The headline caught my eye before I realized what I was looking at.
“Alpha Trent Holland and Monica Maze spotted at exclusive auction—sparks still flying after all these years.”
I sat frozen, staring at my phone screen as if it had betrayed me. There they were—Trent and Monica, dressed to perfection, glowing as if the world revolved around them. They stood close, smiling at each other with an intimacy that turned my stomach.
He told me he was on a pack summit with other Alphas. The auction wasn’t a political engagement, and Monica isn’t an Alpha.
I scrolled further, my hands trembling as I read the article. The words painted a nauseating picture of their chemistry, their “undeniable connection.” Each sentence felt like a claw ripping deeper into my chest.
I dropped my phone onto the couch as my chest tightened, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe.
Then, I placed my hand gently on my stomach, closing my eyes as I took a slow, deep breath. This life growing inside me didn’t deserve to be tainted by my pain. My child was a blessing, a light in the darkness, and I would cherish him no matter what.
I went to the healer to ensure my child’s health. As she glided the enchanted stone over my stomach, the rhythmic flicker of my child’s heartbeat filled the room.
“Everything looks perfect. You’re carrying a strong Alpha.”
Alpha. My child might become Alpha one day or just be a typical werewolf. I don’t want them to grow up in a life of betrayal and disloyalty.
At the same time, relief washed over me, breaking through the layers of hurt. I was welled up with tears, but this was due to happiness. For the first time in weeks, I felt hope other than pain.
After leaving the infirmary, I knew what I had to do next. I went to the Alphas’ estate, which once felt like my home. But now, as I stood before the towering oak doors, I felt like an outsider.
The guards stiffened at my arrival. “Is Alpha Harper in his office?”
“Yes, Luna, but you can’t go in right now,” he said, shifting uneasily.
“Why not? I’m a Luna,” I said firmly, narrowing my eyes.
The warrior averted his gaze. “I’m sorry, Luna. I can’t say.”
My chest tightened, anger simmering beneath my shock. He hadn’t even told me he was back from his so-called summit.
The warrior guarding the door wasn’t moving at all until David arrived. “You’re a warrior of the pack. You shouldn’t defy your Luna.”
The warrior said nothing and just gave way to me. I would have thanked David, but remembering that he was hiding the truth from me, I didn’t care either.
The door was slightly ajar, and I hesitated briefly, my heart pounding. A part of me knew I shouldn’t look, that whatever I saw would only hurt me more. But curiosity and pain pushed me forward.
I peeked inside, and the air was knocked out of me.
Trent stood by his desk, and Monica was in his arms. Their faces were close, far too near. Then, as if on cue, his lips met hers.
That was when it felt like my entire world had collapsed instantly. They kissed, utterly oblivious to the world around them. The way his hand rested on her waist and her smile melted into his—it was as if nothing else mattered.
How dare you!!! My wolf screamed inside me, wanting to shift right there and then. I had to calm her down.
I wanted to storm in, to claw the perfect little bubble they had created for themselves. But I didn’t. This time, I didn’t run either. Instead, I reached for my phone with trembling hands. I snapped a photo, capturing the moment Monica looked up at him with that same sickening smile I’d seen in the auction pictures.
It was perfect.
Then, I walked back to my car. Once inside, I stared at the photo; the image seared into my mind. I opened a dummy account on the pack’s network, uploaded the picture, and sent it directly to Henry, Monica’s mate.
Back home, I packed everything Trent had given me over the past five years and carried the boxes downstairs. I lit the fire and tossed them in individually, watching the flames consume my past.
As the fire roared to life, Monica appeared out of nowhere and, without saying a word, kicked one of the boxes. Embers and ash scattered, some even landing on her, but she only smiled.
I narrowed my eyes. “What are you doing, Monica?”
“Oh, sorry! I just slipped. I didn’t mean to do it.” She acted innocent, her smile unwavering. “Wait, are these things from Trent? Why are you burning them? Did you finally realize how useless you are to him?”
I raised a brow. “Excuse me?”
“I’m just saying... You couldn’t even protect your mother back then. You know, when she died? You were so useless.”
“How could you utter my mother with your filthy mouth?”
A fire hotter than the flames before me ignited in my chest. Without thinking, I slapped her across the face. It wasn’t even that hard, but she fell straight into the fire.
