The Grand Dining Hall of Willow Creek was alive with celebration, the air thick with the scent of roasted venison and aged wine. Pack members filled every corner of the vast room, their chatter blending into a lively hum. Tonight was a special night—our seventh anniversary as Alpha and Luna.

Seven years. Seven years of loyalty. Seven years of devotion. Seven years of believing that my mate, my husband, was everything I had ever wanted.

Laughter rang out, the energy electric with excitement. The pack adored Dorian. They revered him. And by extension, they adored me—the perfect Luna, the devoted mate, the soon-to-be mother of our future Alpha twins.

“I can’t believe it’s already been seven years, Alpha and Luna!” Beatrice, our Beta’s mate, gushed, her eyes shining with admiration.

I forced a smile, but it barely reached my eyes.

Dorian, my mate, my supposed one true love, laced his fingers with mine and gazed at me with a tenderness that made my stomach turn. Anyone watching would think he was the perfect husband—the devoted mate, the doting father-to-be.

Only, I knew better.

“And not to mention how radiant and strong she is while carrying our future Alpha twins!” another pack member swooned, eyes flickering to my swollen belly with reverence.

My hand instinctively moved to my stomach, where our children rested. The only innocent ones in this entire charade.

Dorian’s lips curled into a smile, his grip tightening around my hand. “My Luna is a special gift from the Moon Goddess herself,” he declared, his voice filled with a conviction so convincing it almost fooled me. “I cannot wait to meet our precious pups.”

A chorus of "awws" rippled through the crowd.

I smiled again, nodding along, even as my stomach twisted painfully—not from pregnancy, but from the ugly truth I had uncovered just last night.

Two days ago, I would have been basking in this love, this adoration. I would have been glowing, drunk on my mate’s words and the joy of growing our family. But today?

Today, I knew he was a lying, cheating bastard.

The pack saw us as their perfect Alpha and Luna, an unbreakable union blessed by the Goddess herself. They didn’t see the cracks beneath the surface, the betrayal lurking behind my husband’s golden gaze.

They didn’t know that Beatrice—the very woman who had just sung my praises—was carrying my mate’s child.

The revelation had torn through me like a blade.

A crumpled letter tucked away in Dorian’s study, the scent of another woman clinging to his clothes, whispers that didn’t belong to a faithful mate. Then, the truth laid bare—a note meant for her, scribbled in his own handwriting:

"Soon, my love. Once she delivers the twins, we’ll be free. You and our pup will have everything that should have been yours all along."

I had read it three times before the reality had sunk in.

Dorian. My mate. The father of my children. Betraying me with a woman who sat only feet away, her hand resting on the Beta’s arm like she was the perfect, loyal wife.

A sickening wave of rage and nausea had rolled through me then, the kind that left a woman changed. I had gripped the edge of his desk until my knuckles went white, until my nails dug into the wood, until I could breathe again.

And now, I sat here, smiling, playing my part like the perfect, oblivious Luna.

I felt Dorian’s thumb stroke my hand, his gesture meant to soothe. Instead, it sickened me.

The celebration carried on, food and wine flowing endlessly, conversations mingling in the air. Every so often, I felt the weight of Beatrice’s gaze on me. A flicker of guilt? Or fear that I knew?

I forced myself to laugh at the appropriate moments, to nod when necessary, to pretend I wasn’t suffocating in the presence of liars.

And then, the pull in my bladder became unbearable.

“Excuse me,” I murmured, pressing a hand to my belly as I shifted in my seat. “I’ll be back.”

Dorian kissed my hand before releasing it. “Do you need me to come with you, love?”

Love. The word burned like acid.

“No,” I said sweetly. “I’ll only be a moment.”

No one suspected a thing as I rose from my seat and made my way toward our private suite.

The moment I stepped into the room, my smile dropped. I locked the door behind me, pressing my back against the solid wood. My breath came in slow, measured inhales.

"They think I don’t know."

I pressed a hand to my abdomen, feeling the soft kicks of my babies. My only light in this darkness.

I should have wept, but no tears came. Only fury.

I adjusted my dress, straightened my shoulders, and schooled my features. If they wanted a show, I’d give them one.

By the time I returned to the dining hall, I was once again the radiant, loving Luna.

I resumed my seat just as Beatrice’s eyes flicked to Dorian in a silent message.

I didn’t miss the way her fingers twitched on the tablecloth.

Moments later, she excused herself, murmuring something to her mate about needing air.

I watched her go, her movements careful, calculated.

Not long after, Dorian followed.

He didn’t make an announcement. Didn’t glance in my direction. He simply stood, adjusted his suit jacket, and strode after her as if he had no worries in the world.

I watched them, my smile never faltering, my heart thudding in my chest.

"Do they think they’re smart?"

Beside me, the Beta chuckled at something a warrior had said, oblivious to the fact that his mate was slipping away with my husband.

"Poor fool."

I lifted my glass, the light catching the crystal, and took a slow sip of wine.

Tonight was their celebration.

But soon, it would be mine.

The weight of my pregnancy was nothing compared to the suffocating weight of betrayal. Every breath I took felt like a struggle, a battle against the rage simmering beneath my skin.

Lying in bed beside Dorian was a test of endurance. His arm draped over my waist, his body warm against mine, as if he hadn't shattered everything between us. I used to find comfort in his embrace—now, it made my stomach churn.

His scent, once intoxicating, now felt like poison seeping into my lungs.

I counted the days. Two. Maybe three. That was all I needed before I could finally sever this twisted bond.

As if sensing my revulsion, Dorian stirred, tightening his grip. His lips brushed against my shoulder. "How are my little warriors today?" he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.

I swallowed back the bile rising in my throat. I couldn't even pretend anymore.

"They're restless," I replied flatly, shifting away from him.

He chuckled, oblivious. "Just like their father."

I forced myself to remain still as he pressed a kiss to my temple. Lies. All lies.

Morning came with a familiar, almost mocking ritual—breakfast in bed. Dorian carried in a tray with fresh fruit, warm pastries, and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, his golden eyes glowing with warmth.

"Good morning, my love," he murmured, setting the tray beside me. "I thought you could use a little pampering."

Once, this would have melted me. Now, it felt like a well-rehearsed act.

I forced a small smile and nodded, pushing a strawberry around my plate with a fork. "Thank you, Alpha."

He stiffened for the briefest second at my formal tone but recovered with a chuckle. "Come now, Luna. No need for titles between us."

I said nothing. Just watched him, trying to see through the facade.

A bouquet of white roses sat beside the tray, their scent delicate and sweet—just like the ones he used to send me when we were newly mated. How many times had he given Beatrice flowers like these?

"Are you feeling alright?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. "The pups aren't giving you trouble, are they?"

"I'm fine," I replied, swinging my legs off the bed. "I have an appointment with the midwife today. I'll be out for a while."

He leaned in and kissed my forehead. "You're beautiful," he said, watching me expectantly. "Our pups are going to be strong."

I said nothing, simply taking a sip of my tea to mask the bitterness on my tongue.

"Let me know if you need anything, love."

I nodded, swallowing the bile rising in my throat.

His phone vibrated on the nightstand. His body tensed for half a second before he swiftly turned it over.

A name flashed across the screen. Beatrice.

He didn't think I'd noticed. But I did.

I saw everything now.

I had an appointment with the pack midwife, a routine checkup to ensure my twins were healthy for delivery.

The pack clinic was warm, the scent of herbal remedies and clean linen filling the air. The midwife, an older she-wolf with gentle hands, checked my vitals, murmuring reassurances about my pups' strong heartbeats.

Then, as I sat waiting for her to finish making notes, the door opened. James, the midwife’s husband and an old friend of Dorian’s strolled in—a man who had once been part of the Alpha’s inner circle.

“Luna,” he greeted with a smile. “It’s been a while.”

I returned the greeting politely, expecting small talk about the pups or pack affairs. Instead, he laughed and shook his head.

I was greeted by His laughter filled the room as he spoke animatedly.

“Ah, it’s a small world, isn’t it?” James grinned. “To think, Beatrice and Dorian were practically inseparable as pups. The whole pack thought they’d be mated, you know? Then you came along, and the Goddess had other plans.”

The room tilted.

A dull roar filled my ears.

I stared at James, my hands clenching the arms of the chair.

“Oh, how the Moon Goddess works in mysterious ways," he continued, oblivious to my stiff posture. "Instead, she mated Beatrice to Jake. What are the odds, right?"

My stomach churned. Seven years. Seven years of devotion. Seven years of lies. How long had they been sneaking around behind my back? Had it ever truly stopped?

I barely made it to the nearest waste bin before I threw up.

“Oh dear," the midwife fretted, rushing over. "It’s just the pregnancy, dear. Happens to all expecting mothers.”

I wiped my mouth, nodding mechanically. Pregnancy. Sure. Let’s blame it on that.

The pain in my belly grew sharper, but I ignored it, making my way back home.

I pressed a hand to my belly, feeling the faint movements of my pups. The only part of this life I had left to hold onto.

On a whim, I decided to stop by the marketplace to pick up a few last-minute things for my pups. Tiny blankets. Soft onesies. Anything to remind me that, no matter what happened, I had something—someone—worth fighting for.

Then, I saw them.

Dorian and Beatrice, standing side by side in one of the high-end baby boutiques.

For a moment, I froze, my heart hammering against my ribs. They were laughing—Dorian holding up a onesie, Beatrice rolling her eyes in mock exasperation.

I forced my feet forward.

“Dorian," I called, my voice perfectly controlled.

His entire body stiffened before he turned to me with a too-easy smile. “Luna, what a surprise.”

My eyes flickered to Beatrice, who was already scowling.

“What are you two doing here?” I asked, tilting my head slightly.

Dorian didn’t miss a beat. “Beatrice is helping me pick out a surprise for the boys.”

Beatrice’s scowl deepened, but she grudgingly nodded. "Yes," she said stiffly, arms crossing. "Alpha Dorian wanted a second opinion."

Liar.

Something flashed in her eyes—resentment, irritation at having to play along.

I glanced at the items in their hands—clothes too small for my twins.

The world slowed, my mind sharpening like a blade. Beatrice had no reason to be here, no reason to be helping my mate choose gifts for our sons.

But she was.

And she was angry about having to pretend otherwise.

For a moment, a foolish part of me clung to the possibility that Dorian was being forced into this, that maybe he wasn’t willingly betraying me.

But then Beatrice turned to him, her hand brushing his arm—a touch too familiar, too practiced. And my mate?

He didn’t even flinch.

A cold realization settled over me. He wasn’t trapped. He wasn’t being manipulated. He had chosen this. Chosen her.

Something inside me snapped.

I smiled at Beatrice, slow and deliberate. “How thoughtful of you,” I murmured. “The Beta must be proud to have such a considerate mate.”

Beatrice stiffened, and for the first time, Dorian's easy demeanor cracked.

I didn’t give them the satisfaction of waiting for a response. Instead, I turned on my heel, my mind whirling.

The time for hoping, for pretending, was over.

I still had one reason to stay—my pups. But once they were here?

Nothing would keep me in this nightmare.

Nothing.

The house was quiet when I returned. Too quiet.

I moved through the rooms with a purpose, gathering the tiny clothes and supplies I had bought for my boys, folding each piece with trembling fingers. Packing wasn’t just about preparing for their birth anymore—it was about escape.

Dorian should have been home by now, but of course, he wasn’t. He was still at Palmcreek River with Beatrice, swimming, laughing—living. The images sent to my phone were burned into my mind, the way he looked at her, the joy on his face. It was the same look he once reserved for me.

Was I ever truly his choice? Or was I merely a duty—a bond forced upon him by the Moon Goddess?

My phone buzzed again. Another message.

Beatrice: You were just a duty to him. I own his heart, and very soon, everyone will know it.

I stared at the words, my lips curving into a humorless smile. First attack from Beatrice. We’re getting serious about this betrayal thing now. I laughed to myself, but the sound was hollow.

A sharp knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.

When I opened it, a young pack errand boy stood there, his arms struggling to hold two dozen white roses. His face lit up with excitement.

"From the Alpha to his Luna," he announced, as if he was delivering a grand love declaration.

I took the roses without a word, shutting the door in his eager face.

Dorian was nothing if not predictable. He knew he wouldn’t be home for Lunch, so he sent flowers. A poor attempt at guilt-ridden affection.

A moment later, my phone rang. His name flashed across the screen.

I took a breath, steadying myself before answering. "Dorian?"

"Love, I won’t make it to Lunch." His voice was smooth, almost rehearsed. "There was an issue with the Elders’ Council. It’s taking longer than expected, but I promise I’ll be home in time for the hospital."

I let out a soft laugh, one that I knew he would mistake for understanding. "That’s okay," I said lightly. "I’ll see you when you get back."

If he noticed the shift in my tone, he didn’t mention it.

As soon as the call ended, I turned to the pile of gifts and clothes he had bought me over the past few weeks. Luxurious silks, expensive baby items, meaningless tokens meant to distract me.

I picked up my phone again and dialed the errand boy’s number.

"Come back," I told him. "Take everything. Sell it. Discreetly."

There was a stunned silence before he finally stammered, "Luna… are you sure?"

"Positive."

The moment the boy left with the gifts, I grabbed my coat and headed out.

There was only one person in this pack who could help me disappear.

---

The high pack witch lived in a secluded part of the territory, her home filled with the scent of burning sage and dried lavender. Candles flickered along the wooden shelves, illuminating ancient books and vials of dark potions.

She sat across from me, eyes wise and knowing, as if she had already foreseen my arrival.

"You wish to sever your bond," she murmured.

"I do," I confirmed, my voice steady. "And I need protection spells for my sons."

She sighed, shaking her head. "Luna, this is not a decision to be made lightly. You are heavily pregnant. Breaking a mate bond now could cause you great harm."

"What’s harming me is staying here," I countered.

She studied me for a long moment before finally nodding. "Very well. But you must wait until after the birth. Your body is already under immense strain. Severing the bond before then could put the pups at risk."

I clenched my fists. "I don’t have time to wait."

"You do," she said firmly. "And you will. If you still wish to go through with this after they are born, I will do as you ask."

I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to accept the delay. "Fine. But the moment they are born, I want the bond burned away."

The witch nodded. "It will be done."

As I left her home, my mind was already made up.

I was done waiting.

---

I made one more stop before heading home.

The midwife’s cottage was warm, the air thick with the scent of medicinal herbs. The older woman looked up as I entered, her gaze flickering with surprise.

"Luna," she greeted, standing. "I wasn’t expecting you tonight. Is something wrong?"

I shook my head, placing a protective hand over my belly. "I need to move the delivery up. Tonight."

Her brows furrowed in concern. "That’s… highly unusual. The Alpha—"

I cut her off before she could finish. "Dorian isn’t here."

She hesitated. "Even so, it's customary for the father—"

"I am their mother," I said firmly. "I will bring them into this world on my terms."

A long silence stretched between us. Then, with a nod, she sighed. "Very well. But this won’t be easy. I’ll need to prepare everything immediately."

"I understand."

I was ready.

By dawn, I would hold my sons.

And by nightfall, I would sever every tie that bound me to this place.

---

By the time I returned home, the sun had set, casting long shadows over the house.

I climbed the stairs, only to pause at the sight of Dorian standing in our bedroom, confusion etched across his face as he stared at the packed baby bag on the bed.

"Why are their things packed?" he asked, turning to me.

I forced a soft smile, stepping forward to smooth my hand over my belly. "I packed earlier so I wouldn’t forget anything," I said lightly.

His golden eyes searched mine, doubt flickering across his features. But he shook it off, pulling a set of documents from his pocket.

"I bought something for you," he said, handing them over.

I took the papers, scanning the words. A property deed. A home—large, luxurious, meant for me and the twins.

A celebration of our family.

A family he was already tearing apart.

I looked up at him, my lips curling into something resembling gratitude. "It’s beautiful," I murmured, my fingers tightening around the papers.

I would return them when I left.

Dorian leaned in, brushing a kiss over my forehead. "I just want you and the boys to have everything."

Liar.

His phone buzzed.

His body tensed.

Then, with practiced ease, he turned away. "The Elders need me again," he said, already walking toward the door. "I’ll be back soon."

I didn’t bother asking if he was telling the truth.

I already knew where he was going.

As the door clicked shut behind him, I let out a quiet laugh.

Not out of humor.

Not out of pain.

But because this was it.

This was the moment I stopped being the Luna who waited for her mate to come home.

By this time tomorrow, I would no longer be Dorian’s anything.

And he would never see it coming.