“Did Harlan send you?” I asked, with irritation as I wiped at my tear-streaked face.

Kael smirked, his silver eyes glinting like shards of ice. “You know the answer to that.”

Of course, Harlan had sent him. It was such a Harlan move too busy to deal with me himself but too controlling to let me wander off unchecked. And Kael, as always, had no problem obeying orders without question.

“I don’t need a babysitter,” I snapped, glaring at him.

Kael’s expression didn’t waver. If anything, his smirk deepened slightly, as though my anger amused him. “I’m not your babysitter. I’m your shadow.”

“Whatever you want to call it, I didn’t ask for this,” I shot back.

“No,” he said, “but it seems like you need it.”

My wolf stirred uneasily, and her instincts sharper than mine. It wasn’t fear…no, that would’ve been easy to brush off. This was something else, something deeper and more primal. A pull. It was subtle, like a whisper at the back of my mind, but it was there, tugging at me in a way that made my skin prickle and my heart race.

I clenched my fists, trying to ignore the way my wolf perked up at his presence, her interest clear and annoying. “Why does Harlan trust you so much?” I asked,him.

Kael raised an eyebrow, “You’re assuming he does.”

I blinked, caught off guard by his answer. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He stepped closer, his movements as fluid and deliberate as a predator stalking prey. “Harlan trusts what I can do for him. That doesn’t mean he trusts me.”

His words sent a chill down my spine, though I couldn’t tell if it was from his tone or the truth behind them. Kael was an mystery loyal to the pack on the surface, yet detached in a way that made me question his motives. Harlan might have given him a place in the Moonshine Pack, but it was clear Kael operated on his own terms.

“And what exactly is it you do for him?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

Kael’s lips twitched, but he didn’t smile. “What he needs me to do.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“It’s the only one you’re getting,” he said,

My wolf growled softly in the back of my mind, her frustration mirroring my own. She didn’t trust him either, not entirely but she couldn’t ignore him. The pull was stronger now, like an invisible thread tightening between us with every word exchanged.

I took a step back, needing to put some distance between us. “You’re infuriating, you know that?”

Kael shrugged, looking completely unbothered. “So I’ve been told.”

I crossed my arms, glaring at him. “If you’re here to spy on me, just go ahead and report back to Harlan. Tell him I cried, or complained, or whatever it is he wants to hear.”

Kael’s silver eyes darkened, and for the first time, his smirk disappeared completely. He stepped closer, “I don’t work for Harlan like that. I’m not here to tattle on you, Anya.”

“Then why are you here?” I demanded, my frustration bubbling over.

“To make sure you don’t get yourself killed.”

I opened my mouth to argue, to tell him I didn’t need his protection, but the look in his eyes stopped me. There was something there, just for a fleeting moment.

“And what makes you think I can’t take care of myself?” I asked,

Kael tilted his head, “Because you don’t even see the threats around you.”

The words hit harder than I expected, and my wolf stirred again, uneasy and restless. Kael’s gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before he turned away, as he walked toward the riverbank.

I watched him, my mind racing with questions I didn’t dare ask. Kael was a mystery, a puzzle I wasn’t sure I wanted to solve. But my wolf… my wolf wasn’t so cautious. She was drawn to him in a way I couldn’t explain, her instincts pulling her toward him despite the warning bells ringing in my head.

“You don’t have to like me,” Kael said suddenly, his back still turned to me. “But if I were you, I’d start paying attention. There’s more going on in this pack than you realize, Anya. And not all of it has your best interests in mind.”

I stared at him, “What are you trying to say?”

He glanced over his shoulder, his silver eyes glinting in the sunlight. “Figure it out. You’re smarter than they give you credit for.”

And just like that, he was gone, disappearing into the trees like a shadow fading with the dawn.

I stood there by the river, my thoughts a tangled mess. Kael’s words lingered.

Who kael really is? And why did I feel like he saw through me?

By the time the sun began to set, I had convinced myself to attend the pack gathering. I didn’t want to go not after the argument with Harlan but the weight of my responsibilities as his Chosen Mate left me with little choice. My wolf protested in my mind, “ We shouldn’t have to beg for his attention, she growled. Why do we let him treat us like this?”

But I ignored her. This was my reality. Harlan needed me by his side for the sake of the pack, even if it felt like he barely noticed I existed anymore.

I put on a simple green dress, one that Harlan had once complimented before everything between us became so strained. For a fleeting moment, I wondered if he would notice tonight if he would look at me like he used to.

When Harlan came to fetch me, he barely glanced at me. “Ready?” he asked, his eyes already on the road ahead.

I nodded silently, following him out.

The pack gathering was in full swing when we arrived. Wolves of all ranks milled about, talking, laughing, and enjoying the night. The scent of roasted meat and bonfires filled the air, mingling with the earthy smell of pine and the faint undertone of wolves in their shifted forms patrolling the perimeter.

Harlan led me through the crowd with the ease of an Alpha, his commanding presence parting the sea of pack members like it always did. But while I walked beside him, it was clear to everyone including me that I was merely a shadow at his side.

Lila was already there, waiting for us near the central fire. She was dressed in a flowing red dress that clung to her every curve, her hair styled to perfection. As soon as she saw Harlan, her face lit up, and she hurried toward him like he was the only person in the world.

“Harlan,” she purred, “I was wondering when you’d get here.”

He smiled at her, a warm, genuine smile that I hadn’t seen directed at me in longer than I cared to admit.

Lila stayed glued to him the entire evening, her hand casually resting on his arm, her laughter ringing out whenever he said something. And he let her. No, he encouraged her, leaning down to whisper in her ear, brushing a strand of hair from her face, giving her all the attention I craved but never received.

The pack members noticed. Of course, they did. Their eyes flickered between me and Lila, their expressions a mix of pity and judgment. Some whispered to each other, their words too low for me to hear but loud enough to sting. Others avoided my gaze entirely, as if my humiliation was too uncomfortable for them to witness.

I stood there, silent, smiling when it was expected, nodding when someone addressed me. But inside, I was crumbling. My wolf howled in frustration. This isn’t right, she growled. This isn’t how it’s supposed to be.

I stood in a corner near the refreshments table, nursing a cocktail in my hand. It was fruity, sweet, and far too weak to drown out the ache in my chest as I watched Harlan and Lila across the firepit.

I took another sip of my drink, trying to focus on the sharp tang of citrus instead of the sharp pang in my chest. But no amount of sweet cocktails could make this scene any easier to endure. After downing four drinks, finally Harlan acknowledged me.

“Why are you hiding over here?” He asked me, and I turned to see Harlan standing behind me, his arms crossed and his brow furrowed.

“I’m not hiding,” I said quickly, setting my glass down with more force than necessary.

He raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over me like he didn’t believe a word I said. “You’ve been standing here all night, Anya. What’s going on?”

“What’s going on,” I repeated, as I gestured toward Lila, “is that you seem to be having a wonderful evening without me. I’m just enjoying the show.”

He stepped closer to me, “Don’t start this here, Anya. You’re overreacting.”

“Overreacting?” I hissed, “You’ve spent the entire night glued to her side, Harlan. You didn’t even notice I was here until now!”

He exhaled sharply, “She’s family. You know that.”

“Family doesn’t cling to you like a lovesick pup,” I snapped.

For a moment, I thought he was going to argue back, but instead, he straightened and glanced around. “We’re not doing this here,” he said.

“Fine,” I shot back. “Let’s not do it at all.”

I grabbed another cocktail from the table and turned away, pretending not to notice the curious glances of the pack members nearby. But even as I walked away, I could feel his eyes on me, heavy.

The ride home was silent, the tension between us so thick it was suffocating. Harlan drove with his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly, his golden eyes fixed on the road ahead. I stared out the window, the night blurring past as I tried to collect my thoughts.

As soon as we stepped into the house, I couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“Harlan,” I said.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Anya, not now…?”

“No,” I cut him off. “We’re talking about this now.”

He turned to face me, but he didn’t interrupt.

“What are we even doing anymore?” I asked, “Do you even see me, Harlan? Because tonight, it felt like I didn’t exist to you. Like I never do when Lila’s around.”

He groaned, rubbing his temples like I was giving him a headache. “Anya, you’re being ridiculous. Lila’s been through a lot…”

“I know that!” I shouted. “I know she’s grieving, and I know you feel responsible for her. But does that mean I have to stand there and watch you treat her like she’s the one who matters most to you? Like she’s your mate?”

“She’s family, Anya. And I’m trying to keep this pack together. You need to stop taking everything so personally.”

“How can I not?” I shot back, “Do you have any idea what it’s like to stand there and watch everyone pity me? To see the way they look at me like I’m nothing but an afterthought to you?”

“You keep saying she’s family,” I continued, “But what about me, Harlan? What am I to you?”

He didn’t answer right away, and the silence felt like a slap in the face. When he finally spoke,

“You’re my mate,” he said, but there was no warmth in his tone, no conviction.

I laughed bitterly, wiping at the tears that had started to fall. “You don’t act like it.”

“You need to stop letting it bother you.”

“What if I can’t?” I asked him.

“Anya,” he began, “Do you ever stop to think about what you caused?

“My brother…Ronan…is dead because of you.”

“Do you even remember that night?” he continued, “You wandered into enemy territory like it was a walk in the woods. You didn’t think…didn’t care…about the consequences. And because of that, Ronan and I had to risk everything to get you back. He died protecting you.”

I flinched at his words, but before I could respond, he took a step closer, his towering frame radiating fury on me.

“In this pack, Anya, you’re the last person who has the right to question me or Lila. If I choose to protect her, to put her first, it’s because I owe it to Ronan. You don’t get to complain. You owe her, too.”

The memory of that night was as vivid as ever, haunting me like a ghost.

I hadn’t meant to cross the border at least, not truly. But I hadn’t been thinking clearly that evening. The weight of Lila’s cutting remarks had pushed me to the edge.

It had started as a stupid challenge.

FLASHBACK

“Prove your worth, Anya,” Lila had sneered earlier that day, her voice dripping with mockery as she stood surrounded by a few pack members. “You’re all talk and no bite. No wonder the pack doesn’t respect you.”

I’d clenched my fists, trying to stay calm, but her next words struck a nerve. “What kind of Luna will you ever be if you can’t even face a little danger? Honestly, I wouldn’t blame Harlan if he regretted choosing you.”

“Lila, stop,” I’d said through gritted teeth.

She smirked, “Tell you what,” she said, “Prove me wrong. Go into Shadowclaw territory tonight. Bring back a branch, a stone or anything. Show us you’re not as weak as everyone thinks you are.”

My wolf bristled at the challenge, but my human side knew better. Crossing into enemy territory wasn’t just reckless; it was a death sentence. Yet the humiliation burning in my chest, the stares of the others as they waited to see if I’d accept or back down, drowned out my common sense.

“You think I won’t?” I snapped.

“I think you can’t,” Lila shot back.

Harlan wasn’t there. He didn’t know. If he had been, he would’ve shut it down immediately. But Lila had planned it that way, waiting until he was busy with pack matters to sink her claws into me. And so, driven by anger, pride, and the desperate need to prove her wrong, I went.

That night, I slipped into the forest to prove her wrong. The air was cold and heavy, the moonlight barely piercing the canopy above. I didn’t think about the danger. I didn’t think about the consequences.

I crossed the border quickly, my heartbeat roaring in my ears. It was just a line in the dirt, a boundary marked by scent and territory claims. It didn’t feel real until I was standing in Shadowclaw land, the oppressive energy of their pack settling over me like a storm.

I bent down, to grab a jagged stone as proof of my supposed bravery. That’s when I heard a growl low and menacing, the sound reverberating through the forest.

The Shadowclaws had found me.

They emerged from the darkness, their glowing eyes and snarling teeth cutting through the night like blades. Their alpha stepped forward, his massive frame radiating power and malice.

“Trespassing, are we?” he snarled, “The Moonshine pack thinks they can send spies into my territory? Foolish.”

I froze, in fear. “I-I’m not a spy,” I stammered, backing away, but they weren’t interested in explanations.

Their wolves circled me, snapping their jaws, their growls growing louder. My wolf itched to fight, but I knew I stood no chance. My voice broke as I screamed for help, the sound tearing through the mid night.

By the time Harlan and Ronan arrived, it was too late to reason with the Shadowclaws. The moment they saw Moonshine wolves, the situation escalated. Words turned to growls, growls to violence, and the forest erupted into chaos.

I could only watch in horror as Ronan, Harlan’s elder brother and the pack’s second-in-command, fought with unmatched ferocity. His strength was legendary, but even legends had their limits.

One fleeting moment of distraction and the enemy alpha struck, his fangs sinking into Ronan’s neck and dragging him down.

“Harlan!” I screamed, but it was too late. Ronan’s blood pooled beneath him, and his body went still.

Harlan’s anguished roar cut through the night as he tore through the remaining Shadowclaws. By the time it was over, the ground was littered with bodies, and the air was thick with the stench of blood and death.

PRESENT

Harlan’s voice snapped me out of the memory.

“You think I can just forget that?” he demanded, “You think I don’t see his blood on your hands every time I look at you?”

I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. “Harlan, I didn’t mean…”

“Didn’t mean to?” He laughed bitterly. “Intent doesn’t matter, Anya. Ronan is dead because of you. And now, you dare to question why I protect Lila? She lost her mate because of you!”

I opened my mouth to protest, but the words died in my throat. What could I say? That I didn’t mean to cross the border? It was lila who forced me and that I didn’t ask for Ronan to save me? None of it mattered.

To Harlan, I was guilty. And nothing I said would ever change that.

“Anya,” he said, as he stepped closer to me, “you could make this right. If you’d just try. Be understanding. Be... selfless. Help me take care of Lila. Do that, and I promise you’ll always be first in my heart.”

I am doing that but Harlan is blind to not see how much I sacrificed for the action I didn’t even do. Harlan left the house once again leaving me in my misery.

Later that night, my phone buzzed with a message. It was from Lila.

The photo she sent made my stomach turn.

In it, Harlan stood with his back to the camera, cradling Shadow he’d abandoned me for. Beneath the image was a caption that made my blood boil:

“Anya, what do you think? I won again. No matter when I call, Harlan will always come to me. Maybe next time, I’ll let you feel what it’s like to hold him. Or better yet, I’ll show you what you’re missing.”

The phone slipped from my hands as nausea overtook me. I stumbled to the trash can, retching violently.

The phone buzzed again.

“Oh, and about your little crowning ceremony ? Don’t bother. Harlan doesn’t need a Luna. He already has me.”

Something inside me snapped. Tears blurred my vision as I picked up the phone, my fingers trembling with rage.

“You manipulative, conniving bitch!” I screamed, my voice echoing through the empty room.