On the day I accompanied Alpha Kiaan to his parents’ estate for Thanksgiving, things took an unexpected turn. Just as we were about to leave, Kiaan received a call, his demeanor shifting to one of urgency and unease. His aura, usually commanding and steady, flickered with something I couldn’t quite place.

"Lara, something urgent came up at the pack," he explained hurriedly, his alpha tone softening slightly. "I’ll arrange for a cab to take you to the Luna’s residence."

Their estate is situated within the heart of the Silver Crescent Pack territory, a sprawling property that exudes the authority of the Alpha line. I waited in the snow for what felt like an eternity, the cold biting at my skin, before the cab finally arrived. When I got there, Kiaan was nowhere to be found. Thankfully, Luna Lucille greeted me with warmth and kindness, her aura radiating maternal reassurance.

"Lara, you’re a blessing to Kiaan," she said, her voice carrying the gentle authority of a Luna. She even invited me to see the collection in their basement, a rare honor for a Beta like me. But as we descended, I was shocked to find Kiaan there, closely embracing a disheveled woman who certainly wasn’t expected.

The basement was enveloped in a silence so thick, it was almost tangible. Luna Lucille’s earlier gentleness vanished, replaced by palpable fury.

"Alpha Kiaan, have you lost your senses?" she snapped, her voice sharp with the authority of her rank. "You left your mate waiting alone in the snow while you’re hiding here, entangled with another wolf? Let go of her now!"

From the moment we arrived, the woman clung to Kiaan as if he were her anchor, her grip firm on his collar. Their connection was undeniable, much to my dismay.

Kiaan’s voice was plaintive, "No, I won’t let go. Mom, look closely at her. She’s Ophelia."

Lucille’s brow furrowed in confusion. "You’re saying this is Ophelia? But she used to have long hair."

I couldn’t blame her hesitation; the woman’s slender frame was the only clue she might be female. From our viewpoint, the top of her head was mostly bald, covered just by a thin fuzz. A bald Omega, of all things!

Luna Lucille was practically livid. "Even if she is Ophelia, why hold her like this? Your mate is right here!"

Kiaan didn’t relent, keeping his arms around Ophelia, his gaze shifting to me, filled with a pleading earnestness. "Lara… please, let me explain. Ophelia, she just escaped from a rogue pack, and she’s not in a stable state. You’re kind-hearted; you’ll understand, won’t you?"

Almost as soon as he finished speaking, Ophelia cried out, her voice filled with desperation.

"Please… don’t hurt me, don’t give me medicine, I beg you… I’ll be good, I’ll listen… let me go…"

Her cries escalated into an anguished scream, "Aaaaa—"

Kiaan’s heart seemed to break; he held her tightly, whispering reassuringly, "Ophelia, it’s okay now, it’s okay. I’m here. Don’t be afraid."

"Is it really you, Kiaan?" she whimpered. "I finally found you. I escaped. I finally escaped."

Ophelia’s sobs were raw and heart-wrenching. She clung to Kiaan’s neck as if they were inseparable, and he enveloped her in his arms. To an outsider, they would appear to be the true mates.

Luna Lucille’s face was contorted with dismay, but she didn’t have the heart to pull them apart, instead sighing in defeat. She turned to me with a probing look, trying to offer reassurance.

"Lara… are you alright? This is Ophelia, the daughter of our former healer. She and Kiaan grew up together, almost like siblings. Please don’t misunderstand. Last we heard, she went to a neighboring pack for work, but then..."

So that’s the backstory. Yet, how could I possibly be alright? Ophelia had just escaped a rogue pack, and faced with her current state, what could I possibly say in reproach? Despite her holding onto my mate, I forced a smile, trying to stay composed.

"Luna Lucille, I’m okay," I replied softly, though my wolf growled faintly in the back of my mind, a reminder of the bond that now felt frayed.

“Mom, I’m taking Ophelia to the guest room to rest.”

Kiaan carried Ophelia in his arms as though she were a fragile treasure, her head nestled against his neck. As they passed me, I thought I caught a fleeting, self-assured smile on Ophelia’s lips. Could someone who had just escaped from a rogue pack really look so composed? I shook off the thought, convincing myself I was imagining things.

Lucille, the Luna of the Silver Crescent Pack, spoke to me warmly as we descended to the ground floor, but my mind was elsewhere.

“Lara, you’re truly a blessing. The Alpha is fortunate to have you by his side.”

She held my hand, her touch reassuring, but her words felt distant.

“He’s soft-hearted, especially when it comes to those he cares about. With Ophelia’s situation, he may have overstepped, but I hope you’ll understand.”

“The Luna asks for understanding on the Alpha’s behalf,” I replied, forcing a polite smile. “It’s alright, Luna Lucille.”

She continued discussing pack matters, her tone light, but my attention drifted. Kiaan didn’t return from the second floor until nearly dinner, his lips slightly chapped as though he’d been speaking for hours. A flicker of unease stirred in my chest, but I pushed it down. I wouldn’t let myself spiral into suspicion.

The dining hall was filled with the aroma of roasted meats and spiced honey cakes, but Kiaan barely touched his food. He stood abruptly, filling a plate with care.

“Ophelia just escaped from a rogue pack; she shouldn’t be alone,” he said, his voice firm. “I’ll go keep her company.”

My stomach clenched. This was the second time he’d left me to fend for myself. No matter how welcoming Lucille was, I was still just a Beta meeting the Luna for the first time. Where did that leave me?

Before I could respond, Lucille set her fork down with a sharp clatter, her tone cutting through the room like a command.

“Stop!” she snapped, her alpha tone reverberating. “You’re not going anywhere.”

Kiaan froze, his expression shifting from determination to disbelief. “Mom, don’t you think you’re being heartless?”

She rose from her seat, her presence commanding. “Is she missing an arm or a leg? If she needs support, she should see a healer. You’re not her mate, Kiaan. Your fiancée is right here, and you’re acting as though she’s invisible.”

Kiaan turned to me, his eyes searching for understanding. “Lara, do you… do you agree with her?”

I clenched my hand under the table, nails digging into my palm. After a moment of silence, I forced a smile, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. “If that’s the case, I won’t eat either. I’ll join you to check on Ophelia. She’s been through a lot. As another woman, maybe she’d feel more comfortable.”

His eyes lit up with gratitude, and he nodded. “Alright.”

The words left a bitter taste in my mouth, but I kept my composure. As we walked together, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. My wolf stirred uneasily in the back of my mind, but I silenced her. Now wasn’t the time for doubt.