The Luna He Couldn't Afford

Synopsis

I'm the princess of the Frostmoon pack, blessed by the Moon Goddess, and a healer of the highest order. For years now, the Vampire Coven has been pushing deeper into our territory. The Frostmoon Pack is weak, so we had no choice but to trade a marriage for weapons and warriors to protect us. My father settled on an alliance with the Blackwood Pack. "They're the strongest pack for miles," he told me. "And Cedric Blackwood, their Alpha, grew up with you. There's history there. That beats marrying a stranger." My father wasn't wrong. Cedric and I were more than an arrangement. We were in love. Three years back, a silver bullet caught Cedric in a fight with the vampires and left him dying. I clawed my way to the Valley of Death for silverbane vine, and carved out my own heart's blood to brew the antidote that saved him. When he woke, Cedric held me tight and swore, "Ella, I'll never betray you. Not as long as I live. You're the only Luna I'll ever take. I'll protect you and your family forever." After that, Cedric loved me harder than ever. The rarest treasures and the prettiest flowers always landed in my room. When the vampires came for my family, he didn't hesitate to march his whole army over. The whole pack knew Cedric cherished me above all else. But deep down, I couldn't shake a nagging dread. Carving out my heart's blood had drained my healing gift dry. My wounds barely healed, and my body only grew weaker. When the Moon Surge came, I couldn't give Cedric what he needed. The alpha's rut left him raw and short-tempered. At first he'd sooner dull it with medicine than turn to another she-wolf. Then one Moon Surge, he smashed the bowl of medicine and walked out on me. Later he told me, "Ella, I promise the title of Luna stays yours. As for the rest, just pretend you don't see it."