The pack gathering hall buzzed with excitement as silver and blue decorations adorned every corner. Victoria's labor had begun at dawn, and by midday, the news spread through the Silver Fang territory like wildfire. The birth of Alpha Maxwell's first pup—a momentous occasion that demanded celebration.

I stood in the shadows at the back of the hall, my fingers nervously twisting the hem of my simple dress. Six moons had passed since Victoria's pregnancy announcement, six moons of watching her belly swell with Max's child while my own dreams withered.

"Luna," Anya whispered, appearing at my side. "You don't have to be here."

"Yes, I do," I replied, my voice hollow. "Max asked me to come."

The crowd parted as Max entered, cradling a tiny bundle wrapped in the Silver Fang's ceremonial blanket—pure white with silver thread embroidery. His face glowed with pride as he approached the Moon Stone at the center of the hall.

"Today, the Silver Fang Pack welcomes its newest member and future heir," Max announced, his Alpha voice resonating through the hall. "I present to you, Lily Foster."

He lifted the bundle higher, and the tiny pup let out a soft cry. The pack erupted in cheers and howls of approval. My wolf whimpered inside me, the pain of seeing Max with his child—Victoria's child—almost unbearable.

Through our mind-link, I felt Max's presence brush against my consciousness. *Soon, Luna. Just a little longer.*

His eyes found mine across the crowd, a fleeting look of apology before Victoria appeared, dressed in a flowing silver gown. She took the baby from Max's arms, her triumphant smile directed at me as she pressed herself against his side.

"Isn't she beautiful?" Victoria's voice carried. "She has her father's eyes."

I slipped out before anyone could see the tears streaming down my face.

---

Three weeks later, I crept through the silent pack grounds under the cover of darkness. My stomach had been churning for days, and a strange scent clung to my skin—one that my wolf recognized before I could admit the truth to myself.

The healer's cabin sat at the edge of the territory, isolated from the main pack houses. Old Mira had been the pack healer for three generations, her wisdom respected even by Luna Elara.

"I've been expecting you," Mira said as I slipped through her door. Her ancient eyes, cloudy with age, seemed to see right through me.

"How did you know I'd come?" I asked, wrapping my arms protectively around my middle.

"A healer knows when new life begins to form." She gestured for me to lie on the examination table. "Even when that life is meant to be a secret."

Her gnarled hands moved over my abdomen, her eyes closing as she connected with the energy within me. After a moment, she smiled.

"Strong. Resilient. Like its mother."

"Then it's true?" I whispered, afraid to hope. "I'm carrying Max's pup?"

Mira nodded. "About six weeks along. The Moon Goddess has blessed you."

A sob escaped my throat—part joy, part fear. This changed everything. Max had promised we would leave after Victoria's pup was born. Now I carried his child too. Surely this would be the push he needed to finally honor his promise.

"Be careful, child," Mira warned, pressing a small pouch of herbs into my hand. "Not everyone will celebrate this news."

---

The grand hall of the Silver Fang pack house gleamed under crystal chandeliers. The annual Spring Gala brought together neighboring packs, a display of the Silver Fangs' wealth and power. I stood near the refreshment table, my simple blue dress a stark contrast to the opulent gowns around me.

Max had insisted I attend, though Victoria had thrown a fit when she learned I would be there. For once, he had stood firm. Through our mind-link, I had felt his excitement when I told him about our pup. *This changes everything,* he'd said. *We'll announce our departure after the gala.*

Hope bloomed in my chest for the first time in months. I hadn't told anyone else about the pregnancy—not even Anya. This was my secret, my chance at happiness.

I was so lost in thought that I didn't notice Luna Elara approaching until she was beside me, her cold smile never reaching her eyes.

"Enjoying the festivities, omega?" she asked, her voice dripping with disdain.

"Yes, Luna Elara," I replied, lowering my gaze as protocol demanded.

"Such a shame you won't be joining us for much longer," she said, leaning closer. "I know about your... condition."

My blood ran cold. How could she know?

"My son may be blinded by the mate bond, but I see clearly." Her eyes narrowed. "No omega's bastard will ever threaten my granddaughter's position."

Before I could respond, she bumped into me with surprising force, sending me stumbling backward toward the grand staircase. I reached for the railing, but my fingers slipped.

Time seemed to slow as I fell, tumbling down the marble steps. Pain exploded through my body with each impact. I heard screams, felt hands reaching for me, but it was too late.

I lay at the bottom of the stairs, warm blood pooling beneath me. Through blurring vision, I saw Max rushing toward me, his face contorted in horror. But behind him stood Elara and Victoria, watching from the top of the stairs.

Victoria's lips curved into a smile as darkness claimed me.

The omega quarters smelled of mildew and despair. I pressed my back against the cold stone wall, counting the days since Max had locked me here after my fall. Three weeks. Three weeks of isolation, with only the guards' cruel laughter for company.

"Did you hear?" One guard's voice drifted through the barred window. "Alpha Maxwell spent another night in Lady Victoria's chambers. They say he can't keep his hands off her."

"Poor omega thinks she's still his mate," another guard chuckled. "Doesn't she know? Once an Alpha tastes a real she-wolf, he never goes back to scraps."

Their laughter echoed through the narrow corridor, each sound a dagger to my heart. I wrapped my arms around my empty belly, the place where our pup should have been growing. The physical pain had faded, but the ache in my soul remained raw.

My wolf whimpered inside me, weak from the loss and Max's absence. Through our mind-link, I felt nothing—he had shut me out completely since that night.

The door creaked open, and I tensed, expecting another guard with moldy bread and water. Instead, Anya slipped inside, her eyes darting nervously.

"I shouldn't be here," she whispered, pressing something into my palm. A folded piece of paper, warm from her grip.

"Anya—"

"Read it when I'm gone." Her voice trembled. "And burn it after."

She vanished as quickly as she'd appeared, leaving me alone with the note. My hands shook as I unfolded it, recognizing her careful handwriting:

*Luna, you need to know the truth. I overheard Victoria and Luna Elara in the garden. The miscarriage wasn't your fault. Victoria put wolfsbane in her own tea, then blamed you. She's planning something worse. Please, be careful. Trust no one.*

I stared at the words until they blurred. Of course. How could I have been so blind? Victoria had orchestrated everything—from that first night with Max to my fall down the stairs. And Max... he had chosen to believe them over me.

I held the note over the single candle in my cell, watching Anya's warning turn to ash. My wolf stirred, not with hope but with a grim understanding. We were truly alone.

---

The full moon ceremony arrived with its usual pageantry. Guards dragged me from the omega quarters, claiming Alpha's orders. I hadn't seen moonlight in weeks, and even through my resentment, my wolf yearned for its touch.

The pack had gathered in the sacred circle, silver moonlight bathing everything in an ethereal glow. Max stood at the center, magnificent in his ceremonial robes, with Victoria beside him in a dress of midnight blue. She looked radiant, her hand resting on her flat stomach in a gesture I recognized too well.

No. Not again.

As if sensing my thoughts, Victoria's eyes found mine across the circle. The corner of her mouth twitched—not quite a smile, but close enough.

"Brothers and sisters of the Silver Fang Pack," Max's voice rang out, strong and clear. "Tonight, under the blessed moon, we celebrate—"

Victoria swayed suddenly, her hand flying to her forehead. "Max," she gasped, loud enough for everyone to hear. "I feel... strange."

She crumpled gracefully—too gracefully—into his arms. Max caught her, his face etched with concern as the pack murmured in alarm.

"The pup," Victoria whispered, but her voice carried on the night air. "Our second pup... I didn't want to say anything until I was certain, but..." She pressed his hand to her stomach. "The healer confirmed it this morning."

The pack erupted in celebration. Another heir, another blessing from the Moon Goddess. I watched Max's face transform from concern to joy, and something inside me shattered completely.

Through our mind-link, I felt him reaching for me. *Luna, please. I know this is hard, but—*

*No.* I slammed my mental walls shut, but not before his next words slipped through.

*This is the last time, I swear. Once this pup is born, once I secure the pack's future, we'll leave. My mother will have two grandchildren to carry on the bloodline. She won't be able to stop us anymore. Please, my love. Trust me one more time.*

One more time. How many times had I heard those words? How many times had I believed them?

Victoria had recovered from her theatrical faint, now glowing with triumph as pack members offered congratulations. Her eyes met mine over their shoulders, and this time she didn't hide her smile.

I felt my wolf curl up inside me, smaller than ever. And somewhere deep in my chest, something that had been holding on finally let go.

*One more time,* Max pleaded through our bond.

Against every instinct screaming otherwise, I sent back a single word: *Fine.*

But as guards escorted me back to the omega quarters, I fingered the small wooden token in my pocket—the one Anya had given me months ago. The Rogue Alliance. Maybe it was time to stop believing in promises.

Maybe it was time to save myself.