Chapter 1

Greyson Hunt had just been promoted to Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack. Instead of celebrating with me, his mate, he rushed back to our hometown, claiming he wanted to take me to the city to start a new life. But I knew better. He had something far more sinister in mind.

The moon hung high in the sky as he led me to the edge of a roaring river, its waters dark and merciless. My hand instinctively went to my swollen belly, where our child rested. I took a step back, but there was nowhere to go—only the churning river behind me.

"Kya," Greyson’s voice was cold, his eyes devoid of the warmth they once held. "This pup… it wasn’t meant to be."

I stared at him, my heart pounding. "You’re right," I said softly, my voice steady despite the fear clawing at my chest. "But not for the reasons you think."

His brow furrowed, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of confusion in his eyes. "What are you talking about?"

I smiled, a small, bitter curve of my lips. "I’ll step aside. I’ll be your Luna in name only. You can take Macy Mitchell as your chosen mate. She’s high-ranking, after all. She’ll help you climb even higher in the pack. And I… I’ll be content with whatever scraps you leave me."

His grip on my shoulders tightened, his claws digging into my skin. "You think it’s that simple?" he growled. "Macy won’t accept this. She’ll demand the full title of Luna. She’ll want to be the mother of my heirs—not you."

I tilted my head, my smile widening. "But you see, Greyson, this pup…" I placed a hand on my stomach, "is your only heir. And he’ll be the last."

His eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I thought I saw fear in them. But it was quickly replaced by rage. "There will be others," he snarled. "Stronger pups, born of a Luna worthy of my title. Not… not you."

Before I could respond, he shoved me with all his strength. I stumbled backward, the ground disappearing beneath my feet as I fell toward the icy river. The wind whipped past my ears, and for a moment, I locked eyes with him—those cold, empty eyes that had once promised me the world.

"You’re wrong," I whispered, my voice carrying over the roar of the water. "There will be no others."

Then I hit the surface, the freezing water enveloping me. But I didn’t struggle. I’d been prepared for this. Three years of being his mate, and Greyson had never known one simple truth: I was a strong swimmer.

As the current pulled me under, I smiled. He thought he’d ended my life, but in reality, he’d just given me the perfect opportunity to disappear. And when I resurfaced, it wouldn’t be as the Omega he’d discarded. It would be as someone far more dangerous.