As the fated mate of Loki Whalen, Alpha of the Darkshadow pack, I once believed I would be his only Luna for life.

Today, that lie shatters.

On the pack's registry, my name has been crossed out as Loki's mate. In its place is Maya Hemmings, his true love, whom he claimed had left the pack years ago.

The truth is cruel.

In that instant, the excruciating pain of a bond rejection tears through my soul. That's when I finally understand that my weakness from the past year isn't from the heartache of failing to conceive, but the aftermath of our severed mate bond.

Loki needs my powerful bloodline to bear him an heir and solve the plague, the Blight, that's spreading through the pack.

What he doesn't know is that the healer told me yesterday that I'm carrying the twin pups he's always dreamed of.

Since his love is a lie, I have no reason to stay.

Now, I will leave and take his true heirs with me.

In the Wolf Council chambers, the First Elder, Adolphe Osouf, had just spoken when an excruciating pain ripped through the depths of my soul.

The bone-deep agony of rejection tore me out of a year-long numbness. It finally struck me that the calming herbal tea Loki Whalen had brewed for me wasn't meant to soothe my mind at all. It was a magic potion meant to dull the tearing of my soul.

I began to shake all over, struggling to accept the truth.

Just then, a familiar telepathic voice sounded in my mind. It was Loki's.

"Serafina, I've returned from the borders and brought you the finest gem from the northern lands. Once I wrap up a small matter, I return to the pack house to be with you."

Still clinging to a thread of hope, I went to the border gates to confront him, but I'd never imagined the confrontation to turn into a harsh blade of truth stabbing through my heart.

In the distance, a wolf stepped onto the pack grounds.

Loki stood tall and imposing with the black armor outlining his powerful frame. He was carefully holding the she-wolf beside him, and his eyes overflowed with gentleness that once only belonged to me.

That she-wolf was Maya Hemmings, his first love. Her belly was visibly swollen.

My heart felt as if it was being crushed, and I was shuddering all over.

We'd met and fallen in love eight years ago, but the eight years of love and happiness turned out to be nothing more than just an act.

After returning to the empty pack house, I took out a pregnancy stone glowing with twin blood-red halos, along with a hospital's report.

The Moon Goddess surely had a cruel sense of humor.

Yesterday, the healer told me that I was expecting twin pups, who'd inherit the power of my bloodline. I'd planned to surprise Loki on our mating anniversary, but who could have guessed he already had a new mate and an heir on the way?

Suddenly, footsteps sounded outside before Loki's tall figure appeared in the doorway. I wiped my tears at once and hid the pregnancy stone behind my back.

He strode over with worry written all over his face. "Why didn't you respond, my Luna? I was worried sick."

I lowered my head to avoid his gaze before forcing a smile. "I was with a friend, so I'm a little tired."

He pulled me into his arms and rested his chin on my head. "Don't ever do that again. You know that I get worried when I can't find you. I can't lose you."

My body stiffened in his embrace.

Just then, Loki's phone buzzed in his pocket. After he glanced at the screen, his expression shifted subtly as he quickly said, "I need to step out and take care of something, sweetheart."

With that, he let go and rushed toward the door, eager to leave.

There was a painful twinge in my chest because I'd just seen the name on the screen. It was a message coming from "Munchkin."

A few minutes later, he rushed back and threw on his cloak.

"Something urgent came up with the pack, so I have to go. I'll be back soon."

He planted a quick kiss on my cheek and left without looking back.

Once the wooden door clicked shut, I fed the pregnancy report into the shredder and swept up every scrap. Tears slid down my face as I gently rested a hand on my stomach.

"I'm sorry, my pups. I can't give you a complete family, but I'll give you the best of everything I have.

"Once I finish what needs to be done, I'll take you home to the Snowbound pack, where we belong."

The next day, I arrived at the pack's private hospital to check on the pups, only to spot two familiar figures.

Loki was carefully supporting Maya. He wore a gentle expression. It struck me that this was the emergency he'd talked about—taking her to her prenatal checkup.

My heart froze solid.

Hiding behind a stone pillar, I overheard the healer's voice. "Alpha Loki, are you sure you want to keep this pup?"

"Of course," Loki replied in a firm, resolute voice. "I must have this pup."

"But what about Luna Serafina? You mustn't forget that the Blight is spreading through the pack. The elders say that the only hope lies in Luna Serafina's bloodline. If she finds out what you're doing and decides to leave, what will you do?"

"Serafina can't bear pups or awaken her bloodline, so she's lost her value," Loki coldly cut in. "Besides, she loves me too much. Even if she finds out, she won't have the heart to leave."

So, he'd planned everything from the start, but he was dangerously wrong.

Just then, Maya walked out after finishing her examinations. She looked hurt and aggrieved as she asked, "Loki, am I making things difficult for you?

"This is all my fault. I shouldn't have told you about the pregnancy. I wanted to end it, but the healer said if I do, I'd never conceive again."

Loki patted her shoulder and gently said, "This isn't your fault. She'll accept this sooner or later."

Maya lowered her head and chokingly replied, "I know Ms. Lyall won't like me, but I'll try my best to please her. Once the pup's born, I'll move into the pack house as the housekeeper to take care of her and the pup."

Loki gave her shoulder another pat. "Things must be tough on you."

As I watched them, my chest tightened until I could barely breathe.

A few minutes later, Loki left to fetch some herbs. Once he was gone, Maya curled the corners of her lips into a cold smirk and walked toward me.

"Serafina, what are you doing, hiding behind the pillar?"

So, she'd seen me all along. I pressed my lips together and stayed silent.

"You heard everything, didn't you?" She raised an eyebrow with a provocative gleam shining in her eyes.

I turned to leave, but she blocked my path and grinned at me. "If you know what's good for you, you'll leave on your own. I'm carrying Alpha Loki's heir, while you, a barren, useless she-wolf, will just end up exiled. Wouldn't that be embarrassing?"

As her words grew harsher, I clenched my fists with nails digging deep into my palms.

"Maya, you—"

I was just about to speak when I heard hurried footsteps. Loki was back.

Maya's expression instantly shifted into one of fragile innocence. "Ms. Lyall, I know you don't like me, but please… Don't take it out on the pup…"

Her face was contorted in pain as she suddenly stumbled backward and clutched her stomach.

"Maya!" Loki blurred into motion and rushed to her side.

"What have you done to her?" He glared at me with eyes full of rage and disappointment.

Maya lay collapsed on the ground, sobbing with tears streaming down her face. "My stomach hurts so much, Loki… Our pup…

"Don't blame Serafina. She was probably just too upset…"

Loki's gaze softened with distress. "Don't be afraid. I'll take you to the healer right now."

He scooped Maya into his arms and left without looking back at all.

I watched the whole clumsy charade and couldn't even be bothered to explain.

Maya was declared fine and sent home for rest.

I stood at her door and watched as Loki bustled in and out, attending to her with meticulous care.

"Loki, let Ms. Lyall in." Maya's voice drifted over.

Loki's eyes seemed to avoid mine as he glanced at me before I stepped inside.

Maya was propped up against the headboard. "Ms. Lyall, please don't blame Loki. I asked him to bring you here because there are things we should talk through."

While I remained silent, Loki sat beside me and took my hand with guilt written plainly on his face. Then, he began saying, "Serafina… There's something I need to explain to you."

He paused, then continued, "Maya and I met at a gathering of the Highlanders pack. Envoys from the rival Bloodfang pack were there as well.

"They set me up and drugged me with an aphrodisiac. When I lost control, Maya was the one who saved me. That's when the pup was conceived."

At this point, he carefully eyed the look on my face and tightened his grip on my hand. "I swear that you're the only one I love, but the pup's innocent. He's my flesh and blood, so I must take responsibility.

"Don't worry. I'll have him registered under your name after he's born, and you'll be his mother. Please understand."

He finished and looked at me with hope shining in his eyes.

I lowered my head, struck with the belated realization that this was the choice he'd made.

At that, Maya's eyes reddened as well. "Ms. Lyall, I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I'm not in good health, so if I lose the baby, I'll never conceive again.

"So, please… I'm begging you to spare my pup, okay?"

I could barely breathe when I looked at them. As an expecting mother, I knew what a pup meant to a she-wolf.

After taking a deep breath, I forced a smile and did my best to keep my voice steady when I said, "I'm not upset. I understand."

Loki froze. "You do?"

I nodded and forced a bitter smile. "Loki, we're both thinking for the pack's sake. I understand you need an heir."

When I was done speaking, his face lit up with relief and surprise. He held my hand tightly, and his eyes were full of gratitude.

"Thank you, Serafina."