Lily’s POV
The moment I turned my back and walked away from the hospital, the world around me dulled. My wolf whimpered low in my chest, wounded but silent, like she didn’t even have the strength to snarl anymore. I should’ve shifted, let her take the reins, maybe run until my paws bled—but I was too tired. Too hollow.
I had cancer.
I hadn’t even processed it fully. The words on that damn report blurred in my mind like smoke. And Hudson… the father of my unborn pup, my mate—my Alpha—he had shoved me aside like I was nothing. No, worse than nothing. He picked up the woman who ruined us, carried her in his arms, and called me emotional like I was just being dramatic.
I was carrying his child, for the Moon Goddess’ sake.
And he still chose Abigail.
Every step back to the River Valley Packhouse felt heavier than the last. The wind was colder, the leaves didn’t whisper—they stared. The whole world seemed to watch me break apart in silence.
When I stepped into our home, I paused. The scent of cedarwood and honey—his scent—was fading, already replaced with something else. Lavender and lilac. Abigail. Her scent was here, clinging to the corners, soaked into the furniture like a stain I couldn’t scrub out.
My eyes landed on the large framed photo from our mateship ceremony. Hudson had been smiling that day. Really smiling. Holding my waist, his forehead pressed to mine, like nothing else existed but us. I reached for it slowly and pulled it down from the wall.
The frame cracked as it hit the bottom of the trash bin.
I didn’t flinch.
I moved through the room in silence, packing piece by piece. I didn’t have much energy left, but I had enough to get out. My body felt like it was shutting down, my joints aching, stomach twisting, head heavy and clouded. I could already feel the cancer dragging at me like a curse woven into my bones.
The pup stirred in my womb as if sensing my pain.
“I’m sorry, baby,” I whispered, resting both palms over my belly. “We’ll leave soon. We’ll be safe soon.”
After a long bath, trying to soothe the fire under my skin, I wrapped myself in a thick robe and called for the pack’s medical team. I didn’t have much time left. If I was going to make it through this pregnancy, I needed the healers’ guidance. Even if I didn’t survive, I had to make sure my pup did.
When I padded down the stairs, the scent of wolfsbane tea and eucalyptus hit me first. The healers were already here, gathered respectfully in the living room, their heads bowed in greeting. Elder Matteo was among them, a wise and steady healer. I trusted him more than most.
“Luna Lily,” he greeted with soft concern. “We came as requested.”
“Thank you,” I murmured, voice thinner than I wanted it to be. “Please… let’s talk.”
The front door creaked open.
Hudson stepped inside, carrying Abigail in his arms like some kind of wounded treasure. My eyes narrowed.
“I told you not to bring her here,” I said, standing between them and the living room.
Hudson’s gaze hardened immediately. “She’s unwell. Because of what you did.”
“What I did?” I scoffed. “She threw herself on a vase and bled on purpose! You think I can’t scent her lies?”
Abigail whimpered, her eyes glistening. “I only came because I didn’t know where else to go… I’m just here for the baby’s sake, Luna. Please…”
My jaw clenched so tightly I thought I might crack a fang.
“You’re not welcome here.”
Abigail lowered her eyes, her lip trembling. Then, she reached for Hudson’s hand and placed it on her barely-there belly bump.
“I guess me and the baby will leave then, Alpha… even though I’m feeling so faint. But if Luna Lily wants us gone, I’ll respect that.”
Manipulative she-wolf.
Hudson’s voice turned sharp. “What is wrong with you? Where is your compassion? She’s carrying a pup!”
“So am I!” I snapped, feeling my control slipping. “Or have you forgotten that I’m your Luna and the mother of your firstborn?”
Hudson stared at me like I was a stranger. “If it’s such a problem, Lily… maybe you should leave.”
He didn’t.
He didn’t just say that in front of the healers, did he?
All heads turned toward me. Some looked away quickly, ashamed. Others, like Elder Matteo, met my gaze with silent fury—but said nothing.
My lips parted, but no sound came. Not even a cry.
I took a breath. Then another.
“Fine,” I whispered, barely audible. “Do what you want.”
I turned around, ready to walk away, when Abigail’s voice cooed behind me.
“Alpha, did she trash your mateship photo? That’s such a shame… I always thought that picture looked so lovely on the wall.”
My feet paused for a second.
But I didn’t turn around.
“She’s just being dramatic,” Hudson muttered. “She’ll crawl back when she cools down.”
I walked out without a word. A tear slipped down my cheek.
But it was the last one I would ever shed for Alpha Hudson.
