(Ashara’s POV)
The day I lay on the healer’s bed inside the pack infirmary, grieving the hollow silence in my womb where my five-month old pup once lived, was the same day I learned my mate, Jareth Warhowl, was bedding his personal aide, who was also the sister of his closest warrior.
I tried to tell myself it was only a nightmare born from grief, until I stood outside the door of his private study in the Alpha mansion and heard the cruel truth slip through the narrow crack.
“You said you love me,” Luvena whispered harshly. “Then why are we still hiding like this? Just reject her already.”
“I cannot do that yet,” Jareth answered, his tone cold and careful. “If I cast Ashara aside now, while she is still healing from losing the pup, my grandfather will strip me of my inheritance. I need the Alpha throne first. Once I hold the power of the pack, I will discard her and we can live freely.”
In that moment, the she wolf who loved him died together with her unborn pup.
Instead of screaming, I simply made the call that would erase me from his world.
Jareth believed he could discard me whenever it suited him.
What he did not know was that I was preparing the perfect gift for our upcoming mating anniversary.
I would disappear from his life forever.
——
The day I lay on the healer’s bed inside the pack infirmary, grieving the empty silence in my womb where my five-month old pup once lived, was the same day I learned my mate, Jareth Warhowl, was sharing a bed with his assistant, who also happened to be his best warrior’s younger sister.
At first, I believed my mind was playing tricks on me. But when I heard their voices inside his study, the truth became impossible to deny.
“You said you loved me,” that assistant, Luvena Wildbriar, whispered sharply, her voice low but clear in the quiet hall. “You have told me that a thousand times, Jareth. So why not reject her? Why are we still sneaking around like young wolves? What are you waiting for?”
My hand froze on the door handle. My breath caught painfully in my throat.
Jareth let out a long sigh and ran his fingers through his dark hair. I once thought that habit was charming. Now it looked calculated.
“Don’t tell me you actually love her,” Luvena pressed as she stepped closer. “Do you?”
“Of course I love my mate,” Jareth answered.
Those words should have comforted me. Instead, they struck like a blade. How could he say that while standing so close to another woman?
“But I love you more, Luvena,” he continued softly. “You are the one who makes my blood burn. She is only my responsibility. My family chose her.”
“Then leave her.”
“It is not that simple,” Jareth said quietly. “Especially now. She just lost our pup. She is weak with grief. If I reject her now, the other packs will tear my reputation apart. And my family wants a true heir of the Alpha bloodline.”
His voice hardened.
“If you became pregnant now, before I ended my bond with her, they would never accept it. My grandfather would strip me of my future. And what about your brother? If he learns I am sleeping with his sister while my mate is still mourning her lost pup, he will challenge me. It would destroy the alliance between our families.”
“So I must live like this forever?” Luvena’s voice trembled. “Hidden in the shadows? Just your secret?”
“Of course not,” Jareth murmured gently.
I could picture him reaching out, holding her face.
“Just be patient. My grandfather is dying. Soon he will name the next Alpha King. Once the title is mine, once I hold the power of the pack, no one will control me. I will reject her, give her compensation, and bring you beside me as my true Luna.”
“Fine,” Luvena said after a moment, her voice softer. “But you owe me.”
“I will make it worth your wait.”
“Kiss me.”
And he did.
Through the narrow crack of the door, I saw my mate lower his head and press his lips against hers. It was not hesitant. It was hungry. Possessive.
It was the kiss of a man who had done this many times before.
I did not burst inside or even scream. Shock pressed down on me like a heavy stone.
Slowly, silently, I stepped backward until my legs touched the edge of the bed in our chamber.
I crawled beneath the blankets, pulled them over my head, and let the silent tears fall.
My pup was gone. My bond was a lie. And the two people I trusted most were downstairs planning how to discard me.
The next morning. the sun rose brightly above the Alpha estate, cruelly mocking the darkness in my heart. I had not slept at all. I spent the whole night staring at the wall while my grief slowly turned into something cold and sharp.
I needed to see them again. I needed to know if the monster from last night was truly the man I had once loved.
Soon I washed my face with cold water and forced the swelling around my eyes to fade. Then I walked downstairs. The smell of roasted meat and strong coffee filled the kitchen hall.
When I stepped inside, I stopped.
They were already there.
Jareth leaned against the stone counter while Luvena stood between his legs. His hands rested on her waist. Her arms circled his shoulders.
Their faces were so close their lips brushed softly together.
My stomach twisted. I cleared my throat.
They jumped apart as if burned by silver.
Luvena stepped back so quickly she almost knocked over a bowl of fruit. Jareth turned around, his eyes wide.
“Shara,” Jareth said quickly. He straightened his clothes. “You are awake.”
“What happen here?” I asked quietly.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Luvena let out a nervous laugh and touched the thin golden chain around her neck.
“Oh, good morning, Luna Ashara,” she said awkwardly. “I was just asking Alpha Jareth for help. My necklace clasp got stuck. You know how troublesome these things can be.”
I looked at the necklace.
It was simple. The clasp rested clearly behind her neck, yet she had been facing him.
“Right,” Jareth said quickly, recovering his calm expression. He wore his usual mask again, the gentle and caring Alpha mate. It was frightening how easily he could switch.
“The clasp was stuck,” he explained. “But forget about that. How are you feeling? Should you even be out of bed? The healer said you need rest.”
He walked toward me and reached for my arm, but I stepped back.
Seeing my reaction, he paused. I could see a disappointed gaze flashed in his eyes for a second before it vanished.
“Shara, what’s wrong?” he then asked.
“Nothing, I am just tired,” I answered.
“Of course you are,” he replied softly. “Come sit down. I made breakfast for you. You must regain your strength. For the better future of my Luna.”
Then he pulled out a chair.
Meanwhile, Luvena pretended to arrange scrolls on the counter, refusing to meet my gaze.
“I am not hungry,” I said.
“But you must eat,” Jareth insisted. He lifted a fork filled with eggs and held it toward me like I was a pup.
“Just one bite, okay? At least, please do it for me. I know you are grieving for the pup, but we can have another after you recover later. We still have plenty of time.”
We can have another, he said?
Hearing that made my blood burn.
I looked at the fork. Then I looked at Luvena. She was watching us with quiet satisfaction shining in her eyes.
“I told you I am full,” I said coldly. “You should eat it yourself, Jareth.”
I turned and walked out of the kitchen.
“Shara,” he called behind me, his voice sharp with warning. But I did not stop. I just went straight to the study.
The only room in the mansion protected by strong signal wards. I locked the door.
My hands trembled as I took out my crystal communicator and dialed a number I had not called since the day of my mating ceremony.
The call rang twice.
“Ashara?” a deep voice answered. “This is surprising enough. It has been many years, right?”
“Uncle Marcellus,” I said calmly. The tears were gone now. “Do you still remember your offer? The one about managing the overseas pack branch in Silverhowl City?”
There was a pause for a moment before then I continued, “Please begin the transfer. Then arrange the documents and a sky journey for me. I am leaving the pack as soon as possible.”
