Andromeda

That morning, I held the referral letter for another round of silver purification.

The doctor had said I’d need two sessions. I thought I could squeeze in Athena’s funeral before heading to the hospital.

But reality is cruel. Alpha Rigel managed to bury his daughter—making sure he laid her in the ground with his own hands this time.

When I called, asking to be there, all he said was that it would only break me, ruin my state of mind, and affect my health.

He didn’t give me a chance to say goodbye. He stripped me of my right to be Athena’s mother.

What a hypocrite. And I’d lived with him for eight years of lies.

I spent the morning staring at old photos of us until tears blurred my vision.

“What’s that in your hand, love?”

His deep voice jolted me. Alpha Rigel slipped his arms around me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder.

Once upon a time, that would’ve warmed me. Melted me.

But those feelings had died the day Mata Hari built a wall between us.

“I’ve got another purification this afternoon,” I said flatly.

“You should’ve stayed at the hospital, darling. Athena’s at peace now. I took care of everything. You just need to rest.”

“Athena was my daughter too.”

My voice was short—like a blade held back from cutting too deep.

“But you’re still recovering. I worry about you,” he said, soft and sweet, his words laced with that warmth I no longer believed in.

I stayed silent—not from fear, but from exhaustion.

Exhaustion from hearing the same lies, wrapped in the same sickly tenderness.

Alpha Rigel always played the perfect father in front of everyone—

even me.

“After the hospital, I’ll visit Athena’s grave,” I murmured.

“I’ll take you,” he offered quickly.

I shook my head. “Don’t bother. You’ve got work to do.”

He looked at me for a long time, as if trying to read my thoughts, before parting his lips to speak again—

But then his phone rang.

The name flashing on the screen was the thorn in my side: Mata Hari.

My eyes sharpened. Rigel snatched up the phone, turning the screen away from me.

“Just a quick call,” he said, disappearing into the bathroom.

I reached my AirPods and followed him. Through the door, his voice was low, sweet.

“Your flight’s about to take off? Alright, I’ll pick you up at the airport. I love you, Mata Hari.”

The same tone he once used with me.

I smiled bitterly, sinking onto the edge of the bed then slipped my Airpods in.

He probably thought I hadn’t heard him when he stepped out again.

He came closer, tried to kiss me—but I turned my face away.

He froze for a second before his eyes dropped to my ears.

I removed the AirPods slowly, letting him know I’d heard every word of his betrayal.

“Sorry, Luna Andromeda, I’ve got to run. Work matters.”

Without waiting for a response, he strode out. The door had barely closed when another figure slipped in—Margareth, Rigel’s mother.

Her gaze could cut glass. “You’re still here? Shouldn’t you be at the hospital?”

“I’m leaving this afternoon.”

“If you’d done your job as a mother, Athena wouldn’t be dead. And now, instead of healing, you’re wandering about,” she sneered, her voice sharp enough to freeze blood. “Perhaps it’d be better if you died too—so you’d stop being a burden to Rigel.”

I drew a deep breath and stared her down. “I won’t die as easily as you hope.”

“Oh? Found your tongue, have you? Listen, Luna Andromeda—Mata Hari and her son, Oasis, will be moving in. And I suggest you don’t make trouble.”

I let out a hollow, bitter laugh.

“Do you think I’m afraid? Rigel would be nothing without me. I built him up from scratch—long before you remembered who cleared your precious family’s debts.”

I was the one who became his lifeline in those early days, the IT girl behind his little start-up—back when he was a nobody.

That old she-wolf seems to have forgotten who won those competitions and poured every prize into her son’s dream.

Who kept his company afloat. Who paid off the Richter family, so their knives stayed out of his back.

Her hand cracked across my face before I saw it coming. Heat stung my skin, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing me fall.

“You’re lucky you’re Luna of this pack. If not, I’d have stuffed your mouth with stones by now.”

“Such a shame, isn’t it? Maybe you’ll be satisfied when I’m gone.”

She scoffed and swept out, leaving behind the stench of sharp perfume that made my stomach turn.

Let her enjoy her little victory. She’d be scavenging the gutters soon enough—once I bring Carlson Hallow to its knees.

**

The purification lasted an hour.

Agony burned through every fibre of my body as the silver drained from my system. I felt wrung out—emptied.

“All done,” said Healer Lysandra, her gentle eyes unable to mask her worry.

I nodded, dragging in a shaky breath.

“Luna Andromeda…” She hesitated. “There’s something else you need to know. The tests show… you’re pregnant. About two weeks along.”

Her words cut deeper than any silver needle.

I was carrying life—pure and innocent—while still bleeding from Athena’s death.

I froze. Part of me wanted to shield that pup with everything I had.

Another part whispered that this was nothing but a trap—chains to bind me longer to Alpha Rigel.

My phone buzzed. A message from Altair:

Check your email. My Beta sent you the forms.

I stared at the screen, my hands trembling—not from the pain of purification, but from the choices looming before me.

Keep this pup and cling to the hope that things might change…Or walk away—for good.

The first option felt like throwing myself off a cliff.

My mind was blank. I’d surrendered before the war even began.

Alpha Rigel would never allow this child to exist—not when it stood in the way of his bastard son becoming the rightful heir.

And his love for Mata Hari gave him every excuse to shatter the bond blessed by the Moon Goddess.

By dawn the next day, Alpha Rigel was gone.

Beta Roland simply said the Alpha had slipped away at first light.

And sure enough, there it was—Margareth’s latest post, parading Rigel at London Heathrow with the little family he’d kept hidden…

Until now—When Alpha Rigel could finally show them to the world.

Andromeda

Rain poured down in sheets as I knelt by Athena’s grave.

Cold water seeped into my collar, soaking my clothes, but it was nothing compared to the hollow ache consuming me from the inside out.

My heart sank—never in my worst nightmares did I imagine this day would come. My little girl, who only wanted to celebrate her fifth birthday with her father, now lay beneath the earth… and here I was, her mother, staring at a gravestone instead of her smile.

Memories stabbed my mind like nails driven deep.

The way her tiny hands moved when she first called me Mum. The sparkle in her eyes when Alpha Rigel called her ‘little goddess’.

Those moments spun endlessly in my head like a cruel reel.

Back then, we were happy. A family. Finally complete after three long years of trying for a child.

I worked too much in those early days. The pack doctor said stress had delayed my ability to conceive.

Rigel insisted I quit my job.

By then, his start-up—Nebula Playworks—was finally taking off, making waves in the human world.

“You don’t need to work anymore, Andie. You’ve done so much for Nebula already. I want a pup with you. Let me take care of everything.”

And like a fool, I believed him. Because both of us wanted Athena.

Now all I had left was the little claw pendant in my hand—a birthday gift for a five-year-old who never got to wear it.

“I’m so sorry, sweetheart… your last wish never came true.” I placed the necklace gently on her headstone.

Rain washed over my face, mingling with tears that no longer burned.

Then a shadow fell over me. A large black umbrella shielded me from the downpour.

“Luna Andromeda,” Beta Roland’s voice was clipped, formal. “Alpha Rigel sent me to fetch you. He’s waiting.”

For one foolish second, I thought maybe Rigel cared. That he regretted not coming with me, even after I told him I didn’t need him there.

But reality has never been that kind.

Back at the pack house, the truth hit me like a blade to the chest.

Mata Hari stood in the middle of the grand hall, dressed in a designer gown that hugged every curve—an image of sensual perfection for any he-wolf passing by.

Her hand clutched that of a little boy—Oasis—parading him like a trophy before the pack.

Beside her, Margareth beamed, making sure no one got too close to the pup for too long.

The whole display was pathetic. I almost laughed—but all I managed was a bitter curve of my lips.

Mata Hari’s eyes found mine. Her smile was warm—or rather, fake warmth wrapped in silk.

“Good afternoon, Luna Andromeda,” she cooed sweetly. “It’s so lovely to finally meet you.”

“Yes.” My reply was flat as stone.

Alpha Rigel stepped forward, voice carefully calm.

“Mata Hari will be staying here for a while—until she finds a place of her own. She… was rejected by her mate after suffering abuse. She needs a safe space to heal.”

I nodded once. “Do whatever you want.”

Inside, everything was numb. Lie after lie, piling up like a mountain of rotting snow.

No rage. No outburst. Just an icy silence freezing me from within.

Margareth swept closer, her sugary smile sharp as glass.

“Luna Andromeda, you’re being so cold. Mata Hari is our guest. As Luna, you should welcome her warmly.”

I met her gaze, voice steady. “I’m not a hypocrite like you.”

Her face hardened. “What did you just say? Don’t forget—I adopted you from that orphanage. Without me, you’d never be here, never become my son’s mate.”

I gave a short, humourless laugh. “And don’t you forget—I helped Alpha Rigel build Nebula Playworks from the ground up. If I hadn’t dragged myself through the mud with you back then, none of this would’ve survived.”

The tension snapped tight. Rigel cut in before sparks turned to flames.

“Enough. Mum, stop. Don’t bring up the past. Andromeda, please understand—Mata Hari needs time to recover. Try to… keep things positive, okay?”

Positive energy? Bloody hell—you’re the one who dragged that darkness into our pack with this pathetic little theatre act.

Back in my room, I sat in silence, piecing together the fragments of what was and what’s to come.

It didn’t take long for Mata Hari to snake her way into South Hallow.

Athena’s death paved her path—how tragic is that?

My hand drifted to my belly—the home of the Alpha’s true heir.

“Mummy will protect you, little one. Even if it costs me my life.” A tear traced down my cheek. “I’ll get you out of this hell.”

If my pup was going to be strong, then I had to be stronger.

Beta Roland summoned me for dinner—a formality I’d avoided since Athena’s funeral.

But tonight, I’d endure it. For appearances. To make Rigel believe I was still the dutiful Luna, all smiles and grace.

The meal was torture. I barely spoke, just chewed and swallowed, ignoring Mata Hari’s endless monologue about her tragic past and how noble Rigel was for saving her.

That must’ve stung her pride—because the next thing I knew, she gave a little gasp and “accidentally” spilled red sauce all over her own gown.

“Oh no, my dress!” Her voice trembled, a flawless act of helpless victimhood. “Luna Andromeda… I know you’re still upset with me, but—”

I shot her a cold look. “I didn’t even touch you.”

But Rigel whipped round, his voice sharp. “Luna Andromeda! You’re the Luna here. Control yourself. Mata Hari is always spotless—she wouldn’t do this on purpose.”

Something inside me cracked.

“I said I didn’t touch her. Keep accusing me and I swear I’ll walk out that door.”

“You—”

The slap came hard and fast.

Rigel’s hand struck my cheek. His eyes softened a heartbeat later, regret flickering in their depths.

“You hit me?” My voice was quiet. Broken.

“Andromeda… you should understand Mata Hari’s situation. She’s a she-wolf, like you. Neither of you wants to be hur—” He stopped, choking on his hypocrisy.

Hurt? You bloody hurt me the moment you marked her.

I curled my fingers into fists, nails biting my palms, stopping myself from clawing Mata Hari’s smug face.

“Alpha, I don’t want to cause any more trouble,” Mata Hari murmured, rising with a saintly sigh. “Perhaps I should stay at a hotel instead.”

Rigel gripped her arm instantly.

“No, Mata Hari. You’re staying here. I promised your father I’d keep you safe.”

Anger and despair fused into one bitter taste that coated my tongue.

I turned and walked out without a word.

Rigel didn’t stop me.

Not long after, he came to my room—wearing guilt like a second skin. He begged me to accept Mata Hari and Oasis.

What a joke. The universe really is playing me, forcing me to tolerate the woman who stole my mate.

“Andie, please. I promised the late Alpha Timothy I’d protect her. She’s been through hell with an abusive mate.”

“Do whatever you want. You’re the Alpha. I’m tired. Close the door on your way out.”

“You’re not angry anymore?” He looked at me like an idiot.

“I said I’m tired. I need rest.”

“…Alright. I’m sorry for what I did earlier.”

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

A text from an unknown number lit up the screen:

It’s time you learned who you really are, Andromeda Nielsen—Daughter of Alpha King Richard. If you want the truth, don’t block this number. You deserve your legacy.

I stared at the message, my heartbeat slow but heavy.

Was this real—or just another cruel joke to swallow?

Then came another image from the same sender.

A photograph of a Winchester Claw medal—the symbol of the oldest pack in existence—hanging around the neck of a one-year-old pup cradled in his parents’ arms.

Andromeda

Chaos in the pack house was spiralling out of control. Margareth sharpened her sarcasm like a blade, slicing me apart with every comparison to Mata Hari.

And Alpha Rigel? He flaunted his betrayal at every corner, as if he wanted to shove me out of South Hallow piece by piece.

Earlier today, when I went to retrieve Athena’s photos from her room, I heard them—Rigel and Mata Hari—mating with those disgusting noises.

In my daughter’s room.

And I stood there, powerless, outside that door.

The only thing I could do was record it all on my phone—evidence I’d one day throw in Alpha Rigel’s face when I finally walked away.

The weight of betrayal pressing on my chest only eased when my gaze dropped to my stomach, my hand resting softly on the life inside me.

I returned to my room and buried myself in work—gathering evidence of Athena’s death.

My fingers danced across files: videos, voice recordings, chat logs. Every trace of Rigel’s movements over the past two weeks, every whisper of deceit.

I would use it all during Athena’s memorial ritual.

I was focused on downloading CCTV footage from Golden Glee Park when the door swung open without so much as a knock.

Mata Hari stepped in—her movements rehearsed, her body the stage.

Her eyes glinted with smug delight, like a cat dangling its prey.

“Nice room,” she purred, scanning every corner. “No wonder you’ve been hiding in here.”

I didn’t look up. “Leave. I don’t have time for you.”

Her smirk curved like a dagger. “Did you like the little photo I sent?”

My fingers stilled above the keyboard. But I forced them to move again.

Maybe annoyed that I wasn’t rising to the bait, she nudged the glass by my laptop. Water spilled, flooding the keys.

“Oops… clumsy me,” she murmured with fake regret.

“Get out,” I said flatly. “Or better yet—go spread your legs for Alpha Rigel all day long.”

She laughed, wicked and shameless. “Thanks for the advice. Already did. Didn’t even need a reminder.” Her grin was pure devilry.

“Then what more do you want? My blessing?” I tilted my head. “Seems like you’re still worried I might ruin your little fairytale, Mata Hari.”

Her fingers gripped my chin, nails digging in. “I gave you eight years, Andromeda. Eight years. Now it’s my turn to take what’s mine.”

I stared at her, my hand sliding to my phone, tapping the recorder. I needed her confession—her sins carved in her own voice.

“Take him. I don’t care,” I spat. “Save your energy for pleasing Rigel. After Athena, he’s nothing to me.”

Her lips curled. “Ah, that brat…” she whispered, leaning closer. “When I told Rigel to send that mad hunter to kill you—for me and Oasis—I felt alive again.”

My pulse thundered. “You… it was you?”

Her smile was venom. She gripped my chin, forcing my face up. “Of course. Rigel does whatever I want. You were just a pawn. Athena was collateral damage.”

The world narrowed. My breath came ragged. I shoved her hand away, rage burning through my bones.

“You—shameless witch!” I drove her back, step by step. “You think the world spins around your body? You think I’ll just stand here after you crushed my pup’s life?”

She smirked. “You won’t do a thing. You’re weak.”

My hand cracked against her cheek. The sound split the air. She froze—then her eyes gleamed with something darker.

“Oh… this will be fun,” she whispered.

Before I could move, she darted back, whipping a silver blade from her pocket.

Smoke hissed as it seared her palm. She slashed her own thigh, then tumbled down the stairs, screaming.

Voices erupted below. Footsteps thundered. Alpha Rigel burst in, Margareth at his side—Oasis trailing behind, wide-eyed.

“What did you do to her, you vile bitch?!” Margareth shrieked, cradling Mata Hari as she feigned unconsciousness.

I stood frozen at the top of the stairs, my chest heaving. “She—”

“Shut up!” Alpha Rigel’s voice cut like steel. “I’ve had enough, Luna Andromeda.”

Margareth glared at me with pure loathing. “First you kill your own child, now you try to kill my grandson’s mother? You have no shame!”

“She’s lying! She threw herself—” My voice broke. No one cared.

Oasis clung to Margareth, sobbing, his eyes staring at me like I was a monster.

Alpha Rigel stormed up the stairs, his hand crushing my shoulder before I could step back. “You’ll never touch Mata Hari again.”

His shove sent me tumbling. My back slammed the steps, pain igniting like fire, my skull pounding as the world spun out of focus.

Through the blur, I saw him scooping Mata Hari into his arms, carrying her out—leaving me sprawled at the foot of the stairs like trash.

**

When I woke, antiseptic burned my nostrils. The harsh glow of pack hospital lights stabbed my eyes.

An IV pierced my arm, morphine flowing warm into my veins—laced with wolfbane, heavy and cruel.

I tried to lift my hand, but strength deserted me.

“What did you do to her, Luna Andromeda?”

AlphaRigel’s voice—cold, merciless—dragged my gaze to him. He didn’t even care enough to ask if I was okay.

“What I did?” My throat was raw. “You should be asking what she did to me—to our daughter!”

Alpha Rigel loomed closer, his jaw clenched tight. “You’re always like this. Blaming everyone else when it was you who failed Athena.”

The words shattered me like glass.

He still painted me as the mother who killed her child.

“I carried her. I birthed her. I—” My voice cracked. “And you dare make it look like I murdered her?”

“I lost her too!” Alpha Rigel roared. “But I’m not wasting my life whining and pointing fingers.”

“You didn’t lose her, Alpha. You were too busy fucking Mata Hari—building your perfect little family!” My throat burned as tears carved hot paths down my cheeks.

Alpha Rigel moved in with slow, predatory steps, until his breath was fire against my skin. His fingers gripped my jaw, forcing me to meet those storm-grey eyes I once thought were my sanctuary.

“Watch your mouth, Luna Andromeda!” he murmured, voice like a blade wrapped in silk. “You’ve got no proof. And you should be grateful Mata Hari survived. Tomorrow—she becomes my lady.”

“Your lady?” My chest heaved, fury pulsing in every word. “Take her, then. Take all your lies, all your betrayal. I’m done.”

“You’re going nowhere, Andie. Not while I’m still your Alpha.” He leaned closer, his thumb brushing the tears from my cheek—mocking tenderness in a grip that could break bone. “You’ll see what a real Luna looks like… and a true heir for South Hallow. That prophecy? I’ve erased it.”

“Just reject me, Alpha!” My voice ripped from my throat, raw and shaking.

His gaze darkened, possessive and venomous. Then came the whisper, low and lethal, the kind that binds chains around your soul:

“Never.” His lips hovered at my ear, each word dripping with obsession. “I still love you, Andie… but not the way I love Mata Hari.”

My heart slammed against my ribs, my wolf trapped in a burning cage.

He called this love. For Moon Goddess’s sake—this twisted, diseased, bleeding.

He barked for the doctor, ordering a heavier dose of morphine and wolfbane.

My body turned to lead as darkness dragged me under.

**

When I woke again, a voice—low, unfamiliar—slipped through the silence.

“Finally awake, Andromeda.”

A he-wolf sat in the shadows by my bed, his face cloaked in dim light.

“Who… are you?” My voice was a rasp.

He leaned forward, eyes glinting like steel. “A loyal man of Winchester. Alpha Altair sent me to get you out of Alpha Rigel’s grip.”

He unclipped the IV from my arm, smooth and precise.

From his jacket, a golden badge caught the faint light—the Winchester Claw.

“Alpha Altair says you’ve got five days to leave South Hallow. Tomorrow night, when the full moon peaks—I’ll come for you.”