I couldn't sleep that night, Chloe's words echoing in my mind like a twisted lullaby. *Ryan Sterling is my true fated mate.* The very thought made my stomach churn, threatening the delicate balance I'd maintained throughout my pregnancy. My hand instinctively moved to my swollen belly, feeling the gentle kicks of our son—Ryan's heir, the future Alpha of Silvermoon Pack.

Lily, my wolf, paced restlessly within me. *He wouldn't choose her over us. He couldn't.*

*Then why didn't you tell him about the wager?* a small voice whispered in my mind.

I had no answer. Pride, perhaps. Or fear of what his reaction might reveal.

Morning came too quickly, bringing with it an urgent council meeting. Border disputes with the Eastern Ridge Pack had escalated overnight, and Ryan had called all ranking members to the great hall. I dressed carefully in my formal Luna attire—a silver-blue dress that complemented my eight-month pregnant form as best it could—and made my way down the winding staircase of the pack house.

That's when I saw her. Chloe, standing in our foyer like she belonged there, dressed in tight black leather that hugged every curve of her body. The sight of her in our home sent a jolt of anger through me.

"What are you doing here?" I demanded, one hand on the banister, the other protectively over my belly.

Chloe's amber eyes gleamed with malice. "Alpha Ryan invited me to the council meeting. As a former... intimate of his, I have valuable insights about the Eastern Ridge Alpha."

My heart stuttered. "Ryan wouldn't—"

"Wouldn't what? Invite his true mate to help protect his pack?" Her smile was razor-sharp. "Ready for our first test, Luna?"

Before I could respond, she turned and sauntered toward the council chambers, leaving me frozen on the stairs.

---

The council room was tense, filled with the top-ranking wolves of our pack. Ryan stood at the head of the long oak table, his powerful frame commanding attention as he outlined the threat from Eastern Ridge. I took my place at his right side, trying to ignore Chloe's presence across the table.

Midway through the strategy discussion, I felt it—a strange tingling at the base of my skull. Chloe was staring at me, her eyes narrowed in concentration. Then I understood. The first test had begun.

I closed my eyes, focusing on our mate bond. *Ryan, I need you,* I sent through our mental link, infusing the message with urgency and love. *Please, it's important.*

Across the table, I could sense Chloe doing the same, her eyes now closed, her lips moving in silent communication.

Ryan stopped mid-sentence, his body going rigid. His eyes darted around the room, but they didn't land on me. Instead, his gaze locked with Chloe's, a flash of recognition passing between them.

"Excuse me," he said abruptly to the council. "We'll continue in a moment."

He crossed the room—not to me, but to her. Leaning down, he whispered something in Chloe's ear, his hand briefly touching her shoulder. The gesture was intimate, protective.

My mind-link plea hung unanswered in the void between us.

The council members shifted uncomfortably, exchanging confused glances. Beta Marcus caught my eye, his expression troubled as he witnessed my public humiliation.

When Ryan returned to his position, he continued as if nothing had happened, but something fundamental had shifted in the room. My Luna aura, usually a warm, comforting presence, felt diminished, like a candle struggling against a cold draft.

Chloe's triumphant smile told me everything I needed to know. Test one, failed.

---

Two days later, Ryan announced mandatory combat training for all ranking pack members. "The threat from Eastern Ridge requires us to be at our strongest," he declared at breakfast.

I nodded, determined to prove myself despite my advanced pregnancy. As Luna, I was expected to participate in some capacity, even if modified for my condition.

The training field was muddy from recent rain, the scent of wet earth and sweat heavy in the air as pack members paired off for sparring. I stood to the side, demonstrating defensive postures for the younger females, when Chloe approached.

"The Luna should lead by example," she announced loudly enough for everyone to hear. "Perhaps a light demonstration?"

Ryan looked up from where he was correcting a young warrior's stance. "Madison is pregnant, Chloe. She's exempt from physical training."

"Just forms," Chloe insisted with false sweetness. "No contact. Unless the Luna is... unable?"

The challenge hung in the air. I could feel the pack's eyes on me, assessing, judging.

"It's fine," I said, stepping forward. "I can demonstrate basic defensive forms."

We took positions across from each other. What was supposed to be a simple demonstration quickly escalated as Chloe's movements became increasingly aggressive. When she lunged forward with more force than necessary, I instinctively countered, my wolf's protective instincts flaring.

In that moment, I felt it—Ryan's Alpha aura surging across the field. But it wasn't shielding me. It was protecting Chloe, pushing against my counter-attack with enough force to make me stumble backward.

I caught myself before falling, one hand flying to my belly. The pack had gone silent, watching as their Alpha's power had chosen to protect a rogue over his pregnant Luna.

Ryan was beside Chloe in an instant, his hand on her arm. "That's enough for today," he announced, not even glancing in my direction.

As they walked away, I stood alone in the mud, my cheeks burning with humiliation. Test two, failed.

And still, the worst was yet to come.

The next two tests came in quick succession, each more devastating than the last. I was losing—not just the wager, but my place in the pack, my identity as Luna, and most painfully, my connection to Ryan. With each failure, I felt Lily retreat further within me, my wolf growing quieter as the humiliation mounted.

Test three had been at a pack dinner where both Chloe and I needed Ryan's support during a heated debate about territory rights. He'd chosen her side without hesitation, leaving me to defend myself against challenges from senior pack members. The memory still burned.

But it was the fourth test that truly broke something inside me.

The Silver Creek Pack had invited us to their territory for a diplomatic gathering—an important alliance opportunity that required the presence of both Alpha and Luna. I spent hours preparing, selecting a formal gown that accommodated my eight-month belly while still projecting the dignity of my position.

"You look beautiful," Ryan said as we prepared to leave, his words automatic, his eyes never quite meeting mine.

I wanted to believe him. Needed to believe him. "Thank you," I whispered, resting my hand on my stomach as our son kicked vigorously. "He's excited for the trip."

Ryan's hand briefly touched my belly, but there was something distant in his expression—as if he were looking through me rather than at me.

When we arrived at Silver Creek territory, I wasn't surprised to see Chloe already there, somehow having secured an invitation. She wore a blood-red dress that clung to her body, her hair arranged in an elaborate style that emphasized her sharp features.

"Alpha Ryan," she greeted with a bow that managed to be both respectful and seductive. "Luna Madison." My title sounded like an insult on her lips.

The gathering proceeded with formal introductions and discussions of territory boundaries. I stood by Ryan's side, performing my duties as Luna despite the whispers that followed us—rumors about the rogue she-wolf who seemed unusually close to our Alpha.

It happened during the feast. Beta Marcus, loyal to a fault, approached our table with concern etched on his face.

"Alpha," he said quietly, "the rogue's presence is causing talk. It undermines Luna Madison's position."

Ryan's reaction was immediate and shocking. He stood abruptly, his Alpha aura flaring with such intensity that several nearby wolves lowered their heads instinctively.

"You will not question who I choose to include in our diplomatic party," he growled, his voice carrying the unmistakable edge of an Alpha command.

Marcus's eyes widened in surprise. "I meant no disrespect, Alpha. I'm concerned for Luna Madison's—"

"Luna Madison doesn't need your concern," Ryan cut him off, his hand possessively touching Chloe's shoulder.

The entire hall had gone silent. I sat frozen, one hand protectively covering my belly, as my mate publicly chose another woman over me—over his Beta's legitimate concerns for my welfare and status.

Chloe's triumphant smile made my stomach turn.

Outside the feast hall, I caught glimpses of unfamiliar wolves lurking at the edges of the Silver Creek territory—rogues, drawn by Chloe's presence. Their eyes followed me with predatory interest, sensing my weakening Luna aura. Without Ryan's protection, I was becoming vulnerable.

Test four, failed. Catastrophically.

Two days later came the fifth test—the one that nearly destroyed me completely.

I was visiting our pack's infirmary, bringing healing herbs from my personal garden to the pack healer. My pregnancy had been making me increasingly tired, and a sharp pain had been coming and going all morning.

"Luna, you should rest," the healer advised, noting my pallor.

I was about to respond when the infirmary doors burst open. Three rogue wolves stormed in, their eyes wild, their intentions clear. They'd come for me—for the weakening Luna and her unborn heir.

Pain ripped through my abdomen as fear triggered something primal within me. I collapsed against the examination table, a warm wetness spreading down my legs.

"Help!" the healer screamed, positioning herself between me and the intruders.

Ryan appeared in the doorway, his Alpha power radiating through the room. Chloe was right behind him, her expression a mixture of fear and calculation.

In that moment, as blood pooled beneath me and rogues advanced, I reached for our mate bond with desperate intensity. *Ryan, please. Our baby.*

His eyes met mine for a split second—then he turned, scooped Chloe into his arms, and carried her to safety first.

I lay bleeding on the cold floor, watching my mate choose another woman over his pregnant Luna and unborn heir.

Test five, failed.

In the days that followed, as I recovered in my chambers, the whispers grew louder. Servants averted their eyes when I passed. Pack members who once greeted me warmly now kept their distance.

"Her Luna aura is fading," I overheard one warrior tell another. "Can she even protect the heir?"

"The Alpha's attention is elsewhere," came the reply. "Perhaps there's a reason."

Chloe had launched her final assault—not just on our wager, but on my very place in the pack. And as I felt my son kick within me, I realized with growing horror that I was losing everything, one test at a time.