Chapter 2

“Make sure you’re not late for the pack meeting tomorrow morning at eight,” he said coldly, without even bothering to look at me, before leaving the packhouse.

There was no apology, no sympathy. Dan seemed to take pleasure in my suffering, refusing to show even the smallest amount of love or affection. Despite being the Luna, his chosen mate, and a queen in the eyes of our pack, he treated me with a glaring lack of respect.

Unable to bear it any longer, I made up my mind to take the only option available to me in such a situation: escape, if only for a few hours. I rushed out into the forest, greeted by the crisp, revitalizing air that immediately awakened my senses. I took a deep breath, using it as a means to clear my mind. The tranquility was welcoming, except for the biting wind that stung my tear-stained cheeks, sending a chill through my body. But the discomfort didn’t last as I transformed into my wolf form.

Swiftly, her paws touched the icy ground as she raced through the woods. I relinquished control completely, understanding her need for this freedom. She longed to feel alive and unrestricted. We were both confined by our roles, our obligations, and our mate. We had sacrificed everything for our pack, for him, only to discover it was all in vain.

Even if we were capable of bearing a child, I knew they would be neglected, just as I had been discarded. I now understood that refraining from bringing children into this family was the right decision. No child could change his feelings toward me; I had been foolish to believe otherwise. For the first time, I felt grateful for my inability to conceive.

Caught in an impossible predicament, every part of me yearned to escape, but I understood the importance of my presence within the pack. If Deborah were to become Luna, she would undoubtedly bring ruin upon our pack. She had no training, and I hadn’t seen her display any sign of intelligence—about anything, really.

But what about my own well-being? Hadn’t I endured enough? Four years was far too long to wear my heart on my sleeve for Dan. He had turned my love for him into a mockery, relinquishing any ounce of respect he once had out of duty.

As my wolf continued to run, I pondered this inner conflict. She hunted rabbits and sniffed the various scents, trying to immerse herself in the surroundings and forget all that had transpired.

Her coat of white fur provided warmth against the deepening cold as darkness enveloped us. I knew we needed to return soon, but I didn’t want to subject her to that just yet. Just a little longer. I wished for her to momentarily forget about the burdens that awaited us back at the packhouse.

Another hour passed, and I finally accepted that the time had come. Gently, I nudged her in my mind, signaling that it was time to go home. In response, she emitted a low growl, expressing her discontent with the idea. I couldn’t blame her. However, I reminded her that we needed to return for dinner, or else Diamond would start worrying. With a final whimper of annoyance, she reluctantly turned back toward the packhouse.

As we prepared to leave, I caught sight of something among the trees. A woman with golden hair stood there, dressed in white, her gaze fixed on me.

My wolf emitted a warning growl, sensing the unfamiliarity and absence of her scent. It was unsettling that we couldn’t detect her presence from this distance.

Undeterred by our reaction, the woman stood motionless and silent.

Driven by an instinctual pull, we ran towards her, propelled by the paws of my wolf, our hearts pounding with an eerie anticipation.

How had she managed to breach the border patrols? Something was wrong. While we weren’t skilled fighters, we had to investigate, or at least attempt to protect the pack.

But it soon became evident that we were too late.

Before we could reach her, the woman turned and disappeared behind the trees, leaving no trace behind. No woman, no lingering scent. It was as if she had never been there at all. Had we imagined the whole encounter?

Considering the recent trauma we had endured, it was possible that we were hallucinating. Our minds had been pushed to their limits, and we teetered on the edge of breaking.

Swiftly, I urged my wolf to return home, relieved when she complied without hesitation. Neither of us wanted to experience another encounter like the one we had just witnessed.

I briefly considered alerting the border patrol to investigate, but I decided against it. By now, news of Deborah’s pregnancy would have spread, and people would regard me with sympathy. While pity was one thing, I couldn’t risk being seen as unstable. As the Luna, my position was already precarious. I couldn’t provide any further reason for the pack to doubt me. Still, after the traumatizing day I had endured, I had no idea what awaited me at the packhouse.

After shift in g back into my human form and dressing, I entered the house, freezing in my tracks at the sight before me.

As I stepped inside, her scent enveloped me—a sickly sweet fragrance that always made my nose scrunch.

There stood Deborah, her golden hair flowing down her back, a self-satisfied smirk adorning her lips. My heart sank as I realized that she must have sensed my absence and taken advantage of it to assert control.

“What is the meaning of this?” I demanded, anger and disbelief lacing my voice.

Deborah turned to face me, her eyes gleaming with triumph. “Oh, Luna, how delightful of you to finally join us,” she taunted, dripping with sarcasm.

I clenched my fists, struggling to maintain my composure. “Explain yourself, Deborah. What are you doing here?”

Dan emerged from the shadows, his gaze shifting between the two of us. “It seems Deborah has decided to take charge while you were away,” he stated, his tone devoid of concern or sympathy.

My heart shattered as I realized that Dan had played a role in this betrayal. The pain and betrayal mingled with the confusion and fear that had consumed me throughout the day. I had hoped that my absence would awaken a realization, a change in our relationship. Instead, it only fueled their contempt.

“You had no right,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Deborah’s laughter echoed in the room, mocking and cruel. “Oh, Luna, you were always so naïve, thinking Dan would choose you over me. But with the news of my pregnancy, it’s clear who the true queen of this pack is.”

Anger surged within me, but I fought to keep it in check. Losing control now would only worsen the situation. “Deborah, this is not how it should be. You know nothing about leading a pack, about the responsibilities that come with it. Your child will suffer under your rule.”

She waved a dismissive hand. “Oh, please. I’ll surround myself with advisors and make the necessary decisions.”

Dan took a step forward, his eyes devoid of warmth or empathy. “Your time as Luna is over. It’s time for a new leader. Deborah will guide our pack into a prosperous future.”

Their words bore down on me, the realization sinking in that my reign as Luna had reached its end. Deborah had emerged triumphant, and I was left to face the consequences of my escape.

But I refused to let them witness my despair. Straightening my posture, I met their gaze with unwavering resolve. “If that is your belief, then so be it. But remember, Deborah, leading a pack is not about control and manipulation. It is about compassion, solidarity, and safeguarding those entrusted to your care. I fear for the pack’s future under your leadership.”

A fleeting uncertainty flickered across Deborah’s face, though she quickly masked it with a smug facade. “We shall see, Luna. Time will reveal the truth.”

With those parting words, I turned away and exited the packhouse, burdened by the weight of shattered dreams. Amidst the pain and uncertainty, a flame of defiance ignited within me. I may have lost this battle, but the war was far from over. I vowed to fight for what was just, even if it meant standing alone against those I once held dear.