“It may take longer for your body to heal, Luna Bloodridge.”
Healer Corvin’ voice was calm and respectful, but his words pressed heavily on my chest.
The moonlit infirmary was quiet and white, glowing softly with runes carved into the walls. I sat on the stone table, the magic parchment beneath me rustling.
“The loss was severe,” he continued, studying the glowing symbols on my chart. “Your moon energy is still unstable. Emotional strain affects a Luna deeply. You must rest before trying to conceive again.”
My shoulders sagged. I lowered my head and covered my face, forcing a sob to shake my body. It came easily. The grief was real. My pup was gone and the pain lived deep in my bones, even if the tears I showed my mate were partly an act.
“Oh, Lunessa,” Axton said softly at once. “It’s all right, my moon,” he whispered, kissing the top of my head. “Do not cry. We have time. The Moon Goddess has not abandoned us.”
“Thank you, Healer,” he added. “I will make sure she rests. I will take care of her.”
“She is fortunate to have an Alpha like you,” Corvin said kindly.
I pressed my face against his chest and shut my eyes.
Fortunate.
That word again.
If only he knew the truth. The Alpha holding me was the very source of my stress, the reason my wolf resisted bringing new life into this den.
That night, the act continued at the Bloodridge pack estate.
“So,” Axton’s mother, Ashara, said while slicing her meat with sharp control. “What did the healer say? When will the pack hear the cries of an heir?”
I stared at my plate, pushing a piece of vegetable around with my fork.
“Mother,” Axton warned.
“It is a fair question,” His father, Valrick Bloodridge, grunted. “The pack contract is clear. A strong bond. A future Alpha pup. Your grandsire wishes to see his blood continue before his final full moon. If there is no heir…” He did not finish, but the threat was clear.
“We are trying,” Axton said, gripping my hand tightly. Too tightly. “But Lunessa needs time. She lost a pup. We both did.”
“Time weakens power,” his mother said coldly. “And Lunessa, you are not growing younger. Perhaps if you had been more careful with the first…”
“Enough,” Axton roared, slamming his hand on the table. The candles flickered from the force of his Alpha aura. “You will not speak to her that way. I do not care about territory, gold, or inheritance. I care about my mate. Push her again, and we leave this pack tonight.”
He turned to me, fire and protection burning in his eyes. “Are you all right, my Luna?”
“Thank you,” I whispered, squeezing his hand. “I am fine.”
“We are leaving,” Axton declared. He pulled me up, wrapping an arm around my waist as he led me out of the hall like prey escaping a den of beasts.
Inside the car, his anger still simmered. “I am sorry about them, Lunessa. They circle like scavengers. I would choose you over pack wealth any day.”
“I know,” I said gently. “You are amazing, Axton.”
Liar.
When we arrived home, loud music echoed through the den.
Ramona was there, stretched beside the indoor moon pool that opened into the main hall. She wore a bright pink swim set that barely covered her skin. Water dripped from her body onto the expensive fur rugs as she sipped a mixed drink, laughing to herself.
I stopped in the doorway. The healer visit, the pack dinner, the lies, the grief all crashed together.
“When is she leaving our den?” I asked. My voice cut through the music like a blade.
Ramona looked up, pretending surprise. “Oh. You are back early.”
“I asked you,” I said, turning to Axton. “When is she leaving? She has stayed for months.”
Ramona’s lips trembled into a pout. “You do not want me here anymore? I am sorry, Luna. Did I upset you?”
“I do not want her walking around like that,” I said, motioning toward her nearly bare body. “It is improper. It looks like she is trying to draw your attention, Axton.”
“What?” Axton laughed sharply. “Lunessa, what are you saying? She is like a sister to me. That thought is vile.”
“She is not your sister,” I snapped. “And she is not mine. She walks half naked through our den, drinks our stores, and disrespects me as Luna. I am done.”
I met his gaze without blinking. “Choose, Axton. Her or me. I will not live like this anymore.”
I turned and walked straight to the sleeping chamber.
Axton followed and slammed the door shut.
“What was that?” he demanded. “Have you lost your mind? Throwing her out? She has nowhere to go.”
“She has a brother,” I replied calmly, removing my earrings. “She can stay with Alpha Rhydan.”
“You are being unfair,” he paced. “Are you jealous? Is that it? Jealous of a young she wolf?”
“I am angry that my mate cares more about her comfort than my pain,” I shouted. It felt good to release it, even if the reason was staged. “I lost our pup, Axton. And I return to noise and chaos instead of peace.”
He stopped. He rubbed his face and let out a long breath. His expression softened as he took my hands.
“You are right,” he said quietly. “I am sorry. I did not think how it appeared to you. I am under pressure from the pack and my clan. I should not have snapped.”
He kissed my fingers. “But you cannot force her out tonight. It is late. You were harsh. She is young. She looks up to you.”
“She does not respect me,” I muttered.
“She does,” he insisted. “She is only careless. Please apologize. For me. I will speak to her about the clothes. I swear. Do not anger Rhydan. He is my closest ally, and he will return soon.”
“Fine,” I whispered, exhausted.
Later that night, Axton fell asleep at once, worn down from a day of lies and masks.
I stayed awake.
Then, silently, I slipped from the bed and began preparing a gift for my mate. One he would never forget.
