After My Mate Poisoned Me, I Unleashed Silver

The autumn wind whispered through the sacred burial grounds as I knelt before Jake's gravestone, my fingers tracing the etched name that represented my last true family connection. The weathered gray stone stood among dozens of others—all that remained of the once-proud Moonridge Pack.

"I miss you so much, Jake," I whispered, my voice catching as I placed three handmade moon charms at the base of the stone. Each one was crafted from silver wire and moonstone beads, a tradition our pack elder had taught me before she too was gone. "It's been three years, but it still feels like yesterday."

The wind picked up, rustling the leaves around me. In my imagination, it carried Jake's response—warm, protective, telling me to stay strong as he always had. I closed my eyes, letting a tear slip down my cheek.

"The pack healer says I'm healthy," I continued our one-sided conversation. "But I lost another one, Jake. Four months, just like the others." My hand instinctively went to my flat stomach, the phantom pain of loss lingering despite my inability to feel physical discomfort. "Something's wrong with me. I can't even feel my wolf anymore... not since the mating ceremony."

The silence that followed was deafening. Three miscarriages in three years. Three little lives that never had a chance to grow. Three failures as Luna of the Shadowfang Pack.

"Marcus is... distant," I admitted, the words barely audible. "Sometimes I wonder if he regrets choosing a wolfless mate."

I stayed there until the sun began to set, the golden light casting long shadows across the memorial grounds. With one final touch to Jake's stone, I rose to my feet, brushing dirt from my knees.

"I'll come back soon," I promised, gathering my empty basket. "I love you, big brother."

The drive back to Shadowfang territory was quiet, my thoughts drifting between memories of Jake and anxiety about returning to the pack house—to Marcus. My mate. My Alpha. The man whose touch had grown colder with each lost pregnancy.

When I arrived, the pack house was unusually quiet. Most members would be preparing for dinner or finishing daily duties. I slipped through the grand entrance hall, heading toward our private quarters when voices from Marcus's study caught my attention.

The door was slightly ajar. I approached quietly, not intending to eavesdrop until I heard Victoria's sultry laugh. My hand froze on the doorknob.

"The council meeting went well," Marcus's deep voice rumbled. "The Silvercrest alliance will strengthen both our packs."

"Of course it will," Victoria purred. "My father is already discussing the terms. Once everything is... finalized, we'll have the strongest bloodline in the northern territories."

I pushed the door open slightly wider, my heart dropping at the sight before me. Marcus had Victoria pressed against his desk, his large hands possessively gripping her waist. Her arms were wrapped around his neck, fingers tangled in his dark hair.

*Marcus?* I reached through our mate bond, the mental connection all true mates shared.

He stiffened immediately, pulling away from Victoria. His dark eyes met mine across the room, not a hint of shame in them—only annoyance at the interruption.

*What is it, Lily?* His response through our bond was cold, dismissive.

Victoria turned, her perfect lips curving into a smirk when she saw me. "Luna Lily," she said, the title sounding like an insult on her tongue. "Back from your... little outing?"

"I was visiting my brother's grave," I said quietly, my gaze fixed on Marcus. "I didn't mean to interrupt."

"You should have mind-linked before entering," Marcus said aloud, straightening his shirt. The wave of indifference washing through our bond made me flinch. "Victoria and I were discussing pack business."

Three days later, during the monthly pack run through the northern territories, I lagged behind the main group. My human legs couldn't keep pace with shifted wolves, and Marcus had stopped waiting for me months ago. As the sounds of playful growls and running paws faded into the distance, I followed at my own pace, familiar enough with the route to find my way back.

That's when I spotted it—a small metallic object half-buried in the dirt near a fallen log. Curious, I knelt to examine what appeared to be some kind of communication device, likely dropped by rogues passing through our territory.

I slipped it into my pocket, deciding to show it to Marcus later. That night, alone in our bedroom while Marcus attended a "strategy meeting" with Victoria and the pack elders, I pulled out the device and began turning it over in my hands.

It crackled to life suddenly, and I nearly dropped it in surprise. A voice—Marcus's voice—filtered through clearly.

"—exactly as planned. The rogue attack was perfect cover. No one suspected I orchestrated Jake Summers' death."

My blood ran cold.

"And the Luna?" Beta Garrett's voice responded.

"Lily remains clueless," Marcus continued, his tone casual as if discussing the weather. "The fertility suppressants in her evening tea ensure she'll never carry my pups. Victoria is the one who will bear my heirs—strong, pure-blooded Alpha wolves worthy of the Shadowfang name."

The device slipped from my numb fingers, clattering to the floor as my world shattered around me.