When the third pup I bore for the Alpha was taken from me again, I finally broke.

He held me tightly, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"Elaine, we won't try anymore. I’d rather have no heir than see you endure this pain again."

But the former Lycan Queen, Valentina Patterson, decreed that he must either reject me and take another mate or adopt a male pup from the noble bloodlines as his heir.

Reluctantly, he complied, and within days, he returned to the packhouse with a five-year-old boy.

With him came the boy’s mother, Giuliana Arnold.

That night, I dreamed of my daughter’s cries. Overwhelmed by grief, I rose and went to the pack’s sacred hall, hoping to pray for my pups’ safety—that they might still be alive somewhere.

But as I approached the hall, I heard Giuliana’s sultry whispers.

“Alpha, our son is already here. Let me give you a daughter too, so you’ll have both.”

“Stop it, Giuliana. Seeing a daughter would only remind Elaine of her loss. I can’t bear to see her suffer.”

“But you’ve already buried those three girls near the Moonlight Sanctuary. Isn’t that enough for her? What more does she want?”

I staggered out of the packhouse and found myself at the Moonlight Sanctuary’s edge, where I saw three small graves.

The tombstones bore the same name: *Luna Moon*.

It was the name we had chosen for our daughter together.

---

I clung to the cold gravestone, my sobs echoing through the night.

Grief and fury surged through me like a tidal wave.

The Moonlight Sanctuary was the most revered place in our territory, even the former Lycan Queen would come here to pray.

If Seth had truly buried our daughters here, it might have been a gesture of care—but this place wasn’t even part of the sanctuary!

I couldn’t understand how the bond we’d shared since childhood had twisted into this cruelty.

Not only had he allowed our pups to die, but he’d also left them alone in this desolate place.

I hated him with every fiber of my being.

After my tears ran dry, I numbly stood up, unsure how I made it back to the packhouse.

By the time I reached my room, dawn had already broken.

At this hour, Seth would usually bring me a cup of medicinal tea, insisting I drink it to heal.

Since the birth of our first pup, my health had declined, but I hated the bitterness of the herbs. So, for three years, he’d personally fed me every morning.

But today, he was nowhere to be seen.

A pack servant, Lily, brought the tea to my room.

“Luna, please drink,” she said softly.

I didn’t take the cup, only asking in a hollow voice, “Where is the Alpha?”

When she didn’t answer, I looked up and saw her eyes brimming with tears.

“Tell me. I can take it.”

“Luna, what’s Giuliana’s status? Why did the Alpha spend the night in her quarters?”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Yes, what *is* her status? I’m waiting for him to explain it to me.”

I took the cup and poured the tea into a nearby plant.

Then I turned to Lily. “Take the herbs to a trusted healer. Have them check what’s in this.”

“Yes, Luna.”

After Lily left, I changed my clothes and stepped out of my room.

As I approached Giuliana’s door, I saw Seth walking out, hand in hand with her and the boy.

When he saw me, he froze, instinctively pulling his hand away.

Then he smiled and hurried over to steady me. “Elaine, what are you doing here? It’s cold outside, and you’re not well. You shouldn’t wander around.”

I placed my hand on his arm and smiled gently.

“I wasn’t in the best state yesterday and didn’t properly greet this child or his mother. I thought it was only right to come and ask you about them.”

Seth’s face stiffened, his brow furrowing. “Why come here to find me? Did Lily say something?”

“Don’t overthink it, Alpha. I wanted to speak with Giuliana first, then find you. But I happened to see you here…”

He quickly explained, “The boy wasn’t feeling well, and the servants called me over. Come, let’s talk in the main hall.”

He draped his jacket over my shoulders and guided me forward with his arm around my waist. As we turned, I caught the jealousy and malice in Giuliana’s eyes.

Seth and I sat in the main hall’s alpha seats, while Giuliana and the boy took their places below.

Seth began, “The boy is five. I’ve already reported to the Lycan King, naming him Boden Sullivan. This is Giuliana Arnold, his mother.”

“She’s the daughter of a former Beta. Her mate’s entire family died protecting the Lycan King’s territory during the rebellion six years ago, leaving only this pup. Now it’s just the two of them. I thought taking them in would be a gesture of goodwill. What do you think, Luna?”

Six years ago, when the current Lycan King took the throne, many lives were lost. This boy was five—Seth’s own son.

There was no doubt a tangled web of connections here.

A thought began to form in my mind.

I smiled and said, “It’s a fine idea. Why not make her your chosen mate?”

Seth's face paled, his coffee sloshing in the mug as his hand trembled.

"Elaine, don't joke about this. I swore before the Lycan King that you would be my only mate."

I ignored him and turned to Giuliana, my voice calm but firm. "What do you think?"

Giuliana's face lit up with barely concealed joy, though she quickly masked it with a look of feigned surprise. She bowed her head respectfully.

"Luna, please don’t tease us. We’re just grateful to have a place in the Silver Moon Pack. I wouldn’t dare dream of anything more."

"It’s fine," I replied, my tone steady. "My father was a hero of the pack, and his legacy still holds weight. If I speak to the Lycan King, he’ll grant my request."

Giuliana’s lips curved into a faint smile, though she kept her eyes downcast. "I’ll defer to your judgment, Luna."

Seth slammed his mug onto the table, the sound echoing through the room.

"This is absurd!" he roared, his Alpha tone reverberating with anger.

He stormed out, his aura crackling with frustration.

The room fell silent, leaving me alone with Giuliana and Boden.

I stepped closer to them, my gaze lingering on the young pup. Gently, I brushed my fingers against his cheek, my voice soft but heavy with unspoken thoughts.

"He looks just like him."

Giuliana chuckled lightly, her tone smooth as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a tissue. She handed it to me, her expression unreadable.

"This was left in my room last night. I forgot to return it. Would you mind giving it back to the Alpha for me?"

I took the tissue, my stomach twisting as I recognized the faint scent of moonflowers—a scent I had associated with Seth long ago. My heart ached, but I forced a polite smile.

"Of course."

Once I returned to my room, the weight of everything crashed down on me. I collapsed onto the bed, tears streaming down my face.

My father had warned me about Seth, but I had been too stubborn to listen. I had defied him, even threatened to end my own life, just to be with Seth. And for a while, it had seemed worth it. Seth had been devoted, and our bond had been the envy of the pack.

But now, I felt nothing but shame. How could I face my father’s memory after all this?

Just then, my assistant, a loyal Gamma named Clara, burst into the room, her face flushed with anger. In her hand was a crumpled piece of paper.

"Luna, I found this. The healer confirmed it—there are harmful herbs in this prescription. Long-term use would not only make it difficult to conceive but could also cause miscarriages."

My hands shook as I took the paper, my heart pounding. The familiar bitter taste of the medicine I’d been drinking for years suddenly made sense.

Had Seth never wanted me to bear his pups?

The thought was like a dagger to my chest. My tears fell faster as I imagined the pups I could have had—their tiny lives struggling to survive despite the poison in my body.

They had fought so hard to exist, only to be taken from me by the one who should have protected them.

I called for Clara to bring me paper and a pen, my hands trembling as I wrote a message.

"Find someone trustworthy," I said, my voice low but firm. "Deliver this to Kayce White, the Gamma of the Northern Star Pack. Make sure it reaches him directly."

After Clara left, I summoned my attendants, instructing them to help me prepare. I had a meeting with the Lycan King, and I intended to face him with my head held high.

The Beta of the Silver Moon Pack led me straight to Valentina Patterson’s residence. As we approached, I could smell the faint floral scent of jasmine that always lingered around the former Luna. It was a mark of her status, one that reminded everyone of her once unshakable position.

“You’ve arrived at the perfect time, Elaine,” the Beta said, his voice respectful but distant. “Valentina has been in good spirits recently. She’s just invited the Alpha King for a private meeting.”

I nodded in gratitude and stepped inside. The moment I entered, Valentina’s eyes lit up, and she reached out to take my hand. Her touch was warm, but it carried the weight of her authority.

“Elaine, my dear,” she began, her voice smooth and measured. “I was just telling Lucca how admirable it is that you’ve been so understanding about Boden. To raise him as your own shows true strength and loyalty to the pack. Seth is fortunate to have a mate like you.”

I took a step back and bowed my head slightly, showing the respect her rank demanded. “Thank you, Valentina. I’m here today to discuss this very matter.”

I turned to the Alpha King, who stood with his arms crossed, his expression unreadable. His aura, as always, was commanding, and I could feel the subtle pressure it exerted on the room.

“Your Majesty,” I began, my voice steady despite the tension in the air. “I’ve come to ask for your permission to allow Seth to take Giuliana as his chosen mate. Her family has served the Alpha Kingdom with honor, and this would provide Boden with the stability he deserves. It’s a solution that benefits everyone.”

Before the Alpha King could respond, Valentina interjected, her voice filled with approval. “Three cheers for Elaine’s generosity! This is exactly the kind of selflessness that strengthens our packs.”

But I noticed the way Lucca’s brow furrowed, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied me. His voice, when he spoke, was cold and sharp. “Seth once vowed to have no other mate but you. Has he forgotten that so quickly?”

I lowered my gaze, my heart pounding in my chest. “Your Majesty, please don’t blame him. After losing so many pups, my body and spirit have grown weak. I can no longer bear children, but the pack needs an heir. I beg you, consider this request not just for Seth’s sake, but for the future of the Silver Moon Pack.”

When I left Valentina’s residence, I carried the Alpha King’s decree with me. I knew exactly where to find Seth—Giuliana’s quarters. As I approached, the faint sound of a crashing glass echoed from within, followed by Seth’s voice, low and furious.

“I’ve made it clear—no one will ever replace Elaine as my Luna!”

“Alpha,” Giuliana’s voice was soft, almost pleading. “I’m not asking to take her place. I only wish to be your chosen mate. And… I’m carrying your pup. I’m already a month along.”

“Get rid of it!” Seth’s voice was harsh, unyielding. “From now on, nothing will hurt Elaine. Do you understand?”

My hand froze on the door handle, my vision blurring with unshed tears. His words should have brought me comfort, but they only deepened the ache in my chest. If he truly loved me, why had he taken Giuliana to his bed when I was grieving the loss of our pup? If he loved me, why had he hidden Boden from me for so long?

I pushed the door open, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. “Alpha,” I said, holding up the decree. “The Alpha King has spoken. Giuliana will be your chosen mate in ten days.”

The room fell silent, and Seth’s eyes met mine. For a moment, I thought I saw something—regret, perhaps, or guilt. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by the mask of the Alpha he had become.