The grand hall of the Lunar Auction Gala shimmered beneath golden chandeliers shaped like crescent moons.
When the master of ceremony took the stage,the murmurs stilled instantly.
“Ladies and gentlemen,”he announced proudly,“we begin tonight’s event with a priceless relic donated by the Hamilton Pack.”
Under the spotlight,a velvet box opened.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Inside lay an emerald pendant,deep green and alive—like the heart of an ancient forest after rain.Its glow caught the silver in every wolf’s eyes.
Alexander’s expression faltered.He recognized it instantly.
He had chosen those gems himself,saying they matched my eyes—eyes that once looked at him as if he were the whole world.
Now they reflected nothing but cold light under the moon.
Stephanie leaned closer to him eagerly.“It’s stunning!Who owned it,Alex?I want it.”
Before he could reply,she raised her bidding paddle,her voice dripping with entitlement.
Sold.
Next came the second relic:a diamond wristband,a limited Alpha-edition model.I had gifted it to him on his thirtieth name-moon—the first year he forgot mine.I’d smiled through the ache and clasped it on his wrist anyway.
Sold.
Then came the third.
A vintage brooch inlaid with blood-rubies—a gift from his grandmother when I became his Luna.
The only heirloom I’d ever been given.
Sold.
Each memory-laden piece,stripped and auctioned as though it were scrap.
I stood beside him—composed,silent,exactly as he’d trained me to be.
Alexander turned suddenly,ignoring the murmurs,the stares,the flashing crystals.
“Lavina…”His voice cracked with disbelief.“That necklace was your favorite—you cried when it got scratched once.How could you just give it away?Don’t you remember?It was my gift to you…on our mating night.”
His voice trembled as the pendant was clasped around Stephanie’s throat.
He had given her rarer treasures before,but this—this single token—looked wrong on her skin.
“All I did,”I said quietly,“was strengthen your public image.Kept your reputation spotless,without costing you a single coin.Isn’t that what you always wanted,Alpha Hamilton?”
I reached for a glass of red wine,lifted it high.
“To Alpha Hamilton.”
The crowd echoed the toast in polite applause.
Alexander didn’t move.His eyes stayed locked on mine—haunted,uncertain.
Then he turned away,swallowed by a tide of powerful Alphas and hollow laughter.
I drained the glass in one sharp gulp and walked out,the applause behind me echoing like distant mockery.
The corridor was dim.
And then—she appeared.
Stephanie.
Her lips curled into the same cruel smile she’d worn as a child—
the one she had when she pushed me into the pond till I nearly drowned,
when she framed me for theft before the Winslet elders.
Then came the shove.
I stumbled backward,crashing into a cold-storage chamber.The iron door slammed shut.
“Tonight was mine!”she hissed,voice dripping venom.“You stole my spotlight,sister?Then enjoy your moment—alone,in the dark—while I toast champagne with our Alpha.”
“Stephanie,you’re insane!”I shouted,pounding the door.“Let me out!”
“No one’s coming,bitch.You thought selling off those trinkets would make Alex pity you?Feel guilty?”
“I don’t care about Alexander!You can have him!”
“Oh,I will,”she purred.“But really—thank you.While I was moaning beneath silk sheets in Paris territory,you were busy playing housemaid,polishing his boots and building his empire.”
“You vile serpent!You were the mistress—nothing more!”
“Mistress?”she laughed,the sound slicing through the air.“I was his first,Lavina.His everything.When you were miscarrying,I told him I was ill.He left you bleeding in the healers’ward to hold me in his arms.”
My body went still.Tears burned behind my eyes,but none fell.
She smirked,turning away.
“Enjoy the cold,sis.”
The door clanged shut,sealing me in darkness.
Later that night,when the auction ended,Alexander seethed.
“Alex,”Stephanie said,feigning guilt,“your sister was upset.I didn’t mean to—”
“You didn’t mean to?She’s throwing a tantrum because I dismissed her.Let her!Let’s see how long she lasts without me!”
And with that,he left with her—arm around her waist.
I fumbled for my communicator—no signal.
The air grew thin.My limbs went numb.The world tilted.
Just before my vision went black,I heard a crash.
The door burst open.
“Make way!Move!”
Strong hands wrapped a cloak around me.Deep voices issued crisp orders as medics swarmed.
“Miss Winslet,stay awake!You’re safe!”
Then darkness.
When I woke again,a healer stood beside my bed,my wrist connected to an IV of shimmering moon-infused serum.
It was the same healer who had overseen my fertility treatments for years.
“Miss Lavina,”she said gently,“you’re incredibly lucky.Lord Damien was gravely ill last night,but when you didn’t answer his calls,he forced us to halt his treatment and ordered a search party.Another hour and both your lives could’ve been lost.”
My lips trembled.“Both…?”
The healer smiled softly.
“Yes.You and your pup.Congratulations,Luna—your conception ritual finally succeeded.You’re five moons along.”
