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.

CHAPTER 4

I forced a smile masking the rage burning through me.

"Of course," I said with a practiced smile. "I'd be happy to help our guest."

Selena smirked as I walked past her to the front door. Outside, three large suitcases sat by her car, as if she was planning to stay for months rather than weeks. I grabbed the smallest one first, not wanting to strain myself in my condition.

One by one, I carried the heavy suitcases up the stairs and down the hall to the blue guest room. My arms ached by the time I finished, but I refused to show weakness.

"Is there anything else you need?" I asked pleasantly as Selena entered the room.

"I think I can manage from here," she replied, making a dismissive gesture with her hand. "You can go now."

I nodded and closed the door behind me, but I didn't leave. There was something very suspicious in her bag, and I trust my Instinct.

Instead, I listened, hearing the click of the lock. Perfect. I waited in the hallway, counting seconds until I heard the shower turn on in the bathroom.

Silently, I unlocked the door using my master key and slipped back inside. I moved quickly to the largest suitcase and unzipped it carefully.

The zipper slid open silently, revealing neatly folded clothes on top .I pushed them aside and froze. There, carefully wrapped in cloth, was a large bundle of dried purple flowers—consecrated wolfsbane, the most potent form that could weaken even an Alpha. Beside it lay a silver dagger, its handle inscribed with ancient runes known to cause excruciating pain to our kind.

My hands trembled as I reached deeper into the suitcase. Underneath a layer of silk scarves, I found it, a folded map of our territory. I spread it open carefully. Red circles marked strategic points—our guard posts, patrol routes, and most alarming of all, the underground tunnels known only to pack leadership.

"What are you planning?" I whispered, quickly pulling out my phone to snap pictures of everything. I sent them to Mira with a simple text: Found these in Selena's luggage. She's planning something. It's worse than we thought.

Her response came seconds later: Not surprising. Keep watching. Stay safe.

From my pocket, I retrieved the tiny listening devices and cameras Mira had given me. I worked swiftly, placing one under the nightstand, another in the closet, and a third behind the mirror. Just as I finished, I heard the shower turn off.

I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. There was no time to reach the door. I dove under the bed, tucking myself into the shadows just as the bathroom door opened. Selena's bare feet padded across the hardwood floor. She moved to the suitcase I'd just searched, and I held my breath, certain I'd been discovered.

But she merely grabbed some clothes and returned to the bathroom. I didn't waste the opportunity. I slipped out from under the bed and out the door, closing it silently behind me.

My next stop was Dominic's study. I planted devices in the bookshelf, under his desk, and inside the small clock on the wal l.As I finished, I heard footsteps approaching. I quickly positioned myself at the desk, pretending to organize papers as Dominic entered.

"What are you doing in here?" he asked, his voice sharp with suspicion.

I looked up innocently. "Just organizing your schedule for the week. I wanted to make sure you had time for the border patrol reports tomorrow."

He seemed to accept this, his posture relaxing. "Always so thoughtful," he murmured, but there was no warmth in his voice. "Dinner should be ready by seven, right?"

"Of course, Alpha," I replied.

*******

Dinner was a masterclass in pretense. I sat at my usual place at the end of the table, while Dominic and Selena engaged in their conversation about pack politics, old friends, and shared memories. They barely acknowledged my presence except when they needed something passed to them.

"The venison is excellent, Reina," Selena commented, her tone suggesting surprise that I could accomplish something so basic.

"Thank you," I said, smiling. "It's Dominic's favorite."

"Oh, I know," she replied with a knowing look. "He always did prefer his meat rare and fresh."

The double meaning wasn't lost on me. I maintained my smile even as my wolf snarled within me.

"More wine, Selena?" I offered.

"Please," she replied, holding out her glass. As I poured, her free hand slipped beneath the table to rest on Dominic's thigh and he didn't move away.

After dinner, I excused myself, claiming a headache. Neither seemed particularly disappointed by my departure.

In our bedroom, I changed into my nightgown and sat at my vanity, brushing my hair with precise strokes. The door opened, and Dominic entered.

"Is your headache better?" he asked, not quite meeting my eyes.

"Much," I lied. "How is our guest settling in?"

"She's comfortable," he said, removing his watch. "I'll be working late in my study tonight. Don't wait up."

I nodded, watching him grab clothes from the dresser before disappearing into the bathroom. When he came closer, he kissed my forehead and left.

I waited thirty minutes before retrieving my tablet from its hiding place in my drawer. I connected my tablet to the hidden cameras, and hit play.

I was about to give up for the night when Selena's phone rang. She answered it immediately with her voice barely whispers.

"Yes, everything is in place," she said. "The Luna suspects nothing."

I leaned closer to my screen, straining to hear.

"He actually bought the lie about me being pregnant ," she continued with a laugh. "He believes it. Men are so easily fooled when they want something to be true."

My hand instinctively moved to my stomach, where my own secret grew stronger each day.

"Once I'm officially announced as his new mate, we'll implement the next phase," Selena continued. "The pack will be ours by the full moon. My father's warriors are ready."

There was a pause as she listened to whoever was on the other line.

"And the Luna?" Selena's voice turned cold. "If she becomes a problem, I'll handle her personally. No one will question if she has an... unfortunate accident.

I turned off the tablet, my heart hammering in my chest. They weren't just planning to humiliate me or push me aside, they were planning to kill me if necessary. And they weren't just after my position ,they wanted the entire pack.

As I set the tablet down, a floorboard creaked behind me. I whirled around to find Selena standing in the doorway, her eyes fixed on the screen showing her room.

"So," She said, her voice deadly calm as she closed the door behind her. "You've been spying on me."

CHAPTER 5

I slipped out of bed at dawn, leaving Dominic sleeping soundly. His arm had been across my waist all night, though his dreams had called out Selena's name twice.

The kitchen had always been my sanctuary. I prepared a hearty breakfast—eggs, bacon, and fresh blueberry pancakes that Dominic loved. My hands worked automatically while my mind plotted.

"Playing housewife so early?" Selena's mocking voice broke the silence.

I didn't turn around. "Good morning, Selena." I said pleasantly, turning back to the gas cooker. "Sleep well?"

She came closer, wearing nothing but one of Dominic's shirts that barely reached mid-thigh. My claws threatened to emerge, but I forced them back.

"Terribly," she sighed dramatically. "The guest room bed is so uncomfortable. Maybe I should ask Dominic if I could sleep somewhere more... suitable."

My hand tightened around the spatula. "I'm sure we can find you a better mattress."

She moved closer, her honeysuckle scent invading my space. "Don't pretend you don't know what's happening, Reina. I've seen the way you look at us."

I kept my focus on the eggs. "I'm not sure what you mean."

"Dominic doesn't love you," she said bluntly. "He never has. You were just convenient after I left."

The spatula clattered against the pan. "You need to stop."

"Why?" she challenged. "Because you can't handle the truth? That your marriage is a sham? That your mother was right to betray—"

The sound of my palm hitting her cheek echoed through the kitchen. Selena's eyes widened in shock, then narrowed with malice.

You little bitch," she hissed, her hand flying to her reddening cheek just as heavy footsteps approached.

Dominic appeared in the doorway, his expression darkening as he took in the scene. "What the hell is going on?"

Before I could speak, Selena burst into tears. "I was just trying to be friendly," she sobbed. "I told her how much I appreciated her hospitality, and she attacked me!"

Dominic's eyes flashed dangerously as he turned to me. "Is this how you treat our guests? Our allies?"

"She's lying," I said, my voice surprisingly steady despite my racing heart. "She was insulting our marriage."

Selena hid her face in his chest, her body shaking with false sobs. "I thought we were friends, Reina. I don't understand why you hate me."

Dominic's arm tightened around her. "Apologize to Selena. Now."

I felt my wolf raging inside me, demanding we challenge them both. But the tiny life inside me needed protection more than my pride needed satisfaction.

"I'm sorry, Selena," I managed, the words tasting like ash. "I misunderstood the situation."

Dominic nodded curtly. "Finish breakfast. We have pack business to discuss."

He guided Selena to a seat at the table, his hand lingering on her lower back. I turned back to the stove, my hands trembling with rage.

****

Later that afternoon, I slipped away to Mira's cabin, passing through the woods unnoticed by Dominic's patrol guards.

"It's worse than we thought," Mira said after reviewing the photos I'd taken. "These marks on the map ,they're planning an attack through the northern border."

"When?" I asked.

"A day after the full moon. Fifteen days from now." She pointed to a date marked on the map. "They need Dominic weakened before then."

"The wolfsbane," I realized. "She's poisoning him slowly."

Mira nodded. "You need to be careful. The dose that weakens him could kill your child."

I placed a protective hand over my stomach. "What should I do?"

"Continue gathering evidence," she advised. "But we need to make contact with Alpha Mark of the Northern Crescent. He's been sheltering your mother and he's also our strongest potential ally."

She handed me a small vial of clear liquid. "This will protect your baby from any wolfsbane that might find its way into your food."

As I left Mira's cabin, my phone buzzed with a text from the pack's Beta: Emergency meeting called. All council members required.

I hurried back to the pack house, slipping in through the kitchen entrance.

______

After the emergency meeting, I made my way to the pack archives housed in the basement of the main building. The elderly archivist, Joel, looked up in surprise as I entered.

"Luna Reina," he greeted me warmly. "What brings you here today?"

"Research," I replied. "I need information about pack law regarding Luna succession."

His eyebrows rose. "An unusual request. May I ask why?"

"Just refreshing my knowledge," I said smoothly. "Could you also pull the records from five years ago? Particularly regarding my mother's trial?"

Joel hesitated. "Those are sealed by Alpha's orders."

I leaned forward. "Joel, how long have you known my mother?"

"Twenty years," he replied softly. "She was a good woman ,right?."

"Then help me now," I whispered. "Please."

He studied my face before nodding slowly. "Wait here."

Joel disappeared into the stacks then he returned, placing an ancient leather-bound book and a sealed folder before me. "Be careful, Luna," he murmured. "These are dangerous waters."

I opened the book to find the answer I needed—and something else entirely. Inside was a handwritten confession signed by Dominic, detailing exactly how he and Selena had framed my mother for treason.