Avelyn’s POV
“Dad… please come for me in a week. I’m ready to mate with the Alpha of Rydelthorn Pack like you wished,” I whispered into the crystal communicator, my voice trembling.
“Mate him? Sweetheart, what are you saying? Aren’t you mated to Zayne of the Valloren Pack?” My father’s tone was filled with confusion and worried.
“Not anymore. I’m going to unmated him,” I said, choking on the words. “Tell Mom to start preparing for the ceremony.”
Before he could answer, I cut the call. The communicator slipped from my hand, clattering onto the floor. My body shook as I buried my face in my palms.
Two winters ago, I thought my life was perfect. Now I know it was built on lies.
Three moons ago, a hunting trip turned to tragedy. My cart hung over the cliffside at Wyrm’s Teeth. I was nine months with pup, bleeding and terrified.
At the Healer’s Hall, they needed my mate’s consent for the ritual. I called Zayne ninety-nine times—no answer. On the hundredth try, he finally picked up.
“Avelyn,” he said coldly, “why are you so desperate for attention? I told you I have a Council meeting. Stop being dramatic.”
Before I could reply, a woman’s voice spoke beside him. “Zayne, love, come on—we’ll be late for the gathering.”
That voice froze my heart.
Vionne Celviere.
She was his first love—the woman who’d returned six moons ago from Ravenwood, bruised and broken, begging him for refuge. I’d pleaded with Zayne to take her in.
“She’s a pack sister,” I told him. “You can’t abandon her.”
He reluctantly agreed. I helped him arrange her divorce rites and even offered her a place in our home.
Three moons ago, she said she carried her ex-mate’s pup. I believed her. I cooked for her, fetched her herbs, stayed by her side—never realizing I was feeding the very betrayal that would destroy me.
That night, my call to Zayne ended, and my world fell apart. My pup didn’t survive.
I drifted into the moon-sleep and awoke days later in the healer’s ward. But even then, peace didn’t come.
Outside the curtain, I heard Zayne’s voice.
“Alpha Valloren,” the chief healer said, “I can’t keep her under any longer. The lunar graft is done and Vionne is recovering. It’s time for Luna Avelyn wakes.”
“Wake her?” Zayne snapped. “If she wakes now, she’ll find out I caused her fall to harvest her pup’s marrow for Vionne! Keep her under until Vionne delivers my son.”
The words shattered me.
The man I’d loved now had tried to kill me only for saving another woman, the one who once abandoned him in the past.
The man I’d once saved from ending his life... and now this was his way to repay me by destroying my life and even my unborn pup only for his first love?
I waited until they left. Then, with trembling hands, I called my advocate.
“Darian Melvere,” I said quietly, “draw up the divorce writs. I want them sealed before the week ends.”
I ended the call and forced myself to stand. My legs were weak, but rage gave me strength.
As I stepped into the corridor, I heard laughter from a nearby room. I followed the sound—and froze.
Through the half-open veil, I saw Zayne sitting by Vionne’s bed, brushing her hair back as she smiled at him, hand resting on her swollen belly.
“You did it, Zayne,” she murmured. “Our pup is safe.”
He kissed her brow. “He’s worth everything I lost.”
My breath caught.
Everything I lost….
Those were his words.
I stumbled into the washroom, gripping the basin, staring at the pale stranger in the mirror. Then Vionne’s reflection appeared behind me.
“Why hide, Avelyn? Don’t you want to tend me and my pup anymore?” she mocked.
I splashed water on my face. “Leave, Vionne.”
She smirked. “That’s not very kind. Especially since I’ve been the one guiding your life lately.”
I glared at her through the mirror. “What do you want? You’re with my mate, isn’t that enough?”
Her smile sharpened. “Actually, I wanted to show you something.”
She lifted her comm-stone and showed me an image—a newborn pup, wrapped in linen.
My heart stopped. Tears filled my eyes. “My son… he lived?”
Vionne’s grin widened. “For a while. But he was too perfect. I couldn’t let anyone challenge my child’s place as Zayne’s heir.”
The world tilted. “What… what did you do?”
“Oh, nothing,” she said sweetly. “I only suggested your pup’s marrow might be useful. The healers warned Zayne it could kill him, but he didn’t care.”
A scream tore from my throat as I lunged, claws sinking into her neck. “You monster!”
“Zayne!” she shrieked.
The door flew open. Zayne stood in the frame, eyes wide for a heartbeat, then hard.
He yanked me off her and hurled me against the wall. Pain exploded through my skull.
“How could you?” he shouted.
“She killed my pup! Both of you…” I cried.
“You attacked a pregnant woman! You don’t deserve to be a mother—that’s why your pup died!” he roared.
His words cut deeper than claws ever could.
Zayne gathered Vionne in his arms and left without a backward glance, leaving me bleeding and broken on the cold floor.
And in that moment, I finally understood—Zayne had already chosen his mate long ago.
But in seven days, I’ll be gone. And before I leave, they’ll both learn what it means to cross me.
