My chest tightened. I lowered my head, pretending not to notice their cold stares, but Evander did.
His voice turned hard.
“If you keep treating Luna Ivara like this, then don’t expect us to return to this den again.”
The hall fell silent until Alpha Wargrove slammed his palm on the table. The sound made me flinch.
“Watch your tone. Are you truly saying you would abandon your blood and pack for this woman?”
Before I could step back, Evander caught my hand and laced his fingers with mine, holding me firmly.
“Father, I’ve said this many times. Ivara is the one I chose under the moon. She is the only person I refuse to hurt. I would never raise my voice at her, yet every visit you greet her with ice. Do you know what that does to me?”
His grip tightened.
“If this happens again, I won’t just leave this den. I will sever myself from this family forever.”
The Alpha everyone feared—who could order executions with a single word—now sounded like a devoted mate ready to burn his kingdom for me.
Pathetic.
He thought I didn’t know about his betrayal.
After his words fell like blades, the room stayed quiet. He stood before me like a shield, the perfect protective Alpha. But I didn’t feel safe.
I felt tired.
Isolde let out a breath and muttered, “Enough. Let us eat first.”
At the table, only the scrape of silver and stone could be heard. Isolde kept clicking her tongue in irritation. My fingers tightened around my fork. I knew it was coming.
She dropped her utensil.
“It’s been nine moons. You’ve mourned long enough. Yes, you lost a daughter. But it’s time to give this pack a male heir. You cannot let the Wargrove bloodline fade.”
Her mate nodded, his eyes cold as frost.
“That pup died because you failed as a Luna. A simple stomach sickness, and she never returned from the healer’s den. Stop acting like the victim. Conceive again—and do it properly this time.”
The words cut deep.
Before I could speak, Evander set his fork down. His voice was calm, but sharp. “I’ve told you already. Ivara fears pain. I will not force her to suffer again. If we never have pups, then so be it.”
Their faces darkened with displeasure. The air grew thick. They were about to attack again when I finally spoke.
My voice was steady. “You will have a grandpup in half a month.”
The room froze.
Three pairs of eyes snapped to me.
Evander squeezed my hand, his face wearing that gentle, false worry. “My Luna… you don’t need to force yourself for me. I’ll protect you.”
I almost laughed.
Protect me?
He couldn’t even stop himself from running into Adrielle’s arms whenever he pleased.
I smiled anyway.
“You want an heir so badly. Then let it happen.”
Their expressions softened at once, satisfied. But Evander looked uneasy, like his wolf sensed danger he couldn’t see.
Then his comm-stone vibrated.
He glanced down. I saw the name. Adrielle.
Her voice came through softly.
“Evander, there’s a male here asking for a quick night. Would you mind?”
I counted silently. One. Two. Three.
Right on time, he stood.
“Ivara, I need to handle pack business at the council hall. Stay and finish the meal. I’ll return for you later.”
He didn’t wait for my reply. He took his cloak and left.
The moment the door closed, Alpha Wargrove and Isolde dropped their false smiles.
“We’ll give you less than one moon,” Isolde snapped. “If you don’t conceive, never step into this territory again.”
Alpha Wargrove’s voice was cruel.
“You come from nothing. No parents. No backing pack. No power. Without Evander, you are worthless. Don’t think we’ll endure you forever.”
Their words kept striking, sharper and sharper, until it felt like the stone walls were closing in.
And Evander?
He never came back.
That evening, Evander finally appeared, calm as always, as if nothing had happened. We entered the carriage, the leather seat still warm from the sun.
I looked out the window and asked lightly, “Finished with pack matters?”
He paused—just a breath—then replied softly, “Yes.”
His fingers tapped the reins in a slow rhythm. That was his habit when he was in a good mood.
After a moment, he asked, “Did my parents trouble you after I left?”
I was about to answer when my eyes caught something beneath the seat.
A torn pair of silk stockings.
Not mine.
So that was where he had been.
I already knew about Adrielle, but I hadn’t expected him to use this very carriage.
Seven years as mates, and I had always been careful. I wasn’t wild. I wasn’t bold. Sometimes I even asked him if he wanted me to change, if I bored him.
Back then, he would hold me close, kiss my hair, and whisper, “My Luna, I only want you. Even if you wore nothing but rags, you would still be my choice. Never force yourself to change. I love you as you are.”
But the Alpha beside me now smelled of lies.
I swallowed the ache in my throat. “What do you think?”
He thought I meant his parents. He had no idea I had already seen through him.
Suddenly, he pulled the reins hard and stopped. He turned, pulling me into his arms.
“I’m sorry, Ivara. I shouldn’t have left you alone. I swear it won’t happen again.”
His embrace felt like a cage.
I pressed my palms to his chest and gently pushed him away. “Just drive, Evander. I’m tired.”
Because deep down, I already knew.
There was no future left for us.
