Lavender stood in front of the mirror, staring hard at her reflection. The woman who looked back seemed familiar yet different. Her eyes held a fire she hadn’t noticed before. But underneath that strength was the same aching wound Cedar had carved into her heart the day he brought Fern into their lives.
Every day felt heavier than the last. Fern’s presence in the packhouse was like a thorn lodged deep, impossible to ignore.
Lavender’s mind wandered to the mornings she could barely face. She remembered standing in the doorway of the kitchen, watching Cedar move around, preparing breakfast for Fern. He never used to cook, not even for her. She watched as they shared quiet laughter over plates of food, their heads leaning close together like they were the only two people in the world. Afterward, Cedar would leave for patrols with his warriors, never once looking back at her.
The nights were worse. Cedar’s side of the bed was cold and empty more often than not. Fern’s constant demands had stolen him away, her wolf insisting she could only rest when Cedar was close. Lavender learned to shut her ears to the noise that spilled from the guest room—moans, whispers, the creak of the bed frame. She buried her face in her pillow, forcing herself to pretend it wasn’t happening.
But pretending didn’t stop the pain.
One morning, desperate for fresh air, Lavender walked into the garden. The crisp scent of flowers did little to soothe her as her eyes caught sight of Fern, surrounded by a group of women, giggling and chatting as the bitch held a pregnancy test in her hand.
Lavender’s stomach twisted, and her feet faltered. Before they could notice her, she turned to leave, but Fern's voice rang out, bright and sickly sweet.
“Luna Lavender! Wait!”
Her heart sank as Fern ran toward her, waving the test in the air. Lavender stopped, her body stiff as Fern approached.
“Look!” Fern said, shoving the test in Lavender’s face. Two bright lines stared back at her, sealing her heartbreak. “I’m pregnant!”
Lavender forced a smile, though her chest burned. “Congratulations."
But Fern wasn’t satisfied. Her lips curled into a smirk. “It’s funny, isn’t it? Cedar and I have only been together for a little while, and already the Moon Goddess has blessed us. Meanwhile, you and Cedar…” She tilted her head, feigning innocence. “Oh, I forgot—you’re not real mates. Of course, you’d never have a child.”
Lavender’s hands trembled, but she dug her nails into her palms to keep calm. "Enjoy your moment, Fern," she said evenly, turning her heel. “I have things to do.”
But her retreat only seemed to fuel Fern’s irritation. “Walking away, huh? Is that all you can do?”
Before Lavender could react, Fern shoved her hard from behind. She stumbled, her feet slipping on the wet stones, and fell into the fountain. The cold water shocked her system, but the humiliation burned hotter.
Fern laughed. “Oops,” she said mockingly, crossing her arms. “Careful, Luna. Don’t slip.”
Lavender stood slowly, water dripping from her hair and clothes, her wolf roaring with fury. She stepped out of the fountain, her anger radiating off her in waves. “You really don't want to stop, do you, Fern?" Lavender growled.
Fern rolled her eyes, but before she could speak, Lavender’s hand snapped out. The sound of the slap echoed through the garden. The girls behind them gasped in shock as Fern stumbled back, a red mark already forming on her cheek.
The smugness vanished from Fern’s face, replaced by shock and rage. But before Fern could utter another word, Cedar's voice pierced the atmosphere with a sharp edge.
“What the hell is going on here?”
