(Isara’s POV)
On the night of our eighth mating anniversary beneath the Silver Moon, I learned that I was carrying a pup.
That same night, my crystal communicator glowed with an urgent signal from the tracking spell bound to my mate’s war carriage. It showed that his carriage had exploded in the eastern territory.
My heart fell into my stomach. Tears covered my eyes.
“No… Moon Goddess, please no.”
Eight winters as Luna of the Silverhowl Pack. Four lost pups. Endless nights crying alone in our cold stone chamber. And now, when the Moon finally blessed me again, Alpha Xavian Silverhowl would not live to see it. Our pup would grow without a father.
I refused to believe it.
I called to Xavian through our mate bond again and again. No answer.
The tracking spell showed his wolf mark alive across the territory. Yet the carriage rune insisted it had burned to ash. Nothing matched.
I seized my cloak and rushed out of the pack castle.
Not long after, I found his black royal carriage standing in a hidden clearing near the old forest border. It was untouched. No burn marks. No scent of smoke. Relief rushed through me. The spell must have failed again. It had done so before.
Then doubt crept in.
Why was he here? Why did he ignore my calls through the bond?
I stepped closer in silence. Shadows moved inside the carriage.
Then I heard it.
A woman’s soft moan.
A man’s low growl.
I froze. My hand flew to my mouth to stop the sound that tried to escape me. My mind begged me to leave, to run back to the castle and forget what I heard. But my feet would not move.
Through the half open window, I saw him. Xavian’s tunic hung loose. His fingers were tangled in long dark hair as he pressed his lips to a woman’s neck.
Brienne.
My adopted sister of the pack.
The air vanished from my lungs. My chest felt crushed, yet I stayed silent. I leaned against the cold metal of the carriage, covering my mouth while tears slid down my face.
Xavian, my Alpha, my mate of eight winters.
Brienne, the same she wolf he claimed to despise, the one who had tormented me since childhood.
Before I could gather myself, Xavian’s communicator stone lit up.
“Damn it,” he muttered, his voice rough. “Wait.”
He answered with clear annoyance. “Speak, Healer.”
There was a pause. Then his lips curved into a smile I had not seen in years.
He ended the call and pulled Brienne close, joy shining in his eyes.
“You carry my pup,” he said softly.
Brienne gasped and placed both hands over her stomach. “Are you telling the truth?”
“Yes.” He kissed her deeply. “The healer said your womb has fully accepted the moon treatment. One more test next week to confirm your body is restored and then we can finally build our bloodline the right way.”
Tears of happiness ran down Brienne’s face. “Xavian… we are going to have a pup.”
“We are.” He held her face gently. “You will be a perfect mother.”
My heart felt as if claws were tearing it apart. My hand slowly moved to my own stomach where my tiny pup rested.
Brienne’s smile weakened. “And Isara?”
Xavian’s expression turned cold as winter frost. “Do not concern yourself, my love. Once next week’s test proves you are fully healed, I will have no more use for her.”
Ice spread through my veins.
What did he mean by that?
“I still cannot believe she never understood,” Brienne laughed lightly. “You told her your wolves were not compatible and she believed every word.”
“Isara is foolish,” Xavian replied without care. “She pressed her mark on every scroll I gave her. Ritual permissions, experimental moon spells, womb extractions, terminations. She thought they were simple pack documents or whatever lie I fed her.”
My legs trembled, but I forced myself to remain standing. I had to hear everything.
“My Moon,” Brienne whispered. “Those four lost pups… you truly used them to repair my womb?”
“Every one of them,” Xavian answered calmly. “Different growth phases, different sacred methods. Their blood and essence strengthened your body. And it worked. You are healed and now you carry my true heir.”
Brienne laughed softly. “All thanks to Isara’s pups.”
My knees almost gave way. Breathing became painful. A loud ringing filled my ears and my sight blurred.
My four unborn pups had not been taken by fate or weak blood.
They had been slaughtered by their own father to heal my sister.
