The day I discovered I was pregnant, I was filled with joy and headed to the pack house to find Zayne Freeman, the Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack. Just as I was about to share the news, his Beta, Corey Rose, unveiled a shocking scene—a she-wolf trapped in a cage. Zayne, who normally remained aloof around others, suddenly brightened at the sight. She bore an uncanny resemblance to his long-lost mate, Ayah Austin. As Zayne’s face softened and he gently caressed her cheek, I chuckled bitterly, realizing that over ten years of being his unmarked mate had all been a mistake.

I sat in the private lounge of the pack house, bracing myself for what felt like an eternity. I had planned to tell Zayne about the pregnancy, but Corey interrupted by having someone wheel in a cage covered with a black cloth. “Alpha,” Corey declared with a grin, “this is a surprise I’ve carefully prepared for you.” He whipped off the cloth, revealing a she-wolf kneeling inside. Her small face showed clear fear, trembling slightly, yet she was undeniably beautiful—a cascade of brown curls framing a face as doll-like as Ayah’s. A chill settled in my heart, and I glanced at Zayne. The eyes that usually held no emotion now sparkled with life.

Rising from his seat, Zayne moved toward the she-wolf, step by step. Corey laughed, asking, “So, Alpha, are you delighted with the gift?” Zayne’s long fingers gently grazed the girl’s face, a smile tugging at his lips. “Corey, aren’t you worried my mate might be upset with such an offering?” he teased, his alpha tone laced with amusement. Corey turned to me with a sly smile, “Your mate is always so understanding and magnanimous; I figured she wouldn’t mind.”

But I wasn’t understanding or magnanimous. They all underestimated me, fully aware I’d never dare to object. Officially, I was the Luna of the Silver Moon Pack. In reality, I was merely a placeholder, obeying commands from everyone, powerless to resist. Any resistance, and the title of Luna could easily be given to another.

I kept silent, clutching tightly onto the pregnancy test results hidden in my bag. I had just learned I was pregnant. Knowing Zayne’s fondness for heirs, I thought this news would delight him. But now, he seemed to have found something even more pleasing.

“Alright, let her out; I’ll keep her,” Zayne’s voice reached me clearly, his tone commanding yet almost tender. Corey went to open the cage, and everyone celebrated, treating me as if I were invisible. Frozen in place, waves of self-loathing washed over me. Over a decade as an unmarked mate, enduring indifference and still hoping to win the affection of an Alpha who would never truly see me.

Pathetic. I was truly pathetic.

"Alpha Freeman, there's something I need to tell you."

I watched as Zayne casually draped his arm around Novah, his fingers tracing her chin with a familiarity that made my stomach churn. My voice trembled as I spoke, forcing the words out. I needed to tell him about the pregnancy—his child, his responsibility. But as I stood there, the weight of his indifference bore down on me.

Zayne lit a cigarette, the smoke curling around his face like a veil. "Not in the mood to hear it right now," he muttered, his eyes never leaving Novah. "She's got something of her about her."

The "her" he mentioned was like a knife piercing my heart. Ayah Austin. His long-lost mate, the one who had rejected him years ago. Novah’s resemblance to her was uncanny, and it was clear Zayne was entranced.

I'd been by his side since we were pups, mated to him for over a decade. I thought I meant something to him, that I had a place in his heart. But to Zayne, just like the rest of the Silver Moon Pack, I was nothing more than an Omega—a placeholder, a servant.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I fought back the tears threatening to spill. Beta Rose suddenly chuckled, his voice dripping with mockery. "Luna Estrella, are you really going to cry? Your eyes are so red."

His words drew the attention of the pack members around us. Someone pulled me aside, their voice low but cutting. "Luna Estrella, it’s not unusual for an Alpha to have a little fun on the side. And you’re crying over it? Being Luna isn’t all glamour, is it?"

"I always thought the Luna was all elegance and composure. Turns out, she’s just like any other she-wolf."

Since I was young, Gamma Brooks had trained me relentlessly—music, combat, pack history, and etiquette. She would say, "You were born to be the Alpha’s perfect mate. A Luna must learn to care for her Alpha, understand him, and never upset him."

So, every time Zayne hurt me, I would remain stoic. Because I knew, tears were not something I could afford. A Luna’s composure was her strength.

But now, I couldn’t understand why I was on the brink of breaking down. I glanced at Zayne, who ignored the mocking crowd and continued whispering with Novah. His face was full of smiles, reminiscent of the old days with Ayah, where a few flirtatious words made her blush. I should’ve realized long ago that Zayne's heart was always Ayah's.

Ignoring their comments, I picked up my bag and turned to leave. Beta Rose called after me, but Zayne’s voice cut through the air, dismissive and cold. "Let her go. I’ve spoiled her too much; that’s why she’s acting out. She’ll be back soon enough, like a wolf returning to its pack."

I had Beta Rose send Novah to me. Novah looked like Ayah, and I wanted to see how Estrella would react. I intended to invite her over, but she showed up unannounced. When she saw Novah, she seemed upset, yet she didn’t lose her temper. It frustrated me even more, as I couldn’t understand her lack of reaction. People say when a she-wolf stops getting angry, she might be falling out of love.

I was both panicked and infuriated. I brought Novah back home again, trying to see some reaction from Estrella, but she remained the same. Her calmness grated on me, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was losing her—that she was slipping through my fingers, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.