Morning light filtered through the curtains as Jayson's hand gripped my waist, his fingers digging into my flesh with possessive force. The pack gathering outside our bedroom door waited for their Alpha and Luna to lead the morning run—a tradition I'd once cherished.

"Smile," Jayson whispered, his breath hot against my ear. "Everyone's watching."

I forced my lips upward, though Kira snarled violently inside me. *Don't touch us!*

"My Luna is still tired from last night," Jayson announced to the gathered wolves, his voice carrying that false tenderness that now made my stomach turn. "But she insisted on joining us today."

The pack members nodded approvingly, oblivious to the truth. I caught Rebecca's concerned glance—she'd been my assistant long enough to read the tension in my shoulders.

"Let's run," Jayson commanded, releasing me only to grab my hand as we shifted.

The transformation was agony. Kira fought against Jayson's dominance with every fiber of her being, causing pain to radiate through my body as we changed forms. My silver-white fur gleamed in the morning light, but inside, I was screaming.

*He's hurting us,* Kira growled. *The pup...*

*I know,* I responded through our link. *We need to be smart.*

Jayson's massive black wolf pressed against my side, his Alpha aura pulsing with each stride. Whenever he brushed against me—a calculated move to show unity—Kira rebelled, sending shocks of pain through my body.

"Run with your Alpha," he commanded through the pack mind-link, his voice echoing in everyone's heads.

I followed mechanically, but as we circled the territory, I reached out through the link to one wolf alone.

*Former Alpha Wayne,* I called silently. *I need to speak with you. Privately.*

There was a moment of surprise before his response came. *Is everything alright, Luna?*

*No,* I answered simply. *I need your help.*

---

Wayne's study smelled of leather and old books, a sanctuary from the chaos of my life. I sat across from him, my hands trembling as I placed Jayson's phone on his desk.

"I found this last night," I said, my voice breaking. "And I'm pregnant."

Wayne's weathered face hardened as he scrolled through the diary entries. His eyes flashed with disgust as he read Jayson's cruel words.

"Margaret would have torn him apart for this," he said quietly, referring to his late mate—Jayson's mother. "A true Alpha protects his Luna and pup."

"He's not a true Alpha," I whispered. "He's a fraud I helped create."

Wayne's hand covered mine, warm and steady. "What do you need from me, daughter?"

The word 'daughter' broke something inside me. Tears spilled down my cheeks as I explained my plan.

"I need to secure my future—and my pup's future—away from him."

Wayne nodded, already opening his laptop. "Tell me what you've been working on."

For the next hour, we transferred my secret investments into accounts Jayson couldn't touch. The tech startups I'd backed were thriving, my business acumen something Jayson had always dismissed.

"This will be enough," Wayne said finally. "Enough for you and the pup to start over somewhere he can't find you."

---

The formal dinner that evening was torture. I sat beside Jayson at the head table, wearing a dress that hid my slightly rounded stomach. Each time he placed his hand on my shoulder or leaned in to kiss my cheek for the benefit of visiting pack members, Kira fought back with increasing violence.

"Smile wider," he murmured as the Beta's mate complimented our "perfect bond."

I was just beginning to think I might survive the evening when the pack guards burst through the dining hall doors.

"Alpha," the lead guard announced, "there's a she-wolf at our borders requesting sanctuary."

Jayson stood, his posture shifting with interest. "Who?"

"Francesca Simpson," the guard replied.

The room fell silent. My blood turned to ice as Jayson's entire demeanor changed—his eyes brightened with an intensity I'd never seen directed at me.

"Bring her in," he commanded, not bothering to consult me.

Kira's fury rose like a tidal wave inside me. *She's here. She's actually here.*

Minutes later, Francesca Simpson glided into the dining hall like she owned it. Her golden hair cascaded over one shoulder, her designer dress clinging to curves that had clearly been enhanced since I'd last seen her years ago.

"Alpha Ross," she purred, her voice carrying a practiced tremor. "I've come seeking protection from the European Alpha who's been... abusing me."

The scent hit me then—heavy French perfume masking her natural smell. But underneath it all, Kira caught something else. Something that made my wolf rear up in protective rage.

*She's lying,* Kira snarled. *And she's here for our mate.*

I looked up to see Jayson's expression—hungry, possessive, and filled with a desire he'd never shown for me. In that moment, I knew my prison had just become infinitely smaller.

The pack laws were clear. Sanctuary requests required Luna approval. But Jayson didn't even glance my way as he waved the guards forward.

"Bring her to the main house immediately," he commanded, his voice vibrating with an excitement I'd never heard before. "She'll be staying in the east wing guest suite."

My stomach dropped. The east wing was adjacent to our private quarters—the most prestigious guest accommodation in the pack house.

"Jayson," I said quietly, trying to maintain my composure. "We need to discuss this first. Protocol requires—"

"Protocol?" He cut me off with a sharp look. "Francesca is a vulnerable she-wolf seeking protection. My duty as Alpha is clear."

Kira snarled inside me. *He's never cared about protocol before.*

"I'm your Luna," I reminded him, my voice steady despite the tremor in my hands. "All sanctuary requests go through me first."

Jayson's eyes narrowed, his Alpha aura flaring as he stepped closer. "Are you questioning my decision?"

The dining hall had fallen silent. Every pack member watched our exchange, their expressions ranging from confusion to pity.

"Former Alpha Wayne," I called out, turning to the one person who might support me. "What does pack law state about sanctuary requests?"

Wayne rose slowly from his seat, his weathered face unreadable. "The Luna must approve all sanctuary requests within pack territory."

"See?" I turned back to Jayson.

But Jayson's expression had hardened into something cold and unyielding. "This is an exceptional circumstance. Francesca requires immediate protection."

"Then the omega quarters would be appropriate," I countered. "Not our private wing."

"You're being paranoid," he dismissed, loud enough for everyone to hear. "This is my final decision."

---

The next morning, I descended the stairs to find Francesca already at breakfast. She wore one of Jayson's oversized black shirts that hung to her mid-thigh, her long legs bare and flawless.

"Good morning," she chirped, her voice honey-sweet as she leaned against the counter. "I hope you don't mind that I borrowed one of Jayson's shirts. Mine were... damaged during my escape."

I froze at the threshold, my nose picking up the unmistakable scent of her French perfume mingled with Jayson's earthy aroma. They'd been in close contact—too close.

"Where is Jayson?" I asked, keeping my voice neutral.

"Showering," she replied with a small smile. "He was so concerned about me last night. Stayed up for hours making sure I was comfortable."

As if summoned by her words, Jayson appeared at the top of the stairs, his hair damp and tousled. His eyes immediately found Francesca, softening in a way they never did for me.

"Morning," he said, his voice warm as he descended. "Did you sleep well?"

"Like a baby," Francesca purred, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from his forehead—a gesture so intimate I felt Kira rear up in rage.

I stepped forward. "Francesca, I need to establish boundaries. You're a guest in this house, but—"

"She's hormonal," Jayson interrupted, cutting his eyes to the omega servants who were trying to blend into the walls. "Ignore her."

Heat rushed to my cheeks as the servants exchanged glances. One of them—Rebecca—looked at me with undisguised sympathy.

"Jayson," I warned, my voice low. "You're undermining me in front of the staff."

"Only stating facts," he replied coldly, before turning to Francesca with a smile. "Let's get you something to eat."

---

The training grounds echoed with the sounds of sparring wolves. I watched from the sidelines as Jayson demonstrated combat techniques to the pack's elite warriors. For a moment, I could almost forget the turmoil of the past twenty-four hours.

Then Francesca appeared at the edge of the field, her face contorted in what looked like distress.

"Jayson!" she cried out, her voice trembling. "I—I can't breathe!"

The training session halted immediately. Jayson abandoned his sparring partner mid-strike, rushing to her side.

"What's wrong?" he demanded, his hands gripping her shoulders.

"Panic attack," she gasped, collapsing against his chest. "Ever since... what he did to me..."

I stood perfectly still as Jayson wrapped his arms around her, cradling her against his body in full view of the entire pack elite.

"I've got you," he murmured, his voice carrying across the now-silent training ground. "You're safe now."

The warriors exchanged uncomfortable glances. Some looked at me with pity, others with confusion. My authority as Luna was being systematically dismantled before their eyes.

I felt Wayne's presence beside me before I saw him.

"This is calculated," he whispered. "She's undermining your position."

I nodded slightly, not trusting myself to speak. Instead, I pulled out my phone and opened the banking app, confirming that the final transfer had gone through.

"Are you ready?" Wayne asked quietly.

I watched as Jayson continued to hold Francesca, whispering reassurances into her hair while the pack's elite warriors stood awkwardly around them.

"Yes," I replied, my finger hovering over the confirmation button for one final transaction. "I'm ready."

Kira's voice rose within me, no longer howling in pain but growling with determination. *Soon,* she promised. *Soon we'll be free.*

Snow blanketed the Obsidian Moon territory as I stared out the window, my hand resting protectively over my growing belly. The winter estate in the Hamptons loomed ahead—a sprawling mansion that would soon host the annual Mate Ceremony Gala. My prison would be moving for the season.

"The SUV is ready," Jayson announced from the doorway, his voice leaving no room for argument. "Everyone's waiting."

I turned to face him, gathering my courage. "I'm not feeling well. The baby—"

"The baby will be fine," he cut me off, his silver eyes narrowing. "Dr. Chen already cleared you for travel."

Of course she had. Jayson's influence extended to every corner of our lives.

"I'd prefer to stay in New York," I said quietly. "The city is more comfortable for me right now."

Jayson stepped closer, his Alpha aura pressing against me like a physical weight. "You're my Luna. Your place is by my side at the gala."

Kira snarled inside me. *He won't let us go.*

"Fine," I conceded, reaching for my coat.

Jayson's hand shot out, gripping my wrist with bruising force. "You'll ride with me. Not with the staff."

The drive to the Hamptons was torture. Jayson's hand remained possessively on my thigh, his thumb tracing small circles that once would have comforted me. Now they felt like brands of ownership.

"You're quiet," he observed, glancing sideways.

"Just tired," I lied, watching snowflakes dance in our headlights.

His phone buzzed, and I caught Francesca's name on the screen before he quickly tucked it away.

"She's probably nervous about the move," he said defensively.

I said nothing, focusing instead on the life growing inside me. *We'll find a way out,* I promised my unborn pup. *I swear it.*

---

The Hamptons estate was even more opulent than I remembered. Crystal chandeliers cast prismatic light across marble floors as pack members bustled about, preparing for our arrival.

"Careful on the stairs," Jayson warned as we entered the grand foyer. "They're slippery."

I nodded, taking slow steps up the sweeping staircase. Behind us, Francesca lingered in the entrance hall, her golden hair catching the light.

"Oh!" Her cry pierced the air as she stumbled dramatically on the first step.

Jayson was at her side instantly, his face transformed with concern. "Francesca!"

She clutched her ankle, tears welling in her eyes. "I think I twisted it."

Without hesitation, Jayson swept her into his arms. "I'll take you to your room."

"My room?" she asked innocently. "Isn't that in the east wing?"

"The east wing is being prepared for the gala," Jayson replied, already carrying her up the stairs. "You'll stay in the main house."

I watched them disappear down the corridor, Francesca's arms wrapped around my mate's neck, her lips curved in a satisfied smile only I could see.

*She planned this,* Kira growled.

"I know," I whispered.

With Jayson occupied, I slipped into the library and locked the door behind me. My hands trembled as I dialed the number I'd memorized weeks ago.

"Lawson & Associates," a crisp voice answered.

"This is Luna Elle Hayes," I said quietly. "I need to speak with Attorney Lawson about the foundation paperwork."

Twenty minutes later, I had everything in place. The She-Wolf Advocacy Foundation would be registered by week's end, funded by my secret investments and operating independently of pack control.

---

Later that evening, I passed the guest wing on my way to dinner. Voices drifted from behind a partially open door—Francesca's room.

"Another fifty thousand by Friday," she was saying, her voice entirely different from the fragile whisper she used around Jayson. "Or I release the photos to your wife."

I froze, pressing myself against the wall.

"You can't do this forever," a male voice responded through her phone's speaker. "Ross will find out eventually."

Francesca laughed, the sound cold and calculating. "Jayson? He's wrapped around my finger. You should see how he carries me around like some precious treasure while his pregnant Luna watches."

My blood ran cold as she continued.

"That stupid mate ceremony is next week. Once I'm officially introduced to New York's elite, my price goes up. Either you pay, or I make sure everyone knows what you did to that omega she-wolf."

*She's lying about everything,* Kira snarled. *The abuse, the fear—all lies.*

---

I found Jayson in his office, papers spread across his mahogany desk. Without preamble, I placed my phone before him, playing the recording I'd made of Francesca's conversation.

"She's blackmailing her ex-mate," I said calmly. "There was never any abuse. She's using you—using us—for money and status."

Jayson's eyes flashed dangerously, his wolf rising to the surface. "You recorded her privately?"

"Jayson, listen to me—"

"You're spying on a guest in our home?" he roared, standing so abruptly his chair toppled backward. "You're jealous and paranoid!"

His Alpha aura crashed against me like a physical blow, forcing me to my knees. "I, Alpha Jayson Ross, command you to stay away from Francesca. You will not speak to her, record her, or interfere with her in any way."

The Alpha command settled into my bones, heavy and inescapable. As I knelt there, gasping for breath, I realized the truth: Jayson would never choose me over her.

And that made my decision all the easier.