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."

LILIAN

The door slammed shut behind me as Claire walked out, leaving me standing with a finality that echoed in my bones. Her words rattled through my head. "Mason plans to announce his decision to formally reject you..."

I couldn’t breathe.

I had to think fast, not just because my plan was about to fall apart, but because if Mason went through with it, it was truly over.

I had only dared him because I knew he would never do it. He would never let me go, even if I rejected him. I would only be demoted and forced to remain in the pack. No other pack would take me in—my weakness would be too obvious. I’d be vulnerable, exposed.

And if I didn’t leave... he would find out and my child would be taken away.

I felt the pounding in my head and couldn’t stop my hands from shaking. I fumbled for my phone and dialed the number of the only other person apart from Mirra who knew about my plans—Alpha Dexter. As much as I hated getting involved with someone whose reputation was as bad as his, he was the one person I knew could help me pull this off. And he couldn’t double-cross me—he owed me a favor, and he was a man of his word.

Alpha Dexter picked up on the first ring, and I didn’t wait for him to speak. “Something just came up, and there needs to be a change in plans.”

There was a pause before he spoke, filled with subtle irritation. “I am aware that I owe you for what you did saving my son three years ago, but you are starting to ask for a lot.”

I let out a sigh. “I know you’ve done a lot. I didn’t expect the celebration to not be happening here. Everything is going to be as it was meant, I just need the plan to happen with me going to the mating ceremony elsewhere. I will get the location and send it to you.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” He growled and then ended the call before I could say anything else.

My chest tightened as the weight of what I was about to do hit me all over again.

I turned and hurried back to the pack’s healing room only to find Mirra preparing to step out. The moment she saw me, her expression changed.

“What did Alpha Mason want?” she asked.

“It wasn’t him summoning me. It was Claire with another one of her stunts,” I paused to catch my breath before continuing, “But that isn’t important because she told me that Mason moved the celebration out of the pack and that he plans to reject me during it.”

Mirra’s face fell. She didn’t speak for a moment, just watched me as though weighing her next words carefully.

“I’ve already called Dexter. He’s making adjustments.” I went on, though inside, everything felt shaky. “I’m hoping two days will be enough.”

Mirra blinked, clearly taken aback. “Two days? You needed weeks for this. Are you sure it’s enough time?”

“I have to make it work. I don’t have a choice now.”

She stared at me, her eyes narrowing. “You have to make sure it happens before Mason rejects you, Lilian.”

I blinked, confused. “What are you talking about? Why does it have to be before?”

“The bond... the severing of it,” she said quietly, her gaze dropping to my stomach before flicking back to my eyes. “It can be more than just painful. Sometimes, the effect is so severe that it breaks someone. They can’t handle it, and it ruins them.”

I stared at her, my pulse quickening. “What do you mean? You’re saying it could destroy me?”

“The pain,” Mirra’s voice was soft but intense. “It can rip you apart physically, emotionally... you’re carrying a child. The stress could be too much for your body to handle, Lilian.”

The words crashed into me like a wave. I felt my breath hitch in my throat.

“The severing of the bond,” I whispered, barely hearing my own voice. “You’re saying it could kill… my child?”

Mirra’s gaze softened with a mixture of fear and sympathy, but her tone was resolute. “There is a possibility. I have seen first hand what it can do to some people. You need to make sure everything is in place before Mason can do this and not take that chance. Otherwise…”

The room seemed to spin around me. I staggered back, my hands trembling as I braced myself against the wall. The gravity of her words was suffocating.

I nodded quickly, but inside, panic clawed at my insides. I couldn’t lose this child. I couldn’t lose everything I was fighting for.

“Mirra,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper, “I can’t. I can’t lose my baby.”

“You won’t,” Mirra replied, her voice firm, but I could hear the worry beneath it.

I nodded, though doubt gnawed at me. The pieces of my plan were shifting, falling into place in ways I hadn’t expected. I’d taken risks, but now, with Mason on the verge of rejecting me and everything hanging by a thread, I had to trust that Dexter would follow through.

And if he didn’t...

The plan would fail. And everything, including my child, would be lost.