Fianna's POV

Valeska moved closer to Bastien, lowering her voice.

"But Bastien... what if Fianna discovers the truth? Aren't you afraid of what she might do?"

Bastien let out a cold laugh.

"Fianna? You're joking. Without me, she's nothing. She abandoned her clan and turned her back on her family for me. Now she has no one. She has no power. If she causes trouble, I'll throw her out of my territory and leave her with nothing."

Valeska laughed softly.

The velvet gift box slipped from my fingers and landed on the floor.

Neither of them noticed. They were too lost in each other.

Valeska had been there the night Danica suffered her first heart failure. She even stayed beside me in the Moon Healers' Hall.

She also brought me food when I forgot to eat and told me Danica was the brightest light in her life.

A bitter laugh rose in my throat as I remembered her words.

"Danica will always live inside me."

She hadn't lied.

Tears blurred my vision as I stumbled backward, struggling to breathe.

My entire world had broken apart in a single moment.

I picked up the gift from the floor, tears streaming down my face as I quietly walked away.

By the time I reached the living chamber, my legs gave out.

I collapsed onto the couch and burst into tears.

The sobs wouldn't stop.

My chest ached. My throat burned.

Then my crystal communicator vibrated.

It was a picture Valeska had posted on MoonGram.

In the photo, she stood smiling beside a man while his hand rested gently on her stomach.

That man’s face wasn't visible, but I recognized the watch immediately.

That was the same watch I had given it to Bastien during our last mating anniversary.

In the picture, he was kissing her belly.

"Only a few more weeks until we meet our little blessing."

A heart symbol followed the message.

I stared at the image until everything became blurry.

Yeah… that was my mate…

And that was my daughter's heart beating inside my best friend's chest.

My mate's mistress.

I hurled the gift box against the wall and screamed until my throat felt raw.

My stomach churned.

I rushed to the bathroom and vomited until my throat stung.

I wanted to tear my own skin apart.

I sank onto the cold stone floor, trembling as tears rolled down my cheeks.

This was my fault.

I should have read the agreement. I should have checked what I was signing. But I had trusted Bastien completely.

Bastien called me a nobody. He believed I had no one left.

But he couldn't be more wrong.

I grabbed my crystal communicator and called a number I had sworn never to use again.

"Father, I'm ready to accept whatever mating alliance you choose for me. Come get me in five days, after I complete my bond severance."

I tried to keep my voice steady.

"Bond severance? I thought you were madly devoted to Alpha Bastien Ashbourne. Why have you changed your mind?"

"He murdered my daughter," I said. "And I want him to suffer for it."

My father's voice instantly turned sharp.

"I had always warned you. Bastien was never worthy of you. He even isn't fit to stand in your shadow."

A bitter laugh escaped me.

"I know that now. Soon enough, he'll understand it too."

My father's voice grew colder.

"Then return home, Fianna. Your brothers have been waiting for you. And Bastien will learn the price of making enemies of the Wolfhart Clan."

A tear slipped down my cheek as I thought of my seven brothers.

They were protective, loud, and quick to fight.

But they had always loved me.

And I had thrown them away for Bastien.

Every one of them warned me. All seven.

They told me Bastien was trash. But I shouted at them to stay out of my life.

The day I chose Bastien, I slammed the gates in my father's face.

"Tell them I'm coming home," I whispered.

I ended the call and looked around the pack house one final time.

In five days, I would be gone.

But before that, Bastien would pay.

He stole my daughter's heart to save his mistress. Now I would destroy everything he cared about, piece by piece.

It wasn't merely a threat. It was a mother's oath.

Bastien would finally learn what happened when someone crossed a Wolfhart.

Because my father wasn't just any Alpha.

He was Jorge Wolfhart, High Alpha of the Wolfhart Pack, ruler of the strongest wolf kingdom in the western territories.

Fianna's POV

I didn't hesitate.

The moment I ended the call with my father, I grabbed the first suitcase I saw and dragged it into the bedroom. My hands trembled, but I forced myself to stay focused.

There was no time to think. If I stopped for even a moment, the truth I had just learned would crush me.

I pulled open drawers, grabbed clothes without care, and threw them into the suitcases.

While folding a dress, my hands suddenly stopped.

It was the one Danica loved.

"Mommy, you look like a Moon Princess in this."

My chest tightened. I swallowed hard. Tears filled my eyes, but I forced them back.

Not now.

I shoved another shirt into the suitcase.

Then the bedroom door opened.

"Fianna?" Bastien called from behind me. "What are you doing?"

I closed the suitcase and turned around with a fake smile.

"Just sorting out my wardrobe."

His eyes narrowed as he looked around the messy room.

He opened his mouth to speak, but another voice interrupted him.

"Hello, Fianna."

I froze.

My stomach twisted.

Valeska.

I hadn't realized she had entered with Bastien.

Before I could stop myself, my eyes dropped to her chest. To the place where my daughter's heart beat.

A violent urge rose inside me.

I wanted to tear it out with my own claws. I clenched my fists so hard my nails cut into my palms.

My daughter's heart was inside her. Yet she stood in my bedroom smiling at me.

But I only said nothing. Because if I spoke, I would scream.

Then I noticed the luggage. Two expensive suitcases stood behind Bastien.

My brows furrowed.

Bastien followed my gaze. Before I could ask, he smiled as if bringing wonderful news.

"Valeska will be staying with us for a while."

I blinked. "What?"

Before Bastien could continue, Valeska stepped forward with a cheerful laugh.

"Didn't Bastien tell you? I'm carrying a pup."

Her hand rested on her stomach, a bright smile on her face, as if she expected me to gasp, congratulate her, and pull her into a hug.

Instead, I raised an eyebrow. "And?"

Her smile wavered.

For a brief second, her mask slipped. Shock flashed across her face at my cold reaction.

Then she quickly recovered. Her lower lip trembled as she tried to look hurt.

"I thought you'd be happy for me, Fianna. After everything we've shared."

Happy?

The word burned through me.

What exactly was I supposed to celebrate? The fact that she had stolen everything from me?

Before I could answer, Bastien cut in sharply.

"Fianna, what’s wrong with you? She's your closest friend. You should be happy for her. Instead, you're acting resentful and jealous."

I slowly turned to him, a mocking smile on my lips.

Jealous? Resentful?

"Jealous?" I repeated coldly. "Why would I be jealous?"

His eyes flashed. "Because she's having a pup, and you..."

He stopped.

But it was too late. The wound had already been opened.

Because I lost mine.

Because he murdered mine.

I drew a slow breath, fighting to stay calm. "Then explain something to me, Bastien."

I pointed at Valeska.

"Why is she moving into this pack house? Why does she suddenly need to live here?"

Bastien’s jaw tightened as he stepped closer.

"Because she shouldn't be alone right now. She needs support. She needs protection. That pup needs people around it."

"People?" I asked quietly.

"Yes," Valeska added softly, trying to sound helpless. "Only until things calm down. I thought you'd understand better than anyone."

Bastien nodded.

"Exactly. She needs us. She's our family too, Fianna."

A sarcastic laugh escaped me. "She's not my family."

Valeska flinched. Bastien frowned.

"Why can't you be happy for her, Fianna? Instead of celebrating, you're acting like this." He pointed at me with clear disgust. "Listen to yourself. It's embarrassing."

Embarrassing?

The word cut deep. But I refused to react.

I tilted my head and looked between them with a bitter smile.

"The way you're acting makes me curious, Bastien."

My voice remained calm.

"Is the pup yours?"

Silence filled the room.

Bastien's jaw twitched, while Valeska widened her eyes in fake shock.

"Don't be absurd," Bastien snapped. "Of course it isn't mine."

"Really?"

I raised a brow. "Then why is she moving in with us? Why are you defending her so fiercely?"

"She's alone, Fianna!" Bastien barked. "She has nobody else, and she's carrying a pup. What kind of monster would turn her away?"

What kind of monster sacrifices his own daughter?

The question echoed inside my mind.

But I kept it to myself.

Instead, I turned back to the suitcase and pulled the zipper closed.

"If you'll excuse me, I'd like to finish organizing my things."

Bastien muttered something to Valeska. Then the two of them left the room together.

The second the door closed behind them, my smile disappeared.

My hands shook as I gripped the suitcase.

Fianna's POV

That night, sleep never came.

I lay on the bed, staring into the darkness.

Bastien stayed beside me for a while, but around midnight, I felt him quietly leave the bed. He thought I was asleep.

I kept my eyes closed and my breathing steady until the bedroom door clicked shut.

For a long time, I remained still.

From somewhere down the hall, I could hear Bastien's voice and Valeska's laughter.

I placed a hand over my stomach. A new life was growing inside me.

But Bastien didn't know. And I would make sure he never found out.

The next morning, Bastien entered the room wearing a smile, as if he hadn't spent the entire night with my best friend.

"Fianna," he said carefully, "we need to discuss something."

The way he said it made my stomach tighten.

"What is it now?" I asked with an immediate frown.

He hesitated before clearing his throat.

"Valeska shouldn't stay in the guest chamber anymore. She's carrying a pup. She needs more room and better comfort."

I blinked. My mind struggled to understand what he had just said.

"Comfort?"

He nodded. "The Alpha suite is larger and much nicer. It makes sense for her to have it."

For a moment, I thought I had heard wrong. Then a laugh of disbelief escaped me.

"You want me to give my room to Valeska?"

His jaw tightened. "It won't be permanent. Only until the pup is born."

I stared at him, fighting the urge to wrap my hands around his throat. I wanted to tell him I was carrying a pup too. That my pup deserved comfort and protection, not Valeska's illegitimate pup.

But I stayed silent.

He was a murderer. He had no right to know.

Then Bastien continued speaking, "Fianna, you've enjoyed that room for years. Valeska is pregnant. Shouldn't she be the one receiving special care now? Can't you make one sacrifice for your best friend?"

I pressed my lips together. There was no point arguing.

In a few days, I would be gone forever. So I swallowed my anger.

My nails dug into my palms.

"Fine," I said quietly.

Besides, it made things easier. I was already packing my belongings.

His shoulders relaxed. A relieved sigh escaped him.

He leaned forward and gently kissed my forehead.

Revulsion washed through me. I nearly shivered.

"Bastien?"

Valeska's voice floated down the hallway.

Immediately, he turned toward the door.

"Wait, Bastien," I said calmly. "I need your signature."

I forced my hands to remain steady as I picked up a folder from the table.

"Before you leave, there's a document I need signed."

He frowned impatiently. "Fianna, not now."

"But it's only a small piece of paperwork," I interrupted softly. "It'll only take a moment."

He hesitated and narrowed his eyes.

Then Valeska called again, "Bastien!"

"Fine. Give it to me."

He snatched the papers from my hand. Without even reading them, he signed his name.

My face remained expressionless. But inside, my heart hammered wildly.

He even had no idea what he had just signed.

"Anything else?" he asked.

"No."

He didn't wait.

Before I could say another word, he was already gone.

The second he left, I called my pack attorney.

"My bond severance with Alpha Bastien Ashbourne is complete. Withdraw all of my support and investments from Ashbourne Pack Holdings."

Yes, there was something Bastien had never known.

For years, I had secretly helped him build his territory. I had funded him, supported him, and protected him.

Now all of that was over.

A hollow laugh escaped me before I returned to packing.

A few minutes later, Valeska appeared at the doorway.

Her voice dripped with fake kindness. "Fianna, let me help."

Her smile even never reached her eyes.

But I knew that smile. I had seen it when she comforted me after Danica died.

Now I really wanted to scream at her. I wanted to rip her hair out.

But instead, I only forced a smile.

"That's alright. I can handle it."

She entered anyway, glancing around the room.

The shelves were nearly empty.

"It's okay. I'm good at organizing things. I'll take care of everything."

She walked directly toward the dresser where I kept Danica's belongings.

I hadn't found the strength to pack them away yet.

"Be careful. Don't touch that area," I said sharply.

Valeska's smile widened. She picked up a snow globe from the corner.

It had been Danica's favorite toy. A tiny moon dancer twirled inside whenever it was shaken.

On nights when grief became unbearable, I would hold that snow globe until sleep finally claimed me.

Watching the little dancer spin always soothed my heart.

"This is beautiful," Valeska said softly, turning it in her hands. "It belonged to Danica, didn't it?"

Pain squeezed my chest. "Yes. Put it down."

Her smile deepened. Mischief sparkled in her eyes.

"Oops."

She let it slip from her fingers. The snow globe crashed against the floor. Glass shattered everywhere.

The moon dancer snapped into two pieces. Silver liquid spilled across the floor.

"Oh, no!" Valeska gasped dramatically, pressing a hand against her chest. "I'm so sorry, Fianna. I've become so clumsy lately. It must be pregnancy fog."

Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she watched me.

Waiting.

Watching for my reaction.

For a moment, I couldn't move.

That snow globe wasn't merely a toy. It was the one thing that helped me survive the nights after Danica died.

Now it lay shattered. Destroyed by Valeska's deliberate mistake.

I dropped to my knees. My trembling hands gathered the broken pieces. I even didn't care when sharp glass sliced my skin.

Tears blurred my vision as I cradled the broken moon dancer in my palm.

"It was her favorite." My voice barely came out.

Valeska crouched beside me. A small, pleased smile rested on her lips.

"Don't worry, Fianna. You'll have more pups someday. You'll get over it."

My chest burned. Slowly, I lifted my eyes to meet hers.

At that moment, everything crashed down on me.

And I finally snapped.