登入(Frederick's POV) "The Council formally requests an investigation into Luna Alina." The words echoed through the council chamber. No one spoke. No one moved. The elders watched me carefully, waiting for my answer. I looked around the room. These were the same men who had watched my father rule. The same men who had sworn loyalty to the Blackwood bloodline. Today... They were asking me to investigate my own wife based on rumors. Rumors without proof. Elder Rowan cleared his throat. "Alpha..." I remained silent. Another elder spoke. "The Luna's reputation affects the stability of the pack." "And if these rumors are false," another added carefully, "clearing her name through an investigation would only strengthen her position." Reasonable. Logical. Political. But something about it felt wrong. Very wrong. Because they weren't questioning Alina. They were questioning whether I believed her. And suddenly... The memory of her face in the courtyard returned. "You
(Clara's POV) The broken bookmark wasn't enough. Clara smiled as she sat in the private lounge of a small estate on the edge of the Blackwood territory. A cup of untouched tea rested before her while two familiar faces stood across the table. Former servants of the Alpha mansion. People who knew every hallway. Every secret. Every weakness. "You've done well," Clara said softly. One maid lowered her head. "The pack is already talking." "They're saying Luna Alina and Alpha Marcus have grown close." Clara smiled. "Talking isn't enough." She reached into a velvet pouch and placed several gold coins on the table. The servants' eyes widened. "This is only the beginning." The older servant hesitated. "My lady... what exactly do you want us to say?" Clara leaned back in her chair. "I don't want lies." The women looked confused. "I want believable lies." She folded her hands elegantly. "People never question rumors that sound reasonable." The older maid nodded slowly.
(Frederick's POV) "You don't get to control who sends me gifts." The words struck harder than any blade. The courtyard fell into complete silence. Alina stood in front of me, her chin lifted stubbornly, the wooden gift box still resting in her hands. Every servant was watching. Every warrior. Every elder who happened to be passing through the courtyard had stopped to witness the confrontation. No one dared breathe. I looked at the box. Then at the messenger. Then back to Alina. Marcus. Everything seemed to come back to Marcus. His invitation. His smile. His constant interest in my wife. My wolf surged violently. Mine. The word thundered through my mind. Without thinking— I reached for the box. Alina tightened her grip. "Frederick." "Give it to me." "No." Her refusal came instantly. Firm. Fearless. A few months ago, she would have lowered her head. Now... She challenged me in front of the entire pack. Something dangerous flickered inside me. "Alina." "
(Alina's POV)The entire courtyard had fallen silent.Every servant.Every warrior.Even the gardeners had stopped working.All because of one elegant wooden box tied with a dark blue ribbon.The messenger held it toward me with both hands."Alpha Marcus sends his regards, Luna Alina."I hesitated.Not because I wanted the gift.Because I knew exactly what would happen the moment I accepted it.Whispers had already begun."Why would Alpha Marcus send the Luna a present?""They barely know each other.""Didn't he ask her to become his Luna?""Maybe he hasn't given up."The rumors spread from one servant to another like sparks catching dry grass.Wonderful.Exactly what Clara wanted.I looked at the messenger."What is it?""I was instructed not to say."He smiled politely."Alpha Marcus wished for it to be a surprise."Before I could respond, a cold voice cut through the courtyard."It won't be necessary."Every head turned.Frederick descended the mansion steps slowly.His expression
(Frederick's POV)The image refused to leave my mind.Alina.Pinned against the stone wall.My lips hovering over her neck.One second more...And I would have marked her.I had fought rogue Alphas.Led countless battles.Faced assassins without hesitation.Yet nothing had ever terrified me as much as losing control in front of her.The servant's interruption had saved me.Or perhaps...It had saved us both.The next morning, I left the mansion before sunrise.The training grounds were empty except for a few warriors beginning their drills."Alpha!"My Beta, Damon, jogged toward me."You've been here since dawn?"I ignored the question."Fight me."Damon blinked."What?""You heard me."Minutes later, steel clashed across the training yard.I attacked relentlessly.Every strike is harder than the last.Every swing is fueled by frustration.Not Damon.At myself.He barely blocked another blow before stumbling backward."Enough!" he shouted.I lowered my sword.Damon rubbed his aching s
(Alina's POV)The question echoed through the rose garden.For a moment, I simply stared at Frederick.Not because I didn't hear him.Because I couldn't believe he had the audacity to ask.The evening breeze carried the scent of white roses between us, but it did nothing to cool the anger rising inside me.I set the silver shears down carefully."Say that again."His expression remained unreadable."Did you meet Marcus alone?"I laughed.Once.Cold.Disbelieving."You've got to be joking.""I'm asking you a question.""No."I folded my arms."You're accusing me."His jaw tightened."The pack is talking.""The pack has been talking since the day I married you."His eyes never left mine."I want the truth."I took a slow step toward him."The truth?""Yes.""The truth is that your silence created those rumors."His brows lowered."You let Clara poison the pack against me.""You don't know Clara is behind this.""Oh?"I smiled bitterly."Then who else benefits from destroying my reputati
The pack gathered around the training grounds as the sun dipped low, shadows stretching long and dark. Torches flickered to life, casting a restless glow through the growing night. The scent of pine and earth mixed with something sharper—tension thick enough to taste.I stood alone in the center of
The Luna trial wasn’t just a tradition—it was a sacred rite, proof that the Moon Goddess herself had chosen me as Luna. And it was one thing no one, not even Frederick’s grandmother, could say no to.Grandmother Eleanor entered the hall like a stone dropped into still water—silent but impossible to
The dining hall was still silent when the doors slowly closed behind Clara. No one moved. The air felt thick, like a storm waiting to break.Frederick remained standing beside his chair, shoulders tense, jaw tight. For a moment, it looked like he might follow her. But he didn’t. Instead, he sat dow
The morning came too soon. The tall windows of the Alpha mansion let in a lot of light, which cast long, harsh shadows on the polished floors. I hardly slept. Frederick's voice echoed down the empty hallway every time I closed my eyes. "I'll fix this... I promise." Make this better. That means me







