By the time Evelyn Hart finished making her preparations, night had already settled over the territory.
The corridors of the Whitmore estate were quiet beneath the silver wash of moonlight, yet when she stopped outside the nursery, she could hear soft crying from within.
The sound should have drawn her inside immediately.
For an entire month, she had risen before anyone else whenever the pup cried. She had learned how to hold him, how to soothe him against her chest, how to hum softly until he settled. Her body had moved toward him before thought ever caught up.
But tonight she remained standing at the doorway.
Because no matter how hard she tried, she could still hear Adrian and Vanessa’s voices.
You gave me an heir.
She thinks Eli is hers.
The words lingered like poison.
Her fingers slowly curled against the wooden frame.
If this had been yesterday, she would already be carrying him in her arms.
Now—
she no longer dared.
That child was not hers.
The nursery door opened.
The nursemaid stepped out carrying the crying infant. Seeing Evelyn standing there, she visibly relaxed before quickly lowering her head.
“Luna, you’ve returned.” There was careful reproach hidden beneath her respectful tone. “The young master has been restless for some time. Nothing could calm him. We tried sending a messenger hawk, but you never answered.”
Evelyn said nothing.
Her eyes settled quietly on the child.
Moonlight fell across his small face.
His eyes had not yet developed their final color, but she suddenly noticed things she had somehow overlooked before.
The shape of his brows resembled Adrian.
But the faint dimples near his mouth—
they belonged unmistakably to Vanessa.
How had she never seen it?
Or perhaps—
she had never truly been allowed to.
“I chose you to care for the heir,” Adrian’s voice came from behind them, calm but carrying enough authority to make the nursemaid lower her head immediately. “Not to question your Luna.”
The nursemaid apologized and passed the child over.
Adrian accepted him with practiced ease.
His movements were natural.
Gentle.
He adjusted the blanket, rested one hand against the pup’s back, and murmured softly through their pack mindlink.
Almost immediately, the crying eased.
Evelyn watched quietly.
Too quietly.
Adrian looked at her and frowned slightly.
“Why did you leave the territory today?”
She lowered her gaze before answering.
“I went to gather some things.”
His eyes remained on her for a moment before he approached.
With the child resting in one arm, he reached out and brushed her cheek with the backs of his fingers.
His touch remained warm.
Once, that warmth had made her feel safe.
Now she only wondered how many lies those same hands had touched.
“You look pale,” he said softly. “Has your wolf been unsettled? I was gone too often these past moons. You should have taken better care of yourself.”
Evelyn resisted the urge to step away.
“It’s nothing. I’m only tired.”
She turned slightly, causing his hand to fall.
Something flickered briefly in his eyes.
Then it disappeared.
“Are you upset with me?”
His voice remained patient.
“I know I’ve neglected you recently. Tomorrow I’ll stay within the territory. We’ll take the pup to the sacred spring.”
She forced a faint smile.
Adrian reached out and touched her hair before carrying the child away.
When he returned a short while later, he held a carved stone cup.
Warm moon-herb milk.
The familiar scent reached her immediately.
He offered it naturally.
“Drink this before sleeping.”
Evelyn looked at the cup.
Then suddenly remembered.
Ever since he had proposed having a child, her nightly moon-herb mixture had changed.
When she asked, Adrian had simply smiled and said—
The pack healers prepared a special blend. It helps your wolf rest.
At the time she never questioned him.
Now—
she accepted the cup.
Raised it to her lips.
Pretended to drink.
When his attention shifted, she quietly emptied the liquid into the flower basin near the window.
Her expression never changed.
“I’m tired.”
She placed the cup down.
“I’ll sleep first.”
Adrian studied her retreating figure for several seconds before following.
That night she lay beside him with her eyes closed.
His breathing eventually deepened.
His scent remained calm.
Steady.
But Evelyn no longer trusted any of it.
Time passed.
Then—
she felt movement.
The bed shifted.
Adrian rose carefully.
Evelyn kept her breathing even.
She listened to him move across the room and quietly leave.
Several moments later, she opened her eyes.
Silently, she followed.
Adrian didn’t head toward the council chamber.
Nor the nursery.
Instead, he crossed the estate grounds beneath the moonlight and walked directly toward the residence beside theirs.
Evelyn stopped behind a row of pale cedar trees.
The door opened.
Vanessa appeared.
She wore loose sleeping robes and immediately stepped into his arms.
“Adrian.”
Her voice softened with concern.
“You must be exhausted.”
She looked up at him.
“Every night you calm her mind and then come here…”
Adrian wrapped one arm around her waist and kissed her forehead.
“It’s nothing.”
Vanessa leaned closer.
“But I’m afraid.”
Her voice became smaller.
“What if she remembers?”
Adrian was silent for a moment.
Then he answered calmly.
“She won’t.”
Evelyn’s body turned cold.
“The moon-herb blend was adjusted by our healers long ago. It suppresses fragmented memories and keeps her wolf in deep rest. She won’t wake.”
Vanessa smiled.
Then rose onto her toes and kissed him.
“Adrian… you always think of everything.”
Evelyn stood motionless beneath the trees.
Her blood felt frozen.
She watched him touch Vanessa’s hair.
Watched his expression soften.
Watched them walk inside together.
And suddenly—
everything became clear.
The milk.
His nightly absences.
The neighboring residence.
The carefully controlled peace she had mistaken for happiness.
None of it had been accidental.
She bit the inside of her mouth until she tasted blood before turning away.
Back in her room, she lay awake until dawn.
When Adrian returned, he moved quietly and slipped into bed behind her as though nothing had happened.
As though betrayal had become routine.
He pulled her gently against him.
Pressed a kiss to her forehead.
His voice was warm.
“Evelyn.”
He rested his chin lightly against her hair.
“When the sun rises, let’s take our pup to the sacred spring.”
She closed her eyes.
Forced back everything threatening to surface.
Then she answered softly—
“Alright.”
But this time—
she no longer believed a single word he said.
