

"These are gorgeous," I said, breathing in their sweet scent.

"It's beautiful work, Elena. Lars will be impressed."

Thomas checked the table one final time. "Everything secure, Luna. The wind shouldn't disturb anything."

"You've all done wonderfully," I said, looking around at the romantic setting. "Thank you."

"Will you need us to serve tonight?" Elena asked.

I shook my head. "No, I want it to be just us. You all deserve the evening off."

The servants exchanged pleased glances.

"Thank you, Luna," Thomas said.

I was so focused and I only noticed the time spent when the sun started to go down. I made my way back to the manor. I sat on the edge of the bed and opened the small velvet pouch I had tucked away.

My hand curled around the velvet pouch I'd gotten Lars a gift. A crescent moon necklace made of silver and carved with his name. I thought it would remind him of our bond.

I was supposed to give it to him earlier, after he fucked me hard. I imagined how this morning will go He will fuck me until I cried not from pain but pleasure. I love when he is rough in bed I would cum first before I suck his cock until he came in my mouth But the morning had gone differently.

Now I wasn't sure if I should give it to him at all.

I clutched the pouch and walked through the long stone hallways of our manor. I hadn't been to Lars' private wing in weeks. He'd told me he needed privacy and I respected that.

The corridor was quiet, My bare feet made no sound on the stone floor. My heart pounded.

As I got closer to his rooms, I heard something that made my blood freeze.

Low at first. Then clearer.

A woman's voice.

My body froze. My hand trembled, squeezing the pouch.

I moved closer, the door slightly ajar. The sound of the bed creaking, skin slapping skin, filled the air. Then...

"Faster… yesss… ahh!"

My breath caught. I pushed the door just enough to see.

Lars was on top of our maid, Marta. Her legs were wrapped around his waist, her back arched as she cried out. Her head thrown back, her mouth open in pleasure. His hands gripped her hips as he moved inside her with a hunger I have never seen.

"Faster," she gasped, her fingers digging into his shoulder.

"Please, don't stop!"

"Like this?" His voice was rough with desire.

"You dirty slut" he growled The same voice that had been cold to me this morning The bed creaked under their bodies. Each sound tearing my heart apart.