Micah’s POV

His grip cut the air from my lungs. I stared at him with empty eyes. “Try to harm Maurice or my pups again, Micah, and I will kill you with my own hands,” he hissed.

“Alpha, do not hurt her,” Maurice pleaded, voice shaking. “She did not mean it.”

Renan let go of me slowly. “She can handle this,” he said, voice flat. “Do you understand, Micah?”

I nodded. When he released me I swallowed hard and coughed. Tears wanted to fall, but I kept them tucked away. I walked back to my work, refusing to give them the satisfaction of seeing me break.

Renan lifted Maurice into his arms, cradling her like she was made of glass. He watched us go and then left. Once the door closed, the tears finally fell. I pressed my hand to my chest, where my heart felt raw and split.

Why must it hurt this much, Renan? Why did you have to wound me like this?

I set plates at the dining table and watched them together. Renan stroked Maurice’s face with a tenderness he had never shown me. I served the food while my stomach twisted with something that felt like betrayal.

“Thank you, Micah,” Maurice said sweetly. “That brisket is perfect. I am sorry about earlier.”

Renan glanced my way like I was nothing more than a servant. His love for me was gone. I wanted to shout that I was his Luna, that I deserved better, but I swallowed it and nodded instead.

“You can leave now,” he said coldly. I should have said no. I should have reminded him what my title meant. Instead I bowed my head and walked away.

“Micah,” Maurice called after me. I paused.

“Are you coming to my betrothal announcement next month?” she asked. “We are close. I would love you to be there.”

Dear friends, she called me. A friend who had betrayed me.

I forced a smile. “Of course, if Alpha Renan wants me there.”

Maurice giggled with delight. “You are such a good friend. He will want you there for sure.”

Then Renan added, smiling in that way that used to make me melt, “Yes. Our divorce will be finalized next week.”

My heart ripped again like paper. I kept my face smooth. What else was there to fight for? I had lost everything. I would not keep hurting for people who had already thrown me away.

“Yes, Alpha. I will go wash the dishes,” I said, calm and small.

He stared at me for a long moment. Maurice touched his arm and smiled as if everything was perfect. “I am hungry, Alpha. The pups took my food. I am sure they will be strong and healthy.”

“Then let us eat,” Renan said, and they turned their attention to each other as if I were not in the room.

After they left, I cleared the table and washed the dishes. Dylan stood behind me and barked, “Bring me water, old woman.” Two servants stood nearby but did nothing.

I filled a glass and offered it to him. He pushed it away. “I want sprinkled water, old woman,” he demanded.

I did as he asked and moved closer. A servant’s foot caught me and I stumbled. The glass shattered. Dylan leapt forward, furious.

“You reckless old hag! Look at my shirt! Mother Maurice bought this. It is worth more than your life!” He spat, then kicked me hard in the ribs. Pain exploded through me and I tasted blood.

How could my son strike his own mother like that?

The broken glass sliced my hand. Blood ran warm down my fingers. “I am sorry,” I whispered. “I will be careful.”

“Sorry? Maybe you are trying to kill me like you killed Noah,” he snarled. “If I catch you, I will tear you apart. I hate being your son. If only Maurice were my real mother. Noah would still be alive.”

Then he left, leaving me on the floor. The two servants snickered as they walked away.

I pushed myself up and stared at my hand. It shook and bled. The hurt ran deeper than the wound.

I am done. I will leave this place as soon as I can.

I hope my parents will forgive me and take me back.

Micah’s POV

I stared at the last letter my mother gave me before I left home.

“I hope you’ll realize how wrong you are, my princess. When that time comes, come back to your mother…”

She was right. She had always been right. Tears blurred my vision. I missed her so much—her voice, her warmth. Mama, I wish you were here. I hope Papa forgives me for cutting ties with you.

You were right, Mama. I did love the wrong man. The wrong Were.

I grabbed a piece of paper and began to write, then whistled softly through my hand. It had been fourteen years since I last called Mon—my black hawk.

I wasn’t sure if he’d still come, but deep down, I knew he never left me.

Moments later, a dark shape glided through the sky and landed gracefully on the window sill. His sharp black eyes watched me with quiet loyalty. I fed him a strip of dried beef, and he took it gladly. I hugged him close, pressing a soft kiss on his head.

“Mon, deliver this to Mama,” I whispered.

I tied the rolled letter to his leg, and he gave me one last look before spreading his wings and flying off into the sky.

After he left, I climbed down from the attic and went back to cleaning the second floor. When I passed by Renan’s chamber, memories stabbed through me—the first time I walked in and saw him with Maurice. Their bodies entwined, his eyes meeting mine as if daring me to react.

Eight years since I discovered their affair. Eight long years. I should’ve left then. But my foolish heart kept hoping hoping that love would heal what was already dead. I tried to make it work for the sake of my sons. But all he did was tear my heart apart, piece by piece, until nothing was left.

Whatever small fraction of love I had for him was gone now. Completely gone.

That night, I couldn’t sleep. My stomach growled, but I didn’t care. It had been three days since I last ate. The only thing I’d managed to swallow was a strip of meat—for Mon.

I missed my wolf. I missed me. I wasn’t whole anymore.

The next morning, while cleaning Renan’s room, I found something on his desk, it was an invitation.

The Empire’s Grand Ball.

It was the same invitation I once dreamed of receiving. I used to imagine walking beside him in that grand hall, the entire werewolf realm watching us as I stood proudly as his Luna. But that dream never came true.

The names written on the invitation made my stomach twist.

Renan Monreer and Maurice Lorne.

It was supposed to be me.

I remembered our fights before—his excuses that Maurice was there for “pack business.” I believed him. Foolishly believed him. Until the truth became too loud to ignore.

The sound of water stopped. Renan stepped out of the bath, a towel hanging low around his waist as he dried his hair. His body was sculpted, all muscle and perfection too good-looking for the monster he really was.

“What are you staring at?” he sneered. “Look at yourself, Micah. No one would want you. You look old, thin, pale. You smell disgusting. You deserve it for killing my son.”

His words hit like venom, but I stayed silent. I had no tears left for him.

He grabbed my hair suddenly, yanking my head back. “What’s this?” he barked, eyes landing on a knife under his pillow. “Are you trying to kill me?”

The cold steel pressed against my neck.

“It’s not mine, Alpha,” I said quietly. “Why are you accusing me?”

He laughed bitterly. “Not yours? I don’t believe you. You’re a liar and a murderer.” He pushed me hard, and I fell to the floor.

“I regret ever making you my mate,” he spat. “I regret marrying you, loving you. You make me sick, Micah. You’re nothing but an evil, crazy woman.”

His words no longer cut deep. Maybe because the pain had already numbed everything inside me.

“Why would I hurt you, Renan?” I asked softly. “I still love you.”

He pinned my leg down, his grip so strong I thought he’d break it.

“Love?” he scoffed. “You think that word fixes anything? You think saying it changes what you did? You’ll never be worthy of love, Micah. Never.”

I was tired. Too tired to cry. I looked at myself in the broken mirror. My eyes were lifeless, my face pale and hollow. My brown hair was dry, tied carelessly behind me.

I used to be beautiful. I used to be cherished, pampered, loved—the daughter everyone believed would carry our bloodline’s strength.

Now, I was nothing.

Then, I heard the familiar flutter of wings. I ran to the window. Mon landed gracefully.

He carried a letter and a small pouch tied to his leg.

“Thank you,” I whispered, kissing his head.

I untied the letter and gave him two strips of meat, but he nudged them back toward me, refusing to eat. My throat tightened. My eyes stung with tears.

Mon cared more for me than the people I once called family.

I opened the letter, and the moment I saw my mother’s handwriting, the tears finally fell.

Micah’s POV

Back in my chamber, the room felt cold and empty. The walls held picture frames of my family, complete with Noah, my baby.

My eyes welled up as I stared at them. It was the only picture of a family once whole. Love could not change what happened. No matter how much I held onto it, it could not fix the broken pieces.

I had thought love was powerful, that it could last forever. I was wrong. The love I thought I had with Renan was nothing but an illusion, a fragile hope I had clung to since the Moon Goddess Feast in the Empire’s grand park.

I thought love would protect me from pain, that it would not shatter me into pieces.

I let out a heavy sigh, grabbed a frame, and smashed it into pieces. There was nothing left to fight for in this family.

I would leave for good, and I would bring justice for Noah. Those who killed him would pay.

I gathered everything that tied me to them—the family pictures, the wedding ring, the necklace Renan had given me, my dresses, Noah’s little clothes—and I burned it in the trashcan, inhaling the smoke as I let it go.

“What are you doing? Trying to burn the pack down?” Dominic barged in, eyes wide at the flames. “You crazy woman! Are you out of your mind?” He grabbed my arm and slammed me against the wall, calling for a servant to douse the fire with water.

I had thrown everything into that fire. There was nothing to salvage.

Dominic’s fury boiled over. He kicked me in the stomach. Blood and pain shot through me.

“You will be punished for trying to set us on fire!” he roared. “Father will never forgive this!”

“I am not trying to set fire, Dominic,” I said, my voice trembling.

He recoiled at the word son. “Don’t call me that! I don’t have a mother who would kill her own son!” His words choked him with rage.

“Say that again, and I’ll cut your tongue out! You crazy murderer!” he spat. I let him shout.

“You are right,” I said coldly. “I have no son. No family. Why would it matter?” I shoved him hard, and he stumbled back. I may not have been a wolf yet, but I was the most dangerous wolf in the realm the strongest, the smartest, one who could take down an army.

His eyes widened with fear. “You’re trying to kill me! You crazy woman!”

I stepped closer, leaning into the fear I saw in him. “You are not my son. I have no son anymore. You should not worry. You will never be my son.”

Then I passed him.

“Crazy woman! Where are you going?” he shouted.

“I’m crazy, right?” I said coldly. “Then I’ll be crazy. I have no family anymore.”

“I’ll call Father! You will be punished! You crazy woman!”

I went down the stairs and saw Dylan and Maurice entering. They were laughing about the food and the finest berry wine in the city.

Maurice waved at me. “Micah! You’re here! Take these bags. I’ll stay here. Isn’t it perfect?”

“It’s perfect, Mom,” Dylan smiled, though his eyes were on me. “Why didn’t you take them?”

I stared at the two large bags, then at Dylan, then at Maurice. Without a word, I grabbed them.

“Where should I take them?” I asked.

“You know where,” Maurice answered with a smile.

Once I placed the bags in Renan’s chamber, I stared at the room. Memories clung to every corner some sweet, some painful. I collected every gift I had given him, every watch, every piece of clothing, and stuffed them into a plastic bag. Then I went to Dylan’s room, and Dominic’s, taking everything I had given them.

I burned it all in the back.

They were no longer my family. My sons, my husband they were gone from me in every sense.

I watched the flames consume everything. Memories turned to ash. It meant nothing to me now.

Mama, I whispered to myself. I’ll be coming home soon, and I will take the throne you always wanted for me.