After the third daughter I bore for the Alpha was stolen again, I completely broke down.

He held me tightly in his arms, his eyes brimming with tears.

"Eleanora, we won’t have any more children. I’d rather have no heir than see you endure this pain again."

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

Helpless, he obeyed, and within days, he returned to the packhouse with a boy, about five years old, and his mother, Frances Medina.

That night, I dreamt of my daughters’ cries and woke in anguish, deciding to visit the Moon Temple to pray for their safe return.

But as I approached the temple, I heard Frances’s voice, laced with seduction.

"Alpha Julien, our son is already here. How about I give you a daughter next, so you’ll have a complete family?"

"Don’t be foolish. Seeing a daughter would only remind Eleanora of her pain. I don’t want to hurt her."

"But you’ve already buried those three girls near the Silver Lake. You’ve done enough for her. What more does she want?"

I stumbled out of the packhouse and found myself at the Silver Lake, where I saw three small graves.

The tombstones bore the same name: *Juliette*.

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

==============================

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

The grief and fury inside me surged like a tidal wave.

The Silver Lake was a sacred place, where even the Lycan Queen came to pay her respects.

If Julien had truly buried our daughters here, it would have been a gesture of love. But this place was far from the lake, in the middle of nowhere.

I couldn’t understand how the man I had grown up with, my childhood sweetheart, could become so heartless.

Not only had he killed our daughters, but he had also left them abandoned in this desolate place.

I hated him.

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

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

Usually, at this hour, Julien would bring me a bowl of herbal tea and feed it to me himself.

Since the birth of our first daughter, my health had declined, and I hated the bitter taste of the medicine. So, he had made it his ritual to care for me every morning.

He had done this for three years.

But today, he was nowhere to be found.

My Omega, Roselyn, brought the tea to me.

"Luna, it’s time for your medicine."

I didn’t take it, instead asking softly, "Where is the Alpha?"

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

"Tell me. I can handle it."

"Luna, who is that Frances Medina? Why did the Alpha spend the night in her room?"

I let out a bitter laugh. "Yes, who is she? I’m waiting for him to explain it to me too."

I took the bowl and poured the tea into a nearby potted plant.

Then I instructed Roselyn, "Take the herbs to a trusted Healer. Find out what’s really in this tea."

"Yes, Luna."

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

When I reached Frances’s door, I saw Julien walking out, hand in hand with her and the boy.

When he saw me, he froze and instinctively let go of Frances’s hand.

He quickly stepped forward, a smile plastered on his face. "Eleanora, what are you doing here? It’s cold outside. You shouldn’t be wandering around in your condition."

I placed my hand on his, smiling gently.

"I wasn’t feeling well yesterday and didn’t get a chance to properly greet our new guest and her son. I thought I’d come to ask you about them."

Julien’s expression stiffened, and his brow furrowed. "Why didn’t you come to me directly? Did Roselyn say something?"

"Don’t blame her. I wanted to speak with Frances first, but I happened to see you here…"

He quickly explained, "The boy wasn’t feeling well. The servants called me to check on him. Let’s go to the hall and talk."

He draped his jacket over my shoulders and guided me forward, but as we turned, I caught the jealousy and coldness in Frances’s eyes.

In the hall, Julien and I sat in the Alpha’s seat, while Frances and the boy sat below.

Julien began, "The boy is five years old. I’ve already informed the Lycan King, and he’s been named Aidan. This is Frances Medina, his mother."

"She’s the daughter of the former Beta of the Crimson Fang Pack. Her mate and his entire family died protecting the Lycan King’s palace during the uprising six years ago, leaving only her and her son. I thought it would be a noble act to take them in. What do you think, Luna?"

Six years ago, during the Lycan King’s ascension, many lives were lost. Now, this boy is five, and Julien’s son.

There was clearly more to this story.

A thought began to form in my mind.

I smiled and said, "That’s wonderful. Why don’t you make her your chosen mate?"

---

1. Changed "herbal tea" to "tonic" to better fit the werewolf context.

2. Replaced "moon temple" with "Moonlight Grove" to avoid Eastern connotations and align with werewolf lore.

3. Modified "servants" to "pack members" to reflect the hierarchical structure of a werewolf pack.

Julien’s face paled, and the coffee in his hand trembled slightly.

“Eleanora, don’t joke about such things. I swore before the Lycan King that you would be my only mate.”

I ignored him and turned to Frances, my voice calm but deliberate. “What do you think?”

Frances couldn’t hide her joy, though she pretended to be startled and bowed her head respectfully.

“Luna, please don’t tease us. We’re just a mother and child seeking shelter. We’re already grateful to have a place in the pack. We wouldn’t dare hope for anything more.”

“It’s fine,” I said, my tone steady. “My father was a respected Gamma who gave his life for the pack. If I speak to the Lycan King, he’ll grant this without question.”

Frances kept her head down, but I saw the corner of her lips curve into a faint smile. She nodded, her voice soft but eager. “I’ll follow your lead, Luna.”

Julien slammed his mug onto the table, the sound sharp and jarring.

“This is absurd!” he roared, his Alpha aura flaring with anger. Without another word, he stormed out of the room, leaving me alone with Frances and Aidan.

I stood slowly and walked over to them, my fingers brushing lightly against Aidan’s cheek.

“He smells just like him,” I murmured, more to myself than anyone else.

Frances chuckled softly but didn’t respond. Instead, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a scarf, handing it to me with both hands.

“This was left in my room last night by the Alpha. I forgot to return it earlier. Would you mind giving it back to him, Luna?”

I took the scarf, my fingers tightening around the fabric as I recognized the embroidered crescent moon—a design I had stitched for Julien myself. My heart twisted, but I forced a smile.

“Of course,” I said, my voice steady despite the ache in my chest.

When I returned to my room, I collapsed onto the bed, the tears I’d been holding back finally spilling over.

Years ago, my father had warned me against Julien, but I had defied him, refusing to listen. I had loved Julien so fiercely that I’d risked everything to become his mate. And for a time, he had loved me just as passionately. Our bond had been the envy of the pack, a story whispered with admiration.

But now, I felt only shame. How could I face my father’s memory, knowing I had failed to honor his warnings?

Just then, Roselyn burst into the room, her face flushed with anger. In her hand was a piece of paper—a prescription.

“Luna, I found out. The Healer said this contains ingredients that are extremely harmful. Long-term use not only makes it difficult to conceive but also increases the risk of miscarriage.”

I stared at the prescription, my hands trembling.

All these years, the medicine I’d been drinking had carried this bitter taste. Had Julien never intended for me to bear his children?

The thought was like a knife to my heart, and the tears fell harder.

My children—how they must have fought to survive, struggling against the poison in my body just to reach me. They had endured so much only to be taken from me by the one person who should have protected them.

I wiped my tears and called for paper and pen.

“Find someone trustworthy,” I told Roselyn as I wrote. “Deliver this letter to Conrad Snyder, the Gamma of the Northern Howl Pack. Make sure it reaches him directly.”

Once she left, I summoned the other Omegas to help me prepare. I needed to see the Lycan King.

The Lycan Queen’s attendant led me straight to her chambers, his footsteps silent against the polished marble floors. “Luna Eleanora, you’ve arrived at the perfect time,” he said, his voice deferential. “Her Majesty is in high spirits today and has just invited the Lycan King to join her for the Marking Ceremony.”

I nodded in gratitude and stepped inside. The air was thick with the scent of blooming moonflowers, their silvery petals casting a soft glow in the dimly lit room. The Lycan Queen, Camila Martinez, smiled warmly as she extended her hand toward me. “Eleanora, my dear,” she said, her voice smooth and reassuring. “I was just telling the Lycan King how admirable you are, how selflessly you’ve accepted Aidan as your own. It’s no wonder my son, Alpha Julien, has cherished you all these years.”

I stepped back and bowed deeply, my posture respectful yet dignified. “Your Majesty is too kind,” I said, my voice steady. “I’ve come today to seek a favor from the Lycan King.”

The Queen’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, while the King, Dillon Salazar, regarded me with a neutral expression.

“I wish to request that Alpha Julien take Frances Medina as his chosen mate,” I said, my words measured. “Her family has served the Lycan Kingdom with honor, and this union would provide her with stability. It would also allow Aidan to grow up alongside his biological mother. A win-win situation, I believe.”

The Queen’s smile widened, and she clapped her hands softly. “How generous of you, Eleanora. Truly, you are a blessing to my son.”

But the Lycan King’s brow furrowed, his Alpha aura filling the room with an undercurrent of tension. “Alpha Julien swore an oath to take only you as his mate,” he said, his tone sharp. “Has he already forgotten his vow?”

I lowered my gaze, my voice softening. “Please don’t blame him, Your Majesty. After losing my daughters, I’m no longer able to bear children. My health has suffered, and I fear I cannot fulfill my role as Luna the way the pack deserves. I beg you to consider my father’s service to the kingdom and grant this request.”

The King’s expression remained unreadable, but he nodded curtly. “Very well. I will issue the decree.”

---

When I returned to the Silver Crescent Pack’s estate, I carried the decree with me, its weight heavy in my hands. I made my way to Frances’s quarters, knowing Julien would be there. As I approached the door, I heard the shattering of glass and Julien’s voice, low and furious.

“I’ve told you, no one will ever replace Eleanora’s place as Luna!”

“Alpha Julien, I’m not asking to take her place,” Frances replied, her voice trembling. “I only wish to be your chosen mate. And besides, I’m already carrying your child—a month along now.”

“Get rid of it!” Julien roared, his Alpha tone cutting through the air. “From this day forward, I will not tolerate anything that causes Eleanora pain.”

My hand froze on the door handle, my breath catching in my throat. Was this love or cruelty? If he loved me, why had he taken my daughters from me? If he loved me, why had he hidden Aidan’s existence for five years? And if he loved me, what was this child Frances carried—conceived while I was drowning in grief?

I steeled myself, pushing the door open with a firm hand. “Alpha Julien,” I said, my voice calm but firm. “The decree has arrived. Frances will join you as your chosen mate in ten days.”