Chapter 1

"The real Alpha's daughter died worse than a rogue."

The guard outside blew a smoke ring, his voice full of open mockery.

"Tell me about it. Jace, the Alpha heir, is ruthless. That was his own sister. When Anna was bleeding out and begging for help, he refused to let the healers in. I heard her newborn pup died, too."

"Of course. Miss Stella had a migraine. The best team of healers was with her. Who would dare care if Anna lived or died?"

"Tonight's going to be huge. The annual pack gala. I heard the Alpha is going to officially announce Miss Stella as the rightful eldest daughter of the Red Moon Pack."

"Then what about Anna?"

"A dead body, I guess. Why else would they throw her in here without even a grave..."

The footsteps faded away.

With trembling hands, I pushed open the heavy bronze doors. My eyes fell on the frail figure on the floor.

Ten years ago, for the pack's prosperity and for my beloved mate Alaric, I willingly locked myself in this isolated Sanctuary to pray.

I thought my sacrifice would buy peace for my family and glory for my pups.

But today, they delivered my daughter's corpse.

I reached out and brushed the hair from Anna's face.

Her eyes were wide open, frozen in unyielding despair.

Her proud blonde hair was matted with blood. Her stomach, which once held a new life, was now just an unhealed wound covered in glaring red.

I remembered the last time I saw her, ten years ago.

She cried her heart out next to my body. "Mom... don't leave me. I'll be good, I promise..."

Back then, I thought we only had to wait ten years to reunite.

I never expected this.

Touching Anna's cold cheek, I suddenly laughed.

The sound echoed in the empty Sanctuary, growing louder.

My wolf was roaring inside me, dying to tear everything apart.

"Luna!"

The Grand Magus stumbled into the Sanctuary. Seeing the body on the floor and the look in my eyes, he turned pale and dropped to his knees.

"How dare you let her lie on the cold floor?" I stood up, looking down at him.

My aura pinned him down.

"Luna, please... it was an accident..." He trembled, cold sweat dripping from his forehead.

"An accident?" I sneered, stepping closer. "I sacrificed ten years of my freedom, drained my bloodline to feed you all, and this is how you repay me?!"

He stayed glued to the floor, too scared to look up.

"Where was your Alpha when my daughter was bleeding to death in labor?" I grabbed him by the collar and hauled him up. "Speak!"

"The Alpha... he said she was just having a pup and told her to stop faking it. He said Miss Stella's migraine was more important..."

"A migraine. Perfect."

I let go, and he dropped to the floor like a sack of dirt.

A migraine got the best healers.

But my Anna couldn't even get one healer while she bled out!

I turned around, my eyes landing on the center of the altar.

A faint blue light pulsed there—the power core the pack relied on to survive.

As long as it existed, the pack would have endless power and wealth.

I turned and walked toward the door.

Realizing what I was doing, the Magus's eyes widened. He scrambled over and hugged my legs tight.

"Luna! No! You can't leave the Sanctuary!" he screamed. "The core is in its most critical stage! Just two more months! It will stabilize in two months! If you leave now, ten years of effort will be wasted, and the pack will fall apart! Please, think of the greater good!"

The greater good?

I looked down coldly at this hypocritical old fool.

I ripped off the heavy, elaborate prayer robes.

Rip.

The sharp sound of tearing fabric cut his screams short.

I pulled out a silver dagger.

The blade gleamed with a bloodthirsty chill in the moonlight.

"The greater good?" I kicked him away hard and watched him curl up in pain.

Gripping the dagger, I strode toward the Sanctuary doors.

"My daughter is dead. Screw the greater good. I'm going to collect what they owe Anna myself."