Chapter 3

Leaving the Blessing Chamber, I sought out the young acolyte again.

"Acolyte, may I have a remembrance image?" I lifted my phone. "For my personal pack-log. A memory."

She was agreeable. "Of course, Luna. Is your mate here? He should capture one of you full-length."

Ethan was summoned and took several pictures of me and the acolyte. In every one, my rounded belly was unmistakable.

"You seem unusually… commemorative today," Ethan noted with an amused smile.

"First pregnancy," I said lightly, putting my phone away. "I want lots of memories."

What I wanted was evidence. Pictures, videos, audio recordings, witnesses.

I refused to believe fate could twist itself the same way again.

Ethan helped me into the passenger seat after we left the shrine.

"Tired? Rest your eyes. I'll wake you when we're home."

I shook my head. "I don't want to go home. I want to go to the Howling Cauldron."

He blinked, then laughed. "Alright. Your wish is my command."

Last time, I’d fallen asleep on the ride home from the Blessing.

I woke to a nightmare.

This time, I would not sleep. And I would be in a public place!

The popular pack tavern wasn't far. Twenty minutes later, Ethan pulled up.

My heart sank. A line stretched out the door.

"Maybe another place?" Ethan suggested.

"No. Here." I waddled to the waiting area and sat heavily on a bench.

Ethan sighed fondly and went to get a token.

The area was crowded.

A server wove through the crowd with a tray. "For the expecting Luna," she said, handing me a small wooden bowl of roasted nuts. "Keep your strength up."

I took it with thanks, my anxiety easing a fraction.

So many eyes here. It has to be safe.

I leaned back against the wall, watching the pack members come and go. Exhaustion from a near-sleepless night washed over me in relentless waves.

The warmth of the room, the low murmur of voices… my eyelids grew heavy.

I fought to keep them open. The world blurred at the edges.

…

"Lily?" A hand shook my shoulder.

I jerked awake. My first instinct was to clutch my stomach.

Flat. I froze, patting it frantically.

Still flat.

I yanked my tunic up. Smooth, unmarked skin greeted me.

"Sweetheart, what is it?" Ethan crouched before me, his brow furrowed with concern.

My voice was a rasp. "The pup… he's gone."

"What?"

"My pup! My seven-moon pup is gone!" I jabbed a finger at my abdomen.

Ethan’s expression shifted from confusion to gentle worry.

"Lily, did you have a bad dream? You haven't been carrying a pup."

I stared at him, fury and terror rising. "I haven't? We just came from the Moon Blessing!"

Ethan’s frown deepened. "My love, we visited the shrine today, but for a routine aura alignment. Not a Blessing."

There it was. The same words.

My body began to tremble. I stumbled to my feet, lunging toward the server who’d given me the nuts. I grabbed her arm.

"You! You called me 'expecting Luna'! You gave me nuts! Remember?"

The server flinched, pulling her arm back. "Luna, I'm sorry? We don't serve complimentary nuts. You must be thinking of another tavern."

I stood rooted to the spot. Frantically, I fumbled for my phone, opening the photo gallery.

The pictures with the Seer, with the acolyte… gone.

My breath hitched. I opened my pack-log app.

Yesterday, after the sketching session, I’d posted some of the candid shots. There had been comments, likes from pack friends.

That post had vanished.