Chapter 1

The council chamber of Silver Creek Pack was filled to capacity, the air thick with tension as pack members whispered among themselves. I stood beside James at the front of the room, my hands clasped tightly before me, the picture of a dutiful Luna despite the growing distance between us. My wolf, Nova, whimpered softly in my mind, sensing something was wrong before I did.

The heavy wooden doors burst open with a dramatic bang that silenced the room instantly. Rebecca Collins strode in, her rogue status doing nothing to diminish her confidence as she sauntered toward the center of the chamber. Her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her hand rested protectively over her stomach in a gesture that made my breath catch.

"I have an announcement to make," she declared, her voice carrying throughout the stunned chamber. Her eyes locked with mine for a brief, triumphant moment before she turned to address the pack. "I'm pregnant with Alpha James's pup."

The room erupted in gasps and murmurs. I felt the blood drain from my face as Nova howled in anguish deep within me. My eyes darted to James, waiting for his denial, his outrage at such a preposterous claim.

It never came.

James stepped forward, his expression unnervingly calm. "Silence," he commanded, his Alpha tone washing over the room and immediately quieting every voice. I felt the weight of it press against my chest, though it wasn't directed at me.

"What Rebecca says is true," he stated, his voice devoid of guilt or remorse. "She carries my pup."

The floor seemed to tilt beneath my feet. Three years of marriage, three years as his Luna, and he had never once spoken of wanting pups with me. Now he stood before our entire pack, calmly acknowledging another woman's pregnancy.

"Aria," James turned to me, his eyes cold and authoritative, "you will step down from your healer duties effective immediately."

I blinked, struggling to process his words through the roaring in my ears. "What?"

"Rebecca will need constant care during her pregnancy," he continued, his Alpha tone deepening. "As Luna, it is your duty to ensure the health of the pack's future generation. You will attend to Rebecca's needs personally."

The command slammed into me like a physical blow. Nova thrashed against my control, rage and humiliation burning through our bond. I felt dozens of eyes on me, waiting for my reaction, for some display of the devastation that was tearing me apart inside.

I wouldn't give them—or him—the satisfaction.

"Of course, Alpha," I replied, my voice steady despite the trembling of my hands. "I live to serve the pack."

Rebecca's triumphant smile made my stomach turn as she placed her hand on James's arm possessively. "I'm so grateful for your understanding, Luna Aria," she purred, the title a mockery on her lips. "I have some specific dietary needs that must be met immediately."

James nodded approvingly at her, then dismissed the council meeting. As pack members filed out, their pitying glances and whispered comments stabbed at me like tiny daggers. I held my head high, the perfect image of composure, while inside, Nova and I were shattering.

Later that night, when the pack house had grown quiet and James was occupied with settling Rebecca into what had once been my private study, I slipped away to my herbarium. The familiar scents of dried herbs and healing tinctures—my father's legacy—enveloped me as I closed the door behind me.

Only then did I allow a single tear to fall.

"We can't stay here, Nova," I whispered to my wolf as I pulled out a small communication crystal from a hidden compartment beneath the floorboards.

*We are Luna,* Nova growled, her pride wounded but her resolve strengthening mine. *This is our pack.*

"Not anymore," I murmured, activating the crystal. "It hasn't been for a long time."

The crystal glowed softly as I focused my energy into it, sending my thoughts across the miles to Alpha Marcus Thorne of the Moonstone Pack. The connection was faint but clear enough for what I needed.

*Alpha Thorne, this is Healer Aria Mitchell of Silver Creek Pack. I wish to formally apply for the head healer position in your pack.*

As I waited for his response, I began mentally cataloging which of my father's remedies I would need to take, which ancient healing texts I couldn't leave behind. My escape plan was taking root, even as my heart broke for the life and pack I had once believed would be mine forever.

What James didn't know—what Rebecca couldn't possibly understand—was that a Luna with nothing left to lose was the most dangerous creature of all.