Chapter 1

Yara

I smoothed the deep crimson silk over our bed for the third time, my fingers lingering on the petals I had scattered across it.

Red roses — his favorite.

The entire room smelled of lavender and vanilla, the candles flickering softly in the golden afternoon light streaming through the windows.

Today marked exactly three years since I first looked into those stormy grey eyes and knew my heart would never belong to anyone else.

“Maria, make sure the dining hall is perfect,” I called out to one of the omegas bustling past the doorway.

“Extra meat for the warriors. And tell the cooks to prepare his favorite stew. He’s been fighting for a month. He deserves to come home to warmth.”

“Yes, Luna,” Maria bowed slightly, her eyes bright with excitement that mirrored my own.

I smiled, even as my heart fluttered with nerves and joy. Father had finally come around. Sending my mate on this mission to deal with the rogue wolves wasn’t just a task, it was a test. And my husband had passed it with flying colors. I had sent the secret message through my hidden channels two weeks ago, thanking the Alpha King for giving him this chance. Maybe now he would accept our union. Maybe I could finally tell my mate the truth about who I really was.

I placed a hand on my flat stomach for a moment, the familiar ache rising before I pushed it down. Not today, I told myself. Today is for celebration. The Moon Goddess would bless us when the time was right.

The pack was buzzing. Banners hung from the pack house, the training grounds freshly cleared, and children ran around with flowers in their hair. I had spent the entire week preparing for this. For the return of my husband, my Alpha, and my mate. The man I had given up my royal title and identity for.

“Luna! They’re here!” Someone shouted from outside.

My heart leaped. I rushed to the balcony overlooking the main courtyard, my long silver gown flowing behind me. The warriors were marching in, dusty and proud, their howls echoing through the streets. And there, at the front on his massive black wolf form, was my mate — Ian.

I smiled so wide my cheeks hurt. He’s home.

But as the wolves shifted back into human form, something felt… wrong.

Ian stood tall, his broad shoulders and dark hair unmistakable even from a distance. But he wasn’t alone. Beside him was another woman. She was beautiful — fiery red hair, and curves that drew every eye.

My stomach dropped.

He raised a hand, and the pack fell into respectful silence.

“Warriors and pack members,” his deep voice rang out strong and commanding, “we return victorious! The rogue threat has been crushed. Tonight we celebrate our fallen and our triumph!”

The crowd erupted in cheers, clapping and howling in celebration. I clapped along with them from the balcony, pride swelling in my chest despite the small knot of nerves in my stomach. It's normal to bring a female captive back from war, I convinced myself.

But as the cheers began to settle, Ian stepped forward again. His expression shifted. He reached back and took the hand of the red-haired woman standing slightly behind him. He pulled her forward to stand beside him.

My stomach twisted.

“This is Mira,” Ian declared, his voice carrying across the courtyard. “During the long, cold nights of battle, when the wind cut like silver blades, the Moon Goddess blessed me with a companion to keep me warm. Mira here has stood by me, and now she carries my child. I will take full responsibility for her and the pup, so you all will treat her with respect.” He raised their joined hands higher. “Shadowveil Pack, your heir is here!”

The crowd exploded again — shouts, howls, and screams of celebration filling the air. Many clapped and cheered louder than before, the news of a coming heir sending waves of excitement through the pack.

My hands froze mid-clap. Companion? Pregnant? In just one month?

My hands gripped the balcony rail so tightly the wood creaked. Three years of love, of laughter, of building a life together. I had lowered myself from princess to Luna of this pack just to be with him. And he came back holding her hand? Announcing her pregnancy in front of everyone?

The reality hadn’t fully hit me yet, but unease coiled tighter in my chest.

“Where is my Luna? Why has she yet to welcome her Alpha home?” Ian asked no one in particular, his eyes scanning the crowd until they find me on the balcony.

Our gazes locked.

The smile I had worn all day shattered. A hiss of betrayal escaped my lips before I could stop it. I turned sharply and fled back inside the mansion, my silver gown swirling behind me.

“Continue the celebration!” I heard Ian call out behind me. “See that Mira is well attended to.”

The roses in the room I had decorated with so much care suddenly looked mocking. The candles felt too warm, and suffocating.

“Yara—" Ian said, his voice low as he stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. “Don’t overreact.”

I whirled around, tears burning in my eyes. “Overreact? You bring another woman home — pregnant — and announce it to the entire pack like I’m nothing? On our anniversary, Ian!”

Ian sighed, running a hand through his hair. He stepped closer, trying to keep his voice calm and reasonable. “Yara, listen to me. I didn’t plan any of this. It just… happened. I don’t even fully understand how it got to this point so quickly.”

I stared at him, my chest heaving. “What do you mean you ‘don’t understand how it happened’? You saw her, liked her, fucked and came inside her, and now you're telling me you don't know how it happened?”

His jaw tightened. Frustration flashed across his face as his control snapped. “So what? Is it my fault? Haven't I been patient with you enough, Yara? You’ve been my mate for three years, Yara. Three years, and you couldn’t give me a child. Mira got pregnant after that one time. What do you expect me to do? Tell her to get rid of it? Let her wander the world alone while my own mate is… barren with no hope of a heir in sight?”

The word hit me like a thunderclap. I staggered back, my hand flying to my chest as if he had struck me. A broken sob tore from my throat.

“Barren?! Me? How dare you call me that after everything I’ve sacrificed for you—” My voice cracked, raw and dramatic, as fresh tears spilled down my cheeks. The pain of that single word cut deeper than any rejection.

“Oh please, Yara. Don’t push your luck.” Ian’s eyes hardened. “What exactly have you done for me? Have you forgotten you were nothing but an omega when I found you? I elevated you. I accepted the mate bond when every other Alpha in history would have rejected it outright. Past Alphas knew better than to tie themselves to weak omegas. I went against all of that for you.”

He let out a bitter laugh. “Oh.. Yes you supported me through a few battles and helped manage the pack? Fine, I’ll acknowledge that. But so what? Why are you Luna if you can't even do that much work? You’re not the first and you definitely won’t be the last. The pack needs an heir, not empty loyalty.”

I stared at him, the man I had loved more than my own crown, and felt something inside me shatter.

He stepped closer, his expression softening into that manipulative gentleness he used whenever he wanted his way. “See Yara, I love you, but I won’t abandon my child. And I won’t apologize for wanting an heir either.”

The door creaked open before I could respond.

Mira stepped inside gracefully, one hand resting on her rounded belly, a look of mock surprise on her face. “Oh, I’m so sorry… I didn’t realize you two were still talking. I can come back later if this is a bad time.”

She didn’t leave. Instead, she turned to Ian with a sweet, triumphant smile. “But since I'm here, I just wanted to tell you the healer finished the examination, my love. The pup is strong and healthy. Guess what?”

I watched Ian's face light up with excitement.

“They’re quite certain it’s a boy — your heir.”

Her eyes flicked toward me with feigned pity. “It must be such a relief after waiting so long for one.”

Ian’s entire expression softened instantly. He pulled Mira closer, placing a gentle hand over hers on her belly, pride and affection clear in his eyes. “A boy?… that’s wonderful news, Mira. The Moon Goddess has truly blessed us.”

Her eyes flicked toward me with feigned pity. “Of course, Ian. It must be such a relief after waiting so long for one.”

“Come to think of it, Ian.” Mira started, looking around the room slowly, a pleased smile curving her lips. “Don’t you think this room has the perfect ambience for the baby? The sun enters directly from these windows, and the view of the ocean is so calming and beautiful.”

Ian nodded, his arm slipping around her waist. “You’re right.” He turned to me, his expression cold and final. “Yara, would you mind moving your things to the eastern guesthouse. Mira and the pup will stay here.”