The next morning, just as I rose from bed, I saw a figure approaching from outside, her scent carrying a faint floral fragrance mixed with a subtle hint of mockery.

She was dressed casually, her demeanor completely devoid of the despair she once had when she was cast out. Meanwhile, I was pale and frail from the toll of childbirth, looking as though I hadn’t eaten in days, so weak that even a gust of wind could knock me over.

She looked at me with the air of a victor, her lips curling into a sly smile as she said, “Luna, that healing herb you gave me worked wonders. My fever is completely gone now.” She paused, her tone dripping with mockery, “Though, I can’t help but wonder if such a precious herb was wasted on someone like me.”

I sat up in bed, my gaze cold and unyielding, summoning the authority of the Luna as I replied, “Yes, it was a waste. After all, it was mine to begin with. But you can steal my herbs—can you steal everything else from me too?”

Her expression twisted with anger, and she snapped, “You… So what if you’re his mate? He loves me!” She stepped closer, her voice lowering to a venomous whisper. “I’ll tell you the truth—I was never even sick. But with just one word from me, he gave me your precious herb without a second thought.”

I let out a cold laugh, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. “And so what? You think you’ve taken something valuable, but I discarded it because I found it tainted. Keep it, if you think it’s such a treasure.” My eyes bore into hers, unflinching. “But remember, with one word from me, I can have you removed from this pack.”

My words forced her to take a step back, her face flushed with anger as she turned on her heel and stormed away. I could almost picture her rushing back to Nolan, tears streaming down her face as she clung to him, playing the victim.

Once, I might have cared. But not anymore.

The herb, the man—both were tainted. I wanted nothing to do with them.

I coughed lightly, and when I pulled the handkerchief away, there were faint traces of blood. I smirked bitterly. My body was truly falling apart. Just a bit of anger, and I was already coughing up blood.

Later that evening, Nolan came to my room. His face was dark with anger as he tossed a small pouch of herbs onto the table. “I heard from the Omegas that Ruth went back crying today. She said you threatened to have her removed from the pack.” His voice was sharp, accusing. “You’re the Luna. Can’t you show a bit of grace? Don’t worry, she won’t take your place. I’ll still come to see you and the pup. Here, I’ve replaced the herb you gave her.”

I pushed the bowl of food aside and shook my head. “I don’t need it. My health is already improving. Give it to Ruth.”

Nolan looked at me, surprised that I would even mention her. His expression softened slightly, and he said, “It’s fine. You take it. She has her own.”

I smiled faintly. So, it wasn’t meant for me after all. I was just an afterthought.

“Nolan, take it away. I don’t want it.” I looked him straight in the eyes, my tone firm.

He had probably thought that by replacing the herb, he could smooth things over between us. But my refusal clearly caught him off guard. His hand slammed down on the table, his eyes blazing with anger. “You don’t want it? Fine. From now on, you won’t get a single thing from this pack.”

He stood abruptly, sweeping the dishes off the table with a crash before storming out of the room. I sat there, calm and unmoving, watching his retreating figure until he was gone.

I had made my choice. And I would not regret it.

For days, Nolan didn’t set foot in my quarters.

From what I gathered from the Omegas who served me, he had been staying in his office, and Ruth Cooper had already taken over managing the front of the packhouse.

When Ruth came to visit me, she went on and on about how well she treated the Omegas, clearly trying to win over the ones who still served me.

“I’m not as skilled as you are at managing things, so why don’t you take the storage keys and handle everything?”

I instructed Abby to bring the keys and handed them to Ruth. If anything went wrong with the pack’s resources now, it wouldn’t be on me.

“Well, I won’t refuse such an offer!”

Ruth’s eyes lit up as she took the keys, clutching them to her chest as if I might snatch them back.

The next day, Ruth transferred all the Omegas from my quarters to serve at the front, even cutting back on the supplies allocated to my area.

By noon, no one had brought food.

Leslie, the Omega caretaker responsible for nursing Koen, couldn’t produce enough milk because she wasn’t getting enough to eat herself. Koen was hungry and began to cry, soon developing a high fever.

“Go and find the Healer, quickly!”

I paced anxiously, constantly touching Koen’s forehead.

I’d heard stories of pups not surviving high fevers, and we needed the Healer immediately.

But Ruth wouldn’t let the Omegas leave. Abby returned in tears, begging me to do something.

I stormed into the front of the packhouse to confront Ruth. “Koen is sick! I need to get the Healer right now, I can’t wait!”

“Don’t make this about petty jealousy. I’m begging you!”

My eyes pleaded with her. I was willing to do anything if she’d just let me leave to find help.

But she just said, “Pups get sick all the time. Go back and soothe him.”

When I tried to push past her with Abby, the Omegas at the front held me back.

“Alpha Nolan said everything here is under my control. Genevieve, you’ve crossed me. Someone, teach her a lesson!”

At Ruth’s signal, two Omegas stepped forward and slapped me hard across the face.

“Ruth, this is also Nolan’s pup!” I said, my voice trembling.

Ruth replied indifferently, “Just a pup. If he dies, he dies. I’ll give Alpha Nolan a stronger heir soon enough.”

She smiled sweetly and added, “If you still want to leave, why don’t you kneel and beg me properly?”

She looked down at me, her fingers tilting my chin up.

“Please, let me go. I’m begging you, please forgive me!”

Tears streamed down my face as I struggled to kneel and lower my head twice.

“Not hard enough. Do it again!”

Ruth had someone bring her a chair. She lounged in the sunlight, admiring her slender hands while spouting her venom.

I lowered my head again and again, until blood streaked my forehead.

I couldn’t feel the pain anymore. There was only one thought in my mind: I had to save Koen.

“Luna, it’s bad—the pup, he’s…”

An Omega ran over, crying and collapsing to her knees.

Ruth’s face paled for a moment, but she quickly composed herself.

“This isn’t my fault. You were too slow, and now you’ve killed your own pup!”

She turned and fled with her Omegas.

My mind went blank. I stumbled to my feet and ran back to my quarters.