Chapter 1

Anastasia, my rogue lover, was unwell again. On the day my mate gave birth to our pup, I brought Anastasia back to the packhouse. As Alpha of the Silver Fang Pack, I had the authority to make decisions for the good of the pack—or so I told myself. With a stern expression, I instructed Katherine, my Luna, "The pup’s blood can help Anastasia. Make sure she’s well-fed so we can easily take blood."

I added, "She might cry at night. Move to the guest room, so you don’t disturb Anastasia as she recovers."

Katherine’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, but she said nothing. She packed her bags, held our pup close, and turned to leave. The housekeeper, a loyal pack member, tried to stop her, but I dismissed her with a wave of my hand. "Let her go," I said coldly. "She’s an orphan who’s been living as Luna here. I’m curious to see where she’ll end up."

I kissed Anastasia passionately in front of Katherine, oblivious to the fact that she’d already reached out to Genevieve, a healer from the neighboring Moon Shadow Pack, who had agreed to help her escape. I didn’t realize Katherine wasn’t planning to stick around much longer.

After a complicated delivery, Katherine was incredibly weak, holding our pup as she tried to leave. I suddenly commanded, "Wait, leave the pup. Anastasia needs a transfusion."

Our daughter, Milana, was sleeping peacefully in Katherine’s arms. I didn’t understand why she was being so difficult. I scowled. "It’s just a blood draw. She’ll be fine."

Could I really let my newborn pup be used as nothing more than a blood source for Anastasia? Katherine’s fear was palpable, but she held Milana tighter. The last time she defied me, I took her shoes and left her on the road. No one in the pack would give her a ride, and she walked home barefoot and bleeding.

Katherine extended her free hand towards me, her voice steady despite her trembling. "Both Milana and I have a rare blood type. Take my blood instead."

My lips tightened, and for the first time, I felt a flicker of anger—not at her defiance, but at her self-sacrifice. "Luna," I said, using her title to remind her of her place, "you’re anemic. Do you want to kill yourself with this?"

"Fine," I relented. "We’ll play it by ear and wait until the pup gains weight before taking from her."

Katherine didn’t respond and turned to leave. But then Anastasia started coughing violently and collapsed. Seeing her in such distress, I panicked. I rushed to support her and called for Dr. Franklin, the pack healer.

The housekeeper and the other pack members watched, their silent judgment heavy in the air. On the day Katherine gave birth, she almost died of hemorrhage, but I was at a theme park with Anastasia, enjoying the rides. When the housekeeper reported her condition, I just said, "We’ll deal with it if it becomes serious."

Even as Katherine was wheeled out, too weak to speak, I was absent. Now, holding our pup, she tried not to look at us, plotting her escape. But I grabbed her wrist tightly, my Alpha strength making her flinch.

"Where can you go?" I demanded. "Don’t forget, you’re all alone now!"

In a moment, both our pup and Katherine were pulled to the floor, my grip unnaturally strong. Fortunately, Katherine held on tight, or else Milana would have been hurt. She wailed loudly.

I frowned at her cries. "Stop crying!"

"Anastasia isn’t well again," I said, my voice sharp. "Shouldn’t you focus on her transfusion?"

Anastasia lay in my arms, coughing softly. "Marshall... if she wants to leave, let her. This is my destiny..."

I shushed her gently with a tender hand over her lips. "Don’t say that."

Turning back to Katherine, I ordered sharply, "Hurry up!"

She had no choice. Ever since Anastasia was diagnosed with leukemia, blood transfusions had become routine for Katherine. Even during her period, when her blood supply was lowest, she was forced to give.

On the day she delivered, just because Anastasia mentioned feeling unwell, I had Katherine’s blood drawn for her, even though the blood bank was well-stocked.

Expressionless, Katherine knelt before me with our pup, extending her hand once more. "This is the last time," she said, her voice firm.

Seeing her frail form, I hesitated for a moment. "Luna," I said, my tone softer but still laced with authority, "here you go with that look again. What’s the next excuse? Another lie about a terminal illness?"

Ironically, Katherine had been diagnosed with cancer the day she was hospitalized. But I accused her of making it up to avoid giving blood to Anastasia. I even had her medical records checked, finding nothing.

She kept her demeanor indifferent, refusing to answer. Dr. Franklin had already arrived, ready to do my bidding.