"Mom, wake up! I'm scared!"

The room was pitch black, save for the faint moonlight spilling through the window.

Leo pushed me with his small hands, his voice trembling.

I tried to pull him into my arms, but my hands passed right through him.

I couldn't touch him.

"Mom, I'm scared of the dark! Make the moonstone glow!"

When I didn't answer, he curled up on the bed and began to whimper, the sound tearing me apart.

Normally, I would have soothed him instantly, using my energy to light the moonstone and calm him, but now—no matter how he cried—I could do nothing.

Finally, he slid off the bed, sobbing, and lit the bedside moonstone with his own mental energy.

He hesitated, glanced back at me, then shuffled toward the ritual room.

I watched him rummage through the storage cabinet.

I always kept the energy supplements on a high shelf, so he only managed to find a single life-fruit used to replenish energy.

He cupped the fruit carefully in his hands, rinsed it in the purification basin, then trotted back to the bedroom and gently pressed it to my lips.

When I remained silent, his small face fell.

He took the life-fruit back, climbed onto the bed, and draped a leg over me as he always did, nibbling at the fruit.

"Mom, are you just tired? It's okay. You sleep, and we'll play tomorrow."

His thought was a small comfort through our mind-link, and he pressed his small hand to mine, as if making a promise.

I covered my mouth, silent sobs wracking my ghostly form.

Leo, baby, it's not that I don't want to. I just... I can't.

Eventually, he fell asleep again.

At dawn, the main door of the Alpha’s house was thrown open with a bang, startling him awake.

Leo sat up, instinctively burrowing closer to me—then froze, realizing I wouldn't move.

Heart pounding, he rushed to the door.

Aidan stood there, scowling.

"Why are you up so early? Where's your mother?"

"Why hasn't she activated the house's energy circulation array yet?" Aidan grumbled, heading to the ritual room to pour himself a glass of moon-well water.

"It's this late, and she's still neglecting her duties!"

Leo tugged on his pant leg, gesturing as he spoke.

"Dad, Mom's in the room, but she won't move. I'm hungry. I want to eat."

Yes! Leo, take him to the bedroom. Quickly!

If Aidan saw me, he would know I was gone.

At least then Leo wouldn't be in trouble.

But Aidan impatiently shook Leo off.

"If you're hungry, go get your mother. Don't bother me—I need to meditate!"

He muttered under his breath, "Honestly, Elara."

"She's letting a pup run around barefoot this early. Doesn’t she care that he’ll drain his energy?"

Still grumbling, he finally shuffled after Leo toward the master bedroom.

I held my breath.

Three steps.

Two steps.

One step.

Any second now, Aidan would see me—and realize he had killed his own mate with his own hands.

Just as Aidan was about to step into the master bedroom, an urgent mind-link interrupted him.

"Aidan, I'm hurt. I was injured by a rogue wolf during training. Can you come help me?" Seraphina's voice came through, sounding weak and pitiful.

Aidan froze.

"Okay, I'm on my way. Hold on!"

Without a second thought, he turned to leave, but Leo grabbed his pant leg.

"Dad, come see Mom!" Leo whimpered, trying to pull him toward the bedroom.

Aidan shoved him away with his foot, annoyed.

"I have important things to do. Go wake your mother and have her get your formal wear ready for the banquet."

He snatched a coat and rushed out the door.

I waved my arms, screaming like a madwoman.

"Don't go! Just one look! She's lying, but I'm dead!"

But of course, Aidan couldn't hear me.

He was already halfway to his precious Seraphina.

The door slammed shut, rattling the walls and making Leo jump.

He let out a loud howl that echoed through the empty Alpha’s house.

Eventually, he shuffled back to the bedroom, climbed onto the bed, and curled up next to my body.

I wept too, watching him.

Moon Goddess, how I wished I could pick him up and tell him everything would be okay.

But I couldn't.

Leo hadn't been away from me since the day he was born—not once.

He must be so scared.

What can I do? How can I save my pup?

His howls didn't stop, instead catching the attention of a nearby pack patrol member.

A knock sounded—loud and urgent, rattling the door.

"Can't you keep that pup quiet? All that wailing is disturbing the whole pack's peace!"

The patrolman banged on the door, clearly annoyed that his patrol route had been disrupted.

My heart leaped.

I looked at Leo.

Leo, you just have to open the door. That's all it will take to save you.

I knelt beside him, my voice soft and steady.

"You're my little warrior, okay?"

"Go open the door."

"Let the man in. He'll help you. I promise."

I begged him over and over, trying to make my voice sound braver than I felt.

But the knocking was too scary.

He burrowed under the covers, his small hands clamped over his mouth as if he thought that would make the noise go away.

"No, no, baby, don't hide," I said, panicking.

"Leo, you're strong! Don't be afraid. Mom's here, I'm right here with you!"

But of course, he couldn't hear me.

I was just a ghost whispering in the silence.

In frustration, I rushed to the door and passed through the wall.

"Sir, please! Inform the elders! My pup is inside!"

I screamed in the patrolman's face, my words as useless as air.

I even tried to grab his hand, to push it toward the doorknob, but my own hand passed right through. The cruel reality of being a spirit.

Oh, right. I'm dead.

I floated back to the bedroom, but it was quiet outside now.

Leo shuffled to the door, his face illuminated by the magical viewer.

The screen showed the patrolman was still knocking, still muttering.

"Leo, touch the lock! Open the door!" I shouted, my voice raw from the effort.

His hand hovered over the doorknob.

He froze, uncertain.

I held my breath.

Come on, my warrior. Just a touch. You can do it.

The patrolman grumbled louder.

"If you don't quiet that pup—honestly! This is insane!" he finally snapped, then turned to leave.

Leo tilted his head, as if weighing his options.

"Leo, please! The man is leaving! You have to move—now!" I pleaded, my voice trembling.