Erika

Just as I was about to bring Alpha Rufus the joyous news—the heir who would continue the bloodline of the Emerald Earth Pack—I was struck by a bitter truth. For three years, I had stood by his side, believing I was loved. Yet our togetherness shattered in an instant, crushed beneath the weight of the lies he had kept hidden all this time.

But that was only the beginning.

Never in my darkest nightmares did I imagine my heart would be stolen—death had claimed me. The mate I had chosen, the one destined for me—Alpha Rufus—allowed his adoptive mother to tear my heart from my chest, only to offer it to his first love. He did not choose me. He chose someone else.

To bring me back to this world, my mother sacrificed her own life. In an act of boundless love, she placed her heart within the Moonbound Casket to replace the one that had been taken from me. I lived, but not because of love—rather, because of vengeance and a blood debt that must be repaid.

I have little time to exact retribution for every betrayal, every wound they have carved into my body and soul. I swore to the Moon Goddess, pleading for her blessing of justice. If love was not enough to save me, then let vengeance be my reason to keep breathing.

*

I walked towards Alpha Rufus’s office, my heart brimming with hope. I wanted to show him the ultrasound print of my first pregnancy which was given by Obstetrician of the pack, Dr. Nicholson.

after three years together. The joy of fulfilling my duty as Luna, of carrying his heir, filled my chest with happiness.

But my steps halted outside his door when I heard Beta Leighton’s voice from within.

"Does Luna Erika know?" His voice was hesitant, almost a whisper.

I frowned.

Alpha Rufus let out a long sigh. "Of course not. I still need her for now."

My heartbeat quickened.

I edged closer, pressing myself against the wall, sharpening my wolf hearing.

"Are you sure you can keep this hidden?" Beta Leighton asked again. "It’s been two years, Alpha Rufus. Luna is no fool."

Two years?

I held my breath.

Alpha Rufus chuckled softly, his tone dripping with condescension. "Luna believes me like a loyal little pup. She thinks I love her. I don’t even have to try that hard to convince her."

The world around me seemed to stop spinning.

"Do you love Madeleine?" Beta Leighton pressed.

Alpha Rufus did not hesitate for a second. "Always. She is the very air I breathe."

I clutched my chest. My breath came in ragged gasps, as though claws were tearing through my insides.

Madeleine Holmes. I never expected Alpha Rufus to still love her.

Madeleine Holmes was Alpha Rufus’s former lover, and I had stepped between them by the will of the Moon Goddess.

It was not impossible that they had been deceiving me for the past two years.

"I'm just waiting for the right moment to get rid of Luna," he continued.

I clamped a hand over my mouth to stifle any sound.

My back pressed against the wall, my legs trembling beneath me. I wanted to scream, to barge into that office and burn his face with my claws, to force him to confess.

But I knew better.

That man was a master manipulator.

He could twist the truth to suit his will, just as he always had.

My grip tightened around the envelope in my hands. Now that I knew the truth, I would never tell him about the pup growing inside me. I would run from this place, leaving my rage to dissipate in the open air.

Shifting into my wolf form, I dashed into the pine forest surrounding the packhouse. I might not return until nightfall, for if I saw Alpha Rufus again, I might set the entire packhouse ablaze.

As I ran, memories of Alpha Rufus’s deceit flooded my mind.

The way he had always looked at me with eyes full of supposed love.

The way he had whispered sweet promises in my ear.

"You are my fated mate, Erika."

"My Luna, I will protect you."

"I won’t let anyone hurt you."

Lies.

Every word he had ever spoken now felt like monkshood coursing through my veins.

I took a step back, but my ears still caught Alpha Rufus’s voice.

"Madeleine is worth more than that fake Luna fate forced upon me."

I bit back a growl, my claws instinctively unsheathing. They dug into the damp earth, leaving deep grooves behind. My eyes burned, the fire within me beginning to surge.

[We are a fire elemental wolf, Erika. We should be stronger than this.] Pyrrha, my inner wolf, stirred within me.

Then why did I feel like I was crumbling to pieces?

Just as I was about to leap onto the main road cutting through the forest, my body collided with something—something hard, metallic, and reeking of petrol. The world spun around me as I heard the screeching of tyres skidding against asphalt.

I braced myself against the impact, my claws digging into the road, flames erupting in my wake. In an instant, the fire ignited the petrol spilled across the tarmac. The last thing I heard was the deafening explosion before darkness consumed me.

***

"My sweet Luna?"

His voice was gentle, filled with concern, like a man who truly loved his mate.

I bit my lip, forcing down the turmoil within me. I could not let him know what I had learned.

I turned my head and saw him.

Alpha Rufus stood at the doorway; his gaze filled with a tenderness that now felt revolting.

"You’re finally awake," he murmured, stepping closer with a worried expression.

"What happened?" I asked hoarsely.

"Someone found you unconscious on the southern alternate road, engulfed in flames. The human truck driver brought you to this hospital."

"Do you know about—"

"I know, my love. You’re safe. They found you in human form."

Relief flooded through me. He didn’t know about my pregnancy. It was difficult for human medical technology to detect a werewolf pregnancy at such an early stage. I was still lucky.

"My Luna?" Rufus reached out, intending to touch my face, but I smacked his hand away.

"Don’t touch me," I whispered, my voice trembling.

Alpha Rufus stilled but quickly masked his reaction. He offered me a small smile, his expression carefully crafted.

"What’s wrong?" he asked. "Are you in pain? I know this must have been a terrifying experience. I’ll take better care of you."

I felt sick to my stomach.

How effortlessly he played the role of a caring mate. How easily he lied—without even a hint of remorse.

I could feel my wolf howling in fury, demanding justice for this humiliation. Fire surged beneath my skin, barely contained.

But I wouldn’t let my anger consume me. Not yet.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to smile.

"I’m just tired," I said, though my voice was devoid of emotion. "Could you leave me alone?"

Alpha Rufus smiled, as if satisfied with my response. "Alright, rest well, my Luna."

I held myself back from setting the room ablaze.

I turned away from him, but deep inside, I knew one thing for certain.

Alpha Rufus Hawkins had betrayed me.

And I would make sure he paid for it.

Erika

Even though my blood was boiling every night and day, I knew how to restrain myself. I needed to gather more evidence, to ensure I wasn’t misjudging the situation, because I couldn’t allow myself to be trapped in Alpha Rufus’ lies again.

That day, Alpha Rufus told me he had to leave for a few days to attend to business with the Emerald Earth pack’s alliance in the West. I knew that meant he would be far from me, but all I could feel was an ever-growing suspicion.

"Just a few days," he said gently, pressing a kiss to my forehead like a loving husband. "I’ll miss you, my Luna."

I responded with a flat smile, hiding the storm raging inside me. "I’ll miss you too," I said, though I felt nothing at all. The moment his convoy disappeared down the road leading out of Emerald Earth, I immediately acted on my instincts. Like a wolf sensing something was wrong, I moved quickly.

I ordered one of the Elite Hunters to track Alpha Rufus, to gather information on his habits, the places he frequented with Madeleine. His work paid off.

He handed me photographic evidence, video recordings, and a list of reservations for places Alpha Rufus and Madeleine had visited together. Armed with this, I began my search inside the pack house. I scoured his office, inspecting every corner for any hidden compartments belonging to Alpha Rufus.

Just as I was about to give up, my body leaned against the bookshelf. My elbow accidentally nudged a thick, worn-out book, its cover torn and faded. My wolf instincts flared. I reached out and pulled the book.

A section of the bookshelf shifted open, revealing a dark corridor just wide enough for one person. I lifted my claws, igniting a flame in my palm to light my way. My steps halted when I reached a small room containing a desk and a safe.

On the desk, I found documents I had never seen before. Among them were letters from Madeleine to Rufus—letters I had no interest in reading. My wolf growled with fury when I discovered torn pages from a book listing werewolves with elemental powers like mine.

Beside the torn pages lay an open, ancient book detailing rituals for sacrificing hearts… my kind of heart.

My breath hitched.

Our hearts were considered priceless, capable of granting a wolf to those born without one. My hands trembled; my claws nearly unsheathing. I already knew who this ritual was meant for.

Madeleine Holmes.

Alpha Rufus’ mistress.

The only Dud-wolf in the Emerald Earth pack.

"You will never get away with this."

I put everything back in place and left the hidden room, my fury radiating through me. I didn’t look back, even though my chest felt unbearably tight.

But when Alpha Rufus returned, he changed his game.

He approached me with excessive affection, trying to distract me with sweet words spoken in a breathy, loving tone.

"My Luna, I missed you so much. I felt so far from you," he murmured, his voice filled with false sincerity.

I could sense the negativity clinging to him—like a predator soothing its prey. But I already knew Rufus’ game.

"Really? Do I always ignite your passion, Alpha?"

"I’ve always loved how ‘hot’ you are, Erika." His whispered words, laced with desire, would have made any she-wolf weak in the knees. But not me.

Alpha Rufus would burn in the flames of his own deceit.

But not yet.

I already had proof of his lies. Elite Hunter Erick had given me photos of Alpha Rufus with Madeleine on a yacht.

I shuddered when Alpha Rufus’ arms wrapped around me—his scent still carried Madeleine’s pheromones. His lips claimed mine with intensity, even though I had seen with my own eyes how his tongue had been tangled with hers under the sunlit deck.

I gazed at him calmly, though inside, my wolf clawed to be unleashed. Go on, tell me you’ve always loved me, Alpha Rufus, I mused silently, keeping my expression unreadable.

"I would give you my whole heart just to prove that I truly love you, Erika."

Rufus’ eyes glowed a burning yellow. In his embrace, I could feel his body trembling.

I dragged my claws across his shirt, slicing through the fabric until a low groan escaped him. I carved a continuous line right over where his heart beat, leaving behind a trail of blood before the wound healed instantly.

"You’re being naughty, Luna."

"I’ll be whatever you want me to be tonight, Alpha Rufus Hawkins."

Rufus kissed me. I no longer felt any love for him, even as his hands undressed me in sync with our kiss. In my heart, I cursed every hint of desire in his eyes.

I could hear his groan as I clawed his back. The heat from the fire I gave him made him flinch for a few seconds, but he continued to ravish me. A thought crossed my mind—I would give him flames far greater than this.

Even as our bodies entwined, I felt nothing. My skin burned with heat, betraying me, but my soul—my soul was detached. I was bound to him by fate, but I wanted nothing more than to sever that tie.

He had no idea I already had enough proof to destroy him.

And this time, I wouldn’t cry.

I wouldn’t let my heart be taken for that wretched bitch.

Not for her.

Not for anyone.

Not when I carried a pup inside me.

When I awoke the next morning, the first thing I did was remove Rufus’ hand from my stomach. I had spent the entire night suppressing my disgust, enduring the heat of our mating bond just so I could keep up my act.

But I had made it through.

"Moon Goddess, guide me so I may uncover the truth."

I reached for my phone and dialled a number—one that belonged to someone who had always helped creatures like us.

"Burton Law Firm, I’d like to schedule an appointment."

Erika

I read the polished nameplate in front of me—‘Clive Burton, Advocate.’ The name was not unfamiliar. Mum had mentioned it once, saying he could be trusted as a legal partner for our kind.

Taking a deep breath, I steadied my slightly erratic heartbeat before stepping into the restaurant where we had arranged to meet.

As I approached his table, Burton straightened in his seat. His sharp eyes studied me with caution. “Are you related to Mrs. Howards?”

“Amelie Rae Howards is my biological mother.”

He gave a single nod, digesting my words carefully. “Very well. Let’s get straight to the point. What can I do for you?”

I glanced around, ensuring no eavesdroppers lurked nearby. The restaurant was bustling with office workers on their lunch breaks, each engrossed in their own world. Still, I had to be cautious.

Leaning in slightly, I lowered my voice. “I want to erase my identity—officially declare myself dead—and create a new one, as a human.”

Burton didn’t respond immediately. A brief pause followed before he finally spoke. “It won’t be easy,” he admitted, “but you can trust me to handle it.”

“Good. Name your price.”

He hesitated for a moment, but I knew it wasn’t a matter of principles—it was a matter of cost.

Reaching into my bag, I pulled out a chequebook and penned down a substantial sum. As I handed it to him, he accepted it with reluctant fingers, though his wary gaze never wavered.

Null-we called them that because they are humans unaffected by supernatural.

always had a price. As long as you could pay enough, they would comply.

Wasting no time, I left as soon as my business with Burton was concluded. My next destination was my mother’s house in Slona, on the western border of Emerald Earth. She was a fire-elemental witch, passing down her magic to me. The combination of werewolf and witch blood made me an elemental werewolf.

I needed to find her before she teleported to Fluburn, the city of fire witches. Only she could explain the magical ritual meant for our kind. The mere thought of it made my pulse race—I hadn’t realized Alpha Rufus would go to such lengths to claim my heart.

When I arrived, the house was empty. Scorch marks marred the wooden floor of the living room—a clear sign of my mother’s departure.

Instinctively, I scanned the room for a clue she might have left behind. She had a habit of leaving cryptic messages—an enchanted goblet, a gemstone with an unusual glow, even a severed hand that once assisted with household chores.

My eyes landed on a small chest, about the size of a baseball glove, secured with an upside-down padlock on one of her bookshelves. It was unmistakably a sign. Beside it lay a blank parchment.

With a flick of my wrist, my fiery claws ignited, revealing my mother’s handwriting on the paper.

‘Seek out Morpheus and bring him this casket. Then, you shall rise like a Phoenix.’

Morpheus? Who was he?

I had so many questions about the ritual described in the book I found, yet my mother had left me with another riddle. Oddly enough, I did not complain. I simply set off to find Leighton, following the instructions she had left.

***

The cabin stood alone in the heart of the oak forest, hidden near the border between Emerald Earth Pack and Sapphire Water Pack. Though it was summer, a fine mist curled around the structure, obscuring the details of the weathered wooden exterior.

A shiver ran down my spine as a tall figure in a hooded cloak emerged from the doorway.

Was this Morpheus?

“I have been expecting you, Erika Howards,” he said, his deep voice resonating like distant thunder.

Tightening my grip around the small chest, I stepped forward and extended it towards him. “My mother asked me to bring this to you. She said I would rise like a Phoenix.”

Morpheus studied the casket, his eyes gleaming with something unreadable. He ran his fingers across its surface before murmuring an incantation in a language I did not recognize. The carvings on the chest glowed briefly with golden light before fading.

“This,” he said at last, “is the Moonbound Casket—an ancient artifact that can only be opened by its rightful owner and their descendant. It was used by witches to aid Dud-wolves in obtaining their wolves.”

I frowned. “Dud-wolves?”

Morpheus nodded solemnly. “They are born without a wolf spirit, making them weaker than others. This ritual requires the sacrifice of the hearts of four elemental wolves to implant a wolf soul into a Dud-wolf. And you, Erika, are one of the four elemental wolves needed.”

Cold dread seeped into my bones.

Alpha Rufus.

He knew. He knew I was an elemental wolf with fire abilities.

Was this why he made me his Luna?

If he truly intended to take my heart, it meant he sought to complete this ritual.

Morpheus observed my shifting expression, stepping closer as though reading my mind. “You have already begun to connect the dots, haven’t you? Someone has plans far more sinister than you anticipated. Be careful, Erika. Do not let him take what he desires.”

My hands curled into fists, my fingernails digging into my palms. If Alpha Rufus was targeting me, then he must be after the other three elemental wolves as well. I had no idea who they were, but one thing was certain—I still had time.

Drawing a slow breath, I steadied myself. “I won’t let this happen. I’ll expose his plan before the Elders.”

Morpheus’s lips quirked in a ghost of a smile. “A wise decision. But tread carefully—he will not stand idly by.”

I nodded. My mind was made up. I would pretend to know nothing, act as though I were still oblivious, allowing him to believe he had the upper hand—until the right moment came to reveal his treachery.

If he wanted to play his game, I would let him think he was winning.

“Leave the casket with me,” Morpheus said. “I will help you, Erika.”