Chapter 1 Chapter 1

My mate abandoned our son before his coming of age ceremony. Just to hang out with his pregnant omega mistress. My son was attacked and killed by a hostile wolf pack. But I contacted Maverick King, who I hadn't contacted for a long time. "I will no longer protect Stone Pack and Ethan. You can take revenge on them." Maverick King, Valerius's voice came through, full of a predator's glee. "Princess Winters, I've been waiting for your call. But you've protected the Stone Pack and that fool Ethan for so many years. Why the sudden change of heart?" My voice was flat. "I'm breaking my mate bond with him. Soon." Valerius was silent for a few seconds, then his voice turned excited. "You're not kidding, are you, little princess? So many powerful Alphas wanted to mate with you back then, but you chose that nobody, Kaelen—Ethan, and even helped him become a big shot. And now, you're really letting him go?" I didn't want to explain. My heart died with Caleb. "The reasons don't matter. From now on, what happens to the Stone Pack is none of my business." Valerius let out a satisfied growl. "Well, since your bond is broken, I'll personally deliver a 'special gift' to the Stone Pack's Blood Moon Festival tomorrow night." The next evening, Ethan returned to our territory, reeking of his mistress's perfume. "Where's Caleb?" he asked casually. "Is that boy hiding away training again? I told him, a real Alpha doesn't need to sneak around.""I'm surprised you even remember him," I replied coldly. Ethan didn't seem to care; his mind was elsewhere. "Regina, I have an official announcement to make tonight. Scarlett's pregnant. This child will be the true future of the Stone Pack. Your bloodline... it's too ordinary. Scarlett is pure-blooded. Her child will be a hundred times stronger than Caleb." My hand stroked the armrest of the sofa. My voice was still calm. "Is that so?""Of course. I've already given her a temporary mark. Once she has the baby, we'll mate officially. As for you..." He sneered. "An old mate, a she-wolf with a common bloodline. Regina, for old times' sake, I'll let you stay in the pack to look after the children. But the Luna position belongs to Scarlett.""I want to break our mate mark," I said suddenly. Ethan froze, then burst out laughing mockingly. "Break the mark? Regina, are you dreaming? You're nothing without me. You wouldn't last a day if you left the Stone Pack.""And," his voice turned threatening, "who do you think you are? I won't let you take Caleb. He's of Stone Pack blood; he needs to get proper Alpha training here. Don't even think about it." I looked at this man I once loved so deeply. It was all so ironic. "Mom, I'll make you and Dad proud." Those were the last words Caleb ever said to me. Caleb cared so much about his father's approval, tried so hard to make Ethan happy. And Ethan couldn't even be bothered to be with him for the most important training session before his coming-of-age ceremony. Eighteen years old, just about to become an adult, and my Caleb died like that, on the Stone Pack's sacred land. "The Alpha's son is dead," Beta Marcus had told me last night, his voice trembling. "An ambush by a rival pack... We were too late." I knelt by Caleb, my hands shaking as I touched his pale face. The smell of blood filled the air, moonlight shining on his closed eyes. "Why weren't there any guards?" My voice was terrifyingly calm. Marcus answered timidly, "The Alpha ordered all elite guards to go with him... to protect Miss Scarlett while she was hunting." He'd already thrown everything away for that mistress of his. And now he had the gall to tell me to give up my Luna title to Scarlett. Calling it a favor to me! This so-called Luna title, I didn't want it anymore! "No matter what you think, I will break our mate bond," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Are you crazy? You useless she-wolf," he said dismissively. "Regina, drop the ridiculous threats. You're nothing here without my protection." Ethan turned and stormed off. I used to always be gentle with Ethan. Even when I knew he was having an affair with Scarlett, I didn't make a big deal out of it. I always thought he'd still treat Caleb and me better. But now… I gathered Caleb's ashes, clutching the moonstone that symbolized our mate bond, and decided I would leave for good the next morning. The moment I woke up, Ethan's voice boomed in my head. "Whatever you're thinking, don't mess up my son Caleb's coming-of-age ceremony. Get him to the full moon celebration, now! I'm going to announce that, until Scarlett's child is grown, Caleb will be the temporary Alpha heir. Hurry up!" Clutching my son's urn, I sneered, "Fine. I'm on my way."

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

"Who do you think you are?" Ethan's voice echoed in my ears, but I couldn't feel any warmth in it anymore. Only disdain, only coldness. I closed my eyes. Sharp pains shot from my mate mark. The twenty-year bond was naturally weakening, like an old rope about to snap. Twenty years ago, this mark was forged with love and vows. Back then, Ethan wasn't the strongest Alpha in North America, just a poor college student from a small, fringe pack. He was cornered in an abandoned factory by three vampires. And he was covered in wounds from silver weapons. "Let me go!" nineteen-year-old Ethan roared, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "The Stone family never bows to enemies!" The rival wolves laughed at him. "The Stone family? That third-rate pack on the verge of extinction? Kid, you don't even qualify to attend the Alliance meetings." I stepped out from the shadows. "Let him go," I said calmly. The rival wolves turned, stunned when they saw me. A harmless-looking college girl. "Another one eager to die?" The leader of the rivals licked his lips. "Two wolf pups should fetch a good price." I didn't shift, didn't roar. I just released a tiny bit of my bloodline's power. The three experienced rival wolves instantly dropped to their knees, their bodies shaking uncontrollably. The leader even started babbling, "No... impossible... that kind of power...""Get out," I said softly. They scrambled away, practically tripping over themselves. Ethan stared, wide-eyed, struggling to his feet. "You... how did you do that?" I walked over to him, checking his wounds. "These silver wounds are deep. They need to be treated right away.""Wait!" Ethan grabbed my wrist. "Who are you? No ordinary werewolf could...""My name is Regina Winters." I tore a strip from my clothes and bandaged his deepest wound. "And you?""Ethan Stone." His voice was weak, but his eyes were still stubborn. "Winters... Never heard of that family. Which pack are you from?" I smiled but didn't answer. From that day on, this stubborn boy started pursuing me. He thought I was just the daughter of some mid-level pack, with a few special talents. I didn't correct him. "Regina, I'll protect you," he said during his first confession, his eyes burning with sincerity. "I know I'm weak now, and my family isn't strong, but I'll work hard. I'll become an Alpha worthy of you." He was so innocent back then, so driven. Every day, it was either class or training, desperately trying to get stronger. We had our mating ceremony the year we graduated. A simple ceremony, just the two of us in a small chapel on a full moon night. Ethan's pack was too poor to afford a grand celebration. "I swear," he whispered, his voice trembling as he gently bit my neck, "I'll love you, protect you, and never betray you for my entire life." The moment the mark settled, I felt a sense of completeness I'd never known. This stubborn, persistent boy became my mate, the other half of my life. The first few years of our marriage were happy. Ethan worked hard to expand the Stone Pack's territory, and I helped him secretly. Whenever he faced a powerful enemy, I'd subtly pressure them to back down. Whenever he needed allies, I used my bloodline's influence to pave the way for him. He thought it was all his own talent and hard work. I was happy to let him think that. After Caleb was born, Ethan became even more ambitious. "Our son will be the strongest Alpha in North America," he said, holding our newborn baby, his eyes full of a father's pride. "He inherited both our bloodlines; he's bound to surpass me." Back then, he would still kiss my forehead at night and tell me I was his whole world. But as the Stone Pack's power grew rapidly, as favors and flattery poured in from all sides, Ethan started to change. "Regina, watch what you say," he scolded me in public for the first time five years ago. "The Alliance meeting is no place for you to voice your opinions.""Regina, there's a problem with Caleb's upbringing," he started questioning my parenting three years ago. "You're making him too soft. A future Alpha needs to be tougher.""Regina, your bloodline has become a hindrance to our family's development," he said a year ago, for the first time bringing up bloodlines directly. The love was gone from his eyes. "Maybe I should consider... other options." Then Scarlett appeared. Young, beautiful, and supposedly possessing a rare, pure-blooded wolf lineage. "She understands my ambitions," Ethan said, making excuses for his affair. "She won't be a stumbling block to my progress." Now, my son was dead. Dead because of his father's fatal negligence, because he'd pulled security to look after his mistress. I blinked, pulling myself from my memories. Ethan was walking into our home, excitedly arranging the celebration on the phone. "Yes, officially introduce Scarlett to all the allies. She will be the true future Luna of the Stone Pack." His voice was full of anticipation. "This child will completely change our family's bloodline status." I touched the mark on my neck, feeling it fade. Twenty years of love and vows, turned to ash. "Ethan," I called softly. He looked up impatiently. "What is it? I'm busy with important matters.""Do you remember our vows?" Ethan frowned, seeming to try hard to recall, then waved his hand dismissively. "That childish stuff? Regina, I don't have time for nostalgia. The past doesn't matter anymore." After Ethan left, I turned and took out my mourning clothes.

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

I walked slowly into the bustling celebration, holding that ebony box. Alphas from all the major allied packs were gathered with their mates. Instantly, all conversation stopped. "Oh my god, why is Regina dressed like that?""A black gown... Isn't that for mourning?""Wearing mourning clothes to a full moon celebration? Is she trying to curse us all?" I ignored the whispers around me and walked straight to the main platform. Ethan was seated in the Alpha's chair, and beside him, in the Luna seat that should have been mine, sat Scarlett. She wore a gorgeous silver-white gown that cleverly showed off her slightly rounded belly, and she was snuggled shyly against Ethan. "Ethan, she's here," Scarlett's voice trembled, her eyes flashing with fake fear. "She... she looks so scary..." Ethan's arm tightened around Scarlett, shielding her, and he glared at me fiercely. "Regina, what do you think you're doing? Dressing like that is blasphemy against the Moon Goddess!""Blasphemy?" I walked calmly to the front of the stage, my voice carrying clearly through the hall. "I'm merely mourning something that has already died.""Mourning what?" Alpha Marcus of the Redwood Pack sneered. "Mourning your lost Luna status?" A wave of laughter erupted from the crowd. "She never deserved that position anyway," a Beta female from the Blackwood Pack said cuttingly. "Look at her, can't even fight, just hides at home raising kids. Typical weakling.""No wonder Ethan wanted a replacement," another voice chimed in mockingly. "Miss Scarlett is so elegant, her bloodline so noble. That's what a real Luna should be like." Ethan stood up proudly, deliberately showing off the fresh, red temporary mark on his neck. "Everyone can see, this is the temporary mark between Scarlett and me. She carries the future heir of the Stone family, possessing the purest wolf bloodline." Applause and congratulations filled the hall. Scarlett stood up shyly, one hand gracefully caressing her belly. "Thank you all for your blessings. I understand the importance of the Luna position, and I will do my best." Then she turned to me, her voice becoming aggrieved and artificial. "Regina, sister, I know this is hard for you to accept, but please understand... Ethan needs a mate who can bring a stronger bloodline to the pack." She paused, her voice even softer. "And... if you really cared about Caleb, why didn't you let him attend the coming-of-age ceremony last night? That was the most important moment of his life..." Murmurs immediately spread through the crowd. "Yeah, the Alpha's son really wasn't there last night...""The coming-of-age ceremony is so important, how could a mother stop him?""Is she so jealous of Scarlett that she's neglecting her own son?" Ethan's face darkened, his voice full of threat. "Regina, you better give me a reasonable explanation. Why didn't Caleb attend the ceremony last night?" I looked at this pair of despicable wolves on the stage, at these opportunistic, hypocritical so-called allies below, and my heart was ice cold. But my voice remained calm. "Because some things are more important than a ceremony.""More important?" Scarlett feigned a shocked expression. "Regina, sister, nothing is more important than a werewolf's coming-of-age ceremony! It's our tradition, our honor!" She turned to the crowd, her voice sharp. "And look at her, wearing mourning clothes to the full moon celebration! She's insulting all of us, insulting the Moon Goddess!""That's right!""This is too much!""She's cursing the entire pack!" Angry voices came from all directions. Ethan shot to his feet, releasing his Alpha dominance. "Regina! You've embarrassed me enough! Go back and change out of those clothes immediately, then publicly apologize to Scarlett and everyone here!" I clutched the ebony box in my arms, looking at the man on the stage who had once sworn to love and protect me for life. "Apologize?" I let out a small laugh. "Scarlett Reed, you're not worthy of even saying my son's name." The entire hall fell silent. Scarlett's face instantly paled, and she took a step back. "What... what did you say?""I said," my voice was clear and cold, "you are not worthy to speak of my son."

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

"Enough!" An old but commanding voice cut through the crowd. Ethan's mother, Eleanor Stone, walked onto the stage, leaning on her cane. "Regina, you have brought enough shame to the Stone family!" Eleanor struck the ground hard with her cane. "An outsider with an impure bloodline, daring to cause trouble at the sacred full moon celebration!" The pack members around immediately chimed in. "Eleanor's right! Regina was never fit to be Luna!""Her bloodline is too common; she could never bring strong offspring to the Stone family!""Look at Miss Scarlett, that's a true noble bloodline!" Ethan nodded proudly. "My mother is right. Regina, the Stone Pack's power today is all thanks to the strength of Scarlett's family bloodline.""Bloodline strength?" I scoffed. "Of course!" Ethan spread his arms, gesturing to the allied packs around. "Since I met Scarlett, our allies have grown, our strength has increased. This is the power of a pure-blooded wolf!" Scarlett lowered her head shyly, but her eyes glinted with triumph. "Ethan, you're too kind... I just hope to contribute to the pack..." She paused, her voice laced with feigned concern. "Actually, I've always been worried... Caleb has been too sheltered by Regina, sister. He hasn't had real Alpha training. If this continues...""What are you worried about?" Ethan frowned. "I'm worried Regina's way of raising him will weaken Caleb's wolf instincts," Scarlett said carefully. "A child needs tough training, not motherly coddling. Of course, Caleb is so smart entirely because he inherited your excellent genes..." Eleanor nodded emphatically. "Scarlett's right! Regina, you've made my grandson too soft! How can a future Alpha be so gentle?" Ethan's face grew grim. "No wonder he didn't dare attend the coming-of-age ceremony last night! Regina, what exactly have you turned my son into?" I looked at these hypocritical faces, the anger inside me churning like lava. "You want to know what I turned him into?" My voice was low and dangerous. "I taught him to respect his father, I taught him to train hard, I taught him to push himself to make you proud!""Push himself to be strong?" Ethan sneered. "If he was really strong, why wouldn't he attend the ceremony?""Because you didn't give a damn about his ceremony last night!" I finally exploded. "You only cared if your mistress was comfortable, if she was fed, if she needed more guards to protect her!" The hall fell dead silent. Ethan's face instantly turned ashen. "What did you say?""I'm telling the truth!" I pointed at Scarlett. "Last night was her heat, and you took all the elite guards to protect her while she hunted, leaving Caleb to face the dangers of his coming-of-age ceremony alone!" Scarlett hid behind Ethan, frightened. "I... I didn't ask for so many guards... It was Ethan who was worried about me and the baby...""Of course, I have to protect you!" Ethan roared angrily. "You are my real family! As for Caleb..." He paused, his voice turning ice-cold. "If he can't even handle a basic coming-of-age ceremony, then he proves he's not fit to be the heir of the Stone family!" Sounds of agreement rose from the crowd. "The Alpha is right! Survival of the fittest!""True strength doesn't need coddling!""Maybe this is for the best; Miss Scarlett's child is more suited to be heir!" Eleanor struck the ground again with her cane. "Regina, since you're so unhappy, then break the bond and get out of the Stone family! But..." She narrowed her eyes, her voice full of menace. "Caleb must stay. He is of Stone family blood. You won't take him anywhere!""That's right!" Ethan sneered, walking towards me. "Regina, I can agree to break our bond. But Caleb belongs to the Stone family, don't you dare try to take him!" I clutched the ebony box tightly, looking at these greedy, ugly faces. "Are you sure you want to do this?" My voice was terrifyingly calm. "Of course!" Ethan announced proudly. "Now, in front of all our allies, hand over Caleb! I want to personally see where he's hiding and slacking off!" I slowly raised the ebony box in my hands. "As you wish.""This is the Caleb you're looking for."