Greyson Hunt had just been promoted to Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack. Instead of celebrating with me, his mate, he rushed back to our hometown, claiming he wanted to take me to the city to start a new life. But I knew better. He had something far more sinister in mind.

The moon hung high in the sky as he led me to the edge of a roaring river, its waters dark and merciless. My hand instinctively went to my swollen belly, where our child rested. I took a step back, but there was nowhere to go—only the churning river behind me.

"Kya," Greyson’s voice was cold, his eyes devoid of the warmth they once held. "This pup… it wasn’t meant to be."

I stared at him, my heart pounding. "You’re right," I said softly, my voice steady despite the fear clawing at my chest. "But not for the reasons you think."

His brow furrowed, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of confusion in his eyes. "What are you talking about?"

I smiled, a small, bitter curve of my lips. "I’ll step aside. I’ll be your Luna in name only. You can take Macy Mitchell as your chosen mate. She’s high-ranking, after all. She’ll help you climb even higher in the pack. And I… I’ll be content with whatever scraps you leave me."

His grip on my shoulders tightened, his claws digging into my skin. "You think it’s that simple?" he growled. "Macy won’t accept this. She’ll demand the full title of Luna. She’ll want to be the mother of my heirs—not you."

I tilted my head, my smile widening. "But you see, Greyson, this pup…" I placed a hand on my stomach, "is your only heir. And he’ll be the last."

His eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I thought I saw fear in them. But it was quickly replaced by rage. "There will be others," he snarled. "Stronger pups, born of a Luna worthy of my title. Not… not you."

Before I could respond, he shoved me with all his strength. I stumbled backward, the ground disappearing beneath my feet as I fell toward the icy river. The wind whipped past my ears, and for a moment, I locked eyes with him—those cold, empty eyes that had once promised me the world.

"You’re wrong," I whispered, my voice carrying over the roar of the water. "There will be no others."

Then I hit the surface, the freezing water enveloping me. But I didn’t struggle. I’d been prepared for this. Three years of being his mate, and Greyson had never known one simple truth: I was a strong swimmer.

As the current pulled me under, I smiled. He thought he’d ended my life, but in reality, he’d just given me the perfect opportunity to disappear. And when I resurfaced, it wouldn’t be as the Omega he’d discarded. It would be as someone far more dangerous.

I prided myself on being ruthless and unfeeling.

At seven years old, I lured my gambling-addicted father to the local betting den. I urged him to keep gambling, losing again and again until he was drowning in debt. I watched with satisfaction as the enforcers broke both his legs, leaving him writhing in pain. I left without a backward glance.

By ten, my mother found him on the streets, reeking of filth and on the brink of death. The look she gave me was a mix of terror and disbelief.

At eleven, I witnessed my neighbor, Xizi, break the leg of the stray wolf pup I’d adopted, Shadow. I held Shadow close and said coolly, "He took one of Shadow’s legs, so I’ll take one of his hands. Fair is fair." My claws extended as I made good on my promise.

That’s when she decided to sell me. For fifty dollars, she tried to hand me over to a widower in the next town, a man in his forties. She tied me up, but I turned the tables, wrapping the rope around her neck instead. Her eyes widened in fear as I kicked over the candle by the window. The flames roared to life, and I walked out of the inferno with Shadow in my arms and the fifty dollars in my pocket.

At twelve, I saw a dress I wanted. The shopkeeper offered it to me in exchange for a night with him. I smiled and said, "Sure." The next day, he was found suffocated under a pile of clothes.

By fourteen, my beauty had blossomed, and men of all kinds flocked to me like flies. Some swore they’d mark me; others brought jewelry, trying to make me their chosen mate. It was disgusting. I was meant for more than these lowlifes. I was destined for power, for the high ranks of the pack.

I knew what I wanted, and I always got it. Born an Omega, I was determined to rise. If I couldn’t mate into a high-ranking family, I’d create one myself.

I found Greyson Hunt, a rogue who showed potential. He was sharp, disciplined, and had the drive to climb the ranks. I played the part of the gentle, vulnerable girl, pretending to fall into the river one day. He saved me, and we grew close. We faked a mate bond, and I became his Luna.

For three years, I cared for him, supported him, and when he rose to become an Alpha, I was pregnant with his pup. I had planned it all perfectly. I handed him a glass of whiskey laced with a potion that would ensure he could never have another heir. Our pup would be his only bloodline.

I thought I was untouchable, but I underestimated him. The man who couldn’t even kill a rabbit turned out to be far more ruthless than I imagined.

The icy river water engulfed me, and the current dragged me under. Hatred burned in my chest, fiercer than the cold. I shouldn’t have just made him sterile. I should have poisoned him instead. I should have ended his life.

But I didn’t. And now, I was the one drowning.