Seven years of loyalty. Seven years of believing that Kieran Blackwood—Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack—would one day claim me as his Luna.

And on the night of my twenty-eighth birthday, he finally sent me a gift.

Omega Zack arrived at my cabin with a small box wrapped in dark silk. Inside was rich, dark chocolate cake, drizzled with blood-red raspberries and dusted with gold flakes. My heart, long starved for affection, foolishly swelled with hope.

I didn't post about it. I didn't tell anyone. Instead, I carried the cake to the Packhouse, my steps light with cautious hope. If Kieran was finally acknowledging me, I wanted to thank him in person.

But when I reached Alpha's private chambers, I found the door slightly open. Laughter spilled from inside.

I hesitated but then stepped inside.

The grand oak table in Kieran's chamber was covered with half-eaten food, overturned goblets of wine. The air smelled of roasted meat, expensive liquoar....and something else. Something intimate.

Selene Graves, Beta's daughter, lounged on the couch, wearing nothing but Kieran's shirt. My stomach twisted. I refused to believe it.

And at the center of it all sat Kieran, sprawed in his chair, golden eyes glowing in the firelight, watching Selene as she lifted a forkful of cake to her lips.

The exact same one I still held in my hands.

I looked down at the gift he had sent me, the delicate golden flakes shimmering under the candelight. A cruel joke....probably a mistake.

Kieran's golden eyes flickered toward mine, but instead of guilt, there was only irritation. "Soleil, what the hell are you doing here?"

I could barely form words. "You—" My voice faltered. "You sent me that cake."

Selene laughed softly, licking the chocolate from her fingers. "Correction. He bought two for me. I just didn't like it that much. So, Omega Zack gave one to you instead of throwing it away. But you're trash anyway, so it doesn't make a difference."

A slow, mocking smile spread across Kieran's lips."And you really thought it was meant for you?"

The air around me grew suffocating. My wolf, silent for years, whimpered inside me. But I refused to break.

I forced my expression into something neutral as I stepped forward, setting the untouched cake on the table beside its half-eaten twin. "No, thanks. You can have it all." I said calmly, trying not to embarrass myself more in front of them.

I turned on my heel and walked away.

---

My fingers curled into fist, my nails digging into my palms. The moment I stepped out of the cabin, I slammed the door behind me, the sound echoing in the small space. I barely had time to steady my breath before the door burst open behind me.

Kieran.

"What the fuck was that Soleil? What kind of attitude is that?" His voice was low, dangerous.

I turned to face him slowly, forcing my expression into something calm, unreadable. "What was what, Alpha?"

His jaw tickled at the way I said his title, distant, like he was nothing. "That little display back there. You came storming in like some scorned..."

"I was," I cut him off, voice sharp. "And on my birthday, no less."

Something flickered in his expression—annoyance. "You are being childish, Soleil. I'll send you as many cakes as you want next year. Just stop."

I stepped closer, my heart pounding. "Stop what?" I demanded. "Expect more from the man who was supposed to be my mate?"

His eyes darkened, his wolf flickering beneath the surface. "I never promised you anything, Sol."

"Kieran, baby, come here." I heard Selene's flirtatious voice. "Let's enjoy our anniversary. Don't mind that pathetic Luna wanna be."

"Go home. Remember this, I married you for the sake of the pack—nothing else. Leave." He said as he went back inside the packhouse.

I grabbed his arm to stop him. "Not even once did you love me?"

He removed my hands from his arm as if my touch disgusted him. "I never loved you. Not once, and not even until the day I die. To me, you're just a woman who happened to become a Luna—not chosen by the Moon, but forced upon me." And he left.

You're just a woman who happened to become a Luna. It killed me.

So, he never loved me nor cared for me.

Words sat unspoken as I stared at the untouched food on my counter—the meal I had carefully prepared for my birthday. It was supposed to be for Kieran and me, a quiet celebration, just the two of us. But he never came home, nor did he even bother to greet me.

Then, a knock echoed through the room.

Another knock. More insistent this time.

I exhaled sharply, pushing myself to answer. But when I opened the door, it wasn’t Kieran standing there—it was the Omega, he bowed slightly as he extended an envelope toward me.

“A message from the Alpha,” he murmured coldly. His presence was truly something—heavy, commanding, secretive.

I received the letter from his hands, my chest tightening as I unfolded it.

Soleil,

I brought you something. A small gift for your birthday.

A gift? After humiliating me? After I caught him with her?

I forced myself to keep reading.

I didn’t mean for it to happen like that.

A sharp, bitter laugh escaped me. He didn’t mean for me to find out. That’s what he meant.

It’s not her fault, don't be mad at her.

He really loves her.

Could you bring a steak to the packhouse tomorrow night? Afterwards we can talk.

I don't know what to feel. Did he just send a gift to ask for a favor? I should have sent the Omega back with nothing but my refusal but, “Tell him I will come.” Maybe we can fix our bond.

---

The next day, I arrived at the pack house, holding the steak I personally cook. But I stopped on my track as I didn't expect to see them outside...playing like a married couple.

No, scratch that....They are more like a family.

A little boy—no older than seven—running between them, his tiny hands grabbing at Kieran's fingers.

Kieran knelt, scooping the boy up effortlessly, a rare softness in his expression. "Alright, alright," he chuckled. "You win, son."

Son.....

Something inside me fractured.

That boy...he was the same age my son would have been, if he hadn't died.

A memory crashed over me like a tidal wave.

---

"Sorry for your loss, Luna." The healer's voice has been hushed, careful. But it didn't lessen the pain.

I heard his cry. How come he died. No...no, I can't accept this. This is not true.

I had searched for Kieran that day, desperate, broken—"Where was he?"

The Omega had spoken hesitantly. "Alpha was in Selene's chamber. She was critical. He said he'd come after making sure the Beta’s daughter was okay."

He let our child die while protecting another child in a pack clash who crushed my world into pieces.

---

My hands curled into fists as the memories crashed over me, suffocating.

He had chosen her….and his son.

My body moved on its own, driven by anger, grief, betrayal—all of them crushed me piece by piece.

“Kieran.”

But my voice came out as a whisper, nowhere near as loud as my thoughts.

He looked at me, his golden eyes widened. “What are you doing here, Soleil.”

Before I could response—

“Oh, perfect timing! We’re already hungry. Do you want to join us for an early dinner?” she asked, her tone laced with insult.

She didn’t wait for an answer. She just snatched the food from my hands as if I were some lowly servant serving her happy family.

Happy family…

With shaking hands, I shoved the small velvet box against Kieran’s chest. My voice trembled with fury, and the tears I had tried so desperately to hold back finally fell, disregarding how Selene was making fun of me.

“Take your damn gift,” I whispered, broken. “Just like you’ve taken everything from me.”

He caught my wrist before I could pull it away. His grip was too firm.

“Soleil, enough,” he warned. “Not here.”

I moved closer to him and whisper “Why? You don’t want him to hear that he’s just a bastard who exists because his parents couldn’t control their itchy bodies?”

He lost his composure, gripping my chin tightly. “Don’t test my patience, Soleil. I don't know why you're here but leave.”

There I knew Selene was the one who sent the letter, not Kieran.

Before I could respond, the little boy stepped forward, his tiny hands balled into fists. Then, he pushed me.

“Who are you?” the child demanded, his voice small but filled with the same arrogance as his mother’s. “Why are you making my dad angry? You’re bad. You are ruining our family day. Leave now!”

And then Selene’s voice—sweet, gentle, yet dripping with mockery.

“Baby, she’s nothing. Just a stranger, okay?”

The child turned back to Kieran, his small face full of confusion. “Is that true dad?”

I hoped that just once, Kieran would deny it, that he would stand up for m—

“Yes,” Kieran said softly and smile. “She’s just someone who has…problems.” His voice was light, dismissive, “Let daddy and mommy handle this, okay?”

The child looked at them, amused. “When I grow up, I want to be an Alpha, like you. And I will find a Luna like Mom,” and he said before turning his gaze to me, “and not a woman with problems.”

The child went outside with Kieran while Selene remained, her mocking voice cutting through the air.

"You're really stupid, aren't you?" she sneered, pushing my forehead with her finger.

"No wonder Kieran's parents like me better than you—a useless Luna"

Anger surged through me, and I slapped her. But she retaliated—twice—her blows so forcefully that I stumbled, falling to my knees.

"You're nothing compared to me, Soleil," she said, looking down at me with satisfaction.

I lifted my head, meeting her gaze. "Yes, because you're just a mistress who doesn't know her place."

Selene smirked. "Are you talking about yourself? Tell me, what is your place in Kieran's heart?"

I didn't answer. I couldn't

Her smirk widened. "See? Nothing. And we're family, with a son. A thing you will never have." Then she walked away.

I wiped my tears and stood up. I had made my decision—I would tell Kieran’s parents everything he had been doing. Even an Alpha deserved punishment.

I stood in the great hall, my breath shaky, my hands clenched so tightly that my nails bit into my palms.

They were all here—Kieran’s parents, my parents—watching me like I was nothing more than an inconvenience.

Not a daughter. Not a Luna. Just a problem they wanted to be rid of.

Former Alpah Cedric sighed, his expression laced with disgust as he took in my miserable state. He rubbed his temples as if even listening to me was exhausting.

“Soleil, do you know how foolish you look right now? What will others think of you? That we’re not taking care of you, and that’s why you look like a homeless?”

Homeless..Yes, I felt homeless. Helpless.

I sniffed. “Foolish?” My voice was eerily calm. “I came here to tell you who the real foolish is—your son.”

My dad slammed his hand against the table, his anger palpable. “Watch your words, lady. Where’s your manner?”

The former Luna scoffed, crossing her arms. “And what did you expect? That we would turn against Kieran for someone like you?”

She stood, her gaze serious and unwavering. “You want us to punish him for doing what needed to be done?”

My stomach twisted. “What needed to be done?”

Beside them, my mother shook her head, disappointment clear on her face. “You never understood the sacrifices it takes to be part of a strong pack.”

I look at her in disbelief. “Is that what you call this? A sacrifice?”

My father let out a sharp breath, rubbing his temples. “For God’s sake, Soleil, stop bothering us and think of how to be useful.”

“I’m not acting like anything,” I hissed. “I am telling you what happened. I am telling you that Kieran—”

A crack echoed through the room.

For a second, I didn’t register what had happened. I just felt the burning sting on my cheek, the way my head snapped to the side, the way my breath caught in my throat.

Slowly, I turned my face back to my father.

His hand was still raised.

I tasted blood in my mouth.

“Enough,” he said coldly.

He slapped me for telling the truth.

“You are lucky,” he said, his voice sharp as blade. “Lucky to have been chosen as Luna. Lucky that Kieran tolerated you for as long as he did.”

I felt like I was going to be sick. “Tolerated?”

Luna Helena scoffed. “You think we didn’t know that you can’t carry a child anymore?”

She gave me a pitying look, but it wasn’t real pity. It was Mockery.

“You can’t give Keiran an Heir.”

The words sent a sharp, twisting pain through my chest. I nearly collapsed.

“We knew from the moment the healers confirmed it” Alpha Cedric said. “And we knew Kieran blessed with a son from Selene.”

Tears burned at the back of my eyes.

They all knew.

“I am his Luna.”

“No heir, no strength, no real place in this pack.” My father said as if I was not his blood and flesh.

Luna Helena tsked. “We were kind to let you stay as long as we did.”

Kind. Like I was some stray, they had given shelter to.

As if I were lucky to even be alive. As if they wished I had been the one who died instead of my child.

“You should know by now, Soleil. An alpha heir is more important than anything else. If it had been other way around—“she sighed.

“The moon corrected it by giving us Selene and her son.” Alpha Cedric said.

Every word they spoke stabbed me, branding itself into my soul.

But the worst part?

I had no one. No one to run to as they all turned their backs to me a long time ago.

"You are my greatest regret. I wish Selene were my daughter instead" my father spat, his voice laced with disappointment. "Take your disgrace and bury it deep in your grave."

"You will be dethored as Luna. And you are no longer part of our family." He added.