Luna's Escape from Deceit

The spring air should have felt refreshing against my skin, but as I approached the construction site that was supposed to be my healing center, each step felt heavier than the last. Something was wrong. The scent of fresh lumber and concrete should have been mingled with the medicinal herbs I'd ordered, but instead, I caught the unmistakable aroma of luxury—expensive fabrics, imported furniture polish, and flowers that had no place in a functional healing space.

My wolf, Luna, stirred restlessly within me. *Something's not right, Selene.*

"I know," I whispered, quickening my pace.

The construction workers spotted me and immediately lowered their tools, their expressions a mixture of guilt and discomfort. David Cross, one of our senior warriors who'd been overseeing the project, stepped forward with his eyes carefully avoiding mine.

"Luna Selene," he said, his voice unnaturally formal. "We didn't expect you today."

"That's obvious," I replied, my gaze sweeping over what should have been the foundation of my healing center—the place where I'd planned to teach our pack the eight revolutionary healing techniques I'd developed. Instead, I was staring at something entirely different.

Marble columns. Crystal fixtures. Private gardens with exotic flowers that wouldn't survive our climate without constant attention. The floor plans had been completely altered—what should have been treatment rooms were now bedroom suites with adjoining baths larger than most pack members' entire apartments.

"Who authorized these changes?" My voice was steady despite the rage building inside me.

David shifted uncomfortably. "Alpha Wayne approved the new designs last month. He said—" He stopped abruptly, clearly uncomfortable with whatever came next.

"He said what, David?" I pressed.

"He said they were needed for our guest from Shadowmoon Pack." David's eyes finally met mine, apology written across his features. "The Alpha's been... spending a lot of time with her."

My stomach twisted. The Shadowmoon she-wolf had arrived three months ago, supposedly for diplomatic purposes. I'd noticed Wayne's attention to her, but I'd dismissed it as political necessity.

"This is my healing center," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Land that was specifically designated for pack healing needs."

"Actually," came a voice from behind me, "the land allocation is at the Alpha's discretion."

I turned to find Wayne approaching, his expression maddeningly calm. The young she-wolf from Shadowmoon was at his side, her hand possessively linked through his arm.

"Wayne," I said, fighting to keep my voice level. "This is the land we agreed would be used for healing purposes. For the pack."

He smiled that charming smile that had once made my heart race but now made my skin crawl. "Plans change, Selene. The Shadowmoon alliance is essential for our pack's future. Lyra needs proper accommodations if she's going to stay."

"Stay?" The word felt like glass in my throat. "She's been here for three months. The diplomatic mission should be complete by now."

Lyra's lips curved into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I've decided to make Moonstone my permanent home."

Wayne's hand settled on the small of her back in a gesture that was far too intimate for mere allies. "And as Alpha, I've decided to welcome her as my chosen mate."

The words hit me like physical blows. "Chosen mate? What about our bond? Our daughter?"

"Our bond will remain," Wayne said dismissively. "But Lyra brings strengths to the pack that we need. Her bloodline, her connections—"

"And what about my healing center?" I interrupted, gesturing to the travesty behind us.

Wayne's expression hardened slightly. "You have other spaces for your work. This is more important for the pack's future."

Something broke inside me then—the last thread of loyalty I'd been clinging to. "I want to sever our mate bond," I said quietly.

The silence that followed was deafening. Lyra's smile faltered, and even Wayne looked momentarily shocked.

"What did you say?" he finally asked, his voice dangerously soft.

"I said I want to reject our mate bond." I stood taller, drawing on strength I didn't know I possessed. "It's within my rights as a Luna to—"

"You will do no such thing," Wayne cut me off, his Alpha aura flaring around him like a suffocating cloud. "Our daughter needs her father. The pack needs stability. You're upset, I understand that, but you're not thinking clearly."

"This isn't about thinking clearly," I countered. "This is about recognizing when something's broken beyond repair."

Wayne stepped closer, his eyes darkening. "Nothing is broken, Selene. You're my Luna, and you'll remain my Luna. Lyra understands her place, and soon, you will too."

His hand reached for my arm, but I stepped back, my own dormant Luna aura flickering to life around me like silver moonlight.

"We'll discuss this later," he said, his tone making it clear the conversation was over. "When you're more... reasonable."

As he guided Lyra away, her triumphant smile burned into my memory. But it was the possessive grip of his hand on her waist that finally shattered the last illusion I had about our bond.

My wolf growled within me. *He never deserved us.*

For the first time in years, I found myself agreeing with her.