Chapter 2

I locked myself in my room for three days, refusing food, water, or even a single word.

The scent of their lust, lingering from the study, clung to me like smoke, filling my nose, haunting me.

On the fourth day, bad news came crashing through my door.

My pack had risen in rebellion.

They gathered at the border towers, defying Damian's rule.

Then came the Alpha's summons.

Damian's personal guard stood expressionless at my door. "Alpha Damian requests your presence in the study."

It wasn't a request. It was an order.

In the study, Damian sat behind his desk, cold as ice.

He tossed a battle report in front of me and said, "Your pack has betrayed my rule. As Luna, it's your duty to quell this rebellion."

His tone left no room for argument.

"If you can't do it…" He paused, and a flash of bloodlust lit his eyes. "I'll not hesitate to spill blood to restore order."

He was asking me to betray my pack again.

My body trembled uncontrollably.

Damian's expression softened when he saw me trembling.

The edge in his eyes disappeared, leaving only warmth.

He rose, crossed the desk, and lifted my chin gently.

"Eva, the pack can't endure chaos. Help me this once." His voice was soft, almost tender. "Let's get through this together."

Damian held my eyes, those deep, dark eyes, and once again, I saw the affection within. "The Blood Moon is approaching. The marking must be perfect. I will allow nothing to interfere. Do you understand, Eva?"

My heart lurched at the mention of the Blood Moon.

Perhaps he hadn't forgotten his vow.

Perhaps Chloe had been nothing more than a fleeting indulgence.

For Damian and my pack members' lives, I gave in.

Through secret channels, I contacted Liam Henderson, the leader of the rebellion.

The meeting place was an abandoned border tower.

I grasped Liam's hand, voice trembling. "Liam, back down. I don't want to see another of our pack members die on the battlefield."

Liam's eyes glistened red. He gripped my arm, shaking, his voice breaking. "Luna, wake up! Damian is using you to tear us apart! To him, you're nothing but a tool! You should come back and lead us!"

A tool.

The word struck me like a poisoned blade, stabbing straight into my chest.

A memory I had fought to bury came crashing back.

A month ago, at the Blackrock pack's victory celebration for annexing the Silvermoon pack, Damian had been drunk out of his mind.

He had kicked open my door, a wild beast out of control, pressing me into the bed, tearing at my clothes.

That wasn't love.

It was a declaration of ownership, a conquest.

The next morning, he woke up with no memory of what had happened.

The memory chilled me to the bone, and I wavered.

But the promise of our Blood Moon mating—the only lifeline I could cling to before drowning—kept me afloat.

I told myself it had been an accident. He was drunk, not himself, and I would forgive him.

I chose to believe in my destined mate, my Alpha.

I jerked my hand from Liam's grip, pain and defiance in my voice. "No! Damian swore an oath to the Moon Goddess! He loves me! Stop resisting! It'll only cause more death!"

Using my authority, I persuaded my pack to back down.

I trudged back to report to Damian.

At the study door, the thick, hot, and intoxicating scent hit me once again.

The sounds inside struck me like lightning.

Chloe let out a soft, teasing laugh. "Darling, are you actually going to honor the Blood Moon vow?"

Damian chuckled lightly, each note dripping with indulgence. "Babe, that was only a chain to keep her and her pack in check. Tonight, you're the one I want."

Then I heard the sound of clothes tearing and Chloe's restrained moans.

The sweet, fruity scent clung to me, like an invisible hand closing around my throat.

I stood rooted, blood turning to ice, every inch of me paralyzed.