That evening, Celine once again seized the opportunity when Thea wasn’t paying attention and secretly grabbed her phone, making a video call to Xavier.

When the call connected, she enthusiastically shouted, "Alpha!"

But it was Addilyn who answered.

Addilyn warmly greeted Celine through the screen, her voice dripping with sweetness. "Hey there, Celine."

Celine’s expression turned serious, her small brows furrowing as she asked, "Who are you? Why do you have my dad’s phone?"

With a cheerful grin, Addilyn replied, "I’m your dad’s—"

"Celine!" Thea suddenly interrupted, her voice sharp and commanding, cutting Addilyn off mid-sentence. She swiftly took the phone from her daughter’s grasp, her fingers trembling slightly as she ended the call abruptly. Startled, Celine burst into tears, her tiny body shaking with sobs.

Feeling both guilty and heartbroken, Thea knelt down and gathered her daughter into her arms. "I’m sorry, sweetie," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "It was Mommy’s fault for scaring you. I’m really sorry."

Celine cried throughout the evening, her small hands clutching Thea’s shirt tightly as if afraid her mother might disappear. Eventually, she fell asleep in Thea’s arms, her breath hitching occasionally as dreams claimed her.

Watching her daughter’s innocent face, Thea felt too distressed to sleep. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions—anger, sorrow, and a deep, aching regret. She reached for her phone, her fingers hovering over the screen before she tapped into Instagram.

Addilyn’s latest post stared back at her.

"Happy one-year anniversary, Alpha Ford! Thanks for your love and companionship. I’m so happy and looking forward to our family of three. Love you~"

Thea’s chest tightened as she tapped on the photo that accompanied the post.

In the picture, Xavier’s large, muscular frame loomed protectively over Addilyn, his Alpha aura palpable even through the screen. His hand held hers, and on her ring finger was a massive diamond ring, its brilliance mocking Thea’s memories.

Thea remembered when she and Xavier had shared those blissfully happy moments.

When their pack had secured its first major alliance, Xavier had taken her to a jewelry store, insisting on buying her a ring worthy of his Luna. Thea had protested, thinking of the pack’s resources, and settled for a modest ring with a small diamond.

That day, they had walked out of the store, hand in hand, Thea lifting her ring-clad hand towards the rising moon, watching the small diamond sparkle under its light. Even then, it had felt magical.

Xavier had held both her hands tightly, his Alpha tone softening as he promised, "Thea, I’ll give you a good life. You’ll never regret choosing me as your mate."

But Xavier, you’ve broken your promise.

Thea’s wolf stirred within her, a low growl of pain and betrayal echoing in her mind. She clenched her jaw, forcing the emotions down. She couldn’t let it consume her—not now, not when Celine needed her.

She glanced at her daughter’s sleeping form, her heart aching with a fierce protectiveness. She would be strong—for Celine, for herself. The Moon Goddess had tested her, but she would not falter.

Yet, as she lay there in the dim light of the den, the weight of Xavier’s broken vow pressed heavily on her chest, a reminder of the life they had once built—and the life he had shattered.

The next day, whispers rippled through the pack den about the gleaming mate bond mark on Addilyn Freeman’s neck. Everywhere Thea Gonzales went, she felt the weight of curious stares and hushed murmurs trailing her like shadows.

Her close friend, Paislee Larson, pulled her into the private quarters of the packhouse, her amber eyes blazing with frustration. “Addilyn’s got some nerve, doesn’t she? You should’ve made sure Alpha Xavier walked away with nothing, stripped of his title and resources!”

Thea calmly poured herself a cup of herbal tea, her hands steady despite the tension in the air. “Alpha Xavier’s no fool,” she replied, her voice calm but firm. “He gave me our den, the resources, and custody of our pup, Celine. That means he wanted to keep his position as Alpha. How else would he provide for Addilyn and their future pup?”

Paislee growled low in her throat, her wolf bristling. “But, Luna Thea, you know what the pack is saying behind your back, right? They say you’re lingering around, refusing to be cast aside, just to win him back.”

Through the open doorway of the quarters, Thea glanced at the bustling packhouse. Those who’d been watching quickly averted their gazes, pretending to be engrossed in their tasks. The hierarchy of the pack was clear—Alphas commanded respect, and even whispers were veiled with deference.

“They’re not entirely wrong,” Thea murmured, her voice carrying the quiet strength of a former Luna. “I’m not ready to just walk away.”

She set her cup down, her golden-brown eyes hardening. “Why should I be the one who stood by Alpha Xavier through every challenge, only for Addilyn to swoop in and reap the rewards? Why does her pup get a father while my daughter ends up in a single-parent den?”

“But I don’t want that man,” Thea continued, her tone unwavering. “What I want is his position, the very thing he prides himself on.”

For that, she was willing to do whatever it took. The pack’s hierarchy was strict, and Alphas held power that could make or break a wolf’s life. Thea knew the game well—she had played it as Luna for years. Now, she intended to play it again, but this time, for her own gain.

Paislee’s eyes gleamed with admiration and a hint of worry. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Luna Thea. But if anyone can pull it off, it’s you.”

Thea gave a faint smile, the kind that carried the quiet determination of a wolf who had survived the harshest winters. “Watch me.”

In the afternoon, Thea Gonzales entered the Alpha’s office, a stack of resource reports in hand. The room was imposing, as befitting the leader of the pack, with heavy oak furniture and the faint scent of pine lingering in the air. Xavier Ford, the Alpha, sat behind his desk, his broad frame commanding the space. He looked up as she approached, his dark eyes unreadable.

“Alpha,” Thea said, placing the documents in front of him. “These require your signature.”

Xavier took the papers, his fingers brushing hers briefly as he did so. He signed them with a swift, confident hand before handing them back to her. “Thea,” he began, his voice softer than usual, “about last night’s incident with the cake. Addilyn wasn’t thinking. Is Celine alright?”

Thea held the signed documents to her chest, her expression neutral. “She’s fine, Alpha. The healers took care of her.”

There was a pause, and Xavier’s gaze lingered on her. Since their separation, he had been less combative, as if the guilt of their fractured mate bond weighed on him. His eyes trailed over her figure, noticing the way the dress she wore accentuated her toned waist. “You’ve lost weight,” he remarked, his tone tinged with surprise. “That dress suits you.”

Thea had indeed been dedicating herself to training, her body transforming into something lean and strong. It was a stark contrast to Addilyn, whose pregnancy had softened her once-slender frame.

Xavier’s nostrils flared slightly, and his brow furrowed. “Have you changed your scent?” he asked, his voice low.

Thea tilted her head, her lips curving into a small smile. “Yes, a friend thought it suited me.”

Xavier’s eyes darkened, a flicker of something—curiosity, perhaps jealousy—crossing his face. “A male friend?” he pressed, his tone sharper now.

Thea didn’t answer. Instead, she turned on her heel, the fabric of her dress swishing softly as she walked away. Her smile lingered, a subtle challenge in her expression as she left the Alpha’s office.