His Silver Poison, My Moonlight Rebirth

A rogue attack shattered my wolf, costing me my birthright as the pack's heir. But my mate, Alpha Kael, seemed devoted to me. For three years, he injected me with a "Lunar Essence" he claimed would help me heal. I thought he was the only wolf who truly loved me. I never imagined he was poisoning me with Silver Dust, a suppressant designed to crush my wolf's spirit. All to ensure my wolf would never reawaken, securing my adopted sister Selene's claim as the pack's Alpha heir. My hands shook, my world turning to ash, as I opened his safe. Inside was the proof. From the rogue attack to the loss of my wolf, it was all a conspiracy orchestrated by Kael and Selene. That night, I pulled the burner phone from my drawer and dialed a number I'd sworn I'd never call. "Grandfather, I'm coming home. I'll be there in seven days. Please send someone for me." Chapter 1 Three years after losing my wolf, I learned that my mate, Alpha Kael, had been poisoning me with Silver Dust to suppress my awakening. All because the one he truly loved was my adopted sister, Selene. I was standing outside his office, clutching a file, my knuckles hovering just inches from the door when I heard his voice. "Have Clara’s blood reports come in yet?" "They have, Alpha. The level of Silver Dust in her system is dangerously high." Silver Dust? My hand froze in mid-air. "Good. Keep giving her the injections. Double the dose. She can't get her wolf back, not until Selene completes the succession and claims her birthright as Alpha of the Red Fang pack." That was Kael's voice. My mate. My Alpha. "But Alpha, prolonged exposure to Silver Dust will shatter her wolf's soul…" "I said, keep injecting her! She thinks it’s Lunar Essence to help her recover. She’ll never suspect a thing." The file slipped from my grasp, papers scattering across the floor. Three years. For three long years, I'd endured the daily injections he administered himself, which he claimed were "Lunar Essence." He told me I'd lost too much blood during the rogue attack and needed special energy to help my wolf heal. He told me he loved me. He told me he would protect me. He told me he would wait for me to regain my strength. All of it. Lies. I bent down to pick up the papers, my hands trembling. The voices inside continued. "When can Alpha Selene complete the inheritance ceremony?" "Another six months. By then, Clara will be completely useless. A waste of space with a wolf destroyed by Silver Dust. Who's going to care about her then?" Useless. A waste. I could hear my own heart breaking. … I don't remember how I got home. I only remember the memories flooding back. That night three years ago, under the full moon. I was in the forest alone, preparing for my coming-of-age ceremony, when a pack of rogues ambushed me. When I woke up, I was in the hospital. Kael was holding my hand, his eyes filled with tears. "Clara, you lost so much blood. Your wolf is weak. But don't be afraid, I'll protect you." "But my pack…" "Your father has decided to let Selene be the heir of the Red Fang pack. You need a long time to recover, and he can't wait." I remembered the despair. As a child, I was kidnapped by a rival pack. I lost my memories and was forced to live as a rogue. My rare gift of Sight made me a renowned Visionary—an artist who could weave prophecies into her work. The day my father found me, I thought I finally had a home. But not long after, the accident happened. I nearly lost my wolf. And the psychic power I was so proud of. Unable to heal quickly, I was no longer acceptable to the pack. My father's adopted daughter, Selene, took my place as the pack's heir. Worse, she had even swayed my fated mate, Alpha Ethan of the Moonstone Pack, to her side. Only Kael stayed by my side. "Mate with me, Clara. Let me be your Alpha. I promise you'll never be hurt again." And so, I became the Luna of the Silver Moon pack. But now, I was a joke. I stood in Kael's study, facing his Alpha-grade safe. The password was our mating date. How ironic. The safe opened. It didn't contain important documents or wealth as I'd imagined. It was full of Selene's things. Her letters to him. The gifts she gave him. And a beautiful wolf-fang necklace, carved with ancient pack protection runes. I picked up the necklace. The runes shimmered in the moonlight. This was an Alpha's vow to his Luna, a symbol of eternal protection and love. And I, his true Luna, had never received such a gift. At the very bottom was a photo. Kael and Selene, standing in the moonlight. He was placing the necklace around her neck. Her smile was as bright as the stars, his gaze full of a deep, quiet tenderness. The photo was dated... one month ago. The day before our third mating anniversary. I slowly put the photo down and took out the burner phone I'd hidden in the drawer. I had saved this number for three years but never dialed it. The phone rang three times before it was answered. "Clara?" The voice was old and commanding, yet filled with endless warmth. "Grandfather," my voice was steady, "I'm coming home. I'll be there in seven days. Please send someone for me." Chapter 2 The next morning, my wolf was restless. Even suppressed by Silver Dust, it could feel my rage and despair. I could hear its faint growls, like a beast trapped in a cage. I drove to an independent clinic on the edge of the city. Old Shaman Mira tended to werewolves who didn't trust the pack doctors. Her clinic smelled of herbs and the faint scent of wolfsbane incense. The familiar scents calmed my repressed wolf slightly. "I want to check the state of my wolf," I said, looking directly into her ancient, wise eyes. Mira’s nostrils flared as she sniffed the air around me. She frowned. "You smell of silver. Heavily." My heart pounded. "Please, check me." She motioned for me to lie on the examination table and placed her hands on my chest. As she used her own wolf to sense my condition, her eyes suddenly turned gold—the sign of a shaman entering a trance. A few seconds later, she snapped her eyes open, staring at me in shock. "By the Moon Goddess... child, your wolf…" "What is it?" I asked, my own wolf beginning to struggle faintly. "Your wolf isn't damaged. It’s just… encased in a thin silver film, like a cocoon. This isn't natural, it's—" BANG! The door was violently thrown open. A crushing Alpha presence slammed into the room like a tidal wave. I felt my wolf instantly curl into a ball. Mira fell to her knees, whimpering in pain. "It's like what?" Kael’s voice boomed, his eyes glowing gold, fangs peeking past his lips. A sign of an Alpha's rage. "Alpha Kael…" Mira managed, her wolf completely submissive before him. "My Luna is unwell. What were you doing to her?" Kael strode to my side, pulling me up with a powerful arm and shielding me behind him. His wolf radiated a fierce, protective aura. But through our mate bond, I felt his anxiety. "I was just... checking on her wolf's recovery..." Mira stammered. "Recovery?" A dangerous glint flashed in Kael's eyes. "Shaman Mira, I think you're mistaken. My Luna's wolf was severely traumatized in a rogue attack three years ago. She's still in recovery. You weren't thinking of performing some dangerous forced awakening ritual, were you?" "No, I wasn't—" "Such a ritual would be too dangerous for her. Her wolf is in no condition to handle it." Kael held me tighter. "Right, Clara?" I looked at Mira's terrified face, at how she couldn't speak the truth under Kael's crushing presence. "Yes," I whispered. "Let's go." Back in the car, Kael held my hand tightly. "Baby, why did you go to that old shaman? If you're worried about your recovery, I can arrange for the pack's best healers to see you." He soothed me with his Alpha scent, trying to calm me. "I just wanted to know when I'd get better." "You will. I promise. But it takes time. You can't rush it." He kissed the back of my hand. "Those radical awakening rituals are too dangerous. I can't let you take that risk." The same old excuse. I asked him softly through our bond, "Kael, do you love me?" His answer was instant. "Of course. I love you more than anything." But the emotion that came through the bond was ice-cold. Not love, but burden. Not protection, but imprisonment. And a flicker of something I'd never felt before... guilt? "Then why don't we ever talk about our future? When can we have pups? When will I have my Luna ceremony?" His hand stiffened. "There's no rush for any of that. We'll talk about it when you're fully recovered." When I'm recovered. But I'll never recover, will I? Because you're the one injecting me with Silver Dust. I felt the coldness and rejection from his wolf, and my heart sank completely. Three years of a mate bond, and I'd been living with an actor. I stifled a sigh and turned to gaze out the window. Chapter3 Over the next few days, Kael became exceptionally attentive. He drew hot baths for me, cooked my favorite mushroom soup, and constantly asked how I was feeling. "Did that old shaman scare you the other day? She's reckless." He sat beside me, his arm wrapped tightly around me. "From now on, just tell me if something's wrong. Don't go to outsiders again." "Okay." I leaned against him, feeling the superficial warmth of his embrace. Suddenly, a thought brushed against Kael’s mind through a link—one that wasn't mine. It was a private mind-link from another wolf. And it was a woman's voice, alluring and seductive. Kael's body went rigid. His wolf gave off a scent of longing. "What's wrong?" I asked. "My Beta has an urgent matter to discuss." He stood up quickly. "I'm just going to the study." "But it's late…" "It'll only be a moment." He kissed my forehead, but the gesture was rushed and perfunctory. After he left the living room, I used my sharp wolf hearing to track his footsteps. He didn't go to the study. He went to the back garden. Ten minutes later, my phone buzzed with an anonymous message. A video file. I opened it. By the moonlit lake, Kael and Selene were locked in a tight embrace. He was gently placing a wolf-fang necklace around her neck. The same one I'd seen in his safe. Then they kissed. A deep, lingering kiss. My weak wolf let out an enraged howl that only I could hear. The mate mark on my chest burned—the tell-tale sign of betrayal. The video's timestamp showed: one month ago. The message vanished a moment later, but the image was seared into my mind. I knew it was Selene. She was declaring war. Three days later was the alliance ceremony for the five great North American packs. I dressed meticulously in a deep blue evening gown. It was my first time appearing at such an event as a Luna. But Kael’s attention wasn't on me at all. His nostrils flared, searching for a specific scent. Until Selene appeared. She wore a silver gown, her wolf giving off a pure, intoxicating scent. Every Alpha in the room instinctively turned to her. Kael immediately left my side and strode toward her. "Selene, you look beautiful tonight." He took her hand and gently kissed the back of it. I stood frozen, watching my mate openly display affection for another she-wolf. "Everyone," Kael raised his glass to all the Alphas present, "I have an important announcement. The Silver Moon pack and the Red Fang pack will form the deepest of strategic alliances." Thunderous applause. "Alpha Selene is not only beautiful, but a symbol of wisdom and strength. She will be the most outstanding heir for the Red Fang pack." Kael's gaze rested on Selene, full of affection. "I am confident that under her leadership, our cooperation will usher in a new era for our packs." Selene blushed, lowering her head shyly. "Thank you, Alpha Kael, for your trust and... support." Just then, an Alpha from a northern pack stood up. "Alpha Kael, I have a question." "Please." The Alpha brought the microphone to Kael. "Alpha Kael... you have yet to complete the final bonding ceremony with your Luna. Is it because you're waiting to mate with the Alpha heir of the Red Fang pack instead?" The room fell silent. All eyes were on Kael. Chapter4 Kael looked at the expectant crowd and slowly raised his glass. His wolf exuded a complex scent. It held the confidence of an Alpha, but also a deeply hidden desire. "Fellow Alphas," his voice was low and magnetic, "the Luna ceremony is indeed sacred. I trust that when the Moon Goddess guides me to my true mate, everything will fall into place." He gave Selene a look so tender it was palpable, a silent vow that everyone in the room could feel. "As for Selene..." he paused, "she is indeed a very special she-wolf. If only she weren't already mated to Alpha Ethan." The room erupted in suggestive laughter and whistles. Every wolf understood his implication. I felt the mate mark on my chest burn, threatening to consume me. "Then let us continue with tonight's festivities," an elder stood up. "It is now time to unveil this year's most important project—the new defensive rune matrix for the five-pack alliance." A complex and exquisite rune pattern was projected onto the large screen. I froze. That was my design. Three years ago, when I was still the heir of the Red Fang pack, I had designed this original rune matrix to protect our territory. It had taken me six months of painstaking work, blending ancient Moon Goddess blessings with modern defensive concepts. "This masterpiece was designed by the heir of our Red Fang pack, Alpha Selene," the elder's voice boomed. "Her talent and wisdom are astonishing." Selene stood and bowed gracefully. "A truly genius design!" "As expected of the future of the Red Fang pack!" "Alpha Selene is as brilliant as she is beautiful!" Praises echoed throughout the hall. My wolf roared within me. Even suppressed by Silver Dust, the rage made it struggle to break free. That was my work! My blood, sweat, and tears! "No!" I shot to my feet, my voice ringing through the hall. "That's not her design!" All eyes snapped to me. I strode toward the stage. "That rune matrix is mine! It was my original design for the Red Fang pack three years ago!" I pointed at the screen. "Look here, this lunar phase transition rune, and this energy flow path—these are my unique creations!" The hall erupted in an uproar. Selene’s face turned pale, but she quickly composed herself, her eyes welling with crocodile tears. "Clara, how could you say that… this really is my design…" her voice trembled. "I know you're upset about losing the inheritance, but…" "Liar!" I cut her off angrily. "The core concept of this design is based on my research of ancient Moon Goddess runes. You couldn't possibly—" "Enough!" Kael’s furious voice thundered, carrying the full force of his Alpha command. The entire hall fell silent. Every wolf was stunned into submission, instinctively bowing their heads. And I, as his mate, bore the brunt of the impact. My wolf instantly recoiled, my body trembling uncontrollably. "Clara!" Kael strode toward me. His eyes were completely gold, glowing with a dangerous light. "What are you doing?!" "I'm telling the truth!" Even under his pressure, I held my ground. "That's my design!" "You're out of control," Kael said coldly, then turned to the crowd. "My apologies, everyone. My Luna, due to the trauma to her wolf, sometimes suffers from... episodes. Delusions of persecution." A wave of sympathetic murmurs went through the crowd. "A wolfless mate is often mentally unstable..." "Poor Luna..." "Alpha Kael is so considerate, still protecting her like this..." "Guards!" Kael commanded. "Take the Luna back to her room to rest. She needs to calm down." Two guards immediately stepped forward, politely but firmly taking my arms. "No! Let me finish! It really is my design!" I struggled, but it was useless. Selene walked over and took my hand with false sympathy. "Clara, you're tired. Get some rest. Everything will be alright." Her voice was gentle, but her eyes gleamed with triumph. I was escorted out of the hall. By the time I got home, it was late. I sat alone in the living room, a storm of anger and despair raging inside me. At two in the morning, Kael returned. He smelled of alcohol and Selene’s vanilla scent. Clearly, they had spent more time together after the gala. "Clara," he stood before me, his tone cold. "We need to talk." "Talk about what? How you humiliated me in public? Or how you helped Selene steal my work?" "That wasn't your design," he stated flatly. "Your wolf was damaged three years ago. You couldn't have completed such a complex rune project." "You know that's not true!" "What I know is that your behavior tonight embarrassed me in front of every Alpha!" His eyes began to glow gold again. "How could a Luna publicly question the heir of another pack? Do you have any idea how that affects our alliance?" "So in your eyes, a political alliance is more important than the truth?" "In my eyes, your health and safety are what matter most." He suddenly lunged forward, pinning me to the sofa. "Perhaps I've been too lenient with you. It's time to complete our final mating ritual." His wolf radiated a powerful possessiveness and control. His Alpha scent pressed down on me, suffocating. This wasn't love. It was conquest. "No," I pushed back. "Not now." "Why not?" he kissed my neck forcefully, right over my mate mark. "You're my Luna. This is your duty." Duty. Not because of love, but duty. I shoved him away with all my might, tears in my eyes. "Kael, who do you really want to mark? Me, or Selene?" Chapter5 After I pushed him away, a flicker of hurt crossed Kael’s eyes, quickly replaced by fury. His scent turned dangerous. An Alpha’s instinct was to take his mate by force. "Clara, you can't refuse me like this," his voice was low and threatening. "I am your Alpha." "You are, but not now." I hugged myself tightly. "I need time to calm down." He stared at me for a long moment before finally scoffing and heading upstairs. The next morning, Kael came downstairs, his expression all business, clearly on his way to manage the fallout from last night. "Clara, about last night..." He sat across from me, his expression serious. "I've looked into the matter." I put down my coffee cup and looked at him. "He blamed a low-ranking data clerk from the Red Fang pack, a man named Marcus. He confessed to stealing your design drafts three years ago and presenting them to Selene." Kael’s face was calm, as if he were recounting a trivial matter. "Selene is innocent. She merely used the drafts as inspiration, improving upon the original concept." I couldn't believe my ears. "And you expect me to believe such a ridiculous story?" "Marcus has already signed a confession and been exiled from the pack." Kael stood up, adjusting his tie. "The matter is closed. Clara, I need you to let it go. Selene is innocent, and you shouldn't have humiliated her in public." "Humiliated her?" I shot up from my chair. "She's the one who stole my design!" "Enough!" His wolf gave off an impatient scent. "The matter has been investigated. What you need to do now is consider the bigger picture." The bigger picture. Always the bigger picture. "Tomorrow night is Selene and her mate Ethan’s anniversary party." Kael picked up his briefcase. "You will attend with me, you will apologize to her, and you will present a united front for our alliance." "I'm not going." "You will go," his tone left no room for argument. "As the Luna of the Silver Moon pack, it is your duty." After he left, I sat alone in the dining room, the anger in my chest about to explode. Just then, my encrypted phone vibrated. A message from Europe: [Extraction greenlit. Three days, midnight, North Harbor docks. Codeword: Moonlight Forest. We are go.] The sender: A.M. I knew it was from my grandfather's assistant, Ben. Looking at the message, a surge of excitement washed over me. In three days, I would be free from this nightmare. As I was about to delete the message, I heard footsteps from the study. Kael's back? My thumbs flew, and I quickly switched to my spam folder, pretending to clean out my inbox. "Forgot a file." Kael appeared in the living room, but his gaze landed on my phone. "What are you looking at?" "Just clearing out spam," I said casually. "Shopping ads and stuff." He walked over, his nostrils flaring slightly. A wolf's sense of smell is incredibly keen; he could smell the change in my emotional scent. "You were excited just now," he frowned. "Why?" "Probably saw a good discount," I said calmly. "You know how it is with a good sale." He stared at me for a few seconds, trying to determine if I was lying. "Let me see your phone." "Why?" "I'm your Alpha. I have the right to know what you're doing." He held out his hand. "The phone." I had no choice but to hand it over. He scrolled through my spam, then checked my inbox and sent mail. Thankfully, I had already deleted all relevant messages. "Just junk mail," he said, handing the phone back, but his eyes were still full of suspicion. "Clara, if you're hiding something from me, you'd better tell me now." "There's nothing," I shook my head. "What could I possibly hide from you?" He watched me for another moment before finally nodding. "Remember, you must attend the party tomorrow night." The next evening, Selene and Ethan’s anniversary party was held at the city's most luxurious private club. The venue was a fairytale of white roses and shimmering silver ribbons. The air was filled with the pleasant scents of happy werewolves. I wore a black evening gown, a stark contrast to the warm atmosphere. "Clara!" Selene greeted me as soon as she saw me. "I'm so glad you could make it!" She reached out to hug me, but I took a step back. "Happy anniversary," I said coldly. "Thank you." A flash of triumph crossed her eyes before she turned to Kael. "Alpha Kael, thank you both for coming." "Of course," Kael smiled gently. "You and Ethan are a perfect match." I watched them interact, a wave of nausea rising in my stomach. An hour into the party, I noticed Kael growing distracted, his gaze restlessly scanning the room. When he saw Selene and Ethan talking intimately, his wolf gave off a complex mix of emotions. Jealousy, longing, and a deep sense of resentment. "I'm going to get a drink," he said, quickly leaving my side. But he didn't go to the bar. He went to a corner table and started drinking moodily. Watching Kael drink alone, a terrible truth dawned on me. He was jealous of Ethan. He was jealous that Ethan could openly have Selene. I wandered through the venue alone. No one spoke to me. Everyone avoided the "mentally unstable" Luna. Tired of walking, I decided to get some fresh air on the balcony. The club had tiered balconies, and I found a relatively secluded one. Just as I was about to head back inside, I heard voices from the level above. "...I can't go on like this, Kael." It was Selene's voice. I quietly moved to the staircase and peered through the reflection in the glass door. The scene made me freeze. Chapter6 In the reflection, I saw Selene clinging to Kael, her face buried in his chest. "Ethan is too weak," Selene's voice was choked with tears. "He’s nothing like a true Alpha. I need a true Alpha, Kael. Someone like you." Kael’s hand gently stroked her back, his wolf exuding a scent of comfort and protection. "Selene…" his voice was soft. "If I break my bond with Ethan," she looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, "will you mark me?" My heart nearly stopped. Kael was silent for a few seconds before pulling her into a tighter embrace. "You know the situation is complicated right now." He didn't answer directly, but his actions spoke volumes. "I know," Selene nuzzled against his chest like a pup seeking comfort. "But Kael, I can't wait much longer. My wolf craves you every day." "Just give me some more time," Kael kissed her forehead. "I'll handle everything." I felt the world spin. The mate mark on my chest burned fiercely. I clapped a hand over my mouth and stumbled away from the balcony. I ran out of the club and into the back garden. A river flowed nearby, its current swift under the moonlight. My stomach churned, and I leaned over the riverbank, dry heaving. It all made sense now. Kael had never loved me. He only marked me to shield Selene, to buy her time to secure her position as heir. And I was just a tool in their plan. "Clara?" Selene's voice came from behind me. I slowly turned to see her walking gracefully toward me, her cheeks still flushed from Kael's comfort. "What are you doing out here?" she asked with concern. "I saw," I looked straight at her. "You and Kael on the balcony." "Saw what?" she feigned innocence. "Your embrace, your conversation... everything." Selene's expression slowly changed. The pretense of innocence vanished, replaced by pure malice. "Oh, so you heard everything," she chuckled. "Saves me the trouble of acting." "Why?" my voice trembled. "Why would you do this to me?" "Why?" Selene sneered. "Clara, you have no idea how much I've always hated you." She advanced on me, her eyes filled with undisguised jealousy. "You're the true daughter of the Red Fang pack, with the purest Alpha bloodline. I'm just an adopted stray. The moment I heard my father had found you, I knew my good days were over." "But I never wanted to compete with you for anything…" "Shut up!" she snapped. "You think I'd believe that? The moment you regained your strength and revealed your true Alpha power, where would that leave me, the adopted daughter?" My eyes widened. "So you know what happened with that rogue attack." Selene’s smile twisted. "Right after you were found, I contacted Kael. I told him if he helped me cripple your wolf and turn you into a useless waste, I could remain the Red Fang heir, and the alliance between our packs would be stronger than ever." "What?" "Why do you think Kael showed up just in time to 'save' you? Why do you think he was so 'kind' as to marry you?" her voice grew shrill. "It was all planned!" I felt my world crumble. "The attack three years ago... you planned it?" "Of course! Those rogues were Kael’s men. Their mission was to injure you badly, to sever your connection to your wolf, but not to kill you." Selene gloated, "Then Kael could swoop in as your savior, mark a 'cripple' like you, and make everyone think he was so merciful." "And I would continue to be the secure heir of the Red Fang pack." "The Silver Dust..." "That was my idea, too," she nodded. "We had to make sure you never regained your strength. After all, a true heir with a pure Alpha bloodline could awaken at any time." I could barely stand. Three years of pain and humiliation, all a meticulously crafted conspiracy between her and Kael. "You... why would you be so cruel?" "Cruel?" Selene burst out laughing. "Clara, this is the world of wolves—survival of the fittest. You're too naive, thinking you could just waltz back into the pack and claim your birthright." She moved closer, her eyes venomous. "You know what the most ironic part is? Kael is sick of you. Every night he's with me, all he talks about is what a burden you are. He wishes he could get rid of his useless Luna, but he's afraid of damaging his reputation." "You're lying..." my voice shook. "Lying? Then why do you think he still hasn't completed the final mating ceremony with you? Why does he never talk about the future?" Selene sneered, "Because in his heart, you're not worthy of him! He loves me! He has always loved me!" My wolf roared inside me. Even suppressed by the Silver Dust, the rage and despair made it fight to break free. "Have you had your say?" I trembled. "Done? Not even close!" Selene's face suddenly contorted with madness. "Clara, did you know? After tonight, you won't be a problem anymore." She grabbed my arm and shoved me toward the river. "Go die, you wolfless waste!" Chapter7 The icy water swallowed me whole. The swift current pulled me downstream as I struggled desperately to surface. "Help!" I screamed with all my might. "Kael!" Just then, I heard a familiar voice shouting from the riverbank. "Selene!" It was Kael, his voice filled with panic and urgency. I saw him rush out of the club and dive into the river without hesitation. But he wasn't swimming toward me. He was swimming toward where Selene had fallen in. Before Kael ran out, she had jumped into the river herself. I watched in horror as he pulled Selene from the water, holding her tightly in his arms. "Selene, are you okay?" His voice trembled with raw concern. "Kael... I almost died..." Selene sobbed in his embrace. "Clara's lost her mind... she tried to drag me down with her..." "What?" Kael looked toward the river in shock, but by then I had been swept far downstream. "She said I had to pay for stealing her design, then she grabbed me and jumped into the river..." Selene wept. "Thank goodness you came..." I tried desperately to shout, to explain, but water filled my mouth. "Where's Clara?" Kael asked. "She... she was washed away..." Selene clung to him. "Kael, I'm so scared..." Kael glanced downstream, then focused all his attention on the woman in his arms. "It's okay, I'm here now," he soothed her gently. "Let's get you back inside. You need to change." I was swept away by the river. And my Alpha, my husband, chose to believe another woman’s lies, chose to abandon the search for me. When I opened my eyes again, I was staring at the white ceiling of a hospital room. I was in a bed, hooked up to monitors. My head throbbed; I must have hit a rock in the river. "You're awake," a nurse said, checking my vitals. "You were in the river for a long time before someone found you. You're lucky they got to you in time, otherwise…" "My mate?" I asked weakly. "Alpha Kael?" The nurse looked uncomfortable. "He's... he's with another lady. I heard she also fell in the water and was quite shaken up." I closed my eyes. Even when I was on the brink of death, he still chose to be with Selene. "I'd like to rest." "Of course. Press the button if you need anything." The nurse left. I was about to drift off when I heard familiar voices outside the door. It was Kael and his Beta. "Are Clara's test results back?" Kael's voice sounded exhausted. "They are, Alpha," the Beta’s voice was strange. "And there's an unexpected discovery." "What is it?" "Alpha... Luna Clara is pregnant. About six weeks along." I froze. Pregnant? "Are you sure?" Was that... a hint of joy in Kael's voice? "Positive. And according to her bloodwork, the child possesses an incredibly strong Alpha bloodline. It's likely because Clara was the pure-blooded heir of the Red Fang pack. Even with her wolf suppressed, the power in her blood remains." "In that case..." Kael was silent for a moment. "This child... is a valuable asset." Valuable. Asset. "Alpha, what do you mean?" "Let Clara have the child. A pup with the pure bloodlines of two great packs will undoubtedly become a powerful Alpha," Kael's voice became cold and calculating. "Once the pup is born, I can officially dissolve my mate bond with Clara." "And Alpha Selene...?" "There will be no obstacles then. An ex-mate who has borne my child is much easier to deal with than a burden I have to constantly protect." I felt my heart tear in two. In his eyes, my only value was for breeding. "But Alpha, Clara's actions tonight..." "Selene was right. Clara is likely mentally unstable due to her damaged wolf. After the child is born, I'll have her committed to a private sanatorium," Kael’s voice was cold and detached. "It will be for the best." The footsteps faded away. I lay in the hospital bed, silent tears streaming down my face. Half an hour later, Kael came in. He wore a look of concern, like a good Alpha worried about his mate. "Clara, how are you feeling?" He sat by my bed, taking my hand. "The doctor said you're going to be fine. I'm so relieved." "How is Selene?" I looked at him. "She was badly frightened, but she's physically okay," Kael's eyes held a hint of blame. "Clara, can you tell me what happened last night?" "I..." "Selene said you were emotional and tried to kill you both." His tone turned stern. "Is that true?" I looked at him, this Alpha who had once sworn his undying love to me. Now, he believed another woman's lies without a second thought. "What do you think?" "I think you need treatment," his expression turned cold. "Your mental state is unstable, Clara. If this continues, you'll hurt yourself and others." "Like hurting Selene?" "Yes," he looked me straight in the eye. "Selene is innocent. She doesn't deserve to be the target of your resentment." I couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. "By the way, I have some good news," Kael's face suddenly broke into a smile. "You're pregnant." He said it with a calculated gleam in his eyes. "We're having a pup, Clara. Isn't that wonderful?" He kissed my hand. "This child will be strong, with the best bloodlines from both our families." "However," his tone suddenly grew serious, "regardless of the outcome, after the pup is born, I'm sending you to a sanatorium. That is the price you will pay for what you did to Selene." Chapter8 After I was discharged, I returned home to a situation far worse than I had imagined. The villa was filled with at least ten unfamiliar werewolves. Healers, nutritionists, and several strong Betas. "Luna, I'm Dylan, the healer assigned to manage your pregnancy," a middle-aged male healer approached me. "Alpha Kael has arranged the best team to care for you and the pup." Care. The word sounded warm, but I knew it meant surveillance. "Do I need 24-hour medical supervision?" I asked. "Of course," Dylan smiled gently. "Your wolf's condition is unique, and you've been under a lot of stress lately. We must ensure the safety of both mother and child." I looked around. There were people "caring" for me in every corner. A nutritionist was in the kitchen preparing special meals. Two nurses were in the living room organizing medical equipment. Even outside my bedroom door stood a female Beta who claimed to be my "personal assistant." This wasn't care. It was house arrest. The next morning, while I was having breakfast, I heard a commotion outside. Several pack staff were huddled together, whispering with grim faces. "What's wrong?" I asked one of the nurses. "Nothing, Luna. Please, focus on your meal," she waved her hands nervously. But I could tell something was wrong from her expression. When they weren't looking, I pulled out my phone and checked the werewolf forums. As I expected, discussions about Selene stealing my design had exploded. [Is the Red Fang Heir a Thief?] [Did Selene really create that rune design?] [Why did Luna Clara make such a scene in public?] [Unstable Luna vs. Fraudulent Heir: Who's Lying?] The comment section was even more heated: "I think Clara has a point. That design style doesn't seem like Selene's work..." "But didn't Clara lose her wolf? How could she create such a complex rune?" "Maybe she designed it before she lost her power?" "The Red Fang pack might be in for a huge scandal..." A flicker of hope ignited within me. Maybe the truth would finally come out. Around noon, Kael rushed home, his face dark and stormy. His wolf radiated a scent of anger and agitation, and everyone in the house instinctively kept their distance. "Everyone out," he ordered coldly. "I need to speak with the Luna alone." The room emptied instantly. Kael sat across from me, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous light. "You're pleased with this, aren't you?" he asked. "With what?" "All this talk online." He slid a tablet in front of me. "You think you've finally found people who believe you?" I looked at the screen and saw the situation had completely changed. The top post on the forum was an official statement, published by Kael himself. [An Official Medical Statement Regarding the Mental Health of Luna Clara of the Silver Moon Pack] "Following a diagnosis by a team of professional healers, my Luna, Clara, has been found to be suffering from a severe psychological condition known as 'Lunar Hysteria,' resulting from her trauma three years ago. The main symptoms include persecutory delusions, memory fabrication, and misattributing the achievements of others as her own. Clara is currently receiving professional treatment, and I hope everyone can show understanding and compassion for a patient's behavior. Regarding the dispute over the rune design, I can confirm it is Alpha Selene's original work. To prove this, I am now releasing another of Alpha Selene's designs..." Below was another rune design. My eyes widened. It was one of my early, unfinished drafts. I remembered it clearly. It was in my private notebook. "You stole my drafts?" I looked at him in shock. "I didn't steal them," Kael said calmly. "You are my Luna. Everything that is yours belongs to me, including your work." "That was my life's work!" "Now it's Selene's," he looked at me coldly. "Clara, you need to face reality. No one will believe a mentally unstable, wolfless woman. Everyone will sympathize with a talented heir who has been falsely accused." I scrolled down and saw the comments had completely flipped: "So Clara has a mental illness... that explains everything." "Poor Selene, being humiliated by a sick person." "Alpha Kael is so patient, having to care for a wife like that." "This second design is even more brilliant! Selene is a genius!" I looked up, furious. "How could you? You know the truth!" "The truth?" Kael scoffed. "The truth is you are carrying my child, and you need to give birth to it quietly instead of causing trouble online." "I made those designs!" "Where's your proof?" he shot back. "What proof do you have? Your computer's hard drive? Your sketchbooks? Your witnesses?" It hit me then. For three years, all my personal belongings had been under his control. Destroying any evidence would have been effortless for him. "For the stability of the alliance, and for the child in your womb," Kael stood and walked over to me, "you will cooperate." "And if I don't?" "Then you'll be harming our child." His hand rested on my stomach. "Clara, do you want our pup to be born with the stigma of having a mentally ill mother?" He was threatening me with our own child. I picked up the tablet, wanting to argue, to defend myself. But Kael snatched it from my hands. "Be good. For the greater good, you must endure this," his voice was soft, but his eyes were ice. "If you have any problems, come to your Alpha." Chapter9 Back in my bedroom, I locked the door. I opened a drawer and took out a small, ornate silver knife—a cruel irony, as Kael had given it to me three years ago as a "talisman" to "ward off dark spirits." The irony was suffocating. I went to my vanity and began removing every token Kael had ever given me. The wedding ring. Slice. The mate necklace. Slice. The Moon Goddess blessing bracelet. Slice. With each cut, a faint silver light emanated from the items as the pack magic of the mate bond dissipated. My wolf, though weak, let out a low hum of relief. Three years of bondage. It was time for it to end. At 4 a.m. the next day, during the changing of the guards, I slipped out of the villa. In a derelict factory district on the edge of the city, a dark witch, exiled from werewolf society, offered "special services." "Are you sure about this?" The witch, Raven, looked at me, her eyes glowing an eerie green in the dark. "That child has a powerful bloodline." "I'm sure." "An Alpha-blooded pup, even before it's fully formed... destroying it will cause significant harm to your body," she warned. "You could hemorrhage, or even..." "I said, I'm sure." The ritual was over quickly. A sharp pain tore through my body, but the sense of psychological relief was far greater. This pup was just a tool in Kael's plan. That being the case, I could never let him be born. But why did my heart still ache so much? After crying my eyes out, I wiped my tears and headed back to the pack house. But as I reached the gate, I saw a shocking scene. A dozen reporters and cameramen from the werewolf media were swarming the entrance, cameras flashing incessantly. And Selene, my dear "sister," was on her knees, tearfully pleading to the cameras. "I just don't know what to do anymore..." her voice trembled. "Clara keeps saying I stole her designs, but they're really mine..." "Alpha Selene, do you believe Luna Clara's accusations are malicious?" a reporter asked. "I don't want to think that... she's my sister, after all, we grew up together..." Selene wiped her tears. "But her current state really worries me." "There are rumors that Luna Clara suffers from a mental illness. Is that true?" "I... I can't comment on that," Selene shook her head, but her expression clearly implied something. "I just hope she gets better and stops... stops hurting innocent people." The reporters excitedly scribbled down every detail. I stood a short distance away, watching the meticulously staged performance. Selene’s acting was superb. She had successfully painted herself as an innocent victim persecuted by her deranged sister. "Clara!" a reporter suddenly spotted me. "Luna Clara, do you have any response to Alpha Selene's words?" All the cameras instantly turned to me. I must have looked awful—pale, unsteady, and weak from the procedure. "Clara!" Selene rushed over, pretending to support me. "Why are you out here by yourself? Didn't the healer say you need to rest?" The moment her hand touched me, she smelled the scent of blood and dark magic on me. A flicker of shock, then elation, crossed her face. "Oh my god... Clara, where have you been? What is that smell on you..." she said loudly, making sure the reporters could hear. "What smell?" the reporters swarmed closer. "It's... it's the smell of dark magic..." Selene backed away, trembling. "And blood... a lot of blood..." The crowd erupted. In werewolf society, dark magic was strictly forbidden. Any contact with a dark witch was considered a sign of corruption. "Luna Clara, can you explain?" "Did you have contact with an exiled dark witch?" "Does this have anything to do with your child?" Just then, the roar of an engine cut through the chaos. Kael's car sped toward us, and he jumped out, furious. "All of you, get lost!" His Alpha command stunned the crowd. "This is private property!" The reporters were forced back, but their cameras kept rolling. Kael’s gaze swept over the scene, taking in the "frightened" Selene on the ground and then me, my face ashen. His wolf instantly made a choice. He strode to Selene and lifted her into his arms. "It's alright, I'm here," he soothed her gently. "These reporters won't bother you again." Then he turned to me, his eyes filled with cold fury. "Go back to your room." His voice was ice. That was all he said to me. No concern, no questions, no protection. In front of the media, in front of everyone, he chose Selene again. I watched him hold her, saw the triumphant gleam in her eyes. I understood. She had planned all of this. She knew I would be out this morning, so she arranged for the media to be waiting. She wanted to completely destroy my reputation among the packs. I walked into the villa and went straight to the dining room. I placed a small, dark vial on the table. Inside were the remains of the ritual—the proof that our child was gone. Next to it, I placed my Luna emblem, the golden wolf head that symbolized my status in the Silver Moon pack. I took one last look at the villa that had been my prison for three years. Then, I turned and walked away. My grandfather's people were already waiting for me at the edge of the city. It was time to go back to my real home.