Chapter 1

After confirming the final arrangements for my return to Heaven, I closed the silver mirror.

In two days, the celestial gate would open.

Once I stepped through it, my mate bond with Cassian would be severed. No creature in the mortal realm would ever find me again.

The door opened behind me.

Before I could turn, Cassian wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me against his chest.

“Who were you speaking to?”

“No one important.” I forced a smile.

His gaze fell on the silver mirror, but he did not question me. Instead, he lifted my hand and frowned at the coldness of my fingers.

“You didn’t finish your tonic this morning.”

“I forgot.”

“You always forget when I’m not here to remind you.”

Cassian kissed the top of my head and draped his cloak around my shoulders.

“I’ll have the chef prepare something light tonight. The healer says you still need to build your strength.”

For three years, the Lycan King had treated me with endless tenderness. He had carried me out of a vampire’s dungeon, summoned the finest healers in the realm, and stayed beside me through every nightmare while my wounded body slowly recovered.

Everyone said he had started a war because he loved me.

If I hadn’t learned the truth, I would have believed it too.

Evelyne had been cursed by a witch at birth for being the child of a forbidden union between a Lycan and a vampire.

She was never supposed to live past eighteen, but my celestial light could suppress the curse.

So that was why Cassian had made me his Luna.

He had used love to bind me to the mortal realm, ensuring that I could never return to Heaven and Evelyne’s curse would never awaken again.

“The Moon Goddess’s Blessing Feast is tomorrow,” Cassian said. “Evelyne will attend in your place as Luna.”

I stared at him. “Why?”

“Some of the wolves still look down on Omegas. I don’t want you to be hurt.”

He paused before adding, “And Evelyne’s curse has grown worse. She needs the Moon Goddess’s blessing more than you do.”

My fingers curled against my dress.

Everyone would beg the Moon Goddess to spare Evelyne.

None of them knew Cassian had already decided who would pay for that miracle.

“You should stay home,” he continued. “I’ll bring a blessing gift to you, then come straight back.”

“Can’t I go with you?”

Cassian’s arms tightened around me. “No.”

The answer came too quickly.

When I looked up at him, his expression softened.

“There will be too many people, and the ceremony may last for hours. You’re still too weak for that.”

Cassian had never allowed me to appear beside him at royal feasts, pack ceremonies, or gatherings of the noble houses.

To the Lycans, I was merely a wolfless Omega Cassian had rescued from a vampire’s dungeon. I had no family, no rank, and no place beside their king.

I had always believed Cassian kept me away to spare me their contempt.

Whenever I asked, he would hold me close and tell me my health mattered more than their approval.

Now I understood.

He had only been afraid that I would discover the truth.

“I’m much stronger now,” I said quietly.

“And I intend to keep you that way.”

Cassian brushed his thumb across my cheek, his voice impossibly tender.

“You’ve always wanted a pup. After your birthday, we can start trying for an heir, but only if you remain healthy. So stay home and rest. Please.”

I had dreamed of carrying his child.

Whenever I asked, Cassian told me my body was not yet strong enough.

Now I knew the truth.

A mother’s celestial light would turn inward to protect her unborn child. If I became pregnant, my power would no longer suppress Evelyne’s curse.

Cassian had been lying to me all along.

“All right,” I whispered.

Cassian smiled and kissed my forehead.

“Your birthday is in two days,” he said with a smile. “I’m going to hold a formal Marking Ceremony and present you to the entire Lycan realm as my Luna.”

Once, those words would have brought me to tears.

Cassian had marked me and made me his Luna three years ago, but there had never been a public ceremony.

To the Lycan court, I was nothing more than a wolfless Omega unworthy of standing beside their king.

Now, at last, he was offering me the recognition I had once longed for.

But the ceremony was never meant to honor me. Once the sacred vow was sealed before the Moon Goddess, my celestial light would be bound to the mortal realm forever.

I forced myself to smile.

“I’ve planned something too. Promise you’ll stay with me.”

“Of course.” His eyes softened. “Anything you desire, my love.”

He had no idea that my surprise would be a final farewell.

That night, I lay awake in Cassian’s arms.

Carefully, I lifted his arm from my waist and slipped out of bed.

As I moved, something beneath his pillow caught the moonlight.

It was a small moonstone pendant.

Cassian had once told me that Lycans carved their most sacred prayer into moonstone, asking the Moon Goddess to protect the person dearest to their heart.

I had always believed that person was me.

Yet Cassian had never shown me this pendant.

I picked it up and turned it over. A name had been carved into the back.

Evelyne.

Beneath her name was a single prayer.

May you live beneath every moon.

My hands began to tremble.

Cassian had whispered those same words to me on every birthday and mating anniversary.

I had treasured them as a promise that he wanted to spend eternity with me.

Only now did I understand.

Even when he held me in his arms, every prayer in his heart had belonged to Evelyne.

I returned the moonstone and looked at the man I had once believed was my salvation.

Whatever hope I had left died beneath the moonlight.