Chapter 1 My mate, Alpha Damien, was holding a sacred naming ceremony for his heir.

The only problem? He was celebrating a pup he had with Lyra, a rogue he brought into our pack. And I, his true mate, four months pregnant with his actual heir, was the only one not invited.

When I confronted her, she clawed her own arm, drew blood, and screamed that I had attacked her.

Damien saw her performance and didn't even look at me. He snarled, using his Alpha's Command to force me to leave, the power of our bond twisted into a weapon against me.

Later, she attacked me for real, making me fall. As blood bloomed on my dress, threatening our child's life, she tossed her own pup onto a rug and screamed that I had tried to kill him.

Damien burst in, saw me bleeding on the floor, and didn't hesitate. He scooped Lyra's screaming pup into his arms and sprinted away to find a healer, leaving me and his true heir to die.

But as I lay there, my mother's voice echoed in my mind through our own link. My family's escort was waiting for me just beyond the territory border.

He was about to find out that the Omegahe threw away was actually the princess of the most powerful pack in the world.

Chapter 1

ElaraPOV:

My fingers trembled as I held the cold phone to my ear, a useless human device. The real conversation was happening in my mind, a silent, shimmering thread of thought connecting me to my mother hundreds of miles away.

"I'm going to do it, Mom. I'm leaving him." The thought was a painful whisper in the vast space ofour Mind-Link. The Mind-Link, a gift from the Moon Goddess, was supposed to be a source of comfort, a way for pack members to feel connected. Tonight, it felt like a lifeline I was about to sever.

My mother, Luna Seraphina of the Silver Moon Pack, responded instantly. Her mental voice was a soothingbalm of moonlight and ancient power. "It's about time, my sweet girl. We were worried. That boy, Damien... his ambition stinks more than his pack's territory. The Bloodstone Pack is built on shaky ground."

"I know," I sent back, a wave of relief washing over me.I had been so afraid of her disappointment. "I just...I wanted to believe he was the one. The Goddess's gift."

"The Goddess gives us choices, Elara, not chains. We are waiting for you. The pack is waiting."

I cut the link, the sudden silence in my head feeling both empty and liberating. I leaned against the cold stone archway of the grand hall, the chill seepingthrough my thin dress. From here, hidden in the shadows, I could see everything.

My mate, my Alpha, Damien, stood in the center of the room.

He was holding a baby. A pup, not yet a month old, wrapped in the ceremonial furs of the Bloodstone Pack. And next tohim, beaming as if she were the queen of the world, was Lyra.

A rogue she-wolf he'd brought into our territory a year ago.

The pack members were cheering. They raised their glasses to Damien, to the pup, to Lyra. It was a naming ceremony, one of the most sacred rituals in a pack. A celebration for the Alpha's heir.

And I, his true, fated mate, four months pregnant with his actual heir, was the only one who hadn't been invited. The entire pack knew, their shared thoughts a low hum of excitement I could feel at the edge of my senses, but they had all conspired to keep it from me.

A bitter memory surfaced. The day I met Damien at the art academy. He was a force of nature, an Alpha whose ambition burned like a forest fire. His scent had hit me first-a dizzying mix of pine after a thunderstorm and rich, dark earth. It was a scent my soul recognized instantly. My heart had hammered against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat, and a primal, possessive roar had echoed in the deepest part of my being.

"Mine!" my inner wolfhad screamed.

He had felt it too. His eyes, the color of molten gold, had locked onto mine, and for a moment, the world had fallen away. The Moon Goddess had blessed us.

Or soI thought.

Now, watching him with another woman and her child, that memory felt like a cruel joke.

A flicker of unease rippled through the Mind-Link from Damien's Beta, his second-in-command. I could intercept the public channels if I focused.

"Alpha, she is still your mate. To do this..." the Beta'sthought was laced with worry.

Damien didn't even turn his head. His own mental voice was sharp, cold. "She's been hostile towards Lyra lately. It's just a ceremony. She doesn't need to know."

"And ifshe finds out?"

The response came, sharp and cruel, a shard of ice piercingthe bond that still connected us. "We'll hide it as long as we can. If it comes to it, I'll just formally reject her."

A gasp escaped my lips, and I pressed a hand to my mouth. Reject me? He would sever the sacred bond gifted to us by the Goddess herself? For them?

The pack members around Lyra were fawning over her. "Our Alpha is so merciful, taking in a poorrogue and her orphaned pup," one she-wolf cooed.

Another laughed. "Don't worry about Elara. Even if she finds out, where would she go? A pregnant Omega can't survive without her Alpha's protection. She'll never leave him."

A cold, hard resolve settled in my chest, solidifying the heartbreak into something else. Something stronger.

They were all aboutto find out just how wrong they were.

Chapter 2 ElaraPOV:

I turned from the doorway, my heart a leaden weight in my chest,and walked down the long, echoing corridor. I needed to get out, to breathe air that wasn't thick with his scent and their lies.

And then I saw her.

Lyra was coming towards me, a smug, triumphant smile on her face. She must have slipped away from the celebration.

"Elara," she said, her voice dripping with fakesurprise. "What are you doing skulking in thehalls? You here to ruin my son's special night?"

A humorless laugh escaped my lips. "Your son's special night? I didn't realize rogues held such ceremonies."

Her eyes narrowed. The mask of sweetness fell away, revealing the venom beneath. "Damien loves him. He loves "me". He even let me move into the Alpha's house. He says my scent soothes him." She took a step closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "In fact, he's going to make it official."

My stomach twisted. "What are you talking about?"

"He's going to give my son a proper name, a place in this pack. And to do that," she savored the words, "he's going to formally reject you. Then he will perform the mating ritual with me. I will be his Luna."

The words were a physical blow. The bond, the sacred link between Damien and me, felt like itwas being stretched to its breaking point. The pain was so intense, I swayed on my feet, grabbing the wall for support. To reject a fated mate was to spit in the face of the Moon Goddess.

Just then, I saw Damienrounding the corner at the far end of the hall.

Lyra saw him too. Her entire demeanor changed in an instant. Her face crumpled into a mask of terror.

"Aah!" she shrieked, a piercing, theatrical sound. She stumbled backward, clawing at her own arm with her nails, drawing blood. "Please, Elara, don't!" she cried, collapsing into a heap on the floor.

She looked up at me, tears streaming down her face. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry I made Damien happy! Please, don't hurt me!"

Damien was there in a flash, his Alpha speed a blur. He didn't even look at me. He went straight to Lyra, scooping her up into his arms.

"What did you do?" he snarled, his golden eyes blazing with fury, his gaze fixed on me.

He didn't need to speak the words aloud.I felt it slam into me, a wave of pure, irresistible power. The Alpha's Command.

"Go home. Stopembarrassingyourself here."

The command was absolute. It bypassed my thoughts, my will, and seized control of my body. Every muscle screamed in protest, every nerveending burned with the effort to resist, but my feet were already turning, forcing me to obey. This was a perversion of the Alpha's authority, a tool meant for pack defense now used to control his own mate. The pain was immense, like my own bones were at war with my skin.

"He's your mate," myinner wolf whimpered, confused and hurt.

I managed to grit my teeth, forcing the words out through the crushing weight of his command. "Have you forgotten, Damien? I am your Mate."

"Don't be irrational, Elara," he said, his voice cold as he cradledLyra protectively. "Just go home."

My heart shattered into a million tiny pieces. I looked at him, at the man I thought was my destiny, and a cold calm washed over me.

"I gave you a chance, Damien," I whispered, the wordslost in the cavernous hall.

Then, I turned my back on him. The force of his command still pulsed through me, makingeach step away from him a new kind of agony.

Chapter 3 ElaraPOV:

I stumbled back into the Alpha's house, the place I had once called home. The air was thick with his scent-pine and thunderstorm-but now it was tainted, mixed with the sickly sweet smell of Lyra and her pup's milk. It made my stomach churn.

I couldn't stand it.

With a surge of desperate energy, I began to clear the room. His clothes, his books, anything that held his scent. I grabbed them, armful after armful, andthrew them out the front door, onto the manicured lawn. I didn't care who saw.

As I tossed his favorite leather jacket onto the growing pile, a sleek black car pulled up the driveway.

Damien.

He got out, walked around to the passenger side, and opened the door for Lyra with a tenderness that made my throat close up. He carefully took the sleeping pup from her arms, his movements gentle and practiced.

"You can rest now," I heard him murmur to her. "This is your home."

An elderly warrior, one of the pack's respected elders, was walking by. He saw the scene and a wide smile spread across his face. He approached them, bowing his head slightly.

"A future Luna," the old wolf said, his voice filled with genuine warmth as he looked at Lyra. "Congratulations on giving our Alpha such a strong heir."

My blood ran cold. This was it. This was how it happened. A lie repeated often enough becomes the truth.

Damien didn't correct him. He didn't even flinch. Instead, he wrapped his arm around Lyra's shoulders, pulling her closer, and simply nodded. He accepted the title for her. He accepted the lie.

In the eyes ofhis pack, I was already gone.

He finally noticed me then, standing in thedoorway amidst the chaos I had created. He frowned, a flicker of annoyance in his eyes.

"Elara," he said, his voice tight. He walked towards me, leaving Lyra by the car. "I was worried. Why didn't you wait for me?"

"Why didn't you tell him the truth?" I asked, my voice flat, devoid of emotion."Why did you let him call her your Luna?"

"It's just a title, Elara. Don't make a scene," he said dismissively, his patience clearly wearing thin.

The pup in his arms began to fuss, letting out a small cry. Damien's attention snapped back to it instantly.

"See? The pup is upset," he said, his tone turning to one of finality. "Lyra and the baby will be staying here from now on.If you can't handle that, you can move into the Omega quarters."

The Omega quarters. He wanted to send his pregnant, fated mate to live withthe lowest-ranking members of the pack.

The last flicker of hope inside me died.

Chapter 4 ElaraPOV:

Damien settled Lyra and her pup into the guest room, theone right next to our master bedroom, before he finally came to find me. It was late, the moon high in the sky.

I was on the bathroom floor, my body wracked with violent waves of morning sickness.The stress, the heartbreak, it was all making the pregnancy unbearable. My own wolf was agitated, pacing restlessly within me, sensing the deep betrayal from her mate.

He found me there, paleand shaking.

"Oh, my poor love," he murmured, kneeling beside me. He gathered me into his arms, his touch once a source of profound comfort, now felt like a lie. He whispered soothing words, stroking my hair.

But then I smelled it. On his skin, in his clothes, was the lingering scent of Lyra and her child. It was a foreign smell, an invasion. It screamed that he belonged to another. My body reacted violently, and I wretched again, emptying the contents of my stomach onto the cold tiles.

"Water," I croaked, my throat raw. I was too weak to stand. "Please, Damien. Get me some water."

I lay back against the cool wall, my eyes closed. I just wanted a simple glass of water.

As he was about to stand, a soft chime echoed, not in the room, but in my head.A private Mind-Link channel. It was Lyra.

"Damien? The baby won't stop crying. I need you." Her mental voice was cloying, deliberately helpless.

Damien didn't hesitate. "I'm coming," he sent back instantly.

He turned to me, his expression a mixture of pity and impatience. "I have to go help her," he said, as if it were themost natural thing in the world. "I won't be back tonight."

He left.Just like that.

Summoning what little strength I had left, I pushedmyself up, my legs trembling. I made my way to the kitchen, my hand sliding along the wall for support.

As I passed the guest room,the door was slightly ajar. I couldn't help but look.

And the sight broke what was left of my heart.

Damien and Lyra were lying on the bed together. Between them, sleeping peacefully now, was her pup. They looked like a family. A perfect, happy, fake family.

I stood there, frozen in the hallway, as Lyra's soft voice drifted through the crack in the door.

"When will you do it, Damien?" she asked. "When will you reject her?"

I saw him lean overand press a soft kiss to her forehead.

His reply was a death sentence to mysoul. "Soon. I promise. I'll give you and our boy the life you deserve."

Chapter 5 ElaraPOV:

I didn't sleep. How could I? I spent the night staring at the ceiling, feeling the last vestiges of my love for Damien drain away, leaving a hollow emptiness behind. By dawn, my decision was made. I used a secret communication device, a small, smooth stone given to me by my mother, to contact the Silver Moon envoy. My escape was being arranged.

I was sitting at the breakfast table, mechanically pushing food around my plate, when Damien came downstairs. He looked refreshed, happy even.

He sat down opposite me, his expression serious, but his eyes held a glint of excitement.

"Elara," he began, "I thinkit's time. We need to perform the rejection ceremony."

I looked up at him, my face a carefully constructed mask of calm. "Alright," I said, myvoice steady. "Arrange it as soon as you can."

His jaw dropped. He was clearly expecting tears, pleading, a dramatic scene. My quietacceptance threw him completely off balance.

"Wait, Elara, listen," he said, leaning forward, his voice earnest. "This is just... temporary. It's a formality. It's the only way to give Lyra's boy a legal identity in the pack. To protect him."

He reached across the table, trying to take my hand. "I promise you, as soon as it's done, I will go before the Moon Goddess and beg for her forgiveness. I'll take you back. You know you're the one I love. You and our baby."

I let him believe his own lies. I nodded slowly, as if I understood. "I see," I said, my tone perfectly even. "You have to do what's best for the pack. I understand an Alpha's difficult position."

Relief washed over his face. He actually believed I was buying it. "You're the best Mate an Alpha couldask for," he said, beaming. He leaned in to kiss me.

I turned my head just in time, and his lips met my cheek. He chuckled, thinking I was just being coy, still a little upset but ultimately forgiving.

"I'll go tell Lyra the good news!" he said, practically skipping out ofthe room and bounding up the stairs.

A moment later, I heard their muffled, joyous laughter from the floor above. They were celebrating. They thought their plan was perfect, that I was a fool who would wait patiently to be taken back.

Downstairs, alone in the silent dining room, my fingers closed around the cool, smooth surface of the Silver Moon sigil stone in mypocket. I looked up towards the ceiling, towards their celebration.

Fine, I thought. I will give you exactly what you want. I will grant you your wish, Damien.

And in doing so,I will grant myself my freedom.

Chapter 6 ElaraPOV:

The heavy oak door of the Alpha's house swung open before I even touched it. I had just concluded my meeting with the Silver Moon envoy, a silent warrior who had confirmed my transport was ready. My heart was a cold, hard stone in my chest.

Lyra was waiting for me in the living room. She was lounging on the velvet sofa as if it were her throne, one leg casually crossed over the other. The pup was nowhere in sight.

She gestured to a set of official-looking papers on the coffee table. "The Elders have drawn up the documents," she said, her voice smooth as honey lacedwith poison. "All it needs is your signature. I thought I'd save you the trip."

I let out a small, humorless laugh. "You seem to be in a hurry."

Her mask of civility cracked. "He's mine, Elara. You're just dragging this out. What do you want? Money? A house on the edge of the territory? Name your price."

I walked closer, my eyes fixed on the papers. I picked them up, my fingers tracing the embossed seal of the Bloodstone Pack. "You seem to have forgotten something, Lyra. A rather important piece of ancient pack law."

She frowned, her confidence wavering for the first time. "What are you talking about?"

"The law is clear," I said, my voice quiet but firm. It was a lesson my mother, a true Luna, had taughtme long ago. "During a mate's pregnancy, the male has no right to initiate a rejection. It is forbidden by the Goddess herself. Unless," I paused, letting the word hang in the air, "the female agrees to it."

Her face went pale. She had no idea. This rogue, who knew only the law of survival, was ignorant ofthe sacred traditions that held our world together.

I watched the shock and fury war in her eyes. Then, with a flick of my wrist, I picked up the pen from the table. The ink flowed smoothly as I signed my name, Elara Silvermoon, onthe line designated for the female mate. My handwriting was firm, without a single tremor.

I tossed the pen down. "There. He's all yours. I don't want him."

The rage in her eyes exploded. With a guttural snarl, she lunged at me. Her hand cracked across my face, the force of the blow sending a ringing sound through my skull.

"You bitch!" she screamed. "You pathetic, rejected Omega!"

I stumbled backward, my balance thrown off. The sharp corner of the heavy oak coffee table dug cruelly into my side, right where my belly was just beginning to swell. A blinding, searing pain shot through me. It felt like my insides were being torn apart. I gasped, my hand flying to my stomach, a sudden, terrifying wetness spreading through my dress.

My baby. Oh, Goddess, my baby.

Lyra saw the blood. A flicker of pure, calculated evil crossed her face. In a movement soswift I almost missed it, she snatched her own pup from its bassinet in the corner, andwith a horrifying lack of care, tossed the infant onto the thick, plush rug on the floor.

The pup, startled and unharmed by the soft landing, let out a piercing wail.

Lyra immediately threw herself to the floor, scooping the crying baby into her arms. "My baby! My baby!" she shrieked, her voice a symphony of fake hysteria.

At that exact moment, the front door burst open. Damien stood there, his eyes wide.

"She tried to kill him!" Lyra sobbed, pointing a shaking finger at me. "Elara pushed me! She tried to kill my son out of jealousy!"

Damien's gaze fell on Lyra, clutching her screaming child, and then to me, collapsed against the table, with blood blooming on my dress.

He didn't hesitate. He didn't aska single question.

Without a single glance in my direction, he scooped Lyra's pup into his arms and sprinted out of the house, shouting for the Healer. He never even saw me slide to the floor, a pool of my own blood spreading around me, the life of his true heir draining away.

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The mag-lev train roared beneath me, wind tearing at my hair as I clung to the side rail, a thousand feet above the city. Blood soaked through my dress, warm and slick against my skin. My baby—Damien’s heir—fought to survive inside me, while his Alpha sprinted away with a liar’s pup in his arms.

I wasn’t supposed to live. But the Moon Goddess didn’t bless fated mates to break. She blessed them to rise.

My mother’s voice crackled through the Mind-Link: "They’re coming, Elara. Hold on."

A black armored vehicle waited at the border, engines humming. My escape. My revenge. My birthright.

But as I reached the edge, a howl split the night—one I knew too well. Damien had realized his mistake. And he was coming for me.