Chapter 3

Lucius’s office was lavish, as always. Massive floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the entire sprawling city.

All of this, built on the wealth of our Silver Moon pack.

"Have a seat, my love." Lucius pulled out a chair for me, pouring a cup of tea, playing the part of the perfect, doting mate. "I had them prepare lunch."

Lunch arrived quickly, brought in by none other than Clara.

She'd changed into a crisp uniform that hugged her curves just a little too perfectly.

But the way her hand hovered protectively over her belly gave everything away.

"Your lunch, Chairman," she said, her head bowed and her voice soft. She didn't dare look at me.

"Leave it and get out," Lucius's tone was clipped and cold, a clear attempt to distance himself.

"Wait," I said suddenly.

Clara's body went rigid.

I dabbed my lips with a napkin, my eyes fixed on her still-flat stomach. I smiled. "Clara, right? How long have you been with the Alliance?"

"Al-almost three years, Luna."

"Three years," I nodded, my voice gentle. "Then are you familiar with our pack's traditions? For example, the blessing ceremony for newborn pups?"

The color drained from Clara's face. She shot Lucius a desperate, pleading look.

"It's our most sacred tradition," I continued, ignoring her silent plea. "Only true-born pups, of pure and legitimate blood, are worthy of the Moon Goddess's blessing. Those of questionable origin..."

"That's enough, Anya!" Lucius snapped. "She's just an assistant! She doesn't need to know these things!"

Just then, the soup bowl in Clara’s hand trembled. With a small shriek, the bowl tilted, sending scalding mushroom soup splashing all over the back of her hand and arm.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, Luna! I didn't mean to!" Her eyes instantly welled with tears, making her look pitiful and wronged.

Before I could even speak, Lucius was already rushing to her side.

"Are you okay? Where did it burn you?"

He grabbed her arm, his voice tight with worry, carefully examining the injury.

It was a raw, genuine concern he had never, ever shown me.

He didn't even turn around as he snarled at me, "Anya! Do you have to be so aggressive? She's just an assistant!"

The air turned to ice.

I watched as he turned his back on me, gently blowing on Clara's reddened skin. In that instant, a sharp, searing pain shot through the mate bond.

It wasn't jealousy. It was revulsion.

My heart died right then and there.

"I'm alright, Chairman," Clara sobbed, but shot a triumphant, defiant look at me from the corner of her eye. "It was my fault, Luna had nothing to do with it..."

"I'm taking you to the infirmary," Lucius said, helping her up without another word and leading her out of the office.

I sat there in silence until the door clicked shut.

For a moment, I was in a daze. Lucius had just sided with her, right in front of me, without a single thought for my feelings.

As if I was some monster ready to tear that bitch apart.

Tears blurred my vision. A few minutes later, Lucius returned.

"I had someone else take her to the medical wing. Anya. You shouldn't have cornered some omega like that. But… I shouldn't have yelled at you."

He walked over and handed me a cup of tea, a weak attempt to apologize.

An omega?

I laughed.

I didn't want to argue. I didn't want his fake apology. I just pushed past him and walked out the door.

He didn't follow. Instead, his voice echoed in my head through our mind link.

"Don't be angry, my love. I'll be home waiting for you tonight. I love you."

Fighting back a wave of nausea, I went for a walk in the garden, only to run right into Clara.

She was leaning against a tree, on her phone.

My werewolf hearing was a gift. Even from a distance, her words were crystal clear.

"Sarah, I'm freaking out!" Clara's voice was filled with panic. "That bitch Anya was here today. I think she knows something!"

A muffled voice answered on the other end.

"No, Lucius promised! After the baby's born, he'll use the excuse that 'Anya can't produce an heir' to break their mate bond! Then I'll be the new Luna!"

My fists clenched, nails digging into my palms.

"He promised me! This baby is his only heir! That old hag is just a placeholder!"

Old hag?

My wolf snarled, and the killing intent became almost a physical thing.

"Sarah, you don't get it. Lucius said Anya was just a stepping stone. Once he has full control of the Alliance, she and her family are the first to go!"

A stepping stone?

I emerged from behind the tree, death clinging to my every step.

Clara was still bragging into the phone. "Once I give birth to our little Alpha, Lucius will announce our relationship to everyone. Then, even the Silver Moon pack will have to listen to me!"

"Clara," my voice cut through the air behind her.

She whipped around, her phone slipping from her hand and shattering on the ground.

"Luna Anya! I... I..."

I walked toward her, step by step, my sheer presence making the air crackle and freeze.

Her legs started to shake. She could barely stand.

"Congratulations," my voice was soft, but laced with deadly cold. "I hear you're pregnant."

"I... I don't know what you're talking about..."

"You don't?" I stopped right in front of her, looking down at her. "Then what about this?"

I reached out and lightly touched her belly, feeling the faint flicker of life inside.

Clara went rigid with fear, not daring to move.

"A new life," I whispered. "So precious. But Clara, did you know?"

"K-know what?"

I leaned in, my voice a demon's whisper in her ear.

"Betrayal brings a curse. You might be carrying something that isn't yours... but that doesn't mean you'll get to keep it."

The color drained from Clara's face, her eyes wide with terror.

I watched her for a moment longer, then turned and walked away.