The night before our pack union, my mother’s life was extinguished at the Moon’s Edge cliff. My Alpha fiancé, Zael Stormridge, held me against his chest while his howl of grief echoed through the valley. He swore on his wolf’s honor to hunt the rogue who killed her.
Three years later, I held a scroll confirming my new life force. The pack healer mentioned a compatible heart source for my dying father. Overjoyed, I shifted and ran to the healing den, only to find Zael cradling his true fated mate, Moira Faerwyn.
"Do not fear," Zael whispered to her. "The Great Moon has provided a matching heart in this den. I will command the healers to give it to your father first."
Moira whimpered softly. "But isn't that heart promised to Alpha Grimvale’s daughter? Aletta will be furious if she learns the truth."
Zael’s voice turned to ice. "Let her be. Three years ago, we used her first pup’s heart and essence to save your sire. We are simply taking what is owed again. It matters not."
He stroked her hair. "And stop worrying about her mother’s death. I burned the scent trails and destroyed the evidence myself. She will never link the murder to you."
The truth shattered my soul. They were the monsters who murdered my mother and my unborn pup three years ago. Now, Zael intended to steal my father’s life force to save Moira’s bloodline.
I pulled out my communicator and linked with Zael’s greatest rival, the Shadow Alpha.
"I wish to sever my ties with the Stormridge pack and ruin Zael and Moira. Will you assist me?"
The Alpha chuckled through the link. "You finally see clearly. I warned you that Zael was a beast in sheep's fur. You were bound to regret your choice. Are you ready to reject him and become my Luna?"
I watched the man I once loved acting so tenderly with Moira. I looked down and smiled with bitter resolve.
"I will take the marking from you, but only if you secure a new heart source for my father. If you find one this sun-cycle, I will cross the border and join your pack tomorrow."
"Give me one week. Just ensure you do not miss our meeting."
Before the link closed, I added quietly, "I have just realized I carry a new spark of life. I am one month pregnant. I will leave him and raise this wolf as my own."
The Shadow Alpha did not waver. "It is but one pup. My kingdom can provide for it."
I will rise as a True Queen of my own territory. It is time for Zael and Moira to fall into the abyss I have prepared for them.
——
I had felt the new life in my womb three days ago. Before coming to the healing den, I wanted Zael to run with me so I could share the news. But he rushed away, claiming pack business required his attention.
Now I knew he had run to the arms of Moira and their secret offspring.
Zael’s pocket buzzed with a message from the healer. He leaned down and kissed Moira’s forehead. "Wait here, my love. I must finalize the heart transfer with the elders."
As Zael walked away, Moira dropped her mask of weakness. She turned toward the shadows of the stone stairwell where I stood.
"How miserable you are," she sneered. "Three years as his Luna and you still hide in the dark like a scavenger, watching the happiness of others."
I narrowed my eyes and spoke with calm fire. "Aren't you the pathetic one? You gave him a bastard pup, yet he refuses to give you a title. As long as I draw breath, the crown of Luna Stormridge belongs to me."
My words stung her. Her face shifted with rage. "Zael has only ever loved me. You are the thief who stole my place at his side."
She stepped closer. "Zael and I were childhood mates. We promised our souls to one another. Aletta, you are nothing but an intruder."
A sharp ache pierced my chest. I reached out to steady myself, dropping my pregnancy scroll onto the stone floor. Moira snatched it up. When she saw the marking for one month of pregnancy, her eyes filled with malice.
"Aletta, I cannot believe you are carrying again. You heard Zael. Your first pup died so my father could live. But do you want to know the real secret?"
She laughed with a twisted pride. "Zael promised me that even if he mated with you, any pup he fathered would belong to me. What do you think he will do when he finds out you are pregnant again?"
I knew she wanted to break my spirit, but I no longer cared for her games. I lunged forward and struck her across the face. The blow was light, but Moira immediately wailed and collapsed onto the floor.
Her sobbing rang through the halls. "Aletta, I do not know why you hate me so. Why must you strike me and push me down the stairs?"
Tears fell perfectly down her cheeks. I opened my mouth to mock her acting, but Zael’s cold growl stopped me.
He stepped into the hall, his eyes dark with fury. "Why are you here? Why must you be so cruel? Why would you attack her? Aletta, what has happened to your spirit?"
I tried to defend myself, but Moira clung to his arm, trembling. "Zael, please do not be angry with her. I must have said something wrong. If it makes her feel better, she can hit me as much as she likes."
Zael looked at her with deep devotion. "She has no right to lay a hand on you. This is her failure. I will ensure justice is served."
He reached out and gripped my shoulder with his Alpha strength. "Moira, strike her back."
I stared at him, my heart turning to stone. "I am carrying your pup, Zael. Are you certain you want her to strike me?"
I grabbed the torn scroll from the floor and shoved it at him. He did not even look at the writing. He snatched the parchment and shredded it into pieces. "What lie is this? If you commit a sin, you must face the pain of it."
Moira whispered softly, "Zael, let it go. Perhaps she is just unwell. I truly cannot bring myself to hurt her."
Zael looked at her tenderly. "Your heart is too kind and people use that against you. If you do not stand your ground now, she will never learn."
With those words, Zael took Moira’s hand in his own and used it to deliver a heavy blow across my face. "Since you are too weak to do it, I will do it for you."
The force of an Alpha’s strength sent me spinning backward. My body slammed hard against the sharp edge of the stone stairs. Zael did not look back. He simply turned and walked away, cradling Moira in his arms.
I collapsed on the cold floor, clutching my stomach as a sharp, tearing pain took hold. Dark red blood began to pool beneath me, staining the gray stone.
"My pup..."
The world turned cold and the darkness took me.
