The cold winds of Nightshade Valley swept through the dense forest, carrying with it whispers of ancient secrets. As the thugs tore into my flesh, their claws raking through my skin like daggers, my beloved mate, Rowan Blackwood, was out celebrating a decade of rekindled love with Selene, his first love.

While they dined beneath the moonlight, I lay broken and beaten, watching my own life drain into the cursed earth of Silverclaw Forest. Desperate, I tried sending a message through our pack bond, my mental voice pleading in agony. But all I received in return was cold indifference: “This won’t make me return. I won’t be home tonight, you foolish pup.”

A twisted relief settled in my chest when he didn’t come. Had he, I knew I’d likely have faced a fate far worse. Rowan was never one for mercy, especially toward a mate he loathed.

~

Three days later, he was the center of attention once again—Alpha Rowan, the renowned tracker and forensic expert of Lunarclaw Pack. His sharp senses and unerring instincts had earned him a reputation as the best in the realm. This time, he was summoned to investigate a murder spree that had thrown the entire territory into chaos.

He stood there, analyzing the scene with practiced precision, talking about the victim’s last moments as if they were a puzzle to be solved. What he didn’t know was that he was dissecting the death of his very own mate—the one whose presence he could barely tolerate.

I was no longer a living, breathing wolf but a mangled body tossed aside in the wilderness like a carrion for scavengers. My shredded form lay hidden beneath debris, forgotten in the aftermath of violence.

Until Kellan, the village elder, stumbled upon me while walking his old wolf. The creature sniffed around, tugging at what appeared to be a discarded black bag. It wasn’t long before Kellan realized the horrifying truth—the bag contained not waste, but my remains. A human leg bone poked out, sending the old man into a frantic panic.

The nightmare spread like wildfire. Bodies were discovered all across the region—victims of a brutal spree. The Moonlit Hunters, a specialized team of warriors and trackers, were assembled to solve the mystery. And at the forefront of the investigation? None other than Rowan Blackwood, the alpha with a nose as sharp as his blade.

Standing in the center of the latest crime scene, Rowan moved through the wreckage, analyzing the blood trails and claw marks with an eerie calm. The air was thick with the metallic scent of death, but his focus never wavered.

“This is no ordinary attack,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper as his eyes followed the blood spatters on the trees. His brow furrowed in concentration as he crouched low, inspecting deep gashes in the earth. “Whoever did this had a purpose. This was calculated.”

Caden Storm, the leader of the Moonlit Hunters, stood beside Rowan, his eyes wide with disbelief. “Our victim’s a she-wolf, likely under thirty, from the looks of her bones,” Caden muttered, his voice heavy with suspicion. “But why? Who would want to tear her apart like this?”

Rowan didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he surveyed the scene once more, his instincts twitching with unease. “This wasn’t just a random act of violence,” he finally said. “Someone had a vendetta, and they’re just getting started.”

He was right. The deaths weren’t random, and I, his long-forgotten mate, was only the beginning of a much larger tragedy.

A glimmer caught Rowan’s eye—a piece of evidence half-buried beneath a pile of leaves. A ring, coated in dried blood. Rowan crouched and lifted the ring, his sharp eyes narrowing as he inspected the jewelry.

Caden’s voice turned low and cautious. “Rowan, isn’t that ring… similar to yours?”

Rowan paused, briefly taken aback. He examined the band again, noting the design. “It looks like it,” he admitted, turning the ring over in his hands. “But it’s probably just the same style. These rings were common once.”

With the ring now sealed in evidence, Rowan’s mind wandered. He stood by the forest’s edge, lost in thought, before instinctively dialing my number. The phone rang in the stillness before he abruptly hung up, convinced it was all a mistake.

“Typical,” he muttered under his breath. “She always finds a way to play the victim.”

He never doubted his conviction—not for a second. Rowan was certain that nothing could be wrong. After all, the engraving on our wedding rings had been erased, long lost to time. But he had overlooked one small fact—engraved memories, like mine, can be hidden… but never truly erased.

Chapter 2

The cool air of Moonridge, heavy with the scent of pine and earth, wrapped around the Lunarclaw Pack’s forensic tent like a shroud. Inside, they were still working on me—or what was left of me. Five or six wolves were pulling all-nighters, patching together the mess I’d become.

My mangled body lay on the table, surrounded by scattered remains. The sight was enough to turn anyone's stomach, even a seasoned wolf. Caden, ever calm and calculating, pointed to my torn-apart body.

"Look at this," he muttered, his brow furrowed. "The head’s missing, fingers too, and there’s a chunk gone from the ankle. Someone wanted to make sure she couldn't be recognized."

Rowan stood nearby, silent, his sharp gaze fixed on the chaos but betraying little emotion. He was probably turning it over in his mind—what made those parts different from the rest? His instincts, always razor-sharp, were likely sensing something deeper, something more sinister.

After what felt like an eternity, Rowan finally spoke. "So, who’s our unlucky guest?" His voice was calm, almost detached.

Caden shook his head. "We’ll have to wait for DNA results. No one’s filed a missing wolf report yet, but once they do, we’ll have a lead."

Rowan gave a brief nod, not sparing me more than a quick glance. Was it disgust that kept him from looking too closely? Or maybe it was guilt, buried deep beneath his stoic exterior. After all, this whole nightmare was tied to him, in more ways than one.

~

Later, at a strategy meeting with the pack enforcers, Rowan laid out his latest theory. His eyes gleamed as he connected the dots, his mind working faster than the others could follow.

"I’ve been tracking some patterns," he said, his voice low but commanding the room’s attention. "Similar killings have been popping up in Shadowhollow, just north of our borders. They’ve got their claws in some dark business—gutting wolves, draining them dry, and chopping them to bits. It’s like someone’s making a statement, trying to send a message."

Caden’s ears perked up, his face twisting in disbelief. "Shadowhollow... The rogue packs up there? You think this is their doing?" His voice had a slight edge, like he couldn’t quite believe what he was hearing.

Rowan nodded, the calm certainty in his voice cutting through the room. "It matches their MO—brutality for the sake of power. They’re trying to make a name for themselves, climbing the ranks by terrorizing packs across the region."

Caden wasted no time. "We need to reach out to the Shadowhollow Enforcers. Maybe they can give us some insight, or at least some backup."

After the meeting, a young omega practically bounced beside Rowan, eyes wide with admiration. "Alpha Rowan, you’re amazing! You figured out the next move in, like, no time! No wonder everyone says you’re the best tracker in the pack."

I watched from the shadows, biting back a laugh. If only this kid knew the truth—that Rowan’s sharp mind was only part of the story. Still, his praises rang hollow. Rowan barely acknowledged the compliment with a curt nod. He’d had wolves fawning over him since childhood. It was a game he’d long since tired of.

But just as Rowan was about to walk away, the young omega reached out, plucking something off his jacket.

"Hey, Alpha, wait a sec," the boy said, holding up a long, curly strand of hair, his grin wide and teasing. "Everything good with your mate?"

Rowan’s reaction was immediate, his voice dropping to an icy tone. "None of your business." He snatched the hair from the boy’s hand and shoved it deep into his pocket before stalking off into the night.

The omega stood there, rubbing his nose awkwardly as the Alpha disappeared. I wanted to comfort him, to tell him not to worry about Rowan’s frostiness, but my hand passed right through him.

Besides, that strand of hair wasn’t mine. If the kid had seen my head—wherever it was now—he’d know my hair was short and straight, nothing like that long, curly piece. No, that one belonged to Selene, Rowan’s new flame. The night I died, she’d been curled up next to him, leaving behind a little reminder on his coat.

The irony wasn’t lost on me. Even in death, I was haunted by the remnants of their betrayal.

I hadn’t returned to Lunarclaw Manor for three days, and Rowan hadn’t even bothered to check if I was alive. The last time we fought about Selene, I’d stayed at my best friend’s den for a few days, to gather my thoughts. He must’ve assumed I was throwing tantrums, and, as usual, didn’t want to deal with it.

Then Selene called him, her voice trembling through the line. "Rowan, there’s a storm rolling in tonight, and the moon’s hidden. I’m terrified. Can you stay with me? I don’t want to be alone."

I saw Rowan’s grip on his phone tighten, then relax. He said, "Selene, I’m still married. It wouldn’t be right for me to come to your cabin."

For a moment, I thought he might actually make the right decision. But then, like clockwork, he added, "But you could come to Lunarclaw Manor. Luna isn’t home."

Even Selene sounded surprised at that. "Are you sure, Rowan? What if she comes back? How would we explain ourselves?"

I almost snorted. She knew exactly what she was doing, playing innocent like a seasoned actor.

Rowan brushed it off easily. "What would we need to explain? This is my territory, and you’re my friend. Luna doesn’t control who stays here."

He was so sure of himself. "Besides, she’s not coming back."

Selene paused for a beat, her breath catching. "How do you know?" She quickly masked her suspicion, adding, "I mean... did she get mad again?"

Rowan nodded. "Yeah. On our 10th anniversary, I told her I was going to see you."

He sounded exasperated. "I’m so tired of her jealousy. We’re just friends, but she’s always suspicious! I chose her, didn’t I? Married her. But it’s never enough for her. Unlike you, Selene. You’ve put up with so much over the years and never asked for anything. I should be the one apologizing to you."

I could hardly contain my amusement. Who celebrates their 10th wedding anniversary by meeting up with their ex? And to think, that was the day I died.

Next year, Rowan, will you celebrate your anniversary or mark the day of my death?

Selene wasted no time rushing over to the manor, her steps light as she practically threw herself into Rowan’s arms. "Rowan, it’s so dark and eerie outside. I’m scared."

I rolled my eyes from the shadows. It’s dark every night. I had never seen her rattled before.

Rowan held her close, his strong arms reassuring. "You’ve got nothing to fear. I’m here." His hand traced soft circles on her back, trying to calm her down.

To reassure her even more, he pulled out a bundle of candles. "I bought these just in case. Even if the storm knocks out the power, we’ll have light."

Selene sighed dramatically, leaning further into him. "You’re always looking out for me, Rowan. You’re my hero."

It was getting late, and Selene wanted to freshen up before bed. She headed into my bathroom, shutting the door behind her. Of course, she raided my skincare stash, casually using everything I had without a second thought. She left the bathroom a mess, caps unscrewed and bottles knocked over.

She smirked at her reflection. "Luna won’t care. She’s not coming back anyway."

I watched her silently from the mirror, my ghostly form undetectable as she played with my things. Thunder rumbled outside, and with the flash of lightning, a figure shimmered on the floor. Selene screamed, dropping a bottle, and called out for Rowan.

He burst through the door, his wolf senses heightened, ready to protect her like the Alpha he was. He swept her into his arms, holding her close, letting her shake against him.

"Isn’t this a bit... dangerous?" Selene whispered, glancing around the room as if expecting me to materialize at any moment. "What if your mate comes back?"

Rowan shrugged, his gaze cold as he stared at the storm outside. "I don’t care if she does."

The lightning illuminated his face, casting deep shadows across his features. "If she shows up, she’s got no right to say anything. If it weren’t for her, you wouldn’t have stayed away, and we wouldn’t have missed all those years together."

He spoke with a certainty that sent chills down my spine. "You don’t have to worry about her, Selene. If she dies out there, it’s no skin off my back."

Alright, Rowan. Your wish is my command. Let’s see how indifferent you truly are when you find out what happened.