Chapter 1

I had just coaxed Mia Sterling to sleep when the phone in my pocket suddenly began vibrating like crazy.

In the pack's community group chat, a woman named Grace Redwood tagged me.

She texted in the group, "Your daughter is just one pup. Does she need such a huge playground all to herself? Starting tomorrow, open it up for everyone to use! My son is the future heir of the Darkshadow pack. It's an honor for your daughter to get to play with him."

I stared at the screen with my fingertip hovering midair. I was unable to process what I was seeing for a moment.

Was this a joke?

Mia had been born with asthma. Her healer said she needed a place that was rich with spiritual energy and well-ventilated on all sides. It should also be free from dampness so that she could run freely while practicing her most basic hunting instincts.

This was an essential part of growing up for every werewolf pup. But for Mia, it could put her life at risk at any moment.

Because of that, I had moved away from the pack and bought this house in Lunalia, the city closest to the moonlight.

I had even filled the entire garden with moonflowers that were good for a pup's growth and hired a witch to set up a healing array. Only then had I chosen this place to build a playground exclusively for Mia.

And now, Grace had the nerve to say she wanted Mia to share this playground.

I frowned, suppressed my irritation, and typed a reply. "Don't even think about it. I built that playground for Mia because of her special health needs. It's not available for anyone else to use."

Two minutes later, Grace sent another message that was accompanied by an exaggerated laughing emoji.

She wrote, "Oh, is it really that serious? What can a sickly little pup possibly do with such a huge playground? Bask in the sun? My son is going to inherit the Darkshadow pack one day. He needs to build connections and develop leadership skills now.

"If you know what's good for you, you'll hand over the playground voluntarily."

I looked at Mia's peaceful sleeping face. Unwilling to start a conflict, I tried to reason with Grace.

I replied, "First, I hired professionals to survey and build the playground. It's registered private property and not a community resource. Secondly, Mia's private space is not a bargaining chip for anyone to show off or establish their authority. Third, this matter is not up for discussion."

The group chat went quiet for a moment.

Then, Grace sent a voice message. She sounded indignant because she felt humiliated.

She sneered, "What private property? My mate joined the Werewolf Council six months ago. Do you have any idea that all it would take is one word from him to have you and your daughter thrown out of Lunalia?

"I'm only asking you to open your playground so the young pups can have a place to socialize. Do you have to be so petty? It's a waste for a sickly asthmatic pup to hog such a nice place anyway. I'm curious, though. You're a she-wolf raising a pup by yourself.

"Where did you get the money to build a playground? Are you some Alpha's mistress?"

I tightened my grip on my phone as a chill swept through my entire body.

Just as I was about to fire back, Peyton Morris, the community affairs manager, joined the conversation.

He wrote, "Ms. Waldorf, personally, I believe Grace has a point."

His words were extremely polite, yet every single one of them made it clear that he was taking Grace's side.

He went on, "We're all a part of Lunalia. We should help one another and work together to maintain harmony within the community. It's truly a waste to have such a large playground reserved for just one pup.

"Opening it up so the young heir of the Darkshadow pack can host an event is in line with fostering community spirit like we have always promoted. I suggest that you seriously consider Grace's proposal."

As I stared at those words, my heart sank to my stomach.

This wasn't a discussion at all. It was daylight robbery.

A she-wolf who thought she could do whatever she wanted just because her mate had recently joined the council had teamed up with a spineless, opportunistic community manager to bully me.

Grace immediately chimed in, "See? Even the manager is on my side! Peyton, please get a few security guards to clean up the playground tomorrow. I want to repaint it in colors that are more suitable for boys."

Peyton replied instantly, "No problem, Mrs. Lowell."

I placed my phone face down on the armrest of the couch and took a deep breath.

I didn't want trouble.

My mate, Kaiser Sterling, had been busy lately dealing with disputes among several smaller packs. I didn't want to add to his troubles, much less let something like this disrupt the life Mia had only just begun to settle into.

But that didn't mean I would hand over the only place where Mia could move around freely to people like them.