Heather’s POV

"The mother of your heir?"

"Unless you plan to keep pushing out children for Austin instead," he said calmly. "From what I hear, he is doing a great job killing them."

"I will never give him another pup." My fingers tightened until my claws bit into my own palm.

I could almost feel Daniel nod. "Good. Then we understand each other."

"Are you really serious?" I whispered.

"I do not make empty offers. You want justice for your father. I want a Luna whose spine is not made of mud and a mother strong enough for my heir. This solves all of that in one move."

"But I am still mated," I said stiffly. "Marked even."

"Marks can be broken. Bonds can be cut."

Breaking a bond hurts. It tore both wolves. It could drive one or both mad.

But I thought of Austin’s hands on Olivia’s body. And the bitch's voice bragging about killing my father.

"This is not a small price," I murmured.

"Neither is what you are asking me to do," Daniel replied. "You want my warriors. My name. My power. You want me to walk into your pack lands and drag your Alpha in chains in front of his people."

His tone softened a fraction.

"And I want you," he added. "I am just honest about it."

My heart slammed so hard it hurt.

The bond with Austin was still there, but the pull toward Daniel that I had buried was still alive under it. It stretched now, reaching toward his voice like a plant toward light.

I swallowed.

"You are asking me to jump from one Alpha to another," I said.

"No." His answer was sharp. "I am asking you to jump from a coward who hides behind you to a king who will stand in front of you. That is different."

A low heat pooled in my stomach at his words. My wolf wagged her tail I my mind.

"You have two weeks. Gather your proof. Call me the moment you are ready."

My hand drifted to my lower belly where Austin’s pup was still trying to grow. How could I promise Daniel pups when I was already carrying another Alpha’s?

"Are you backing out?" he asked.

I gasped. "What if... what if I do not agree to your terms?"

He chuckled, dark and low. "Then expect my warriors to be at your gates and to extract your Alpha and his mistress before I take my dinner, which will happen in three minutes."

Fear and anger crashed together in my chest. "I told you I need to gather proof first," I shot back. "Or do you really want your kingdom to see you as a tyrant? A cold-blooded king?"

"I don’t mind?" he said, and I believed him.

I bit my lip hard.

What was I supposed to do? I wanted justice for my father and for the pups inside me.

But I did not want Daniel’s name dragged through the mud because of my mess.

"Once and for all, my sweet Heather. Do you agree or not?"

My wolf pressed against my skin, torn and restless. "Fine!”

I didn’t know yet how I would fix all of this.

But what mattered right now was simple: Austin and Olivia would pay, and my pack would be free.

I composed myself after the mindlink.

Grabbing the old treaty, I walked out of the room.

As I expected, Austin was already at the table.

He had changed clothes, but Olivia’s scent still clung to him under the soap.

My wolf snarled, but I swallowed it back and moved closer.

Austin pushed his chair back and stood with a wide smile.

"Love, I did not know you were already here.”

He stepped toward me and kissed my cheek.

My skin crawled under his lips. My wolf tried to jerk our head away.

‘As if you would notice my arrival. You were too busy with your mistress,’ I thought.

Out loud, I said nothing. Even my wolf was howling for his blood, and for his heart between her teeth.

He hurried to pull my chair out. "You must be tired from the trip to the Ironclaw Citadel.”

I sat, my heart was beating so hard it hurt, but my face stayed neutral.

"So, how was the meeting with Alpha Daniel?" His eyes were bright, almost glowing.

Controlling my hand from trembling, I slid the folder across the table.

"See for yourself."

Austin snapped it open like a kid with a gift. I watched his face as his eyes ran over the fake victory. His grin stretched wider with every line.

He had no idea that paper was dead already.

"This is it, Heather. You did it!”

He stood up so fast his chair scraped back.

He grabbed his phone and hit a speed dial.

"Beta Gus, spread the word. Tell the Elders that our pack is now in the party of the current monarch. Tell them that after my endless persuasion of His Majesty, I got his golden yes."

I picked up my fork, cutting through the meat on my plate so I did not stab him with it.

Endless persuasion?

While I went to Ironclaw, my sister was on his lap.

Austin paused and looked at me. "You don’t mind, right, since you went to the castle for me?"

I looked at the hypocritical man in front of me and felt my nails bite into my palms.

"Of course," I said. Rage crashed through me, burning hot over the memory of my father’s body and my dead pups.

I chewed my food and tasted nothing.

He kept talking, planning, already picturing the elders praising him, other Alphas shaking his hand, calling him brother, ally, visionary.

He didn't even see the way my grip on the fork whitened.

Dinner felt like it took years and five seconds at the same time.

When we finished, Austin wiped his mouth, his eyes still bright.

"The Elders called for a small celebration," he said, getting up. His beta appeared by the door like he had been waiting the entire time. "They want to drink at our new place with the king."

I looked up at him.

"Aren’t you going to invite me?" I asked.

He paused and gave me a quick, nervous smile.

"I want to, but I know you are tired. Please rest. I will be right back before you know it."

I forced a gentle look.

"Alright. Just don't drink too much."

He laughed, leaned down to kiss my hair, then walked out with his beta.

The moment their footsteps faded, I stood then hurried straight to Austin’s study.

The room still smelled of what he did earlier, but I ignored it and walked past the couch straight to his desk.

I had watched him type his passwords a hundred times, so I knew the exact words to enter.

At first it was nothing, then I found a folder tucked inside a system drive.

The footage loaded slowly. My eyes burned from staring, but I kept going.

Hours passed. The digital clock on the screen ticked closer to the time of the attack.

Right when I was about to give up and try again tomorrow, I clicked on the camera feed labeled STUDY_ROOM_INT.

My heart dropped when I saw my father on the screen.

There was blood on his mouth, and his shirt was soaked red. He was on his knees with his hands tied in the middle of the room, and even with his head bowed.

Austin had his hand wrapped around my father’s collar, dragging him across the floor. Olivia followed, fake tears running down her face.

I slapped a hand over my mouth.

On the screen, Olivia sobbed.

‘Thank you, Austin. If you didn't come, this old beast would have already violated me.’

Old beast? That was what he called to the man who gave her a home.

Austin’s face twisted.

‘No one hurts you. And I wanted to end this old man a long time ago so my step to the Alpha position would be faster.’

My father tried to speak, but Austin yanked him again.

Olivia sniffed, wiping at her dry eyes.

‘But I will not be your Luna. Not now that you found your mate, and she happens to be his daughter.’

My whole body was shaking as I watched Austin let my father’s body drop.

Then, like my father was nothing more than a broken log in his way, Austin stepped on his chest to walk over him.

He went straight to Olivia and pulled her into his arms.

‘Heather may be my mate and the future Luna of this pack, but you will be my woman.’

He bent his head and kissed her in this same room.

A sob ripped out of me, rough and ugly.

My wolf roared, her eyes glowed through mine.

I wanted to shift, find Austin wherever he was celebrating, and tear him apart in front of the Elders.

Curse the both of you!

I squeezed my eyes shut and forced air into my lungs. If I broke now, all of this would be wasted.

'Evidence. Use it! my wolf snarled.'

My hands were still shaking, but I forced them to move.

I copied the file and sent them to my private address.

On the screen, the video kept running.

"I'm so sorry, Father," I sobbed quietly. "I should have protected you. I miss you so much it hurts, and I want to kill them for turning every memory of you into a crime scene!"

My wolf pressed her nose against the inside of my ribs, mourning with me.

I had two weeks to gather proof and stop myself from tearing their throats out in the hallway.

I was done being the Luna who endured.

Heather’s POV

I continued to gather evidence like a she-wolf collecting bones from a battlefield.

I also installed another camera.

Hidden in Austin’s study, I watched him and Olivia come in at night and sleep together.

Then there was a knock on my office door.

“Come in,” I said calmly.

Olivia entered with a tray.

“Hello, Luna. I brought you some tea. I know you are very busy. By the way, congratulations to you and Alpha on the new achievement.”

I stared at her.

And instead of her face, I saw the video where her hand was gripping my father’s hair.

My fingers curled so hard my nails bit into my palms, but I stayed still, watching her set the cup down.

When she turned to leave, I said, "Olivia..."

Her shoulders stiffened and she turned slowly. "Anything else Luna?"

“My father died a month ago now. Aren’t you missing him?”

She blinked.

“What… what do you mean, Luna?”

“Is that question hard to answer?”

Her mouth opened but no sound came out.

Although I didn't need her answers. Only her reaction.

I sighed shaking my head as I took a glimpse at the tea.

“What kind of tea did you prepare for me today?”

Her face lifted instantly, relief rushing in. She explained the herbs, the benefits.

In my head, my question meant, 'What combination of poison are you feeding me now?'

I smiled thinly.

“Can you taste it for me?”

She went pale.

“But Luna, that would be disrespectful. To touch your drink—”

“Coming from you?” I cut in. “Anyway, the word respect sounds misplaced.”

She swallowed.

“I ordered you. Drink it!”

Her eyes glassed over. Tears welled up. "But I can't..."

I frowned, irritation crawling up my spine.

“Do it,” I snapped.

She gasped, trembling like I was abusing her. She lifted the steaming mug with trembling hand.

And then Austin himself came in.

“Is there a problem here?” he asked, his gaze flicking to me, then lingering on her.

Before I could speak, Olivia stumbled forward and ‘accidentally’ spilled the hot liquid down her chest and belly.

“Ouch!” she screamed.

Austin rushed to her, hands everywhere. He forgot where he was.

His palm hovered over her belly. "Are you okay?" Then he suddenly turned to me. "Are you bullying your sister?"

I opened my mouth.

He was already in my face.

“Apologize to her,” he ordered. “Not because you’re the Luna you get to mock our staff. And Olivia is not just staff. She’s still your sister because your father was her guardian."

“Alpha, please. I don’t deserve an apology,” Olivia whispered weakly. "It was my fault because I'm not feeling well and the mug slipped.'

Austin panicked. “You’re not feeling well and you still served her?”

He turned back to me, eyes cold.

“I’m warning you, Heather. Apologize. Or I’ll send you to the cell.”

“The cell?” For a moment, I honestly thought I had misheard him.

“Yes, because you refuse to comply with my order. Not because you’ve done something for this pack makes you my equal. You are still under me.”

I could feel my heart being twisted painfully. After what I did for this pack, and still I was under him?

“I’m not just the Luna,” I said, my voice shaking now. “I’m your mate. And you would lock me in a cell because I refuse to apologize to my tea bringer? Did I even spill the tea?”

It sounded insane, but I knew why he was overacting like this.

He was terrified of the pup in her belly.

“Are you questioning my power?” Austin barked.

He turned and shouted, “Warriors!”

They came in fast.

“Extract your Luna. Detain her in the cell.”

“You can’t do this to me, Austin!” I fought and kicked.

But my hand never left my belly.

I would not let them harm my pup. They had already taken too much from me.

“Alpha, please no,” Olivia sobbed. “Not the cell.”

“My mind will not change,” Austin said. “I am aligned with the Alpha King now.”

She dropped to her knees.

“Please,” she begged. “Don’t put her in the cell. She’s still my sister and I don’t want to see her reduced like an omega."

“Fine, Heather will be detained in the guest chambers. Locked. Until I say otherwise.”

I said nothing as they dragged me away.

But just before the door closed, I saw Olivia’s lips curved.

"Your good days will end soon. Both of you,” I whispered through clenched teeth.

Heather’s POV

Three days had passed since Austin ordered me locked away, and by the time they finally opened the door, weakness clung to my limbs like chains.

Still, I walked.

By the time I reached our bedroom, I froze at the strong smell of sex, clinging to the air.

My stomach twisted violently, and for a moment, I thought I might collapse right there at the entrance.

My wolf stirred, low and dangerous.

They had been here in my bed while I was kept away like a criminal.

I reached for the blankets and pulled them off the bed without hesitation.

Gathering everything in my arms, I turned and walked out of the room and headed straight for the fireplace.

When I returned to the room, Austin was already there.

He stood near the bed, his brows drawn together as he looked around, clearly searching for something.

His eyes landed on me.

“Where are the blankets?” he asked.

I looked at him.

He noticed the missing blanket, but not me.

Not the way my body felt hollow after three days in confinement.

He didn't even ask if I was alright.

“I sent them to the fireplace," I whispered.

His expression shifted instantly.

“What?” he snapped. “Why did you do that? Those blankets were very expensive. More expensive than your—”

He stopped.

“Than my what?” I asked.

He shook his head. “Never mind.”

He exhaled and waved it off.

“Your detention should have been a week,” he said casually. “But I had you released now because we have an important council meeting tonight.”

His eyes moved over me then, slowly, from head to toe, his gaze critical and displeased.

“What happened to you? You don’t look like the one I married anymore."

Something inside me almost laughed.

'What happened to me? My pups were gone because of your infidelity. You murdered my father so you could step into the Alpha position immediately. That's what happened to me.'

I held those words back even though my heart wanted to explode.

Austin turned away, already losing interest, as if I were no longer worth examining.

“Anyway, wear something decent and presentable later.”

---

The council hall was already filled when I arrived.

I stepped inside wearing a simple dress. Something I used to wear on ordinary days.

Austin turned his head.

His gaze dragged from my face down to my feet, then back up again.

His voice cut into my mind. I could feel the irritation in his tone.

'I told you to wear something good.'

I answered just as calmly. 'I feel comfortable in this dress.'

I reached my seat and sat beside him, not because I wanted to but because I needed to.

And then the doors opened again.

Olivia stepped in, wearing a red gown. So much extravagance for a she-wolf who was only in this manor to serve her Luna.

“Good evening,” she greeted.

The council responded immediately, voices rising, welcoming, approving.

And then Autin stood for her.

His expression softened in a way I had not seen in a long time, maybe ever.

He stepped toward her, his hand naturally finding the small of her back as he guided her forward.

“Take your seat,” he murmured to her.

She smiled up at him.

“Thank you, Alpha,” she said.

And she sat on the other side of him.

I watched the council nod and smile at them.

No one looked shocked or questioned anything.

Austin cleared his throat, drawing attention back to himself.

“Today, we are formally celebrating our new success.” He paused, and pride lifted his chin. “We are now one of the allied packs of the present Alpha King. This means more protection, greater trade opportunities, stronger military backing, and elevated status among the territories.”

Applause broke out.

“Congratulations, Alpha Austin.”

“Well deserved.”

“A remarkable achievement.”

Voices overlapped, each one feeding his ego, building him higher and higher.

Beside him, Olivia turned toward him, her eyes shining.

“I’m so proud of you,” she said softly.

Her hand rested lightly over his arm.

Austin glanced at her, and there was the softness again, and that look that had never truly been mine.

“Thank you,” he replied.

She laughed gently at something he whispered back.

The council watched them as if they were a perfect couple.

And I was sitting right here, watching my place being erased in real time.

My father built this pack from nothing, and now I was nothing in it.

“Aren’t you too close to my husband?” I said out of nowhere.

The room became quiet.

Beside me, Austin went very still.

Then slowly, he turned his head to me and gave me a sharp look.

I held his gaze, not looking away.

Olivia’s gaze shifted to me, and she smiled sweetly.

“I’m just happy for the pack’s success,” she said, her tone light, as if including me in something I no longer belonged to.

Then suddenly she swayed.

“Olivia?” Austin was already there.

His hand on her shoulder. His body angled toward her.

Concern flooded his face.

“Are you alright?”

She steadied herself, holding onto him lightly.

Then she smiled.

“I’m fine, Alpha. But I think it's time for them to know,” she said, glancing around the table.

Her fingers slipped into her purse.

“I was actually waiting for the right moment…”

She pulled out a small photo.

“My dear council. I have even better news.”

She lifted the photo just enough for them to see.

“I’m pregnant. Finally, Alpha Austin is going to be a father.”