Blessing Robertson, the former Luna of the Northern Pack, looked at Ty’s bloodied back and wept bitterly. “I’m so sorry, Eliana. I never imagined Dominic could be so cruel to you and our little Ty.”

“Poor Ty,” she continued, her voice trembling. “He was born while his father was away battling rogues for four years, and you stayed here, raising him alone...”

Her face flushed with anger as she spoke.

“And that ungrateful wretch not only brought that rogue woman into our pack but allowed her to torment you. This is madness!”

I knew Blessing was furious on my behalf, but her words only reminded me of Dominic’s disdain and indifference, each one like a claw to my heart. My tears had long dried up, and I sat there, holding my lifeless son, my eyes empty and hollow.

“There’s no point in talking about it anymore,” I said quietly. “I’ve come to reject the mate bond with Dominic.”

Blessing sighed, her wrinkled hand brushing over Ty’s pale cheek. Tears still clung to the corners of her eyes.

“Are you sure, Eliana?” she asked, her voice heavy with reluctance.

“Ty is gone. There’s nothing left for me here,” I replied, my voice firm but weary.

---

Seven years ago, Blessing and Dominic had been ambushed by rogues while returning to the pack. They’d stumbled into my village, wounded and desperate. Against my father’s wishes, I brought them into our home and nursed them back to health.

During his recovery, Dominic grew close to me. Under Blessing’s watchful eye, we became mates. On our marking night, he kissed my forehead and promised, “Eliana, you saved my life. I’ll love you and only you forever.”

For three years, we were inseparable, our love the envy of the pack. Then, just after Ty was born, Dominic received word of a rogue uprising at the border. He left without hesitation.

For four years, I raised Ty alone, waiting for Dominic to return. In the first year, I received letters filled with longing. In the second, he mentioned a rogue woman he’d saved. At first, I thought nothing of it—it was just Dominic being heroic.

But then the letters stopped. And when he finally returned, my worst fears were realized.

Dominic came back with Stormi Edwards, the rogue woman from his letters. That day, I stood at the packhouse door with Ty, eagerly awaiting Dominic’s return. But instead of embracing us, he walked in with Stormi in his arms, his gaze soft and affectionate as he looked at her.

He ignored me completely, but Ty, oblivious to his father’s coldness, ran up and hugged his leg. “Daddy! Mommy said you’d come back! She said you’d be strong and brave!”

I thought Dominic might at least smile at our son. But instead, he kicked Ty away. My boy hit the ground hard, his head smacking against a rock. Blood pooled beneath him as I rushed to his side.

“A mongrel pup from a village girl dares call me father?” Dominic sneered. “Get him out of my sight. Don’t let him bother Stormi.”

I didn’t understand how four years of war could have changed him so much. But it wasn’t long before Dominic allowed Stormi to lock us in the basement.

I realized then that he no longer cared for me. But I was a mother first, and my only concern was raising Ty. When Stormi demanded a marking ceremony, Dominic forced me to plan it.

Every night, Ty and I would hear their laughter and the sounds of their passion echoing through the packhouse. I cried silently, holding Ty close, shielding him from the cruelty of the world.

Then, on Ty’s birthday, Dominic ripped the skin from Ty’s back in a dark ritual to “bless” Stormi’s unborn pup. I’d endured so much, thinking it would keep Ty safe. But in the end, Dominic took everything from me.

My heart died with Ty. I’d given my life to Dominic, to our pack, to our family. But he’d destroyed it all.

“Dominic Dunn,” I whispered, my voice cold and resolute. “I’m done with you.”

I carefully placed Ty down beside me and knelt before Blessing, my head bowed in respect. “I’ve made up my mind. Please, let me go.”

Blessing sighed, her expression heavy with resignation. “Very well. I’ll retrieve the rejection papers from the pack archives.”

As she turned to leave, two of Stormi’s Omegas, Jaliyah and Myla, strutted into the room, their smirks dripping with contempt.

“Alpha’s orders,” Jaliyah sneered. “You’re to prepare the tonic for Stormi immediately. She needs it for her pregnancy.”

“Surely you can handle it,” Myla added, her tone mocking. “After all, you’re the pack’s former healer. A little peeling shouldn’t be beyond your skills.”

I clenched my fists but kept my voice calm. “Tell Alpha Dominic that I’m rejecting him as my mate. We’re done.”

They burst into laughter, the sound sharp and cruel. “Reject him? You?” Jaliyah sneered. “Everyone knows you only mated with him to climb the pack hierarchy. Don’t pretend otherwise.”

Their words cut deep, but I refused to let them see my pain. I reached for Ty, but before I could gather him in my arms, Myla yanked him from my grasp and tossed him to the floor.

“Let’s go,” Jaliyah snapped, grabbing my arm and dragging me toward Stormi’s quarters.

Inside, the scene was sickening. Stormi sat half-dressed on Dominic’s lap, her fingers trailing along his chest. “Alpha, you’re so cruel,” she cooed. “Here I am, carrying your pup, and you still tease me.”

Dominic, his eyes dark with desire, leaned in to kiss her, only stopping when Jaliyah cleared her throat. His gaze shifted to me, and the warmth in his eyes vanished, replaced by irritation.

“Is the tonic ready?” he demanded.

I didn’t answer. Instead, I stared him down, my voice cold and steady. “Dominic, Ty is dead.”

For a moment, his expression faltered, but he quickly masked it with anger. “Dead? Don’t be ridiculous. You’re just jealous of Stormi, trying to manipulate me again.”

“Alpha,” Stormi interrupted, her voice dripping with false concern. “Eliana’s just upset about Ty. She doesn’t mean it.”

She rose from Dominic’s lap and approached me, her hand reaching for mine. “Eliana, Ty gave his skin for my pup. It’s a noble sacrifice. You should be proud.”

Her words were like a knife twisting in my chest. I jerked my hand away, and she let out a dramatic cry, clutching her stomach as she stumbled back.

“My pup!” she wailed, tears streaming down her face. “Alpha, she hurt me!”

Dominic was on his feet in an instant, his alpha aura flaring as he glared at me. “How dare you!” he roared, his voice echoing through the room. “Stormi was only trying to comfort you, and this is how you repay her?”

He grabbed me by the arm, his grip bruising, and slapped me across the face. The force of it sent me stumbling, but I refused to cry out.

“You’re nothing but a rogue’s daughter,” he snarled. “You think you’re fit to be Luna? You’re a disgrace.”

He turned to the guards, his alpha tone commanding. “Strip her of her rank. Make her kneel on the ice for three days. She’ll beg for Stormi’s forgiveness, or she’ll stay there until she freezes.”

The guards moved toward me, their expressions grim. I didn’t fight them. There was no point. But as they dragged me away, I locked eyes with Dominic, my voice steady despite the pain.

“You’ll regret this.”

He didn’t respond, but I saw the flicker of doubt in his eyes. It was enough. I’d planted the seed. Now, all I had to do was survive long enough to watch it grow.