Hyacinth
On the eve of my mating ceremony, I caught my parents and the entire pack holding a secret Luna ceremony for my Alpha fiance, Caden, and my adopted sister, Lydia.
Lydia's biological parents had died saving mine. Now terminal wolfsbane poisoning had left her with three months to live, and her final wish was to be buried as the Luna of Blackridge Pack.
Caden stood with his back to me, his voice soft and patient.
"Lydia, don't worry. Before you leave this world, I'll give you everything a Luna deserves—the ceremony, the title, the place at my side. It's the least I can do for you."
My father placed her hand in Caden's. My mother draped my Luna mantle over her shoulders, while my own brother struck my name from the Luna registry. Caden exchanged rings and vows with Lydia, then signed the record naming her Blackridge's first Luna.
They all believed that because I was healthy, I had years ahead of me and should give this one chance to Lydia.
I watched the ceremony to the end and deleted the message announcing my pregnancy.
Later, I left with my unborn pup to become Frost River Pack's chief investigator, reclaiming the future I had surrendered for Caden.
I left only my pregnancy report, mate-contract dissolution, and bloodline severance declaration.
By the time Caden learned the truth, I had already crossed the northern border.
His desperate call came too late.