Chapter 001

Amma’s Point of View

My heart is thumping, an ache in my chest that won't go away. My eyes shift to the red light above the door, then begin to count.

For five years, I have lived a life of uncertainty. Always looking over my shoulder and praying no one recognizes me. Five years ago, I gave up my position as Luna and chose my baby over everything else.

Six hours. That's how long the surgery has taken. I get up from the chair and start pacing around. She will be fine, I assure myself, but I can't shake off the feeling that something might go wrong. That they might find us.

I stare at the door, praying to a goddess I don't even believe in anymore. The last time, the surgery didn't take this long. Even as a doctor, I can't get closer to my own child; all I do is stare, hoping and praying that my child is safe.

I hug myself, reminding myself that I am stronger than I believe. That everything will eventually work out.

When the surgery light goes off, I quickly walk forward, waiting for the doctor to come out. I count the minutes from the lights going off, then her being wheeled out.

When the doors open, I rush toward them, my heart pounding against my chest so hard. I lower my eyes, my gaze traveling down my beautiful daughter's pale face.

Thick eyebrows, long lashes, and perfectly proportioned lips. She's the spitting image of him. The man who ruined me.

My chest rises and falls, my hand itching to brush through her dark, thick curls, but instead I pull away.

"How is she?" I ask Mirabel, the other pediatric surgeon I trust in this hospital, to hold a scalpel in my stead.

She explains everything we'd already discussed, and I'm fully aware, but I need to know if the surgery went well.

"We're hoping this will help her heart function nicely," Mirabel explains. I nod, staring at her, refusing to shed tears.

My beautiful little fighter has undergone so many surgeries. All three have been successful, so I'm certain this one will be too. Being born without a wolf, fully human, has brought so many complications into her life. It’s like her own body is failing her.

I think back to three years ago and what led me here today.

As the eldest daughter of Alpha Theon Edwards, I used to accompany my father to Alpha meetings. As always, I had accompanied him two years before I ran away. I remember walking into the ballroom, the smell of strawberries and vanilla filling my nostrils; my wolf was restless until my eyes landed on the man who was the reason for my uneasiness. Alpha Evander Colwill, the alpha from Onyx Claw.

When the word mate rolled off his lips, my entire world stopped, and those piercing dark eyes looked at me like I was the only woman in the room. In the world.

Even though we were rival packs at the time, we managed to make it work. After eight months of me going against my father's orders, he eventually agreed, and our packs became allies through our bond.

Everything had been good. But five years ago, one evening, I lost everything I had.

Pictures of the only man I had ever loved with another woman in bed. Naked.

I remember having a breakdown in our bedroom. Everything I had believed was a lie. He never loved me. He still went back to that woman I'd always heard about. The one he was supposed to marry. His Luna.

I found out he'd publicly impeached my father at the Alpha Meeting to become Alpha King. I went into labor at only six months.

Even though his betrayal was deep, I still cried and screamed for him, but he never came. Even when I asked them to call him, he refused to talk to me. I knew he was with her, but I had hoped he would at least think about me.

The next day, feeling weak and exhausted, I filed the divorce papers and left them for him on the table. He would find them once he was back, and I took my daughter and left.

He wanted to be Alpha King? I gave him exactly what he wanted. He was now the most powerful alpha in the world.

I moved away, came to this city, and changed everything about me. I was no longer Luna Amma Colwill. From my appearance to taking medicine that masked my scent as an alpha, to getting injections that altered my blood, putting my wolf to sleep.

No one could discover that I was the Luna everyone was searching for.

I press my lips together, watching her sleep. My little Ari has gone through so much. Three nights I have stayed here, watching her fight for her life.

" Mummy?" She calls, and I smile, brushing her hair back.

" Hi, Munchkin," I whisper, kissing her temple. She groans softly, her almond-shaped eyes fluttering as she turns to me.

" Will I be okay?" She asks, her eyes piercing into me.

" Of course. You're such a strong girl," I assure her.

She smiles weakly, her cheeks dimpling like her father's.

" You said you'd get me my present if I behaved and didn't cry," she says, and I can't help but smile. Trust my Isadora to remind me of promises made in excitement or, in this case, desperation.

" Of course. What is it?"

She tilts her head, watching me closely. "I want a daddy."

My heart sinks, throat tightening, but I force a smile. It's the first time she has asked me about "a daddy," and I'm sure it won't be the last.

There's nothing I can't do for my little warrior, but when she asks me for something like this, my heart breaks for her, because it's the only thing I can never give her.

The only thing she will never have. So, I do what I always do. Swallow the lump in my throat and smile at her, shaking my head.

" Oh, my little Munchkin," I whisper, kissing her forehead.

" Can I have a daddy, Mummy?" She asks, and I smile. "Remember what I said?"

She nods slowly. "That Daddy is among the stars."

" Yes, baby. One day we'll be with him," I say. I hate lying to her, but that's what became of Evander the day she was born.

Even though I know her father is in another woman's bed and may already have other children, he will never see her. It breaks my heart for her, but I can't let her near that man.

"Can I get a bike then?" she asks, and I can't help but smile, pulling her into my arms. "I'll get them in different colors for you," I soothe her, brushing back her hair, when a knock comes.

" Yes?" I call out. Judith peers through the door.

" Beta Matt is at reception. He says there's someone here to see you," she says, and I furrow my eyebrows. There's only one person in this pack important enough to request to see me while I'm with my daughter, and he's not in the pack right now.

“Did they say what they wanted?”

“No. But Beta Matt insisted that you come,” Judith says, and I clench my jaw tight, looking at my beautiful daughter.

I cup Isadora's chin, making her face me. "Mummy will be right back, okay? Will you be good for Aunt Judith until then?"

She nods, smiling weakly. I kiss her forehead and get off the bed, then walk out of the room, but not before grabbing my white coat and stethoscope. It might be a patient.

I stop in the doorway, turning to blow her a kiss.

She giggles, and I make my way out. But when I slowly approach Beta Matt, my heart races, and my wolf stirs, even as weak as she is.

I look at the man before me, in his all-black outfit, his thick curls, his broad shoulders, the way he towers over everyone. There's no way I would ever mistake him for anyone else.

It's him. The man who ruined me.

The room seems to tilt, and ice crawls down my spine.

Evander Colwill.