Chapter 1

I stood at the massive oak table in the Northern Territories pack house, my silver Luna aura pulsing with quiet confidence as I slid the signed alliance treaty across the polished surface. After three days of relentless negotiations, the victory tasted sweet.

"The Silver Ridge Pack is fortunate to have such a formidable Luna," Elder Grayson's gravelly voice echoed in my mind through our pack link. "Your business acumen is unparalleled."

I maintained my professional smile while Lyra, my wolf, preened with satisfaction. *We've secured the timber rights for the next decade, Jonathan will be pleased.*

"Thank you for your hospitality," I said, gathering my documents with practiced efficiency. "The Sterling Pack values this alliance."

As I slipped into my car, exhaustion washed over me. Three days of minimal sleep, constant strategic maneuvering, and maintaining the perfect Luna façade had taken its toll. But it was worth it. The pack—my pack—would prosper from this deal.

Lyra nudged at my consciousness. *Home. Cubs. Mate.*

"Yes," I whispered, starting the engine. "Let's surprise them."

I hadn't told Jonathan I was finishing early. The thought of seeing the pride in his eyes when I told him about the additional concessions I'd secured made my heart flutter. And the twins—I'd missed Leo and Liam terribly. At fourteen, they were growing so fast, already showing signs of the strong wolves they would become.

The drive back to Silver Ridge territory took just under two hours, the familiar landscape rolling past as dusk approached. I tapped my silver pen against the steering wheel, mentally rehearsing how I'd present the alliance terms to Jonathan. He'd been distant lately—the pressures of Alpha duties weighing on him—but this success would surely bring us closer.

*Something feels wrong,* Lyra suddenly growled as we entered the town limits.

I frowned, trying to identify what had disturbed her. Then I caught it—Jonathan's scent. Strong, familiar, and leading toward Rosetta's, our favorite restaurant in town. My lips curved into a smile. Perfect. I could surprise them at dinner.

I parked across the street, smoothing my tailored suit and checking my appearance in the rearview mirror. The restaurant's warm lights glowed invitingly against the deepening twilight. As I approached, I caught glimpses through the large front windows of diners enjoying their meals.

And then I saw them.

My steps faltered. Jonathan sat at our usual corner table, his broad shoulders relaxed in a way I rarely saw at home. Across from him sat Amanda Walsh, her honey-blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. Between them, Leo and Liam were animatedly talking, their faces alight with joy.

I told myself this was innocent—Amanda was from Jonathan's childhood pack, practically family. But then Jonathan reached across the table, his fingers tenderly brushing a strand of hair from Amanda's face. The gesture was intimate, loving. His eyes held a warmth I hadn't seen directed at me in years.

"Aunt Mandy, you have to come to my lacrosse game next weekend!" Liam's excited voice carried through the glass. "Mom's going to be in Chicago for that business thing anyway."

"Yeah," Leo chimed in. "You're way more fun at games. Mom just sits there with her laptop."

Amanda laughed, leaning into Jonathan's touch. "I wouldn't miss it for the world, sweetheart."

The world tilted beneath my feet. Aunt Mandy? The casual intimacy, the easy affection—this wasn't a friendly dinner. This was a family meal. A family that didn't include me.

Inside me, Lyra let out a howl of pure anguish that tore through my mental barriers. The pain was so intense, so primal, that I couldn't contain it. The sound escaped my throat—not quite human, not quite wolf—drawing startled glances from people walking nearby.

I stumbled backward, clutching my chest where a physical pain bloomed like I'd been impaled. Through the window, I saw Jonathan stiffen, his Alpha senses alerting him to a disturbance. His head began to turn toward the window.

I couldn't let him see me like this. Not when everything I thought I knew about my life was shattering around me like glass.