Chapter 1

There were fifteen days left until my Marking Ceremony with Raelor Thorne.

He sat on the Alpha’s stone seat, his tone casual, almost indifferent.

"Freya, I’ve told you many times. Seraphine’s situation in the pack is difficult. Since my brother, Theron Thorne, died, the Council of Elders has been trying to drive her out of the core territory.

"Only if she carries a pup with Alpha blood can she secure her position as the former Alpha’s mate.

"Theron died saving me. This isn't merely repayment for his life. It’s for the purity of Silvermoon’s bloodline."

His voice was low. Each word sounded like an order.

Three months ago, the Bloodfang Pack attacked. Raelor had been surrounded and knocked unconscious. Theron had charged into the battlefield and used his own body to block the fatal strike meant for him.

Theron had died, leaving behind his mate, Seraphine.

From that day forward, Seraphine became the forbidden place in Raelor’s heart.

I didn’t understand.

To repay a life debt, he would sacrifice our Marking Ceremony? He would make me the laughingstock of the entire pack?

"It would only be a formal mark and breeding," Raelor said as he rose and walked toward me. "There would be no feelings between us. It’s only to leave behind a pup."

He stopped in front of me and reached out to touch my shoulder. "I love you, Freya. You are the future Luna. You should understand me. Support me."

I stepped away from his hand and stood abruptly. Cold fury churned inside my chest. "Raelor, our Marking Ceremony is next month. And now you’re telling me you’ll mark Seraphine first and have her carry your pup?

"Then what am I? A hidden mistress? Or an ornament to secure your position as Alpha?"

He withdrew his hand. He lowered his gaze and adjusted his sleeve.

A moment later, he looked up. There was no guilt in his eyes, only calm certainty. "Freya, this isn’t only about Seraphine and me. It’s the decision of the Council of Elders.

"The Council has already passed the resolution. As long as Seraphine gives birth to a pup with Alpha blood, the old factions dissatisfied with my rule will quiet down.

"My position as Alpha was bought with Theron’s death. I cannot be ungrateful."

I looked at the tall wolf before me. He suddenly felt unfamiliar.

We had grown up together in the outer territory. From low-ranking wolves to his rise as Alpha, I stood beside him through every stage. With my healing gift, I pulled him back from the brink of death again and again.

I thought we shared something pure. A silent understanding.

Reality struck hard.

He had never truly placed me beside him as an equal. I was simply a suitable mate. A talented Healer. Quiet and sensible. Proper enough to stand beside the Alpha of Silvermoon.

The one he truly wished to protect was never me.

It was Seraphine, the childhood companion, who stood between him and Theron.

All these years, while I chased him, he hid behind Theron’s shadow, chasing Seraphine.

Now that Theron was dead, he could stand openly beside her under the noble excuse of protecting his fallen brother’s mate.

I was nothing more than a fool. Whenever a choice had to be made between her and me, I would always be the one abandoned.

He was about to speak again when the wolf communicator at his waist lit up. He walked outside and answered it, his voice turning low and gentle.

He had blocked our Mind Link, so I could not hear the conversation, but I could see the relaxed smile on his face. It was a smile he had never shown me.

At that same moment, my communicator received an anonymous message. I opened it.

It was a gestation report stamped with the red seal of the Healing Sanctum.

The words were clear: "The pup is developing well. Four weeks. Name: Seraphine."

My gaze dropped to the date.

It had been issued a month ago.