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.”

Erika

I returned to the Emerald Earth pack, but misfortune was already waiting for me. Just as I stepped into the main hall, I crossed paths with the Elders, who had just emerged from the oval room. For a moment, I considered turning around to avoid them, but a sarcastic voice halted me in my tracks.

“Well, look who was just about to scurry away. How utterly ill-mannered.”

Damn it.

I took a deep breath and turned around, only to meet Elder Ruth’s sharp gaze—one that regarded me as if I were nothing more than dirt clinging to her shoes.

“Good afternoon, Elder Ruth. How have you been?” I kept my voice steady.

“I was perfectly fine—until I had to see you, Luna Erika.”

I swallowed hard. I was used to this treatment, but the resentment inside me only grew each time she opened her mouth.

“Forgive me, but have I done something wrong?” I asked, feigning innocence. I knew for a fact that I hadn’t.

“Your only mistake, Erika, is being this pack’s Luna,” she sneered, lifting her chin high. “It should have been Madeleine standing by Alpha Rufus’s side, not you. You’re nothing but a burden with your infertility.”

I stepped forward, meeting her gaze directly. The wrinkles on her face deepened with fury, but all I wanted to do was laugh.

“I’m not the one here who is defective and without a wolf,” I whispered, leaning in close to her ear. “And for the record, I am not infertile. The real show is only just beginning.”

I felt her body stiffen, nearly collapsing, but I gripped her arm to keep her from falling. I wanted to push her further, to show everyone that the most revered Elder of the Emerald Earth pack was not as honorable as they believed.

“Let go of me, you barren Luna!” she spat, releasing her anger with a slap.

Pain.

For an old she-wolf, her strike was still powerful. I rubbed my cheek, trying to ease the sting that spread across my face.

“That’s what you get for touching me,” she scoffed. “I truly cannot fathom why this stubborn Luna insists on meddling in my and my daughter’s affairs.”

The commotion had already drawn the attention of several pack members in the hall. They whispered among themselves, watching the confrontation unfold with curiosity. Normally, I would have bowed my head and apologized.

But not this time.

I had had enough.

I turned on my heel, leaving Elder Ruth fuming in the middle of the hall. My steps felt lighter, even though my cheek still throbbed from her slap.

But my suffering was far from over.

As I neared my bedroom, strange noises began to echo from inside. I didn’t need to guess.

“Alpha Rufus, your fiery Luna is going to hear you with those moans of yours,” a sultry voice teased.

“Let her. Her time is almost up anyway. Turn around, Madeleine. I want to thrust you from behind.”

The door wasn’t fully closed, allowing me a clear view of how Alpha Rufus treated Madeleine as though she were his true Luna. That level of intimacy had never been granted to me. I could see his Alpha aura surging, the primal energy radiating from him—the Alpha seed that every werewolf needed in mating.

Inside, I wept. My heart felt as if it were being crushed.

Alpha Rufus had desecrated our bond.

I had to endure this—for just a little longer.

For a split second, my gaze met Madeleine’s, and she smirked at me, taunting. She wanted me to see, to understand that she was the one who could bring him pleasure. It was revolting.

I turned away and dragged myself towards the lake behind the packhouse—the place where I often sought solitude to vent my emotions. But this time, all I wanted was to burn something as a stand-in for them.

I let out a scream, pouring all my anguish into the open air. My fingers twitched, ready to summon flames and set the fallen log before me ablaze. But before I could, a familiar, sickly sweet voice called my name.

“Luna Erika, why are you so angry?”

I spun around, fists clenched. “What do you want?”

“Just checking in on you after witnessing our mating. How’s your heart? Does it hurt?”

“Stop talking, Madeleine. Don’t push me.”

“Oh, but I love this. Fiery Luna Erika attacking poor, helpless Madeleine—it feels almost… natural, don’t you think?”

“Shut up, Madeleine,” I growled, my claws extending, prepared for whatever she had planned.

“I’ll make it happen.”

From her hand, I saw the flicker of a lighter. Madeleine ignited a flame and pressed it to her own wrist. For a brief moment, a devilish grin twisted her features.

“Argh… Help me! Luna is attacking me!” Madeleine screamed, her voice carrying across the lake, grabbing the attention of the warriors stationed nearby.

“You…” I gasped, momentarily speechless.

Two warriors rushed towards us. One of them knelt beside Madeleine, inspecting her self-inflicted burns.

“Take Miss Holmes to Doctor Armstrong and inform Alpha Rufus of the incident.”

The shorter warrior lifted Madeleine into his arms and carried her away, while the other one turned to me.

“Luna Erika, I will escort you to your room.”

I felt like a criminal, accused of a crime I had not committed. Madeleine had set herself alight—anyone with sense would have seen it. She was insane.

When I arrived at my bedroom, the scent of what had just transpired still lingered in the air. The sheets were disheveled from their earlier betrayal. I refused to touch the bed, so I settled onto the sofa instead, waiting.

Though I wasn’t even sure what—or who—I was waiting for.

The door burst open violently. Alpha Rufus stormed in, his face twisted with rage. His eyes were glowing red as he yanked me to my feet.

“Why did you attack Madeleine?”

“For the love of the Moon Goddess, I did not attack her, Alpha. She provoked me, then set fire to her own hand.”

“Don’t twist the truth, Luna. Who else here can manipulate fire, if not you? I’m not a fool, and Madeleine is not as mad as you.”

“You trust her over your own Luna?”

“The evidence is clear. Luna Erika, you are to remain in this room until you apologize to her.”

“You’re defending her, Alpha Rufus? You’re breaking my heart.”

“She’s the daughter of an Elder. I have no intention of stirring trouble with them. So do as I say, or your punishment will be far worse.”

“Fine. I will apologize to her.”

I conceded, not because I was guilty, but because I refused to let Alpha Rufus punish me any further.

At least, for now.

They could believe they had won—but soon, I would make my move.