The entire pack gathered to celebrate our fifth mating anniversary. As the Luna of the Bloodstone Pack, I stood beside my mate, Alpha Darius Blackwood, the embodiment of strength and perfection.

“Luna Celeste, you’re glowing tonight,” someone gushed, and Darius wrapped an arm around my waist, his touch light but possessive.

“She always glows,” he said smoothly, his voice like honey to the ears of our admiring pack mates.

He kissed my temple, the perfect picture of a devoted mate. Yet, beneath his loving gaze, my heart felt as if it were being crushed.

Because I knew the truth.

Earlier that day, I found a small velvet pouch hidden in his office. My fingers trembled as I pulled out the contents—an intricate ruby necklace. A pang of confusion hit me. Rubies had always been my favorite, but Darius had never once gifted me anything with them. He claimed red didn’t suit me.

The attached note answered the unspoken question: “To my dearest love, Selene.”

Selene Hayes. His Beta’s sister. His secret lover.

I had suspected for months, noticing the lingering touches, the stolen glances, and the nights Darius didn’t come to bed. But this? This was undeniable proof.

“Celeste,” Darius murmured, pulling me back to the present. He held a small box out to me, his dark eyes filled with something akin to triumph. “Happy anniversary, my love.”

The crowd erupted into cheers as I opened the box. Inside was an exquisite sapphire necklace, the deep blue stones glinting under the chandeliers.

“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” Darius said, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear.

The crowd swooned. “Such a romantic Alpha!” someone sighed.

I smiled, masking the bitterness rising in my throat. “Thank you, Darius. It’s lovely.”

Lovely. Just like the countless other blue trinkets he had given me over the years. To the pack, they were tokens of his undying love. To me, they were chains, each one heavier than the last.

But tonight, I refused to cry. I refused to let him see how deeply he had cut me.

The celebration continued, and Darius played the role of the perfect mate flawlessly. He held me close during the dance, whispered sweet nothings in my ear, and even knelt on one knee to pledge his love again.

Yet, as the night wore on, Selene made her presence known. She stood at the edge of the crowd, her ruby-red dress clinging to her curves, her eyes fixed on Darius. She raised a glass in our direction, a smirk tugging at her lips.

Darius’s grip on my waist tightened. “Excuse me, my love,” he said, brushing a kiss against my cheek. “Duty calls.”

Duty. That’s what he called her.

I watched him stride away, his broad shoulders cutting through the crowd as he approached her. My heart twisted painfully, but I kept my smile intact, nodding politely as guests continued to praise our bond.

Minutes later, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Selene.

[Selene: The sapphire suits you, Luna. But we both know who owns his heart. :)

Attached was a photo of Darius leaning in close to her, his hand resting intimately on her lower back.

Rage burned beneath my calm exterior. Yet I couldn’t confront him. Not yet.

When Darius returned, his face was a mask of composure. “The elders wanted my opinion on the upcoming alliance,” he explained, his voice smooth.

“Of course,” I replied, my own mask firmly in place.

As the night came to an end, Darius escorted me back to our chambers, his arm draped protectively over my shoulders.

“You’ve made me proud tonight, Celeste,” he said, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “The pack sees us as the perfect team.”

Perfect. The word tasted bitter on my tongue.

When we reached our room, he turned to me with a smile that once melted my heart. “I’ll be back soon. There’s an urgent matter I need to attend to.”

I nodded, watching as he disappeared into the night. I knew exactly where he was going.

Alone in our room, I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the sapphire necklace still clinging to my neck like a noose.

I traced the cool stones with trembling fingers, a storm of emotions swirling within me. Anger, betrayal, pain—but also a fierce determination.

Darius thought I was blind. That I was weak.

Chapter 2

The Bloodstone Pack's private dining room was alive with chatter and laughter as the pack celebrated yet another occasion under Alpha Darius Blackwood’s meticulous planning. For the rest of the pack, the evening was a grand display of unity and love, but for me, it was a suffocating charade.

I arrived dressed in a modest, flowing dress of dark green, a stark contrast to the ruby necklace Selene had been gifted. As Luna, I was expected to shine brightly in every gathering, yet tonight, I felt like the faintest star in a sky dominated by a blazing sun—Selene Hayes.

Darius greeted me at the entrance with a wide smile. “Celeste, you’re late,” he said, his tone light and playful, but the look in his eyes carried a hint of something else—displeasure, perhaps.

“I had to finish a few things,” I replied, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes.

He leaned in to kiss my cheek, his lips grazing my skin like a perfunctory obligation. “You look beautiful,” he murmured.

I nodded, my smile remaining intact as I allowed him to guide me into the room. As we entered, the crowd erupted in applause, their cheers echoing off the walls. Darius raised a hand, acknowledging their adoration, while I remained silent beside him.

The festivities were in full swing, with the pack members raising glasses and exchanging stories of triumphs and alliances. Darius, ever the charismatic leader, was at the center of it all.

But my gaze drifted toward the back of the room, where Selene stood. Her dress was bold, a deep scarlet that clung to her like a second skin, accentuating every curve. She held a glass of wine, her smile poised and predatory.

When our eyes met, her lips curved upward in a knowing smirk. She raised her glass slightly, as if in a silent toast, her gaze never leaving mine.

My hand tightened around my glass, the cool surface grounding me as a wave of anger and humiliation surged within.

“Celeste,” Darius’s voice brought me back, his hand resting lightly on my arm. “Come, I have something for you.”

I turned to him, my expression neutral. “Another gift?”

His smile widened as he handed me a small velvet box. “You’ll love this one,” he said confidently.

I opened the box to reveal a pair of sapphire earrings, their brilliance catching the light. They were exquisite, undoubtedly chosen to match the necklace he had given me earlier.

“Thank you,” I said softly, placing the box aside.

Darius frowned slightly at my lack of enthusiasm but quickly masked it. “Come, let’s sit.”

As we moved toward the head of the table, Selene made her way over, her presence commanding attention. She greeted Darius with a bright smile, placing a hand on his arm as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Alpha,” she said, her voice honeyed, “you look dashing tonight.”

Darius chuckled, his hand briefly covering hers. “And you’re as radiant as ever, Selene.”

I clenched my jaw, the casual intimacy between them like a dagger twisting in my chest.

“Luna,” Selene said, turning to me with feigned warmth, her smile as sharp as a blade hidden behind silk. “That necklace suits you beautifully. Darius has always had impeccable taste.”

My smile didn’t falter. “Thank you, Selene. And that dress—red is quite... daring. Bold choices do suit you.”

The corner of her mouth twitched, her eyes narrowing slightly. The unspoken tension crackled between us, hidden beneath the veneer of politeness.

Darius shifted uncomfortably, his gaze flicking between us. “Now, now,” he said with a forced laugh, “let’s not turn the evening into a contest of wit. Tonight is about celebrating, after all.”

“Yes,” Selene purred, her gaze never leaving mine. “A celebration of love, loyalty, and... lasting bonds.”

I felt my control slipping as her words struck deeper, each one a needle threading through my composure. Yet, I simply raised my glass in a mock toast. “To those bonds that never break—seen or unseen.”

Selene’s smile tightened. Darius, oblivious or unwilling to acknowledge the subtle war between us, turned his attention to the others.

As the night wore on, the facade became heavier, the air thick with pretense. Laughter rang hollow in my ears as my mind raced, replaying every moment of betrayal.

When I finally excused myself under the guise of needing fresh air, I barely reached the hallway before the rage I had kept bottled up boiled over.

Just as I steadied my breathing, I heard a voice behind me—deep and cutting through the silence.

“How much longer can she keep pretending,?”

I spun around, my pulse quickening as I looked for who said that..

My steps faltered as I approached the pack’s private lounge, where muffled voices carried through the thick wooden doors. Instinctively, I pressed myself against the wall, ensuring I remained unseen.

“To think Darius married her out of duty,” one voice chuckled mockingly. “If Damian were still around, he’d rip him to shreds for it.”

A second voice chimed in, softer but no less cutting. “Alpha Damian would never have allowed his little sister to end up like this. Such a shame he’s gone.”

I clenched my fists, my heart pounding like a drum in my chest. Alpha Damian? Gone? They were talking about my brother—my Damian.

A brief silence followed before someone whispered, “You know, there are rumors he’s not dead. That he survived.”

The air seemed to freeze around me. My breath caught in my throat, and my mind reeled. Damian—alive? How? After all these years, could it be true?

I pressed myself harder against the wall, struggling to stay upright.

The voices inside continued, oblivious to the storm raging in my mind.

“Only Alpha Darius and the elders know the full truth about the Vaughn tragedy. The Luna’s been kept in the dark all this time.”

“Poor thing,” another voice added mockingly. “She was so young when it happened, too easy to manipulate. It’s no wonder she’s so desperate for love.”

My stomach churned, bile rising in my throat. The Vaughn tragedy… My parents, my brother, our entire pack wiped out in a single night of bloodshed. I was only five years old, and my memories were hazy, filled with screams, fire, and the suffocating scent of iron.

I had been told my brother died protecting me, that his sacrifice ensured my survival. But what if it was all a lie?

Selene’s voice rang out, cutting through my spiraling thoughts. “She’s so gullible, isn’t she? Clinging to Darius as if he actually loves her.”

My hands trembled. The betrayal stung more than I cared to admit.

I couldn’t bear to hear another word. Gathering every ounce of composure, I pushed open the door. The lively chatter came to an abrupt halt as all eyes turned to me.

Darius’s arm, which had been draped casually around Selene’s chair, fell away as if burned.

Selene gave me a smug smile, her eyes glinting with challenge. “Luna,” she greeted sweetly, her tone laced with venom.

“I’m not feeling well,” I announced, my voice steady despite the chaos in my mind. “I’m heading back to the quarters.”

Darius stood, his brows furrowing. “Celeste, wait—”

“I’ll manage,” I cut him off sharply, my tone leaving no room for argument. Without another glance, I turned and walked out, my steps quick and purposeful.

The night air was cool against my flushed skin as I hurried back to the manor. Every step brought new questions, new fears. Could my brother really be alive? And if so, why had no one told me?

Once inside my chambers, I locked the door behind me and paced, my thoughts racing. A name surfaced in my mind—a name I had tried to ignore for months.

Damien Blackwell.

The enigmatic Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack. He had approached me months ago, commissioning my designs for the Bloodstone Pack’s emblem redesign. Our interactions had been brief and professional, but something about him had always felt… familiar.

I shook my head, trying to dismiss the wild thought. It couldn’t be Damian. It couldn’t.

But the whispers I had overheard wouldn’t leave me alone.

I crossed the room and opened the drawer where I kept correspondence with clients. Sure enough, there it was—a handwritten letter from Damien Blackwell himself.

My hands trembled as I read his words, searching for something, anything, that might confirm or disprove my suspicions.

Finally, I grabbed a pen and paper, writing a short, desperate note:

Damien, are you Damian Vaughn?

I hesitated for only a moment before sealing the letter and calling for one of the pack’s couriers.

“Deliver this to Alpha Blackwell,” I instructed, my voice firm.

The courier nodded and left swiftly, leaving me alone with my racing thoughts.

Moments later, the door to my chambers burst open, and Darius strode in, his expression dark.

“Why did you leave the celebration?” he demanded, his tone harsh.

“I wasn’t feeling well,” I replied, my voice calm despite the storm inside me.

Darius’s eyes narrowed. “You’ve been distant all night. Is there something you’re not telling me?”

I met his gaze evenly, the years of practiced composure shielding my true emotions. “Perhaps you should ask yourself the same question.”

His jaw tightened, but he said nothing, turning on his heel and leaving the room without another word.

As the door slammed shut behind him, I let out a shaky breath. The truth was clawing its way to the surface, and I could no longer ignore it.

If Damian was alive, I would find him.

No matter what it took.