Chapter 1

I moved through the great hall with practiced grace, nodding to pack members as they bowed their heads in respect. Eight years as Luna of the Silvermoon Pack had taught me the choreography of power—when to smile, when to listen, when to command. The morning light streamed through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the polished stone floor as I settled into my usual chair at the head table.

Marcus appeared from his study, his broad shoulders filling the doorframe. His eyes found mine across the room, and his lips curved into that smile I'd fallen for all those years ago.

"Good morning, my Luna," he said, crossing to place a kiss on my forehead. "I've prepared your tea."

I accepted the steaming cup with a grateful smile. "You spoil me, Alpha."

"Nothing less than you deserve." His fingers lingered on mine a moment longer than necessary before he turned to address the Beta about border patrols.

I inhaled the familiar scent of moon herbs—lavender, chamomile, and something else I could never quite identify. Marcus had started brewing this special blend for me six months ago, insisting it would help with the stress of Luna duties. I took a sip, letting the warm liquid slide down my throat.

Within moments, a dull throb began at my temples. I blinked, trying to clear the sudden fog that seemed to settle over my thoughts. This had been happening more frequently lately—these waves of dizziness after my morning tea.

*Luna?* I called inwardly to my wolf, seeking her guidance as I always did when something felt wrong.

Silence.

My wolf had grown quieter over the past months, her once-vibrant presence in my mind now reduced to occasional whispers. I had attributed it to exhaustion from pack duties, but now...

"Are you feeling well?" Marcus's voice cut through my thoughts, his eyes studying my face with what appeared to be concern.

"Just a small headache," I assured him, forcing a smile. "Nothing to worry about."

He nodded, seemingly satisfied, but something in his gaze lingered a beat too long. I looked away, unsettled by the strange feeling crawling up my spine.

---

Later that afternoon, I found myself in the pack kitchen, searching for honey to add to the herbal liqueur we would serve at the upcoming full moon celebration. The kitchen was mercifully empty, allowing me a rare moment of solitude.

I reached for the top shelf where we kept the specialty ingredients, my fingers brushing against something that didn't belong. Frowning, I pushed aside jars of preserved fruits to reveal what appeared to be a false panel in the back of the cabinet.

Curiosity piqued, I carefully slid it open. Hidden behind was a small stone mortar containing dried purple flowers, crushed to a fine powder. My blood ran cold as recognition dawned.

Wolfsbane.

A forbidden herb in any pack territory. Toxic to our kind in large doses, but in small amounts...

*It weakens a wolf's senses and suppresses the mate bond.*

The knowledge came from somewhere deep within me as my wolf suddenly roared to life, her growl reverberating through my mind with such force that I nearly dropped the mortar.

*BETRAYAL*, Luna snarled, her presence stronger than I'd felt in months.

My fingers trembled as I carefully replaced the panel, my mind racing. The tea. The headaches. My wolf's diminishing voice. The strange distance I'd felt from Marcus despite his outward affection.

I needed to be sure before I confronted him. I needed proof.

---

That night, I poured the tea Marcus brought me down the bathroom drain, carefully rinsing the cup before returning to our bedroom with a convincing yawn.

"I'm exhausted," I murmured, slipping between the sheets. "Don't stay up too late."

"Rest well, my Luna," he replied, kissing my cheek before returning to his desk where he claimed to be reviewing territory maps.

I closed my eyes, evening my breathing, perfecting the illusion of sleep. An hour passed before Marcus finally rose, moving with uncharacteristic stealth across our bedroom. The door clicked softly as he exited.

I waited five more minutes before following, tracking his alpha scent down the corridor toward the guest wing. His scent trail was strong—he wasn't trying to hide it, confident in my drugged sleep.

The hallway was dark, illuminated only by slivers of moonlight through the high windows. I followed his scent to a partially open door, light spilling from within. Pressing myself against the wall, I inched closer until I could see inside.

My heart shattered into a thousand jagged pieces.

Marcus—my mate, my Alpha, my husband of eight years—stood naked in the moonlight, his powerful body entwined with Raven Stone's slender form. The young she-wolf I had personally welcomed into our pack, the one I had trained and mentored, moaned as his hands gripped her hips.

"She suspects nothing?" Raven's breathy voice carried to my ears.

Marcus laughed, the sound like ice down my spine. "My Luna sleeps like the dead after her special tea."

I bit down on my fist to stifle the howl of rage building in my throat as Luna thrashed within me, demanding blood, demanding vengeance.

*Not yet*, I silently commanded her. *We will destroy them both, but not like this. Not tonight.*

With every ounce of self-control I possessed, I backed away from the door, my mind already calculating, planning, storing away every detail of their betrayal.

They would pay. But first, I needed to understand exactly how deep this treachery went.