SAVANNAH

“She can stay.”

That was the first mistake as I came to realize over the months that had passed because from that moment onward, everything fell apart.

Well, at least it did for me.

“Savannah, are you listening to me?”

I blinked, snapping out of my spiraling thoughts to focus on the man across the table. Luther Scott—my father’s best friend and the only person I could trust to speak the truth—watched me with an expression that screamed pity.

“I’m sorry, Luther. I zoned out. It won’t happen again.”

His gaze softened, though it didn’t erase the sadness etched in his features. He reached across the table, his hand squeezing mine with the same warmth that had comforted me since childhood.

“I hate that this is happening to you, Savannah. But I have to say it, even though it won’t make things easier.” He hesitated, his voice low and full of regret. “I warned you. I told you not to merge your pack with Evan’s. Your father gave you the pack because he knew your potential. He believed in you. You could’ve been a great Alpha, but instead, you chose to be his Luna. Now, it’s out of my hands. If you want to leave Evan, you’ll have to do it without your pack.”

The words hit like a punch to the chest. I closed my eyes, swallowing the bitterness they carried.

This wasn’t how things were supposed to go.

I shouldn’t have had to spend the last four months of my life being treated like a stranger in my own home. Four months of watching Evan, the man who had promised to love me till the end of time treat me like an afterthought.

And all because of her.

The woman he brought into our lives under the pretense of innocence—a façade I had seen through immediately. She was a manipulative viper, but no one else seemed to notice. When no one was looking, she made sure I knew exactly what she was: a scheming, vicious interloper who was determined to replace me as Luna.

At first, I fought back. I tried to make Evan see her for what she was but my efforts only pushed him further into her arms and the betrayal stung even more like nothing I’d ever known.

But I didn’t care anymore. It was difficult but I had simply let go… she could be his Luna.

I was supposed to be an Alpha before I put love first and handed over the reins of my pack to him. Now, all I wanted to do was walk away.

With my pack.

Unfortunately, reality had just slammed into me hard that I was truly about to lose everything. Blinking back tears, I forced myself to stay strong meeting his gaze.

“So there’s really nothing I can do?” My voice wavered despite my effort to keep it steady. “I didn’t know it would come to this, Luther. I… I loved him. I gave him everything. I took a hit intended for him that should have killed him—that’s why I can’t have children. I sacrificed so much for him, and now he chooses her? After everything I’ve done? Ho can he bring her in? How can he not see her for what she is?”

The tears I’d been holding back spilled over, and I hated myself for it. Hated how much I still cared when I should’ve been stronger.

Luther stood, coming around the table to pull me into a warm embrace. “I’m so sorry, Savannah. I wish there was something I could do but it’s out of my hands. Have you asked him? He might give you your pack.”

Wiping the tears from my face, a sad smile graced my face, “I’m not telling him anything until

everything is set and I am ready to reject him. It doesn’t matter, Evan will never hand over my pack amicably. The power from mine bleeds into his, after six years he won’t let that go.”

Luther nodded in understanding, still robbing my back like he used to do when I was a little, like he still did because ever since my parents died, he had stepped in and filled the role. Silence stretched between us and I finally said the words I had really come here to say because Luther being able to help me was a long shot.

“There is one person with enough power to unmerge our packs.”

The moment the words left my lips, Luther pulled away and from the look on his face, the real reason why I had come to him had clicked. He shook his head, “No, Savannah. No. That’s why you came to me. Not to ask for my help but to get to him.”

“Uncle Luther—“

“No, Savannah!” His tone was sharp, final. “Thane Blackwood might be the Alpha King, but he is not someone you should ever associate with.”

“And what if I had chosen to remain an Alpha? If I hadn’t merged the packs?” I shot back, my frustration rising. “Wouldn’t I have had to meet him eventually?”

“That would’ve been different,” he countered, his voice firm. “But now you have nothing. Asking for his help would be you walking into a slaughter without any form of defense. You don’t understand what you’re asking for.”

His eyes locked onto mine, the severity of his words sending a chill down my spine. “The rumors don’t even begin to describe the man he is. Thane Blackwood isn’t just dangerous—he’s worse than the devil himself. If you cross paths with him, Savannah, it won’t end well. It’ll end in your ruin.”

SAVANNAH

"How dare you?!"

The door slammed shut behind Evan, making the painting on the wall tremble, its rattling echo punctuating his outburst. I silently counted to three, willing myself to remain calm before looking up from the stack of papers I was reviewing. Another dramatic performance, courtesy of Cecily.

“How dare I what?” My tone was clipped, my boredom evident as I uncrossed my legs and stood to face him.

His eyes burned with fury, dark and unrelenting. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you these past weeks, but this has to stop. For goodness’ sake, Savannah, she’s carrying our child, and you seem determined to do everything in your power to make her lose the baby!”

Breathe, Savannah. Just breathe.

“Let me guess,” I said calmly, folding my arms. “She told you some wild story about me again, didn’t she? Like when she ‘accidentally’ got too close to the fire and blamed me for telling her to stand there. Or when she cut herself moving kitchenware because I supposedly told her to move them, even though there are omegas for that. Or the time she ‘almost fell’ down the stairs because she was supposedly rushing to answer my call, even though I wasn’t even in the packhouse?” I paused, tapping my temple mockingly. “Honestly, Evan, it’s exhausting how you can’t see through her constant lies. She’s full of bullshit, and you’re eating it up like a starved puppy.”

His hand shot out, lightning-fast, and wrapped around my neck. His wolf surged to the surface, blackening his eyes with rage. My wolf roared in response, and I shoved him back with every ounce of my strength, breaking his hold.

“Don’t you dare lay a hand on me,” I hissed, my voice like steel. “I’ve let you play the superior male, but don’t forget yourself, Evan. I’m an Alpha female, and I won’t tolerate this. I don’t care what Cecily said this time. I’ve had enough of her nonsense and your tantrums from it. Leave my room. I have work to do.”

His eyes narrowed dangerously as he stepped closer. “No, Savannah. You’re the one who’s forgotten yourself. I’ve put up with your behavior long enough. Don’t push me any further, or there will be consequences—ones you won’t want to face. Do nothing to jeopardize this child, or—”

“Enough,” My voice was cold, my patience at its limit. “This conversation is over. Get out.” I pointed to the door, my gaze unwavering.

Evan glared at me, his anger palpable. Without another word, he turned sharply on his heel and stormed out, slamming the door so hard the walls seemed to shudder.

I exhaled heavily, the sound filled with weariness as I sat on the edge of my bed. This was what we had become—constant fights, accusations flung like weapons, all because he refused to see her for what she truly was.

Whatever love we once shared was hanging by the thinnest thread, and I knew it was only a matter of time before it snapped entirely.

When it did, I’d walk away. But walking away would mean leaving everything behind, and Luther had made sure that I stayed away from the one man who could actually change things for me. Another sigh escaped my lips and I decided to go find something to eat because Evan had managed to completely ruin my mood and disrupt my focus.

As I stepped into the packhouse kitchen, the chatter of the two omegas present instantly ceased. Their heads bowed low, their voices soft with deference. “Luna.”

I nodded briefly, about to respond, when her voice cut through the air like poisoned honey.

“Luna,” Cecily cooed, her tone dripping with false sweetness like it did whenever people were present. “I didn’t realize you were here. You could have sent for me. I would have brought whatever you needed to you.”

I turned slowly to face her, my patience razor-thin. “Save it, Cecily. You’ve won. I have no interest in playing your games anymore, so drop the act.”

Her eyes widened in mock surprise, one of her hands fluttering to her chest then the other reached for me, “Luna, I’m sorry if my—”

“Don’t.” I stepped back before she touched me, cutting her off sharply. “Don’t touch me.”

And then it happened.

Her eyes flickered with triumph just before she stumbled backward like I had pushed her, landing on the floor with an exaggerated cry. “My stomach!”

Shock rendered me immobile for a moment even worse, blood began to seep through her dress, staining the fabric in deep crimson.

“No,” I whispered, my mind racing.

Evan burst into the kitchen, his gaze filled with shock snapping to Cecily on the floor before settling on me. His expression hardened instantly, his voice icy and accusing.

“What have you done, Savannah?”

SAVANNAH

"What do you mean she’s moving into the Alpha’s quarters?"

The words left my mouth sharper than I intended, but I couldn’t hold back the surge of anger that surged through me. The omega in front of me flinched, her eyes wide with fear as she clutched the basket of freshly folded linens tighter against her chest.

“It’s what the Alpha decided, Luna,” she mumbled, avoiding my gaze. “He said it’s for the child’s safety.”

For the child’s safety?

My fists clenched at my sides as my thoughts raced. Evan was going too far. I had tolerated the whispers, the constant accusations, the endless charade Cecily played to make herself the victim. After that kitchen incident, where I discovered she had planted the blood herself to frame me—nothing to do with her or the baby—I was done tolerating this.

I forced a breath into my lungs, holding on to the shred of composure I had left. “Did he say anything else?”

The omega hesitated, then shook her head quickly before bowing and hurrying away, leaving me standing alone in the corridor with my thoughts. This wasn’t about safety. This was Cecily’s doing, another move in her game to push me further into the shadows while she wormed her way deeper into Evan’s favor.

And for the first time in weeks, I realized I wasn’t just angry or emracing letting go—I was done.

I spun on my heel and marched off to find Evan. I knew he was scheduled to have a meeting with the pack warriors, but when I reached the clearing, it was empty. Then I spotted Jax, the Beta.

"Jax!" I called, striding toward him.

He bowed his head, offering me a strained smile—the kind he’d given ever since this mess began. Jax and I used to be close, but the rift between Evan and me had forced him to choose sides. He chose his Alpha.

I returned his smile with a curt nod, keeping my expression neutral. "Have you seen Evan?"

"Something came up," he said, his tone careful. "He had to leave the pack. That’s why the meeting was canceled."

"Alright. What about Cecily?"

His eyes flashed with unease, and he looked past me, toward the woods that stretched to the borders of our territory. "I don’t know exactly where she is, but the last time I saw her, she said she was going for a short stroll in the woods."

My jaw tightened. Cecily in the woods alone and pregnant was reckless. I didn’t care for her, and frankly, not for the baby either, but wandering off like that was dangerous.

"Why wasn’t she escorted?" I asked sharply.

"I offered," Jax admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "But she said she wouldn’t go far—just needed some time away from the endless drama and from…"

His words trailed off, but I didn’t need him to finish the sentence.

Time away from me.

That pretentious, manipulative little snake. My wolf growled, the urge to rip her apart clawing at me.

I nodded curtly, thanking Jax for the information, then spun on my heel again. I told myself to let it go. That had been my mantra for weeks now butt the anger simmering in me—fueled by my wolf—had reached its breaking point.

I had taken a lot of bullshit and I was almost done working my way around leaving still with my pack. Just a few more weeks but until then, her moving into his bedroom was a line that would not be crossed. Night was falling as I crossed into the woods. The sky was darkening, casting long shadows among the trees. My senses sharpened immediately, my wolf pushing to the surface.

I focused my hearing and scent, trying to pick up her trail. It didn’t take long—her scent was fresh, mixed with the damp earth and crisp night air. And then, faintly, I heard her voice.

I moved silently, following the sound until I was close enough to hear her words clearly.

"I need a little more time," she said, her tone low but urgent. "Tearing it down is proving to be more difficult than I thought it would be."

My steps faltered.

What?

I edged closer, pressing myself against a tree to stay hidden. She was on the phone, pacing slightly as she spoke.

"I’ve done everything you asked," she continued. "She’s just… a little more difficult than I expected. But I promise you, she will be out of the picture soon."

My heart slammed against my ribcage. Someone had sent her? And as I who needed to be removed?

Her voice dropped, almost a whisper, but the next words hit me like a punch to the gut, the pieces slightly falling together from them.

"Just a little more time," she said. "I promise you, before the next full moon, just like the others, the Silver Ridge pack will be yours."