Maya

The whispers started immediately.

"Did you see that?"

"The Luna pushed her!"

"I always knew there was something off about her..."

"Poor Miss Seraphina, and with a baby too..."

I stood at the top of the stairs, frozen like a statue while the crowd below buzzed with gossip. Their voices merged into one awful accusation: jealous Luna attacks Alpha's ex-lover.

My brain couldn't process what had just happened.

One second, Seraphina was talking about testing the mate bond. The next, she was throwing herself backward down the stairs like some kind of stunt performer. And then Mason appeared out of nowhere, holding a baby that looked exactly like him, and Seraphina was crying about being a new mother and I was the villain in a story I didn't even know I was part of.

None of it made sense.

Mason's eyes met mine across the chaos. The disappointment in them felt like a physical blow, knocking the air from my lungs.

But that wasn't the worst part.

The worst part was watching him hand the baby to a maid and rush to Seraphina's side. Watching her throw her arms around his neck like some damsel in a cheap romance novel. Watching him hold her like she was made of glass.

"Why, Maya?" Mason's voice cut through the noise. "Why would you do something so cruel?"

Seraphina's lips curved into the tiniest smile over his shoulder. A smile meant only for me.

"I... I..." My mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. What could I possibly say that would make any difference?

"Collins!" Mason barked at his beta. "Get a doctor here now. Set up a guest room for Seraphina and assign two maids to help with the baby."

The crowd scattered without being told. Nobody wanted to stick around and watch their Alpha lose his temper.

Seraphina caught my eye one last time before the maids helped her away. That mischievous glint was still there, barely hidden under her performance of pain and injury.

She planned this. All of it.

"As for you, Maya." Mason's hand clamped around my arm. "My room. Now."

I tried to pull away. "Mason, I can explain-"

"Now!" He practically dragged me down the hallway.

The second we were inside his room, he slammed the door and whirled on me.

"What the hell was that?" His voice shook with barely controlled rage. "Why would you push Seraphina down the stairs? Have you always been this cruel and I just never noticed? Because I never thought you were capable of something like this, Maya. Not in a million years!"

He ran his hands through his hair, pacing like a caged animal.

"Do you understand what you've done? This will spread through the entire pack in less than an hour. Everyone's going to think their Luna is some kind of monster."

Something inside me snapped.

"Now what?" I shot back. "Now I'll be the villain because someone showed up and put on a good show?" My voice rose with each word. "You took her side immediately. You didn't even ask me what happened!"

The unfairness of it all crashed over me like a wave. Seraphina was right. He'd chosen her. Just like she said he would.

That's when I saw it. A tiny smudge of red lipstick at the corner of Mason's mouth. So faint I almost missed it.

But it was there.

Proof that Seraphina had been telling the truth about him kissing her.

Fresh rage flooded through my veins.

"Are you seriously suggesting Seraphina made this up?" Mason's tone softened slightly, like he was considering the possibility that I might be innocent.

But I knew better. He wasn't really considering anything. He was just going through the motions.

"What's the point, Mason?" Exhaustion hit me like a truck. "Whether she fell, jumped, or I pushed her... what does it matter? You've already decided who to believe. So why pretend to care about my side of the story?"

"Are you kidding me right now?" Mason's eyes flashed. "Instead of taking responsibility, you're playing the victim?"

"Victim?" I laughed, sharp and bitter. "How about you being a hypocrite?"

Mason's head snapped back like I'd slapped him.

"You drag me in here to interrogate me, but you won't address the real issues! When are you going to explain Seraphina's sudden return? Or that lipstick smudge on your lips? What about the baby you were holding-obviously hers, obviously yours?"

My voice cracked but I pushed forward.

"You're so focused on blaming me that you won't acknowledge your own actions. Do you have any idea how small you've made me feel tonight? How humiliated? Or is that my fault too?"

Silence fell between us, thick and suffocating.

When Mason finally spoke, his words knocked the wind out of me.

"I don't care about any of that. You need to apologize to Seraphina. Right now. If you want to fix this, that's what needs to happen."

I stared at him, genuinely shocked.

"Apologize?" I scoffed. "To her? I'd rather swim in a swamp. Heck, I'd rather eat dirt. I will never apologize for something I didn't do."

Mason looked stunned. I'd never defied him like this before. Never raised my voice or refused a direct request.

But I wasn't done. "And you know what? I meant what I said earlier." My hands were shaking but my voice stayed steady. "I want a divorce, Mason. You have a son now, don't you?"

His guilty expression told me everything.

"I don't need to be a genius to figure that out," I continued. "So let's end this. I want a divorce, and I want it as soon as possible."

The silence that followed was deafening.

Then Mason's face went cold. Colder than I'd ever seen it.

"You're right," he said, his voice like ice. "It's time to end this. I've honored my father's wishes long enough. Now that he's gone and I'm Alpha, what's the point of pretending this marriage means anything?"

Each word felt like a knife between my ribs.

"Mates or not, this is exactly why I don't believe in that bond. We've been together a whole year, and instead of falling in love, look where we are."

He wasn't finished. He moved to his desk and grabbed some papers.

"You want to know what I really married you for? A pure-blood heir. That's what my father believed only mates could produce. And after an entire year, your womb is still empty. So what's the point?"

The papers hit my chest. I caught them reflexively.

"Here. The divorce papers. Sign them and we can both move on with our lives. I'm tired of this too."

Then he stormed out.

It was almost funny. An hour ago, he'd said we weren't getting divorced. Now he was shoving the papers at me himself.

The first tear slid down my cheek before I could stop it.

My hand moved to my stomach, pressing against the flat surface where our baby was growing. The baby he'd just said didn't exist.

The baby I would never, ever tell him about now.

"Heartless bastard," I whispered to the empty room. "Complete and total hypocrite."

Mason

I couldn't stop pacing.

Maya had asked for a divorce. Twice. During intimate moments, no less, like she'd been waiting for the perfect time to humiliate me.

Had she been this miserable the whole time? Was she just waiting for an excuse to escape?

The questions circled my brain like vultures.

I left the packhouse and headed to the smaller residential building on the property. I needed space from both Maya and Seraphina. Needed to think without either of them clouding my judgment.

But thinking was impossible.

I lay awake all night, staring at the ceiling, my mind racing through everything that had happened. Seraphina's return. The baby. Maya's accusations. The divorce papers I'd shoved at her like a weapon.

By morning, guilt was eating me alive.

I'd been too harsh. Too quick to judge. Deep down, I knew Maya wasn't capable of pushing someone down the stairs. It didn't match anything I knew about her.

I needed to apologize. To talk this through like adults.

But first, I had to deal with Seraphina.

I found her in the guest room, surrounded by maids fussing over her and the baby. She dismissed them with a wave when she saw me.

"Mason, I'm rather surprised it took you this long to visit your beloved and the mother of your child. But I heard about the quarrel with Maya, so I suppose it's forgivable," she purred, her movements laced with subtle attempts at seduction.

"How are you feeling?" I sat on the couch across from her, deliberately keeping distance between us.

"I'd feel better if you came closer." Her voice dropped, taking on that seductive tone I used to love.

Used to.

Now it just made me uncomfortable.

She moved toward me. I held up a hand to stop her.

"Seraphina, this can't happen. I'm married. Whatever we had before... it's over."

Her face went from sultry to shocked in half a second.

"What are you talking about? That marriage is about to end anyway. Who cares?"

"My marriage isn't ending, Seraphina," I said firmly. "I'm not divorcing Maya. I don't want to and I don't think I ever would either. So, she's still your Luna, and you need to respect that."

Even as I said it, I wasn't sure where the words were coming from. 

Even I couldn't fully understand my own actions. For months, I had entertained thoughts of divorcing Maya, feeling trapped in a marriage forced upon me by my father. Yet, when the opportunity presented itself, I hesitated. 

What was I even doing?

"What? What the fuck are you saying? What about me?" Seraphina's voice rose. "What about our son? Why wouldn't you divorce her now that your father's gone?"

I didn't have a good answer. I didn't even understand my own actions.

Then Seraphina's eyes went wide.

"Oh my God." Her voice dropped to a horrified whisper. "You fell in love with her? You fell in love with Maya."

The accusation hit me like a freight train.

"You... you betrayed me," she continued, her voice shaking. "You betrayed everything we had. How could you fall for that little piece of-"

"Don't." My voice came out sharp as a blade. "Don't you dare disrespect the Luna."

Seraphina looked like I'd struck her.

"Look, Sera." I rubbed my face, suddenly exhausted. "I'll make this right somehow. But you have to accept that Maya is my mate and the rightful Luna. That won't change, nothing you do or say will change it."

"Also, I'll like to apologize for what happened between you two. I'm sure Maya didn't mean to push you. Maybe you just tripped and thought-"

"Are you making excuses for her right now?" Seraphina's laugh was sharp and painful. "For hurting me?"

Guilt twisted in my gut, but I pushed forward.

"I'm sorry for all of this. I'll accept the baby after we do a paternity test, but that's all. We're not getting back together, Sera. I'm sorry if that feels so unfair."

I left her crying.

The relief that washed over me was immediate and overwhelming. I practically ran to my room, ready to fix things with Maya. Ready to apologize for my cruel words and cold treatment over the past months.

Ready to finally start over.

But when I burst through the door, the room was empty.

My heart dropped.

I ran to the Luna's wing. Also empty.

"Flora!" I grabbed Maya's personal maid by the shoulders. "Where's the Luna?"

"She... she left early this morning, Alpha." Flora's voice trembled. "She told me not to follow her. I haven't seen her since, and she's not answering her phone."

No.

No, no, no.

I ran back to my room and rifled through the papers on my desk.

There. The divorce papers I'd thrown at her last night.

Signed. Her signature at the bottom in neat, careful letters.

She'd signed them. She'd actually signed them.

My hands were shaking as I grabbed my phone and dialed Mr. Cooper, Maya's father.

"Is the Luna with you?" The words tumbled out before he could even say hello. "I need to speak with her. It's important."

"Good morning to you too, Alpha." His voice was maddeningly calm. "No, she's not here."

He knew something. I could hear it in his tone.

"Where else would she be?" My voice rose. "If not with her father or her husband-"

"Ex-husband," Cooper corrected. "I think you mean ex-husband, Alpha."

The word hit like a slap and his calm demeanor only fueled my fury.

"Where is Maya, Cooper?" I was shouting now. "Where the hell is my wife?"

A long sigh came through the phone.

"I wish I knew, Alpha. She left the Southern Pack this morning. That's all I can tell you."

The room tilted sideways.

"Left? Why? Is it a vacation? When is she coming back?"

"Never, Alpha." Cooper's voice was heavy. Final. "My daughter isn't coming back to the Southern Pack. She's gone. For good."

Maya

The bus window was filthy. I mean properly disgusting, like nobody had cleaned it since 2015. But I kept staring through it anyway, watching trees and run-down buildings blur past.

Welcome to Northern Pack territory.

If Southern Pack was a polished magazine cover, then Northern Pack was like the crumpled newspaper you found in a gas station bathroom. More trees than houses. The houses that did exist looked like they'd been through a war and lost.

I felt like I'd time-traveled to 2003. It felt like, someone was going to offer me a flip phone any second now.

The bus wheezed to a stop at the terminal. I grabbed my luggage and climbed off with the other passengers, most of whom looked like they'd just finished twelve-hour shifts at jobs they hated. The exhaustion was practically radiating off them.

I stood there for a minute, taking it all in.

The buses were either covered in dirt or had paint so faded you couldn't tell what color they used to be. The walls of the terminal were crumbling, covered in peeling posters and graffiti. A group of kids were skateboarding through a hole someone had smashed in one of the concrete walls, laughing like it was the most normal thing in the world.

"Excuse me?" I turned to a man who'd just walked up beside me. He was clearly waiting for the next bus. "Do you know how to get into town from here? I'm new and kind of lost."

He looked me up and down like I'd just asked him to donate a kidney.

Then he turned away without saying a word. I waited a full minute,hoping he'd change his mind and respond but I got nothing.

"Okay then," I muttered. "Great start, Maya. Really nailing the whole 'fresh start' thing."

I grabbed my luggage and followed the flow of people heading in one general direction, figuring they probably knew where they were going better than I did.

When I finally emerged onto an actual street, the sun hit me like a slap.

Goddess, it was bright here. And hot. My skin immediately started burning.

Small houses lined the street, nothing taller than two stories. A few shops were scattered around, most of them looking like they might close down any day now. Everything felt old and tired and forgotten.

A wave of doubt crashed over me.

"Maybe this was a mistake," I whispered.

"No." I shook my head firmly. "You made the right choice. You had to leave."

And I did have to leave. Staying in Southern Pack meant watching Mason and Seraphina play happy family. It meant everyone whispering about the pathetic ex-Luna who got replaced. It meant my baby growing up in the shadow of Seraphina's son.

No. Leaving was the only option.

My dad was the only one who knew where I'd gone. He'd been worried, obviously, but he understood. Sometimes you have to run to save yourself.

I spotted a fruit stand up ahead and headed toward it, my stomach growling. The old lady behind it smiled when she saw me, which was honestly the friendliest thing that had happened since I arrived.

I grabbed some plums and grapes. She bagged them up and I paid, then looked around for somewhere to sit and eat.

That's when I saw the mini mart.

Perfect. I needed to stock up on a few things anyway.

I wheeled my luggage inside and started browsing the aisles, trying to stick to a strict budget. I had a few thousand dollars to my name and no idea how long it would have to last.

Then I smelled it. Something baking. Bread, maybe, or pastries.

My stomach basically screamed at me.

I glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then stuck my hand in the fruit bag and pulled out a plum.

The first bite was heaven. Juicy and sweet and I demolished it in about thirty seconds flat before grabbing another one.

"You know, you can eat without making yourself uncomfortable, dear."

I froze mid-chew and turned around.

An old woman stood in the aisle behind me, looking at my stomach with a knowing smile.

"Uh." I swallowed the massive chunk of plum in my mouth. "Okay?"

"I know what it's like, being pregnant and hungry." Her voice was kind. "It's all-consuming. Like your brain shuts off and you just have to eat. But slow down, honey. The food isn't going anywhere. You'll get full either way, and you'll avoid constipation."

"Thanks," I said, my face burning with embarrassment.

She didn't seem like she was trying to embarrass me, though. She actually seemed nice, which was such a relief after everyone else I'd encountered today.

I finished grabbing what I needed, then called after her before she could leave.

"Excuse me? Are there any rooms for rent around here? I just moved to the area and I need somewhere to stay."

Her face lit up. "Oh yes! I have rooms available, actually. Right above the restaurant I own. It's just a block from here." She gestured down the street. "You can even get a meal if you're hungry."

I could have cried with relief. "That would be amazing. Thank you so much."

"Come on, follow me."

We paid for our things and walked out of the mart. True to her word, the restaurant was literally right around the corner. A small deli with a hand-painted sign that read "Brown's."

She pushed open the glass door and ushered me inside. It was cute. Cozy. The kind of place that probably made amazing comfort food.

One of her employees took my luggage behind the counter while she gestured to a table.

"Sit, sit. Order whatever you want. We'll look at the room once you've eaten."

The souffle was incredible. I'd picked it as my side dish instead of the salad, and honestly, it was the best decision I'd made all day. Okay, it tasted a little stale, but the owner had been so nice to me that I wasn't about to complain.

"How's the food?" The old woman slid into the seat across from me. "Everything okay?"

"It's great," I said honestly. "I love the souffle. I'm not really a salad person."

"You should eat it anyway. Not for you, for the baby. Growing babies need all the nutrients they can get." She smiled warmly. "What's your name, honey?"

"Maya."

"Beautiful name. I'm Brown. That's what everyone calls me, anyway."

She leaned forward, studying my face. "So what brings you all the way to Northern Pack? I can tell you're from Southern Pack territory."

"Yeah, I am." I pushed the salad around my plate. "I just needed a change, you know? Sometimes when you need to heal, the best thing you can do is leave your comfort zone and start fresh somewhere new."

Brown laughed. "Honey, if Southern Pack was my comfort zone, I'd never leave. That place is paradise compared to here. This place is practically a ghost town."

I couldn't help but laugh with her. "I like how quiet it is. Feels like I could live a simple life here."

"Simple, sure. But limiting." She pushed to her feet. "Come on, let's go look at the room. Terra! Bring out the luggage!"

She led me through a door at the back of the restaurant. The door looked like it was being held together by sheer willpower, termites having eaten through most of the wood.

We climbed a narrow staircase that was way dustier than the restaurant. Clearly, not many people came up here.

Finally, we reached a door. Brown pushed it open and stepped inside, immediately going to the window to throw open the drapes.

Sunlight flooded the small room.

And I mean small. It was a single bedroom, barely big enough for the bed, a tiny kitchenette, and what looked like a closet-sized bathroom.

"So?" Brown turned to me with a hopeful smile. "What do you think? There's running water, a kitchen for home-cooked meals, even a little balcony where you can sit and enjoy the view. If you like it, it's yours."

I wanted to be picky. I wanted to say it was too small, too run-down, too depressing.

But I was in survival mode. I needed a roof over my head more than I needed comfort.

"I like it," I said.

Brown clapped her hands together. "Wonderful! I knew you would!"

"How much is the rent?"

"Three hundred dollars for six months. We charge twice a year, so that'll cover you through the first half."

Three hundred dollars. I only had a few thousand to my name, and I had no idea how long I'd need to make it last. But I needed this room, and I needed to find a job as soon as possible.

"Okay," I said. "Where do I pay?"

"Cash is fine. I'll get you a receipt within the hour."

I counted out the money and handed it over. Brown looked thrilled, which seemed like a weird reaction, but whatever. Maybe she didn't get renters very often.

"I'll leave you to get settled!" she said cheerfully, then disappeared down the stairs.

I turned and looked at the room again. Really looked at it.

Cobwebs in the corners. Dust on every surface. The walls were stained and the floor was uneven.

"Starting small," I muttered. "This is fine. You'll stay here until the baby comes, then you can find something better."

I spent the next few hours cleaning. Scrubbing floors. Washing bathroom tiles. Wiping down windows. By the time I finished, I was completely wiped out.

I collapsed onto the bed without even changing clothes, my eyes closing the second my head hit the pillow.

Until-

BANG! BANG! BANG!

I jolted awake, my heart racing.

Someone was pounding on the door. No, not pounding. Trying to break it down.

Oh God. Mason. Mason found me.

Panic flooded my system. I jumped off the bed and looked around wildly, searching for somewhere to hide.

The pounding got louder.

Then the door exploded inward.

Two massive men stormed into the room and grabbed me before I could even scream.