A thudding headache from the right side of my skull dragged me into consciousness.I forced my eyes open, and my vision was blurry.The surroundings around me were unfamiliar.Finally, all the blur cleared into focus and I immediately saw three pairs of brown eyes staring at me.

"She's awake!"The smallest girl smiled down at me, then nudged the others who were still staring at me in awe."Mama, she's awake!"

They ran off, shouting, "Mama!The

sea lady opened her eyes!"

I tried to sit up bewildered by what it was they were saying.What did they mean sea-lady?What was I doing here?The last thing I remembered was sitting on my favourite nest on the sea-cliff and crying.The rest was fuzzy.As I sat up, there was a sharp pain in my lower belly.I flinched, shutting my eyes as the pain almost demoralized me.

A woman appeared in the doorway, clearly their mother from the resemblance."Easy now," she said, settling into a chair."I'm Fatima.You've been asleep for a very long time."

"I..."My head was still spinning as she talked to me, I looked around to see if I could recognize where I was at, but nothing."Where am I?"

"Safe."She poured water into a cup, then handed it over to me with an outstretched hand."Drink slowly."

The water tasted sweet, but there was something more salt in it than the normal water.The memory hit me.

"The sea," I gasped."I remember the sea."

Fatima's face grew serious."I found you washed up on our shore three moons ago.More dead than alive."

"Three months?I've been unconscious for three months?"I've been unconscious for three months?"

"Your body needed time to heal.Whatever happened to you out there nearly killed you."

The memory crashed back with a blinding flash of pain, and I nearly toppled the cup as I ground my teeth.Fatima's hands steadied me.

I had been sitting on my favorite perch at the sea-cliff, the wind whipping my hair as I stared out at the endless horizon.The tears wouldn't stop coming.How long had I being played for a fool?Weeks?Months?But hearing them say it this morning was like a knife to my chest.My sister.My own blood.And my mate.

There was a sound of footsteps on the rocky path behind me, light and soft, I suspected that it should be Layla but I didn't turn when I heard her approach.I was too lost in my grief to care.

"Cecelia."Layla's voice was soft, almost gentle.The way she used to speak when we were children and she was trying to coax me into some mischief.

"Go away."I didn't want to see her face, didn't want to see those perfect features that everyone always said were more beautiful than mine.

"We need to talk."

I finally turned, wiping my eyes.She stood there in a flowing white dress, her golden hair catching the afternoon sun.Even now, even knowing what I knew, she was breathtaking.

"About what?About how you've been sharing my mate's bed while playing the devoted sister?About how you smile at me during pack meetings while plotting behind my back?"

Her face didn't change.That was what chilled me most; the complete lack of surprise or shame."You don't understand the bigger picture, Cecelia."

"Enlighten me."She stepped closer, and I should have backed away.I should have listened to the warning bells in my mind."The pack needs strong leadership.You're too emotional, too volatile.Look at you now, crying on a cliff like a child."

"I'm crying because my sister betraye me!"

"I did what was necessary."Her voice was cold now, all pretense gone."Zeke sees it too.You're not Luna material.You never were."

My anger spiked, and my voice was above level now."He's my mate,

Layla.The Moon Goddess chose-"

"The Moon Goddess makes mistakes."She was close enough now that I could see the glint of wickedness in her eyes."But we can fix them."

I started to stand, some instinct finally kicking in, but she was faster.Her hands slammed into my chest with surprising force.For a moment, I teetered on the edge, arms windmilling, the cliff's edge crumbling beneath my feet.

"Layla!"I reached for her, desperate, but she stepped back."Goodbye, sister," she whispered, and there was almost something like sadness in her voice."I'll take good care of what should have been mine all along."

The world tilted.I screamed as I heard the roaring waters beneath me.The last thing I saw was her silhouette against the sky, watching as I fell.

"Someone threw me in.They pushed me into the sea."I could recall hands pushing me, the shock of cold water."My sister pushed me off the cliff."

Fatima's eyes widened."Your own sister?This wasn't an accident?"

"No.She wanted me gone so she could take my place as Luna."The certainty settled in my chest along with grief I couldn't name.The betrayal cut deeper than the physical wounds."She was sleeping with my mate.

"Fatima's face hardened with righteous anger.

"Blood betraying blood.There's no sin worse in the eyes of the sea spirits.""I'm so sorry," I said, looking at her ashen face."You saved my life.But I need to find my way home, so I can remember who I once was.I promise I'll find a way to repay you-"

I tried to stand but the world tilted.I was falling until strong arms caught me.

"I won't allow you to leave in your condition.You have to be hale and hearty.You've been still for months so you will not be able to walk around as you normally would."

I closed my eyes, as I tried to catch my breath."Being in a coma so long, my muscles have forgotten-"

"Cecelia."Her voice stopped me."That's not the only reason you're weak."

Something in her tone made my blood run cold."What do you mean?"

She took my hands."You're carrying a child."

I shook my head, desperately."That's impossible."

"Yes."She nodded, "For about four months along.The babe is why your body fought so hard to survive."

Four months.Golden eyes flashed in my memory.Zeke.And then my sister's face, Layla with her perfect smile twisted into something cruel as she pushed me to my death.The timeline made terrible sense now.She must have known.She must have seen the signs I was too naive to recognize.

"I can't go back then," I whispered."Not like this.Not when I'm pregnant with his child and she's probably Luna now.""Back where?"

"The Brooke Pack.My sister... she's probably Luna now.I can't compete with her anymore.Not with a baby."The injustice burned through me.She had tried to kill me, and she still got everything she wanted."I had every right to that position."

"Then don't compete," Fatima said."Choose something different.Choose your child."

"Why are you helping me?""I believe the sea brought you to us for a reason.And everyone deserves a second chance."She moved toward the door.

"What is this place?"I asked.

"This is the Seacreek Pack.Most of us are fishers and farmers.We are simple folk, but good people."She paused."Rest now.When you're ready, I'll introduce you properly."

I settled back, one hand on my barely visible belly.The child of the man who had betrayed me, but innocent of his father's sins, who was also innocent of his aunt's murderous ambition.

The pain in my heart began to ease, just a little."Just you and me now," I whispered to the tiny life inside."We'll make our own way."

Three years later

"Mama, look what I drew!"Golden's excited voice pulled me from the kitchen as he burst through the door, his preschool drawing clutched in his tiny hands.

My heart clenched the way it always did when I looked at him.Three years old and already so much like his father; the He's going to start asking questions soon."same wheat-colored hair, the same stubborn chin, and those eyes.

God, those eyes were exactly like Zeke's, molten gold that seemed to see right through you.

"Let me see, swee

"I swore a lot of things."theart."I set down the kettle and lifted him onto my lap, studying his crayon masterpiece."Is this our house?"

"Uh-huh!And that's you, and that's me, and that's Aunty Fatima!"He pointed to each stick figure with pride."Miss Sarah says I'm the best drawer in class."

"You absolutely are."I pressed a kiss to the top of his head, breathing in his sweet scent."Why don't you go show Aunty Fatima?She's in the back counting today's catch."

Golden scrambled down and raced toward the storage room, his little feet pounding against the wooden floors.I smiled as watched him go, my chest tight with so much love for him.Love for this perfect little boy who'd become my entire world.

"Your boy's got too much energy," Fatima grumbled as he emerged from the back room, Golden clinging to her weathered hand. "Reminds me of my children at that age.Always into something.Never staying at ne place.""Speaking of which," I glanced at the clock, "I should get him ready for lunch soon.You know how it is a hassle to strip him of his clothes so that I can bath him."

As soon as Golden heard the word 'bath' he ran into the backroom, and me and Fatima chuckled.

Fatima helped me lay out the dining for the dishes.

"Where are your children?"I asked her."Aren't they supposed to be back from school?"

"I let them play by the shore," "Is that safe Fatima?"my voice grew worried.She smiled brightly at me."They all know how to swim."

I set some vegetables to boil, and I sat down by the dining, Fatima slipped in beside me. ."Cecelia, I've been meaning to ask.You ever think about... well, about Golden's father?He's going to start asking questions soon."

I sat up straighter, alarmed by the sentence.."There's nothing to discuss.Golden has everything he needs right here."

"I'm not trying to pry, but-" "Mama!"Golden's scream cut through the air like a blade."Mama, help!"

I spun around, but he was gone.The back door hung open, creaking in the harbor breeze.

"Golden!"I sprinted outside, Fatima close behind me."Golden, where are you?"

Golden!"We both yelled

simultaneously. we were greeted with deafening silence.

The only noise was the cry of seagulls and the lapping of waves against the dock."Check the boat slips," Fatima shouted and I could hear the tremor in her voice.She walked toward the market."I'll take the street."

My wolf senses kicked in as panic flooded my system.I could smell Golden's scent, faint but growing fainter, leading toward the tree line behind the Fishermen's warehouse.My heart hammered as I followed the trail, calling his name until my voice went hoarse.

Nothing.My baby was gone.

By evening, we had alerted the pack, and half the pack was

searching.Fatima organized search parties while the men combed every inch of Seacreek territory.I sat in the pack house, staring at Golden's drawing, my hands shaking so violently I could barely hold it.

"We'll find him," Fatima said softly, placing a warm cup of tea in my hands."These things happen sometimes.Kids wander off-"

"He didn't wander off."My voice came out flat, like all my life have been stolen from me "Someone took him.I can feel it."

Fatima squeezed my shoulder."The Seacreek pack isn't large, but we're thorough.We've searched everywhere twice.If he's in our territory-"

"He's not."I stood abruptly, the cup clattering to the floor."Whoever took him is long gone by now."

"Cecelia, you need to rest.You can't help Golden if you collapse from exhaustion."

Rest?How could I rest when my son; my golden boy was out there somewhere, probably scared and crying for his mama?

I looked outside and it was past sunset.If he had indeed wandered off, he would hav eocme home.He knew his way home.Somebody would have seen him.Somebody would have brought him back to me.

I closed my eyes, and suddenly I could see Zeke's face as clearly as if he were standing in front of me.Zeke, with his resources and connections.Zeke, who commanded respect and fear across multiple territories.Zeke, who could find anyone, anywhere.

The thought made me sick, butwhat choice did I have?

"I know someone who can help," I whispered, hating myself for the words."Someone with the resources to search beyond Seacreek."

Fatima looked up from the tea she was sadly spooning. "Who is that?"

"You will not know him but he used to leave in the pack where I came from?"

She stood up."If you're going to your former pack, then I am coming with you."I placed my hands on her shoulders."You don't have to."Her eyes held confusion.I swallowed."It's something I have to do alone."

Fatima's eyes widened with understanding."Cecelia, no.You swore you'd never-"

"I swore a lot of things."I picked up Golden's drawing, folding it carefully and tucking it into my pocket."But my son's life is worth more than my pride."

"No, Cecelia."She grabbed onto me as I made to turn away."It's best you inform the Alpha and have the Alpha meet Zeke on your behalf."

"And where will that have me be?"My Voice cracked with tears."Sitting around here, when I can be helping instead."

I met her gaze, seeing my own desperation reflected in her eyes."But who would have taken him?Why?"

I shook my head, the tears threatening to spill on my cheeks.And now I was going to see the one person I hoped I'd never have to face again.

The Brooke Pack territory looked like entirely different from what I had known it to be from three years ago.It was beautiful, impressive, and completely foreign to the place I'd once called home.

My hands trembled as I approached the main gates, every instinct screaming at me to run.The last time I was here, somebody attempted to murder me, and for all I know,

the person could still want me dead.Now I was walking back into the zeke's

mansion, and neither he nor Layla knew I was alive."State your business," the guard said, his voice bored but professional.

"I need to see Alpha Zeke," I said, surprised by how steady my voice sounded.

"It's urgent."

The guard's eyes swept over me dismissively."Yeah, you and half the unmated females in the territory.The Alpha doesn't take walk-in appointments, especially not

from-" He paused, his nostrils flaring as he caught my scent.His face went white.

"What's your name?"His eyebrows arched in confusion.

"Cecelia Mayers."The name felt strange on my tongue after three years of just being 'Cecelia' or 'Golden's mama.'

The second guard stepped forward, his hand moving to his weapon."That's impossible.Cecelia Mayer is dead.We buried her three years ago."

"Clearly, reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated."I kept my voice level

despite the panic clawing at my chest."I need to see Zeke.My son; our son has been taken."

Both guards exchanged glances, and I could practically see the wheels turning in their heads.Dead Luna shows up claiming to have the Alpha's child?This was either the truth or the most elaborate con in pack history.

"You're lying," the first guard spat."Luna Cecelia died in the sea.The Alpha led her funeral himself.You're just some desperate she-wolf trying to-"

"Trying to what?"I snapped, the composure I was trying so hard to keep cracking.

"Get myself killed?Because that's exactly what walking back here will accomplish if I am lying.I need to see Zeke."

My voice broke on the last words, and I hated myself for the weakness.But the truthwas, I was terrified.Terrified of seeing him again, terrified of what he'd do

when he realized I was alive, terrified that he'd refuse to help find Golden out of spite.

I remember Layla was pregnant for him before I was pushed out to sea.He must have his own child now.I doubt he'd be any willing to help me.He might not even believe that Golden is his child.

For that reason, I carried a picture of Golden in my bag.He was a carbon copy of Zeke and hopefully,that was enough proof."Please," I whispered, all my pride crumbling."My little boy is missing.He's only

three years old, and he's scared and alone, and I'll do anything to get him back."

The guards stared at me, stunned.

Finally, the second one spoke.

"Wait here."He disappeared into the guard house, and I could hear him making frantic phone calls.The minutes stretched like hours.I wrapped my arms around myself,trying to ward off the

memories that threatened to drown me.The last time I'd stood on these grounds,

Zeke had rejected me.I could still feel the excruciating pain that came with

that experience, and even when I tried to be alone to clear my thoughts, my sister came to insult me-adding salt to injury- and throw me over a cliff.The sound of approaching footsteps snapped me back to the present.A whole contingent of

guards was marching toward the gate, their faces grim.My wolf instincts kicked in, screaming at me to run, but I forced myself to stand my ground.

"Luna?"The head guard's voice was uncertain.."I'm just a mother trying to find her son."

"The Alpha... he'll want to see you immediately."The guard's face was pale."But I have to warn you, he's not the same man he was three years ago.The grief... it changed him."

Grief?I almost laughed at the irony.He'd grieved for the woman he'd rejected?

What kind of twisted psychology was that?

"I can handle Zeke," I lied smoothly."I just need five minutes to explain about Golden."

As we walked to the palace, everybody stopped whatever they were doing to look at me in something like reverent awe.I heard whispers of "I thought she is dead?""We

attended her funeral."The throne room doors loomed ahead of me, and my handssweated in anticipation of seeing Layla and Zeke again.I'd walked through them

countless times as Luna, but never like this; never as a stranger, never as someone who'd risen from the dead.

"He's in a meeting," the guard said apologetically."But given the circumstances..."

"Just open the doors," I said, steel creeping into my voice."My son doesn't have time for Zeke's schedule."

The doors swung open, and I stepped into the room th

at had once been my second home.It

was different now, something about it felt colder, more detached.The room

erupted in gasps as I stepped in.And there, at the far end of the long table, sat the man who'd haunted my dreams for three years.Zeke.

He was exactly as I remembered and completely different all at once.He was still devastatingly handsome, still radiating that dangerous alpha energy that had

first drawn me to him.My eyes scanned around for Layla, but she wasn't here.I walked closer to him, the council elders chattering like a hive of bees.But he was deep in conversation with his Beta, papers spread across the massive desk.He hadn't seen me yet.

"Alpha," the guard called out."There's someone here to see you.Someone... important."

"I said no interruptions.Whatever it is can-"

He looked up.

Time stopped.

The color drained from his face so completely I thought he might faint.The papers in his

hands fluttered to the floor as he rose slowly from his chair, his eyes-those gold eyes that Golden had inherited-fixed on me in shock.

"Impossible," he breathed.

"Hello, Zeke."My voice came out steadier than I felt."We need to talk."

For a moment, neither of us moved.The air between us crackled with tension.

"Everyone out," he commanded, his voice hoarse."Now."

The room cleared instantly, leaving us alone with nothing but the sound of our thundering heartbeats."You're dead," he whispered, taking a step toward me."I buried you.I

mourned you.I-"

"Layla tried to kill me," I said simply."But I survived.And now I need your help."

"Cecelia..."

"My son has been taken," I continued, I couldnt help the tears pouring down my cheeks."You have to help him Zeke.He's also your son."

He stood up, alarmed."What do you mean, also my son?"

"I had him before Layla tried to kill him.He's three years old now."My tears must have really moved him because there was a concerned expression on his face."How can I help?"

"I need your resources, your connections, your pack's strength to find him."

"Your son?"He was still trying to grapple what I had said earlier..

I met his eyes directly, seeing my own pain reflected there."Our son, Zeke.His name is Golden, and he has your eyes."