The sky broke apart without warning, and heavy rain poured down across the pack territory.

Within moments, Tharina was drenched. Her clothes clung to her skin, cold as winter water. Still, she stood straight under the storm, her eyes fixed on Malven through the tall windows of the pack house. There was no pleading in her gaze. Not even a trace.

For a brief second, something stirred inside Malven’s chest. A sharp, uneasy feeling.

A thought crossed his mind.

Did she truly want to leave him?

He pushed it away at once. That was impossible. She had always loved him too deeply.

His expression hardened.

"Tharina, do you think this is your place to act however you wish? Do not try to use my mother to threaten me."

He wrapped an arm around Elodie and turned away, leading her upstairs without another glance, leaving Tharina alone beneath the rain.

The storm grew stronger. Each drop struck her like a blow.

The guards stepped forward, ready to force her down. Tharina lifted her head and looked at them, her gaze sharp enough to cut.

"You know what Mrs. Ashbourne can do. If I kneel today, do you believe you will still be alive tomorrow?"

Their faces turned pale. They looked at each other, fear clear in their eyes. In the end, they stepped back and released her.

Tharina walked back inside, her steps unsteady. A deep pain pulled at her lower abdomen with every movement.

She reached the upper floor. Malven’s door was not fully closed. Through the small opening, she saw something that made her world tilt.

Malven was close to Elodie on the bed. Their bodies pressed together, their movements leaving no doubt about what was happening.

Elodie lifted her head. Through the narrow gap, her eyes met Tharina’s.

A slow smile appeared on her lips, filled with pride and mockery. Then she wrapped her arms around Malven and let out a soft, exaggerated sound.

Tharina felt something rise in her throat. A sharp, bitter taste filled her mouth. She covered her lips quickly, barely holding it back.

She could not stay. She turned and ran to her own room.

The moment the door closed, blood spilled into her hand. Bright red against her pale skin.

Her strength gave out. She slid down to the floor, still soaked from the rain. Cold spread through her body while pain tightened around her stomach. Her vision slowly blurred.

Time passed without shape. The cold sank deeper.

With trembling hands, she reached for her crystal communicator and called Malven. Once. Twice. Again and again.

No answer.

She forced herself to crawl out of the room. From behind his door, the sounds continued, rising and falling without pause.

When she opened her eyes again, she was lying in a healer’s bed. A healer stood beside her, his face serious.

"Luna, your fever reached a dangerous level. The rain and your emotional state have made your condition unstable. Your pregnancy is at risk. You must avoid any further distress, or we may not be able to protect the pup."

Tharina stared upward and gave a faint nod.

Soon after, noise filled the hallway. Healers rushed past her room in a hurry.

Their voices carried through the air.

"Lady Wildmoor has been brought in. Something happened in the Alpha’s chamber. He called every healer to attend to her."

"And look at the Luna of Ashbourne Pack. She is here alone, burning with fever, carrying a pup, yet no one stays with her. Alpha’s memory loss seems very selective."

"In the end, the one without love is the outsider. Lady Wildmoor is the one the Alpha truly cares for now."

Each word struck clearly, leaving no room to escape.

Tharina turned her head toward the window. The rain outside had already stopped. Her eyes held nothing.

In the days that followed, Malven remained by Elodie’s side, caring for her without rest.

He never once knew that his own mate had been lying in the healer’s hall as well.

On the third day, Tharina left the healer’s hall despite the healers trying to stop her. She still had a final trial to attend.

This was something she had prepared for her unborn pup. It was the path she would use to build a future for both of them.

Behind the stage of the grand hall, she crossed paths with Elodie Wildmoor.

Elodie walked past her slowly, her eyes filled with victory.

"Tharina, you didn’t expect to see me here, right? It doesn’t matter that you grew up with him. It doesn’t matter that you stayed by his side when he was wounded. In the end, you lost everything. His body, his heart, and your place as Luna. All of it belongs to me now."

She paused, her smile widening.

"And today, I will take the last thing you have left."

The final trial followed a random order. Elodie was called before Tharina.

She stepped onto the stage and revealed her work. The moment Tharina saw it, her blood turned cold.

The pieces Elodie presented were the Midnight Bloodstone series.

Elodie held the speaking stone and calmly explained every idea and meaning behind the designs. Every word was taken from the thoughts Tharina had spent countless nights shaping under the moon.

Among the crowd, Malven sat in the front, within the honored seats. Pride showed clearly on his face.

"Elodie has true talent," he said.

The judges nodded, their voices filled with approval.

Tharina felt her mind go empty. She never thought Malven would take something she had created with her own hands and give it to another.

Her name was called several times before she finally stepped forward.

She walked onto the stage, took a slow breath, and faced the crowd. Her voice was steady.

"Honored judges, greetings. I am Tharina Steelhowl. The Midnight Bloodstone collection belongs to me. What Lady Elodie Wildmoor has shown is a direct copy of my work."

The hall broke into noise the moment she finished speaking.

The judges looked at one another, unsure. Their eyes moved toward Malven, waiting for his decision.

Malven rose slowly. His gaze fell on Tharina, cold and sharp.

"Tharina, what are you doing?"

He looked at her with clear displeasure.

"Look at yourself. Causing a scene in front of everyone. You still call yourself a Luna? This is shameful."

Tharina swallowed the pain rising within her.

"I am causing a scene? You took the work I created through endless nights and handed it to your chosen one. And I am the one at fault?"

Malven’s face didn’t change.

"Is your heart so narrow? Just because you are bound to me, no other woman can stand beside me? When did you become like this?"

Tharina let out a laugh.

"Who changed, Malven? You or me?"

"In your eyes, I have no value. Of course. You cannot even remember what you once promised."

Her voice lowered slightly.

"You said you would love me until your last day. It seems that day came sooner than I thought."

She turned to Elodie, who stood there with satisfaction clear in her eyes. A faint smile touched Tharina’s lips.

Then, before anyone could react, she walked to the fire station at the side, took the extinguisher, and struck it down onto the display.

The fake pieces shattered across the floor.

Elodie screamed as soon as she understood what had happened. Her supporters rushed forward, shouting and cursing at Tharina.

The hall fell into chaos. Tharina was surrounded and pushed to the ground.

Malven’s first reaction was to pull Elodie close and lead her away from the crowd.

Tharina curled on the floor, both hands pressed over her lower abdomen as objects struck her body. Pain spread through her, but she didn’t move her hands.

Only when the guards forced the crowd back was she pulled away. Her hair was a mess, her clothes ruined, and a thin line of blood ran from her forehead.

Reporters raised their recording devices, capturing every moment. Voices filled the air with mockery and harsh words.

Tharina seemed not to hear any of it. She simply stood and walked forward, step by step, toward the exit without stopping.

Tharina had just stepped beyond the gates when a message from Jolene reached her.

[Tomorrow is your grandfather’s birthday gathering. I hope you will come one last time. I also wish to give you the separation papers myself.]

Tharina looked at the message for a long time before replying with a single word.

[Okay.]

The next morning, she arrived early at the Ashbourne estate, a grand pack residence built for generations of Alphas. She planned to offer her respect and leave quietly.

She didn’t expect Malven to arrive with Elodie by his side.

The courtyard fell into noise at once. Pack members turned to one another, whispering in shock.

Jolene’s face lost all color.

"Who allowed you to bring her here? Guards, remove her from this house!"

Malven stepped forward at once, placing himself in front of Elodie.

"Let anyone try."

His gaze swept across the crowd, sharp and commanding.

"Elodie carries my blood. A true heir of the Ashbourne line. I brought her here so all of you will acknowledge it."

The teacup slipped from Tharina’s hand. It broke against the stone floor, warm tea spilling over her feet. She felt nothing.

Malven’s face remained hard as he pulled out a folded report.

"Tharina cannot bear a pup. The pup Elodie carries is the only heir this family has."

Jolene staggered back, grabbing the report with shaking hands. Her face turned pale as she read. Around them, voices rose, filled with shock and disbelief.

Tharina steadied herself and stepped forward, her eyes fixed on Malven.

"Where did you get this?"

Malven’s voice held anger.

"If Elodie had not discovered it, would you have hidden this truth forever? Let the Ashbourne bloodline end?"

A bitter laugh left Tharina’s lips, but she said nothing more.

Elodie turned toward her, her eyes wet with tears.

"I know I am not worthy of standing here. I know I cannot compare to you. But this pup has done nothing wrong. I only wish to keep it."

Jolene’s voice cut through the air, strong and cold.

"This family will never accept that pup, and it will never accept you!"

She moved to stand beside Tharina, firm and unyielding.

"Anyone who dares bring that woman into this house will answer to me first!"

Malven raised his voice again. "Mother, Elodie carries a son."

The entire courtyard fell silent.

"I will ensure she gives birth safely. He is my only heir. As for you, Tharina, you will remain as the Luna of this pack. After the pup is born, he will be placed under your care. That should be enough."

Let Elodie bear the heir. Keep Tharina as Luna to protect the family’s name.

Tharina let out a hollow laugh.

Enough?

"What a perfect plan, Alpha Ashbourne. You truly wish to keep everything for yourself."

Across the courtyard, Eldrath Ashbourne heard every word. His body trembled as he clutched his chest and sank into his seat.

Tharina looked at the scene before her, a twisted display she no longer wished to be part of. She took a slow breath, forcing her emotions down, then turned to Jolene and Eldrath. She bowed deeply.

"The affairs of the Ashbourne Pack have nothing to do with me anymore."

She turned and began to walk away.

"Wait. Please wait."

Elodie rushed after her and grabbed her arm. Tears ran down her face, her voice trembling.

"Please, I beg you. Let me keep this pup. I am begging you."

"Let go of my hand."

Tharina pulled her arm, trying to free herself. But Elodie only held tighter. She leaned close, her voice dropping so only Tharina could hear.

"Tharina Steelhowl. I never thought he would still keep you as Luna."

The words struck deep. In the next moment, the grip on Tharina’s arm was gone.

Elodie suddenly fell backward. Her body hit the stone steps with a heavy sound, and a sharp cry echoed through the courtyard.

"Ahh!"

"Elodie!"

Malven rushed forward, seeing her lying on the steps, both hands clutching her stomach, her face pale.

"Malven... she pushed me. My stomach... it hurts... the pup... my pup..."