When I was preparing for the full moon ceremony, I received a message from an unknown contact, but what caught my attention was an attached statement. My mate, Kieran Gray, Alpha of the Silverclaw Pack, had been sending thirty thousand gold marks to the same woman each moon cycle for the past two years. The first payment coincided with the time we lost our first pup. I had carried the weight of loss for so long, it had become a part of me.

Five miscarriages before losing our first pup—it was as though fate was mocking me, keeping what I wanted most just out of reach. The den had been silent, devoid of the life I had yearned to fill it with. Each time I thought I might finally carry a pup to term, hope would be snatched away, leaving behind only emptiness. The grief was a shadow I couldn’t shake, lurking behind every smile, every laugh, every hollow attempt at moving forward.

Kieran never said it outright, but I knew. I saw it in the way his eyes glossed over me, how his touch grew colder, distant. At first, he’d been there for me, holding me when the pain was too much to bear, but as the moons passed, his warmth faded. His disappointment turned into neglect, and I could feel the unspoken resentment simmering beneath the surface. I had failed to give him what he wanted most—a future Alpha. And in our world, in the packs, bearing a strong heir meant everything.

As if on cue, my crystal communicator blinked, signaling a new message from her.

It was a direct connection request, accompanied by a brief note that read:

"From the woman who enjoys thirty thousand gold marks in gifts each moon."

An unnatural calm washed over me, as if the storm brewing in my heart had settled momentarily. I reached out and accepted the request, my fingers steady despite the turmoil raging inside me.

——

Immediately, a message followed:

"Did you see the statement?"

I ignored it and went straight to her profile. The first post I found dated back two years, on the night of the winter solstice. In the picture, she leaned into a man, her hand resting on his chest, showing off a glittering ring. The caption read:

"Thank you for the solstice gift, my love."

Though the man's face wasn’t fully visible, I recognized the coat he wore, the one with the hand-stitched wolf insignia on the collar—Kieran’s coat. The same coat I had draped over his shoulders before he left for a ‘pack mission’ on that night.

Two years ago, during the winter solstice, I had been recovering from the devastating loss of our first pup. While I lay in bed in our den, shrouded in grief, he had been celebrating another woman's solstice.

The betrayal burned.

With trembling hands, I scrolled through more of her posts. Every few moons, she flaunted luxurious gifts, each one echoing something I owned—except for one.

A vial of wolfsbane-scented oil. It was a rare fragrance, and she wore it with pride, while I had never touched it.

The final post, pinned at the top, made my heart stop. It was an announcement of her bonding with Kieran, alongside an image of an ancient bonding rune, glowing bright under a full moon.

I dropped my crystal communicator, my chest tightening as my mind raced. I rushed to Kieran's cloak, which he had discarded after returning last night. As I lifted it to my nose, the unmistakable scent of wolfsbane and moonrose filled the air.

My mate's scent, intertwined with hers.

I found an ultrasound in kieran's jacket pocket, crumpled like it didn’t matter, It felt like the world had caved in.

I stared at the black-and-white image In my trembling hands, my heart sinking into a bottomless pit. The small shape, a pup growing inside *her*. Not me. Not the mate he swore loyalty to. My pulse roared in my ears as the betrayal slashed deeper than any claw or fang could.

She was pregnant.

Kieran had gone behind my back, seeking what I couldn't give him—an heir. A future Alpha. The ultrasound was proof of it, a silent, cruel reminder that my body had failed him, failed us, over and over again. Five miscarriages, five chances ripped from my grasp, while *she* carried what I so desperately longed for.

The communicator vibrated incessantly, notifications flashing across the screen. Messages from her poured in—pictures of Kieran and her together, laughing, embracing, running wild through the woods. Each image showed the seasons of their affair, captured in intimate moments—spring blooms, summer heat, autumn leaves, and winter frost. A love story they had shared, hidden from me for years.

I opened one of the videos despite the knot in my stomach. In it, Kieran stood beside the river, the same one where we used to run during the full moons, his eyes soft as he gazed at her.

"My Selene," he whispered, his voice low but filled with warmth. "You’re my everything."

"Do you love me?" she asked, her tone teasing yet expectant.

Kieran’s voice, the one I had cherished for seven long years, spoke without hesitation.

"Always, Selene. I will always love you."

I replayed the words over and over, my vision blurring with tears. Dusk settled outside our den, but I remained frozen, watching the shadows grow longer and darker.

The sound of the front door creaking open pulled me from my daze. Kieran had returned.

"Lyla," his deep voice filled the space, casual and warm. "Why is it so dark in here? You should light the fire. It’s getting cold." His heavy footsteps echoed in the silence as he moved closer. "Where are you?"

I quickly wiped my tears away and turned to see him standing in front of me, concern written across his features. He knelt beside me, taking my hand in his.

"What’s wrong, my Luna?" he asked, his voice gentle as he kissed the back of my hand. "Who’s upset you?"

He leaned forward to kiss my forehead, but the scent of wolfsbane clung to him like a mark of betrayal. My heart clenched. I held back the anger surging within me, forcing a calm I didn’t feel.

"Where were you today, Kieran?" I asked quietly, searching his eyes for any hint of guilt.

"Patrol duties ran late," he replied smoothly, his tone almost too nonchalant. "You know how the borders can be."

I wanted to scream you were with Selene, and she’s pregnant with your child. She even boasted about it! but I managed to stay calm.

Instead, I forced a smile, leaning back and placing a hand on my chest. "Kieran," I murmured softly, "I’ve always wanted you to get me something for awhile now"

He raised an eyebrow, clearly trying to remain patient. "What is it, love?"

"The vial of wolfsbane-scented oil from the northern woods." I smiled, testing him. "Could you get it for me?"

Frustration flickered in his eyes as he pulled his hand away, sighing in exasperation. "That’s an odd request, Lyla. You know it’s a long journey and that oil cost a fortune. I'm sorry but I can't afford it now, be patient,Lyla.”

I swallowed hard, nodding as the weight of his indifference crushed me. "You’re right. I should be patient."

He stood up abruptly. "I’m going to bathe. It’s been a long day."

The door to our bath chamber clicked shut behind him. I was left in the darkness, clutching my chest, feeling as if I had just lost everything.

But as I stroked my pendant, the emblem of our pack and my rank as Luna, I whispered to the little spark of strength still left within me, "This battle has just begun."

Kieran’s communicator blinked on the wooden dining table. As always, he didn’t even try to hide his infidelity. Did he think I was blind? Or maybe he thought I was too weak to act, too broken to question the Alpha of the Silverclaw Pack.

The sound of water running in the bathhouse echoed through the den. With a heavy sigh, I pushed myself up from the chair, feeling the weight of years spent in a broken bond. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts as I picked up his device, hoping to find the truth he had been keeping from me. I tried all the obvious passcodes: our bond anniversary, his birthday, mine… nothing. But then I remembered the date from Selene’s last bonding ceremony with Kieran—the date she had flaunted so proudly.

Success.

My heart pounded as I scrolled through the messages. Selene’s profile picture was there, her familiar face staring back at me. Their last exchange taunted me:

“Does love still matter if we're apart?” she had asked.

“If love is true, then distance is nothing,” Kieran had replied.

I sneered, activating the screen recording feature. The chat was filled with messages like, “My love, I miss you,” and “Soon, we’ll be together.” As I read through their words, the deep ache in my chest hardened into something more—something darker. Anger.

After recording the chat, I moved to his order logs. My throat tightened as I found deliveries of rare herbal tonics, luxury furs, and intricate jewel-stones, all sent to the same location: her den. The same gifts he once gave to me, now given to her without hesitation.

My wolf growled within me, the sound echoing in my mind, demanding action. I captured every detail, every message, and every order. Once I was done, I deleted the traces of my investigation and set the communicator back on the table as if nothing had happened.

Returning to our room, I lay down on the fur-covered bed, the betrayal gnawing at me. After years of loyalty, years of being his Luna, I had been reduced to nothing more than an afterthought in his life. His lies wrapped around me like a suffocating fog, cold and inescapable.

Kieran stepped out of the bathhouse, his long hair still damp. His communicator buzzed, and I watched from the shadows as he glanced at the screen. His features softened as he answered the call. My heart clenched as I saw him smile, his voice barely above a whisper. He stepped out onto the balcony, his boots quiet against the wood as he shut the door behind him.

Curiosity tugged at me, pulling me out of bed. I crept toward the door, watching him through the crack. His face, normally hard as stone, now wore an expression of tenderness. My hands shook as I pressed against the doorframe, listening to the murmurs of his conversation. He frowned for a moment, but quickly softened, nodding and agreeing to whatever Selene was asking.

I turned away, my wolf howling in rage, the pain twisting deep inside me. When he returned, I forced myself back into bed, feigning sleep.

Kieran slipped into bed beside me, his hand gently resting on my waist, as if I were still his. His lips brushed my forehead, his voice soft. “Lyla, something urgent has come up with the patrols. I have to leave for a few hours.”

I opened my eyes and met his gaze. The flicker of hope I still held for him, for us, was barely a spark. Maybe, just maybe, if he chose me tonight, I could fight for us. “I’m not feeling well,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “Can’t you stay? Just for tonight?”

His hesitation spoke volumes. The troubled smile that followed shattered the last piece of hope I clung to. “Lyla, you know the pack needs me. I can’t let them down. I’ll ask one of the wolves to check in on you while I’m gone. It won’t take long.”

It was like he had rehearsed it all, as if lying had become second nature to him. My chest tightened with the weight of the truth, but I forced a small smile. “Be safe,” I murmured, turning away from him as he dressed and left the room.

As soon as the door closed behind him, I pushed myself out of bed, grabbing my cloak and slipping into the night. The moon was high above, casting a pale glow on the forest as I followed Kieran’s scent through the woods. I moved swiftly, my senses sharp, knowing exactly where he was headed.

I reached the hidden path that led to Selene’s den, hiding in the shadows as I watched them. Kieran’s strong arms wrapped around her as she ran into his embrace, her laughter filling the quiet forest. His hand rested on her waist, his face full of tenderness and warmth—an expression he hadn’t shown me in years.

Anger flared hot in my chest as I pulled out my communicator and began recording their embrace. My hands shook, not from fear, but from the raw fury building inside me. I watched as Kieran gently helped her into his carriage, securing her as if she were the most precious thing in his world.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. “Follow them,” I told the driver as I climbed into the carriage that had been waiting for me at the forest’s edge.

We traveled through the woods, the cool night air biting at my skin. My heart pounded in time with the steady thud of hooves, but my mind was clear, focused. I would not be the weak Luna any longer.

When we finally arrived at the healer’s cabin near the pack’s border, I paid the driver and stepped out into the night. Kieran’s scent led me straight to the entrance, where the healer stood, greeting them with a knowing smile. My wolf stirred within me, claws aching to tear apart the life they had built behind my back.

The healer ushered them inside.

I stood there in the shadows, the cold night pressing in on me. For the first time in years, I felt truly alone. watching Kieran from a distance. He had never found time to join me at any pack gatherings or even our most important ceremonies, but here he was, running through the healer’s cabin, fetching potions and speaking softly to another woman as if they were mated for life.

It hit me like a punch to the chest. Kieran wasn’t too busy to care for me, his Luna of seven years. He just didn’t *want* to.

In the bustling courtyard, Kieran held Selene close, his voice gentle as he murmured, ““Selene,”brushing a strand of hair from her face. “The healer said you need to stay active and eat healthy. You need to cut down your intake of farts even in the early stages of pregnancy. So we need to be careful.”

Selene pouted, her lips curling up into a mischievous grin. “I know, but you’re the one who keeps bringing me all these enchanted meats and moonberry tarts.”

Kieran laughed softly, tucking her closer to him. “Alright, I’ll take the blame for spoiling my mate too much. I’ll make sure you only get the best from now on.”

"Good. Now you owe me," she teased, brushing her hand down his chest, a smirk playing at her lips.

Watching them interact, my heart shattered. They behaved like soulmates, their bond deep and undeniable. Meanwhile, I stood in the shadows, a stranger to the man I once thought I knew, invisible in my own life.

My wolf whimpered inside me, torn between anger and despair. I turned away from them, wrapping my arms around myself as if to shield my heart from the icy truth. I slowly stepped back into the woods, letting the damp leaves and cool breeze swallow me whole.

Outside, the night sky mirrored my mood, dark and foreboding. The wind picked up, rustling through the trees as the first drops of rain began to fall. As I reached the edge of the woods, I saw Kieran drape his cloak over Selene, shielding her from the storm. He opened the door of his carriage and helped her inside with such tenderness, it made my chest ache.

Selene giggled, pulling him close by his tunic, then planted a slow, teasing kiss on his lips. Kieran held her face in his hands, returning the kiss with a passion that had long since faded from our bond.

When they pulled apart, she tugged on his tunic playfully, biting his lip with a mischievous grin. Kieran just smiled, as if he was more than pleased by her boldness.

As they were about to leave, Selene glanced back toward the forest. Her eyes met mine, and she smirked.

“Lyla,” she whispered, her voice laced with mockery, “you’ve already lost.”

I felt a strange calm settle over me. My heart, though aching, suddenly felt lighter, clearer. I returned her look with a small, resigned smile. “You’re wrong,” I whispered to myself. “I haven’t lost anything… because I don’t want him anymore.”

As their carriage disappeared into the night, I turned away, my decision made. I took out my communicator and sent every piece of evidence I had gathered to my mentor, an experienced pack elder who knew the laws of separation better than anyone. I would ensure that when this was over, I walked away with everything I deserved.

The rain soaked through my cloak, chilling me to the bone, but I barely noticed. Just as I put my communicator away, it rang. It was my mother.

“Lyla, where are you? I stopped by your den and you weren’t home. Kieran’s not with you either, is he?” Her voice was filled with concern.

I fought back the wave of emotions rising in my throat, my grip tightening on the communicator. “Mom, it’s okay. We’re just out on a walk. Kieran’s here.” My voice wavered slightly, but I managed to keep it steady.

“Oh, good,” she replied, her voice softening. “You know how worried I get when you’re out late like this, especially with everything going on in the pack.”

I swallowed hard, forcing a smile as I lied. “Don’t worry, Mom. We’re fine. Just heading home now.”

The tears were threatening to spill over, but I couldn’t let her hear me cry. “It’s raining, so be careful on your way home. Text me when you get there, okay?”

As soon as the call ended, I crumpled against the tree, my body shaking with the force of the sobs I had been holding in. For the first time in years, I let myself break, alone under the night sky.

The world around me moved on, indifferent to my pain. Wolves passed through the woods on patrol, rain dripping from the branches above, but I stayed there, crying until there was nothing left inside.

In the silence that followed, I realized something. I wasn’t crying because I had lost Kieran. I was crying because I had lost myself along the way, trapped in a bond that had long since died. But now, I was ready to break free.

Wiping my tears, I stood tall, feeling the weight lift from my chest. I wasn’t weak anymore. I wasn’t his anymore.

I was *me*. And I would never let anyone take that from me again.

The storm raged on, but for the first time in a long while, I felt a flicker of peace.

Soon, I would start over. As my own Luna.