LILIAN

They say a Luna’s bond with her Alpha is sacred.

Indestructible.

But what do you do when the Alpha you swore your life to betrays not only your bond but everything you thought was real?

I wasn’t searching for the truth—it found me, tearing through my heart with claws sharper than any wolf’s. It began with a scent: sweet, suffocating, lavender and honey. Not mine. Weeks ago, I noticed it lingering faintly on Mason’s clothes, like an uninvited guest. I told myself it was nothing. Pack life meant mingled scents, right? But tonight, it wasn’t faint. It was overwhelming.

As I entered the packhouse, the scent coiled around me like a vice, setting my wolf on edge. My instincts screamed for caution, but I ignored them. Then I heard it—laughter. Light, delicate, and unmistakably hers.

Claire.

The woman Mason had rescued two months ago, inviting her into the SilverCrest pack. The woman I’d greeted with warmth because kindness was my nature. Foolish, naive kindness.

I should’ve walked away but something deeper—instinct, or perhaps stubbornness—propelled me forward. Each step brought me closer to the truth I wasn’t ready to face.

The door to Mason’s office was ajar. My wolf growled in warning, but I pushed it open. Just a little. Just enough to see.

And there they were.

Mason sat on the edge of his desk, his golden eyes—the ones that once looked at me with nothing but devotion—locked on her. Claire stood between his legs, her hands on his chest, her lips curved into a smile that made my blood boil.

"You don’t have to worry about her," Mason said softly. "She doesn’t suspect anything."

My world cracked.

Claire laughed, light and mocking. "She’s too busy trying to be the perfect Luna to notice. Honestly, Mason, you deserve better."

Better.

The word was a knife to my chest, slicing through me in a way no claw or fang ever could.

Mason leaned forward, cupping her face, and bile rose in my throat as he whispered, "You’re all I need," before kissing her.

The door creaked as my hand slipped from the handle. Their heads snapped toward me.

"Lilian!” Mason’s eyes widened, guilt flashing across his face.

My hands balled into fists at my sides. I wanted to scream, to rip her throat out, but instead, I focused on him. “What happened to the promise of forever you made when you marked me?”

His gaze faltered for a moment before hardening. "It’s not what it looks like.”

“Oh?” My voice shook, my control slipping. “So you’re not sleeping with her? Not betraying our vows?”

“She needed me,” he said defensively. “She’s been struggling ever since she came to the pack, and I—”

“You what?” I stepped forward, my wolf surging. "Decided to comfort her by screwing her?”

“Lilian, calm down,” he said, his tone soft, patronizing.

Claire’s laugh was a spark to my simmering fury. "Don’t blame him, Luna. He just needed someone who could give him the attention you’ve been too distracted to provide."

My vision blurred as I turned to her, my voice a low, dangerous growl. "Say one more word, and I’ll rip your throat out."

Her smirk faltered, but she stepped back, her eyes gleaming with victory. She wanted to win, but I wouldn’t let her see me crumble. "Get out.”

She hesitated.

"Now!" My power rippled, and she scurried away, though not without a parting glance of triumph.

The silence after her departure was deafening.

“Lilian—” Mason began, stepping toward me.

"Don’t." My voice cracked, but my resolve didn’t. "Don’t come near me."

Without another word, I turned and left before he could say another word. Tears blurred my vision as I stormed down the hall, ignoring the stares of pack members who had undoubtedly heard everything.

I kept walking until I reached the edge of the forest, the cool night air wrapping around me like a cruel comfort. I didn’t know how long I stood there, staring into the trees, trying to piece together the shards of my shattered reality.

“Lilian.”

The soft voice startled me. I turned to see Dr. Mirra, the pack’s head healer and my late mother’s best friend, her expression hesitant.

“What?” I snapped, harsher than I intended.

She stepped closer, her expression softening. “I didn’t mean to intrude,” she said gently. “But I’ve been looking for you. There’s something you need to know.”

“What now?” I asked bitterly. “Is there some other disaster I need to handle tonight?”

She blinked and her brows furrowed in confusion. “What disaster?” Then she shook her head like that wasn’t important, her eyes flicking down to where my hand rested over my stomach.

Something I suddenly realized I had been doing often.

“I ran some tests earlier after you mentioned feeling unwell. I wanted to tell you sooner, but I thought it would be better to wait until you weren’t so busy.” She paused for a second. “You are pregnant, Lilian.”

The words hit me like a blow, the air rushing from my lungs.

Pregnant.

The words echoed in my mind, slicing through the anger and heartbreak. I was carrying his child. The child of the man who had betrayed me.

"Lilian? Are you okay?"

I blinked, instinctively wiping away the tears that slid down my face. I didn’t answer. What was there to say?

“I know it’s scary, but I’m sure Alpha Mason—”

Her words hit me like a slap. I stared at her, cutting her off. "Don’t tell him," I said, stepping closer and taking her hands. "I’m not asking as the head healer. I’m asking as my mother’s best friend. Please, don’t tell him or anyone else. I’ll tell him when I’m ready."

Mirra nodded as I turned my gaze toward the packhouse. He hadn’t even come looking for me. My resolve solidified. One thought consumed me:

Mason would never know about this child.

Even if I had to take that secret to my grave.

LILIAN

A month had passed since that night.

Mason had promised he would stop—swore it was a mistake, that he loved me and wanted to fix things. At first, I believed him. I wanted to believe him. But actions speak louder than words, and his actions screamed the opposite.

Now… He didn’t even try to hide it anymore.

The whispers were the hardest part in the beginning. My own pack—my home—mocked me behind my back, some not even bothering to lower their voices. They pitied me. Others laughed, seeing me as a Luna too weak to keep her mate's attention.

But I took it. Every cruel word, every sideways glance, every stifled chuckle. I endured because every day brought me closer to what I needed—a way out of this nightmare.

Claire didn’t make it easy. She relished every opportunity to provoke me, testing the limits of my patience. And Mason, instead of defending me, instead of protecting me like he once promised, chose her.

Over and over again, he chose her.

Tonight, as the pack gathered for dinner in the great hall, the tension was almost suffocating. Claire sat at Mason’s side, her place at the table a glaring insult to me and everything I represented as Luna.

The high-ranking members of our pack were present, their eyes flicking between the three of us with barely concealed curiosity. Some tried to mask their judgment, while others openly gawked at the spectacle Mason was creating.

I sat at the other end of the table, calmly eating my meal, blocking out everything else.

“Luna?”

The voice startled me, and I blinked, realizing everyone was staring at me. My grip on the silverware tightened as Claire’s voice rang out, sweet and falsely innocent.

“We were just discussing what you and the Alpha have planned for your mating anniversary this year.”

The words hung in the air, thick with mockery. Her smile was demure, but her eyes sparkled with malice.

I forced a polite smile, I’m sure Mason has it all figured out.”

Mason didn’t even glance in my direction. Instead, he leaned toward Claire, murmuring something that made her laugh—a soft, tinkling sound would have grated on my nerves if I still cared.

The rest of the table shifted uncomfortably, the tension palpable. It was no secret that Mason’s loyalty had shifted. Still, seeing it play out so brazenly before them was a spectacle they couldn’t ignore.

“I’m sure the Alpha has something… unique planned,” one of the elders said, his tone forced as he attempted to steer the conversation elsewhere.

“Unique, indeed,” Claire chimed in, her smile widening. “Alpha Mason always surprises me with his thoughtfulness.”

The double meaning wasn’t lost on anyone. My chest tightened, but I kept my expression neutral.

The dinner continued, a parade of empty conversations and half-hearted attempts to address pack matters. I spoke when necessary, nodding and agreeing where appropriate. But my mind was elsewhere, ticking through the details of my plan.

I didn’t miss the way Claire’s hand brushed against Mason’s under the table, or how his gaze lingered on her. My wolf growled softly in the back of my mind, restless and angry.

“Excuse me,” I said abruptly, pushing back my chair.

The room fell silent, all eyes on me. Mason’s brow furrowed, but he didn’t stop me. Claire watched me leave, her smirk firmly in place.

The cool night air hit me like a slap as I stepped outside, my chest heaving. My hands trembled as I gripped the edge of the railing, trying to steady myself.

“Lilian.”

I didn’t turn. His voice was the last thing I wanted to hear.

“I’m not in the mood for another argument, Mason,” My tone came out sharper than I intended.

He sighed, the sound heavy with frustration. “You walked out in the middle of dinner. That’s not the behavior of a Luna.”

I spun to face him, my eyes blazing. “And what about the behavior of an Alpha? Is parading your mistress in front of the pack acceptable now?”

He flinched, the truth of my words cutting deeper than I expected. “Claire is part of this pack—”

“She is not part of this pack,” I interrupted, my voice rising. “She’s a parasite feeding off your weakness.”

His jaw tightened, his golden eyes hardening. “You’re letting your emotions get the best of you again.”

I laughed bitterly. “Emotions? Is that what you call anger at being betrayed? Tell me, Mason, when did I become so disposable to you?”

He didn’t answer, and the silence was louder than any words he could have spoken.

“I am sick of having the same argument over and over,” I said, turning away. “Just go back to your dinner and let me have a little moment of peace. It’s not like I can leave anyway.”

For a moment, he didn’t say anything, then he spoke, this time his voice filled with a mix of irritation and anger, “If you keep doing this, you will leave me with no choice but to reject you.”

My head snapped to him so fast that I felt my neck almost snap and I realized then that anything we had was truly gone so I took a step towards him, “Then go ahead,” I met his gaze unflinching, “I dare you to reject me, Mason.”

LILIAN

“I reject you, Lilian Stone.”

He didn’t say the words, but I heard them as clearly as if he had shouted them. His eyes said everything. He wanted to.

He wanted to end this bond, but he wouldn’t. He’d rather keep me here, trapped, humiliated, than let me go.

So I simply walked away from him.

That was the moment my decision hardened into stone. The plan that had been simmering in my mind for weeks would finally come to life. And I’d execute it on our mating anniversary.

\Which was only two days away.

Now, I stared at the pregnancy certificate in front of me, still unable to believe that I had a pup growing inside me. Slowly, I looked up at Dr. Mirra, my throat tight. “You made sure no one is aware of this right?”

She nodded, “Yes, Luna and I did everything you asked discreetly.”

“Good.” I folded the paper, tucking it carefully under my dress. “Thank you. For everything.”

Her kind eyes softened. “You know I’ll always keep your secrets, Lilian. But are you sure about this? What you’re planning—it’s dangerous.”

“I don’t have a choice.” My voice broke, but I steadied it. “You’ve seen it. Everyone has. The way he treats me... I can’t live like this anymore.”

Dr. Mirra nodded, her expression filled with sadness and pride. “Even though things turned out this way, your mother would be so proud of you.”

A sad smile tugged at my lips. “I know she would. What she wouldn’t be proud of is me letting myself be a doormat so I have to end it.”

I was about to say more when a sharp knock on the door interrupted us. I quickly ensured the certificate was hidden as a voice called out, “Luna Lilian, the Alpha requests your presence in the pack hall.”

What did Mason want now?

“I’ll be out in a minute,” I replied calmly.

I kissed Dr. Mirra’s cheek, whispered another thank you, and stepped out.

A warrior stood at the entrance, his posture rigid and he didn’t bow his head as protocol demanded, but I shrugged it off.

My mind was already elsewhere. I started to turn toward my room to hide the certificate before going to see Mason, but he stepped in front of me, blocking my path.

“Alpha Mason requested I escort you directly to the grand hall,” he said.

I frowned, my voice sharp. “I can get there on my own. I just need to grab something from my room first.”

He didn’t move. “He ordered me to use force if necessary.”

I stared at him, incredulous. My wolf growled low in my chest, but I waved it off with a sigh. “Fine. But don’t touch me.”

I turned and began walking toward the hall, the warrior trailing me closely. Strangely, I wasn’t even angry. It didn’t matter.

It would all be over soon.

And Mason was in for one hell of a surprise.

The grand hall was dimly lit when I got to the entrance and I glanced around but Mason was nowhere in sight then her scent hit me before I even saw her.

Claire.

She was sitting in the Alpha’s chair, her legs crossed casually, her lips curved into a smirk.

“Finally,” she drawled. “You made it.”

I stopped in the doorway, glaring at her. “What’s the meaning of this? Where’s Mason?”

“He’s not here,” she said, rising from the chair with deliberate grace.

“Then why did you send a warrior to bring me here under the pretense of his name?”

Her smirk widened. “Because I wanted to remind you who holds the real power here. You’re just a figurehead, Lilian. I’m the one everyone listens to. And soon, you will be nothing.”

I raised an unimpressed brow. “Is that all? Or do you have something new to share?”

For a moment, surprise flickered in her eyes, but she quickly masked it with her practiced smile. “Actually, yes. Mason wanted me to tell you that the mating anniversary celebration…”

I stilled, every nerve in my body on edge.

“… won’t be happening here in the pack.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I froze. I knew that Mason would celebrate our anniversary even though this year it would be a mockery to me but it hadn’t mattered because I needed the chaos that would come with the celebration.

Everything I had planned hinged on that celebration taking place and it happening. Without it, my escape—my freedom—would be impossible.

Claire’s eyes gleamed like she could sense my turmoil. She took a step closer, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper.

“And one more thing, Lilian…”

She leaned in, her lips curling into a sinister smile, “Mason plans to announce his decision to formally reject you at the celebration… right before naming me as his true mate and Luna."