CHAPTER 1

I held the pregnancy test in my hand, staring at the two pink lines as I walked out of the pack healer's cottage. After five years of marriage to Alpha Dominic, I was finally pregnant. My heart was filled with happiness as I placed the test into my purse.

I'd already stopped by the gift shop in town, picking up the watch he'd been eyeing for months. The saleswoman had wrapped it beautifully with a silver bow which was his favorite color.

As I pulled out my phone to text Dominic that I was coming to surprise him, it buzzed with a notification. An unknown number had sent me several videos. Curious, I pulled over and opened the first one.

There was Dominic, his arms wrapped around a beautiful blonde woman, Selena. His ex-girlfriend, the daughter of the neighboring Alpha. The woman he'd sworn meant nothing to him anymore.

He was smiling at her, looking at her the way he used to look at me.

With trembling fingers, I played the next video. They were kissing and his hands were tangled in her hair. The timestamp showed it was from yesterday.

I started the car in a daze and drove home. When I pulled into our driveway, I noticed an unfamiliar car parked near the side entrance, the one that led directly to our bedroom.

I slipped into the house quietly, following the sound of voices until I reached the hallway outside our bedroom. The door was slightly opened, and I could hear them clearly.

"So you mean Reina hasn't suspected anything?" Selena's voice came through the door.

"Not yet.” Dominic replied with a cruel chuckle. “She's too busy trying to get pregnant while I've been taking those fertility-suppressing herbs for the past five years."

"That's genius of you," Selena purred, "but how then did I get pregnant with your child if you've been taking herbs?"

My heart stopped immediately. Pregnant? Selena is pregnant?

"I stopped taking them when you came back," Dominic said proudly. "I wanted you to have my pup, not her. I could never bear having a child with her."

"Just as it should be," Selena said smugly. "We'll finally be together as true mates should."

“I'm going to dissolve our bond," Dominic declared. "Reina will understand it's for the best. The pack needs stronger heirs than she could ever provide."

"But what about her mother?" Selena asked. "Do you think she'll ever know the truth about her? That her mother was framed for betraying the pack?"

My head snapped up. My mother had been banished from the territory five years ago, accused of leaking territory maps to the rogues. I had never believed she was guilty.

"That you were the one who actually leaked our territory maps to the rogues?" Dominic laughed coldly. "No one would believe it. Her mother was banished years ago. Everyone's forgotten about her."

"It worked perfectly," Selena said. "With her mother gone, Reina had no family left. She was so desperate for love that she fell right into your arms."

The pregnancy test slipped from my fingers and clattered to the floor. A small gasp escaped my lips before I could stop it.

The conversation inside immediately stopped. I scrambled to pick up the test and ran down the hallway to my private study, closing the door quietly behind me. My whole body trembled as I sank to the floor, tears falling down my face.

Everything had been a lie. Every touch, every kiss, every promise. The man I had given everything to had been plotting against me all along. He had taken my mother from me and now he planned to take my future as well.

I heard his footsteps in the hallway, coming closer. Quickly, I wiped my tears and straightened my clothes. I slipped the pregnancy test into my pocket just as he opened the door.

"Luna?" he called out. "Are you alright? I thought I heard something."

I forced a smile. "I'm fine," I said softly. "Just a bit tired."

Relief flooded his handsome face. He crossed the room and pulled me into his arms, kissing my forehead tenderly. "You work too hard," he murmured against my skin. "You should rest."

I let him hold me, let him believe I was still his naive and trusting Luna.

"I love you," he whispered, and I wondered how many times he had practiced those words to make them sound so sincere.

"I love you too," I lied, my mind already racing with plans.

He kissed me once more before leaving, promising to check on me later. As soon as the door closed, I let the tears fall freely again. But these weren't tears of despair. These were tears of rage and of determination.

My hand moved protectively over my stomach. This child deserved better and mother deserved justice.

Alpha Dominic had taken everything from me but now I would take everything from him.

Starting from his precious Selena.

CHAPTER 2

I was walking toward the garden when I heard Dominic's voice from his study.

"I miss you too,"His tone was warm and intimate in a way it never was with me. "I can't wait to see you tonight."

My claws extended out but I forced them back. I took a deep breath, and pushed the door open with a bright smile pasted on my face.

Dominic turned quickly, his phone disappearing into his pocket. "Luna. I didn't hear you coming."

"Pack meeting reports," I said, holding up a folder I'd grabbed from my office. "Who was that?"

"Alpha Marcus from the Southern Ridge," he lied smoothly. "Pack alliance discussions."

I nodded as if I believed him. "How's it going?"

"Good," he said, coming closer to wrap his arms around me. "I need to head to their territory today for formal negotiations. I'll be back tomorrow night."

I leaned into his embrace and murmured. "Be safe."

"Always am." He kissed the top of my head. "I've got something worth coming back to."

After Dominic left, I waited exactly thirty minutes before making my move. I had to find evidence of the herbs he'd been taking, something concrete to prove his betrayal.

I entered our bedroom and went straight to his nightstand. Nothing in the drawers but books and a watch. His closet revealed nothing suspicious either. I moved to the bathroom, searching through his toiletries and medicine cabinet. Still nothing.

I returned to the bedroom and knelt beside the bed. There, underneath, was a small wooden box I'd never noticed before.

Inside were dozens of empty vials, each labeled with the same script: *Fertility Suppressant – Take Daily*. There was a single vial still half-full of liquid.

"Perfect," I whispered, slipping the half-empty vial into my pocket.

But I needed more than just this. The vial would prove his deception about our inability to conceive, but I needed evidence about my mother or Selena's betrayal of the pack.

As night fell, I got into my car and drove toward the outskirts of our territory, to a place I hadn't visited in years—the home of Mira, my mother's closest friend and the pack's former Beta female before my mother's banishment.

Before I could even knock, the door swung open.

"Reina," Mira gasped, her eyes widening as she took in my presence. "What happened?"

"I know the truth," I said simply. "About my mother. About what Dominic did. About everything."

She pulled me inside quickly, checking the darkness outside before locking the door behind us. "How much do you know?" she asked.

"Enough to destroy them," I replied. "But I need your help."

"You have it," she said. "I've been waiting for this day."

We spent hours huddled at her kitchen table. Mira still had connections—wolves loyal to my mother who had never believed the lies, warriors who had been forced out of the pack when they questioned my mother's banishment. She had names, locations and promises of support.

There's something else you should know," Mira said finally. "Your mother... she's alive."

"What?" I whispered. "But Dominic said—"

"Dominic lied," Mira cut in sharply. "After her banishment, she went to the Northern Crescent pack. They gave her sanctuary. She's been waiting and gathering support. Waiting for you to learn the truth."

Tears spilled down my cheeks—the first I'd allowed myself since discovering Dominic's betrayal. "Take me to her."

"Not yet," Mira cautioned, squeezing my hands. "It's too dangerous. Dominic has spies everywhere. But soon."

She released my hands and walked to a small drawer, extracting a sleek black phone. "Untraceable," she explained, handing it to me. "When you're ready, call the number saved in it. Your mother will answer."

I clutched it like a lifeline, this connection to the mother I'd thought lost forever.

Dawn was breaking when I left Mira's cabin with resources gathered and a network of allies at my disposal. But I made one more stop before returning home.

The pack healer's cottage stood silent in the early morning light. I didn't bother knocking. I pushed open the door to find Elena already awake, mixing herbs at her table.

“Luna Reina!" she gasped, nearly dropping her mortar and pestle.

"I know what you did," I said coldly. "The fertility suppressant herbs for Dominic and the treatments for him."

"I don't know what you're talking about," she stammered, but her hands shook.

I pulled the vial from my pocket. "This. You've been making this for years."

The healer's face paled. She set down her mortar and pestle with shaking hands. "I was merely following the Alpha's orders."

"And what about your oath to protect all pack members?" I stepped closer. "Did that mean nothing when you helped him keep me childless? When you helped Selena conceive his child?"

"What do you want from me?"

"Nothing," I said, raising my phone. "I just wanted you to admit it."

Her eyes widened as she realized I'd been recording our entire conversation.

"What will you do?" she whispered.

"That depends," I said. "Are you loyal to the Alpha... or to the mother of the true heir to Silver Moon pack?"

She blinked rapidly. "Wait—you're pregnant?"

"Apparently the Moon Goddess intervened," I replied coolly. "Or should I say, he got careless. So what's it going to be?"

She hesitated only briefly before kneeling. "I serve the true bloodline. Your child is the rightful heir."

"Then help me with a potion to mask my pregnancy from everyone—including Dominic until I'm ready for the truth to be known."

She moved to her shelves immediately, gathering ingredients. "It will be done, Luna."

I returned to the pack house just as the sun fully rose, hearing Dominic car in the driveway. He was back early. Perfect.

I smoothed my dress, applied fresh lipstick and positioned myself in the kitchen. The front door opened. "Luna?" he called out. "I'm home early. Missed you too much."

I smiled at my reflection in the kitchen window, watching the dangerous woman I was becoming.

"In here," I called back sweetly. "I've been waiting for you."

CHAPTER 3

Dominic appeared in the doorway, his face lighting up at the sight of me. In three long steps, he crossed the kitchen and wrapped his arms around me.

"I missed you so much," he whispered against my hair.

I returned his embrace, ignoring the way my wolf recoiled inside me. As he held me close, I caught the unmistakable scent of honeysuckle and jasmine perfume clinging to his skin. Selena's scent.

I pulled back while keeping my smile intact. "How was your trip? I thought you said you'd be back tomorrow night."

"The negotiations went faster than expected," he replied, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Alpha Marcus was very... accommodating."

I nodded, pretending to believe the lie. "That's wonderful. Are you hungry? I made your favorite."

His eyes brightened. "Starving."

I served him a plate of the venison stew I'd prepared earlier, watching as he devoured it with enthusiasm. I sat across from him, nursing a cup of tea and waiting.

"Speaking of news," Dominic said between bites, "we're going to have a guest staying with us for a while."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Who?"

"Selena," he said. "Her father's territory is dealing with some rogue attacks near their borders. I offered our protection until things settle down."

I gripped my teacup tighter, the glass nearly cracking under my fingers. "You mean your ex will be staying here? In our home?"

"Former ex," he corrected. "Now she's just an ally. Her father is an important pack leader, Reina. We need their allegiance."

I took a sip of tea to hide my reaction. How much more would they infiltrate my life? How much longer would they mock me under my own roof?

I forced myself to take a deep breath. "When will she arrive?"

"In two days," he replied, pushing his empty plate away. "I need to head out for another pack meeting. Can you prepare the blue guest room for her?"

I nodded, watching as he stood, dropped a quick kiss on my forehead and left without another backward glance.

After Dominic left, I went to the guest bedroom at the far end of the house. If Selena was going to stay with us, I wanted her as far from our bedroom as possible. I changed the linens and placed fresh towels in the adjoining bathroom.

As I smoothed down the comforter, I pulled out the untraceable phone Mira had given me. My thumb hovered over the single number saved in its contacts. Not yet, I told myself. I needed more evidence and more allies. When I struck, it would be decisive.

I slipped the phone back into my pocket and continued preparing for our unwelcome guest.

Two days later, I heard a car pull into the driveway. I stood at the top of the grand staircase, watching as the front door opened.

Selena entered and stood in the doorway, surveying our home like she already owned it. She was still the same as I remembered—beautiful, with her long blonde hair cascading over her shoulders.

"Reina," she said. "It's been so long."

"Selena," I replied coolly. "Welcome to our home."

She glanced around with her calculative gazs. "Where's the Alpha? He said he would receive me personally."

The way she said "personally" made my blood boil, but I maintained my composure.

"He had an urgent matter to attend to," I lied. "He should be back soon. Would you like something to drink while you wait?"

"Water would be fine," she said dismissively, moving past me to enter the living room. She sat on the couch, my usual spot and crossed her legs, looking completely at home.

I brought her water, setting it on the coffee table without a word. Finally, the sound of Dominic's car broke the tension. The front door opened, and he appeared, his eyes immediately seeking out Selena.

I stood, intending to greet my husband as any dutiful Luna would, but he walked right past me. He crossed the room and pulled Selena into a tight embrace that lasted far too long.

"You made it safely," he said with genuine concern. "I was worried."

Selena smiled up at him. "The journey was fine. Though my hands are hurting from carrying my bags. They're still outside."

Only then did Dominic seem to notice me standing there, watching their reunion with anger. He had the decency to look slightly embarrassed.

"Reina," he said. "Could you help Selena bring her bags in? Put them in the blue guest room."

I stared at him, unable to believe what I was hearing. My husband, the Alpha, was asking me,his Luna to act as a servant for his mistress.