Behind Emory stood Leo and Ophelia. All three were dressed in matching shades of deep blue, looking for all the world like a real family. Ophelia clung to Emory’s arm, her other hand stroking Leo’s hair. A triumphant smile played on her lips, her eyes full of challenge as she looked at me.

"Sister Liliana," she cooed sweetly. "Leo's birthday wish is for me to stay in the main house tonight. You don't mind, do you?"

Leo bounced on his feet. "Yeah! I want to sleep with Daddy and Auntie Ophelia! Like a real family!"

Emory looked uncomfortable, but he didn't stop them.

"I don't mind," I said flatly.

Leo clapped his hands in delight. "Great! Our family of three can all sleep together!"

Ophelia feigned a shy glance downward. "Oh, Liliana, he's just a child. You can't be mad at him for speaking his mind, can you?"

But Emory didn't look pleased. He had expected me to scream and protest, giving him the chance to accuse me of "ruining our son's birthday."

I forced a smile. "Of course not. Make yourselves at home."

I couldn't stand the sight of their happy little charade any longer and turned to leave.

"Aren't you staying with us, Mommy?" Leo’s voice was probing.

"Didn't you say a family of three?" I said, looking back at him. "I'd only be in the way." With that, I went upstairs to the guest room.

Later that night, I stepped onto the balcony for some air. It was adjacent to the master bedroom's balcony, and I could see inside through the glass doors. Ophelia, dressed in a flimsy silk nightgown, was deliberately parading in front of Emory. Leo played his part, asking for a glass of water. As Ophelia bent over to pour it, the neckline of her gown gaped open.

"Leo, go get Auntie Ophelia a blanket," Emory's voice was tight.

Leo nodded obediently, then "accidentally" bumped into Ophelia. She stumbled right into Emory's arms, the thin silk strap sliding off her shoulder as her body pressed against his chest.

"I'm sorry, I'm so unsteady," she murmured, looking up at him with misty eyes. "It must be a side effect of the medicine." Her hand slid up to his chest, releasing a subtle, inviting scent.

Emory’s throat bobbed. His eyes darkened with heat.

I had no interest in watching their little show, but as I turned to leave, Emory caught my reflection in the glass door. He shoved Ophelia away and stormed onto the balcony.

"Liliana!" He grabbed my arm, his voice thick with shame and anger. "It's not what you think!"

"I'm not thinking anything," I said calmly. "What you do is none of my business."

"Stop pretending!" he snarled, his embarrassment turning to rage. "You were spying on us!"

"Emory, don't blame Sister Liliana," Ophelia cried, following him out with tears in her eyes. "It's all my fault, I shouldn't have..." She grabbed my hand. "I'll do anything, just please forgive me!"

"Bad mommy!" Leo rushed out too, shoving me hard. "Why are you bullying Auntie Ophelia? Go away!"

I was standing on the edge of the balcony. His push sent me stumbling backward. At that exact moment, Ophelia, who was still clinging to my hand, let her body go limp and fell with me.

"Emory, save me!" she shrieked in terror.

The second-floor balcony wasn't fatally high, but the fall would still cause serious injury. Without a second of hesitation, Emory bypassed me—the one closer to him—and lunged with an Alpha's speed to grab Ophelia's hand.

And I fell.

"Liliana? Liliana!"

I woke to the sound of Emory's trembling voice. He was sitting by my bed, his eyes bloodshot as if he hadn't slept all night.

"How are you?" he asked, his voice shaking. "The Pack Healer said you're extremely weak. What's going on?"

It was the first time in years I had seen him so worried about me. I didn't answer, just looked at him in silence.

He immediately started diagnosing me himself. "It must be because you're always so paranoid and stressed. That's why you're so weak. I've already arranged for the high priest to give you a full examination. You need to get rid of this awful temper."

"Alpha!" One of Ophelia's guards rushed in. "Miss Ophelia is coughing up blood!"

Emory's face went pale. He shot to his feet, ready to leave. He glanced at my ashen face and hesitated.

"Go," I said, pressing the call button by the bed. "Ophelia needs you more. A nurse can take care of me."

My quiet calm seemed to throw him off, leaving his prepared excuses to die on his tongue. He gave me one last, deep look, then strode out of the room.

A middle-aged she-wolf nurse came in shortly after. "Luna, your condition is critical. You'll need a family member with you for the follow-up treatments," she said, flipping through my chart. "Where is the Alpha?"

"I don't have a husband," I said quietly. "Just arrange a caregiver for me."

I knew how this went. Emory was busy with Ophelia. He had no time for me. The nurse looked startled but nodded.

I didn't expect to see Emory again so soon. He kicked the door open and stormed in, his eyes blazing with fury.

"Liliana!" he roared. "I was so wrong about you! I never knew you were vicious enough to want Ophelia dead!"

"I didn't," I said, meeting his gaze without flinching.

"Still lying!" he snarled, grabbing my shoulders. "If you hadn't pushed her—"

"The pack house has security cameras," I cut him off, ignoring the pain in my shoulders. "You can check the footage."

Emory faltered for a second, a flicker of doubt in his eyes. Just then, Leo ran in, his little face flushed with anger.

"Mommy's lying!" he shouted, pointing at me. "I saw her! She grabbed Auntie Ophelia's hand and made her fall on purpose!"

His words sealed my fate.

"You venomous bitch!" Emory yanked me out of bed. The IV line ripped from my arm, and blood streamed down my hand as tubes clattered to the floor. "Get on your knees outside Ophelia's house and repent!"

Seeing the blood and my crumpled state, Leo grabbed his father's sleeve, a flash of panic in his eyes. "Daddy..."

But in the end, he said nothing more.

"Get on your knees and repent!"

Emory dragged me out to the stone path in front of the main house. It was covered with sharp, jagged rocks, a path reserved for punishing pack members who had committed serious crimes.

"Kneel until you admit you were wrong," he commanded coldly, then turned and walked away.

Pack members gathered to watch my "penance," staring as if I were some unforgivable criminal. They pointed and whispered.

"I heard the Luna is being punished for trying to kill Miss Ophelia. How horrible."

"The Alpha is so unlucky, being mated to such a cruel woman."

I tried to speak, to defend myself, but the words were stuck in my throat. I couldn't make a sound. A silencing spell.

The guard watching me chuckled mockingly. "Don't waste your energy. Miss Ophelia gave the order. You won't be saying anything you're not supposed to."

Of course. I knelt all day. The stones dug deep into my knees, but I was long past feeling the pain. By the second day, I couldn't hold on any longer and collapsed.

When I woke up, I was in a sickroom again. Emory was staring at my bruised and bloodied legs, his expression unreadable.

When he saw I was awake, he let out a long sigh and took my hand, his expression a tangled mess of anger and... was that regret?

"Why are you so stubborn?" he chided. "If you had just apologized, you wouldn't have had to suffer like this."

I pulled my hand away with all the strength I had left.

His face fell.

"I know I went too far. I apologize," he said, a rare note of humility in his voice. He even offered a gentle smile. "The full moon ceremony is coming up. I can take you with me."

In the past, that would have been a dream come true. To stand by his side, a united front for all to see.

"I don't want to go," I said softly.

Emory stared, unable to understand why I wasn't falling into his arms with joy like I used to. His tone hardened. "You have to go! It's your duty as Luna!"

Just then, Leo burst into the room. "Why does Mommy have to go if she's sick? You said Auntie Ophelia could go!"

And just like that, I understood why my son had lied. Once again, my own son had chosen to twist the knife.

Emory looked flustered, then snapped at Leo. "That's enough! My decision is final!"

Leo fell silent, but his glare remained. I watched it all unfold, saying nothing.

Three days later, at the full moon ceremony, my legs hadn't fully healed. I walked with a slight limp, and my face was so pale that even the thickest makeup couldn't hide my haggardness. But Emory didn't notice. His attention was entirely on Ophelia. She looked exceptionally beautiful tonight in a flowing white gown, like an angel in need of protection.

Guests flocked to her, asking about her health with concerned voices.

"Miss Ophelia is so strong, attending the ceremony even while she's sick."

"Yes, not like some people who make a fuss over every little thing."

Their words reached me, but I felt nothing.

Suddenly, a visiting Alpha approached Ophelia, his hand sliding possessively onto her waist. Ophelia's face paled, and she looked trapped. Beside me, Emory's scent spiked with jealousy and rage. His hand, which had been resting on my shoulder, clenched so tightly that I cried out in pain. "Emory..."

He didn't hear me.

I took a deep breath. "Go. I'll be fine here."

The words were barely out of my mouth before Emory shot to his feet and stormed over to them. He yanked Ophelia behind him and snarled at the other Alpha, "Who gave you permission to touch her?"

Then, he threw a punch. The entire hall went silent.

"Ophelia is mine!" he declared in front of everyone. "No one touches her!"