Chapter 0007

•CATHERINE•

The moon hung low over the clearing, silver light spilling across the gathered wolves. Dozens of eyes glowed in the shadows, bodies tense with anticipation as the pack assembled for the run meant to welcome Mary back home.

I stood at the edge of the crowd, the cool night air biting against my skin. Leo stepped forward, every inch the perfect Alpha—steady, commanding, radiant in a way that made the pack instinctively lean toward him.

“Tonight,” he announced, “we honor Mary’s return. Our warrior, our guide, our family.”

Cheers erupted around me. Wolves howled their approval, excitement crackling like static in the air.

I stayed silent.

Mary smiled shyly beside him, clutching her shawl like she had never hurt anyone in her life.

Leo’s gaze swept across the clearing and brushed over me.

The message was clear: Do your duty, Luna.

My fists tightened.

Duty.

The same excuse that had kept me here long after I should’ve walked away.

Leo raised his hand, signaling the shift.

One after another, wolves dropped to four paws and waited for the Alpha’s command.

I took a breath, letting the familiar heat of the shift flood my bones. My own wolf pushed forward—angry, restless, wounded—but steady.

Leo howled.

The pack surged forward in a thunder of paws and snarls.

And I ran with them.

Mary ran beside me, her voice whispering through the link, sharp and smug.

“Enjoy your last run as Luna, Catherine. Next year, it’ll be me standing in your place.”

I didn’t reply. I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.

But the anger burned, deep and steady.

When we reached the cliff, Leo stopped abruptly. His eyes found mine through the moonlight.

“Mary is Brian’s mother,” Leo said coldly through the mind link. “After the pack run, our divorce will be finalized.”

My heart skipped a beat, “Sure,” I said. “But I have one condition.”

His tone shifted, wary. “What condition?”

I met his gaze without flinching.

“I won’t leave until my contributions to this pack are properly recognized.” My voice was steady, every word deliberate. “The medical wing I built, the supplies I brought in, every injury I’ve treated, every life I’ve saved—I demand acknowledgment. All equipment, research, and resources I personally acquired or developed must remain under my control, or I will not sign the divorce papers.”

Leo’s eyes narrowed. “Catherine… you can’t make demands like that. The pack comes first.”

I shook my head, unwavering. “The pack comes first, yes. But I have given my life to this pack, and I will not leave empty-handed. I’ve sacrificed everything for you, for this family. You owe me that much.”

A flicker of something—shock? disbelief?—crossed his face. But I no longer cared.

Nyra growled low at my side as I watched Leo glower, but I didn’t hesitate. I had spent years building this pack from the inside, and if he wanted me gone, fine—I’d go. But I would not leave my legacy behind.

The forest raced past me, wind whipping through my fur. For the first time in a long while, I felt free. Moonlight spilled through the trees, and for the first time in ages, I prayed the Moon Goddess would see everything and answer me.

Then came a sharp cry.

“Ahh!”

Mary’s wolf fell forward in front of me, howling in pain. Blood streaked her leg as she shifted back, clutching at the wound.

I stopped immediately, shifting back to human form just as she did, clutching tightly to her leg and checking.

"Mary, are you alright?" Leo rushed to her, worry written all over his face.

“She— she pushed me!” she cried, pointing at me. “Catherine pushed me off the trail!”

The crowd gasped. I clenched my fists, feeling the familiar sting of betrayal.

“No!” I protested. “She ran into my lane! I didn’t touch her!” My voice cracked but carried through the clearing.

“Luna,” the first Elder said sternly, “you know the consequences of harming a pack member. Is it true?”

“It’s not! I didn’t touch her!” My voice cracked, but I stood my ground.

Silence.

Not a single voice rose for me.

Only the wind moved through the trees.

Leo’s face hardened. “Enough excuses. Mary isn’t reckless. You always find someone else to blame.”

“Leo, please,” I whispered, trembling. “There are cameras on the northern ridge. Check them. If not — anyone! Did anyone see me push her?”

No answer.

Even the pack members I had protected for years looked away.

Then, from behind the crowd, came a small, familiar voice.

“I saw her,” Brian said.

I froze. 

He stood beside Mary, his tiny fists clenched, his eyes full of fear — and something worse.

"What did you see Brian? Please tell them the truth." I looked at him hopefully—my son, the one I raised.

“She pushed Mommy. I saw it. She did it on purpose.”

The world tilted. My breath caught in my throat. “Brian… no, sweetheart, you don’t understand—”

He shook his head violently. “You hurt her! You hurt my mommy!”

Gasps filled the air. Someone whispered,"Oh gosh, so Mary is actually Brian’s mother—did you hear that?"

“Yes. Even her son saw it.”

Leo’s voice was cold steel. “You heard the boy. Catherine, your lies end here. You’ll face the council for your actions. Until then, you’re stripped of your Luna duties and barred from the mind link.”

I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe.

The child I raised — was clutching the woman who’d destroyed me, crying in her arms.

Mary turned to Leo, tears shimmering just right under the moonlight. “Please, don’t be too harsh on her. Maybe it's just because I won the proposal, so...”

Leo wrapped an arm around her. “You’re too kind, Mary.”

I stood there, hollow, numb. The cold night wind whipped through me, but I couldn’t feel it.

Because the pain inside me was worse.

"Now, apologize, Catherine.” Leo ordered. “Or you’ll get banned from all future pack runs. The council will meet to vindicate Mary and decide your punishment. And you’re banned from the gathering hall and the mind link for a month.”

I looked around. Everyone’s eyes were on me, cold and judgmental, whispering things I didn’t want to hear. My chest ached as I turned back to Leo and Mary.

“I will not apologize,” I said, my voice steady and unwavering. “I didn’t push her. I won’t give false words to soothe anyone.”

Then I turned to Leo, my gaze sharp and unflinching.

“And I agree to the divorce,” I added firmly.“Neither you nor Brian are mine anymore.”

This time, my heart was dead; I would no longer harbor any illusions about this pack.

For a moment, something flickered behind his eyes—shock, disbelief.

But I no longer cared.

 *****

Back at the pack house, I packed quietly. My hands shook as I folded my clothes, my breaths coming uneven and shallow.

Everything I’d built, every sacrifice I’d made—it was all gone.

I was reaching for the last suitcase when my phone vibrated on the bed.

Elias calling.

For a moment, I just stared at the screen, stunned. He never called unless something was important.

He wasn’t family by blood, but in every way that mattered, he was.

“Catherine?” His voice was warm,  “How are you recently?”

My throat ached. “I’m fine,” I lied softly. “How are you?”

“I can tell from your voice that you’re not doing very well.” he said, his tone low but sure. “What’s going on? Is Brian sick again?”

At the mention of my son, my heart twisted painfully. “No,” I whispered. “He… he doesn’t see me as his mother anymore.”

A long silence fell between us, then I forced the words out. “Leo and I… we filed for divorce.”

“What?” The disbelief in his voice cracked. “Catherine—what happened?”

“I can’t stay here,” I said, barely above a whisper. “Not another second.”

A pause. “Listen…leaving an unhealthy marriage isn’t a bad thing. And I wanted to ask if you’d consider something.”

My breath caught. “What is it?”

“The council here wants a medical consultant—someone trained, someone calm under pressure, someone who won’t take sides. You were the first person I thought of.”

I straightened, the decision settling in my bones like a weight I was finally ready to carry.

“I’ll come,” I said. 

He hesitated only a moment. “Great! Then I’m coming to pick you. Two days—maybe less. Don’t move, okay?” His voice softened, and I could almost see the smile he used when he tried to reassure me. “You’re stronger than you think. And you’re not alone anymore.”

Something inside me shifted at those words—like a spark fighting to stay lit in the dark.

“Thank you,” I breathed, and hung up before my voice gave away how much that meant.

I wiped my tears and zipped the last suitcase, my hands steadier now. But just as I stood, the door burst open.