Chapter 3

The forest was bathed in the ethereal glow of the full moon, the silvery light filtering through the canopy overhead. Jake sat cross-legged on the ground, his small frame tense with anticipation. I stood beside him, my heart aching with a mixture of hope and dread.

“He’ll be here soon,” I murmured, trying to sound convincing. “Your father just got held up with pack duties, that’s all.”

Jake looked up at me, his eyes wide with a mixture of fear and hope. “Really, Mom?”

Before I could answer, a sharp, sudden pain lanced through my mind—a jolt of betrayal so strong it nearly brought me to my knees.

“What’s wrong?” Jake asked, alarm etched across his face.

I shook my head, trying to clear the fog of hurt and anger. But it was too late. The pack’s mind-link, a constant hum of background noise in my mind, had flared to life with a vision I wasn’t meant to see.

Through the link, I saw Ryan—my mate, my Alpha—laughing as he ran through the forest. His wolf form was powerful and fluid, but it wasn’t alone. Beside him ran Vanessa, her Beta form sleek and agile. And trailing behind them, grinning from ear to ear, was Connor.

The sight of them, a happy family unit under the moon’s watchful gaze, hit me like a physical blow. I staggered, my hand going out to brace myself against a nearby tree.

“Mom?” Jake’s voice was tinged with panic. “What’s happening?”

I looked down at him, my vision blurred with tears. “It’s nothing, baby,” I lied, trying to shield him from the truth. But it was too late. The mind-link had flared again, and this time, Jake’s eyes widened as he saw what I saw.

“Dad…” he whispered, his small body trembling.

Ryan’s joy was palpable through the link, his contentment a knife twisting in my gut. He had chosen this—chosen them—over his own son. Over his mate.

I sank to my knees beside Jake, wrapping my arms around him as his small body shook with sobs. “It’s okay, baby,” I whispered, though the words tasted bitter on my tongue. “I’m here. I’ll always be here.”

But even as I held my son, I knew this was far from over.

The pack house was quiet when we returned, the celebrations of the full moon run having wound down into the early hours of the morning. I guided Jake to his room, tucking him into bed and whispering words of comfort until he finally drifted off to sleep.

Then, with a heavy heart, I made my way to my Luna office. I needed to occupy myself, to keep my mind off the betrayal that still burned in my chest. But as I pushed open the door, my breath caught in my throat.

Vanessa stood behind my desk, her hands busy rearranging the ceremonial relics that lined the shelves. My stomach churned at the sight of her, but it was nothing compared to the rage that surged when I saw what she’d done.

My desk—my sanctuary—was now covered in her things. A delicate vase filled with fresh flowers sat prominently in the center, and the faint scent of her cloying perfume hung in the air.

“What are you doing in here?” I demanded, my voice icy.

Vanessa turned, a simpering smile on her face. “Oh, Luna! I was just… tidying up. Ryan said the office needed a fresh perspective.”

“Get out,” I growled, advancing on her. “This is my office, my space. You have no right to be here.”

Her smile widened, and she placed a hand on her chest in a show of mock innocence. “Oh, but I have permission. Alpha’s orders.”

I opened my mouth to retort, but a voice from the doorway cut me off. “What’s going on here?”

Ryan stood in the doorway, his arms crossed and a scowl on his face. I whirled to face him, my anger boiling over. “Look at this,” I spat, gesturing to the room. “She’s taking over my office, Ryan. How could you let this happen?”

His gaze flicked between us, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of guilt. Then, his expression hardened. “Vanessa’s only trying to help, Madison. The pack needs to move forward, and your… old-fashioned way of doing things is holding us back.”

“Old-fashioned?” I echoed, incredulous. “This is how a Luna has always—”

“Exactly,” he cut me off, his voice cold. “This isn’t the past anymore. Times are changing, and if you can’t adapt, maybe you shouldn’t be in this position.”

I stared at him, my heart pounding in my chest. “You’re choosing her over me?”

Ryan sighed, rolling his eyes. “I’m choosing what’s best for the pack. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have more important things to deal with.”

He turned and walked out, leaving me alone with Vanessa. Her triumphant smile was the last straw.

That night, as I prepared for bed, I reached for my jewelry box, intending to retrieve my Luna amulet—a symbol of my authority and a reminder of my place in this pack. But as I opened the lid, my heart sank. The box was empty, the amulet nowhere to be found.