Chapter 1"Good morning."
I wrapped my fingers around my coffee mug, watching my mate across the breakfast table.
Anthony Duncan sat there studying me. I wore nothing but a thin nightgown. His amber eyes still burned with that primal hunger from the full moon run.
"Morning." I set down my cup. "Don't you have that pack meeting today?"
"Yeah." Anthony smirked, pushing back from his chair and stalking toward me with the kind of predatory grace that made my wolf stir. "The enforcers can wait for their Luna. Besides - " He leaned down, breath hot against my ear. " - we're working on the pack's heir."
Before I could answer, his mouth crashed against mine.
His tongue demanded entry. His fingers slipped beneath my panties.
My knees went weak. "Anthony..."
He cleared the table with one sweep of his arm. Plates shattered against the floor.
Then he freed his cock, the tip already slick, and positioned himself between my spread legs.
I wrapped my legs around his waist and met every powerful thrust.
Thirty minutes later, he buried himself deep and came hard inside me with a low, rumbling growl.
He kissed me lazily, then gave my ass a firm squeeze. "Meeting won't take long. I'll bring the warriors back for dinner." His voice softened. "And babe? Don't forget your antidepressants."
I rolled my eyes, tugging my nightgown back down. "Such a nag."
He flashed those sharp canines in a grin before heading out to the pack house.
I stayed slumped against the table, legs still trembling. Smiling despite myself.
I prepared a small gathering for him and Finn, his Beta.
Later that night, when his Beta arrived, I went to change - only to overhear their conversation.
At the dinner table, Finn suddenly switched to an old mountain dialect. One my mother had taught me as a pup. One he clearly didn't think I understood.
"Three years ago, you claimed Phoebe as your Luna just to get her to forgive Jennifer. I've watched her fall deeper for you every day - but you're still lying to her. Passing off birth control as antidepressants." Finn's voice was low and tight. "Aren't you afraid she'll spiral when she finds out the truth?"
Anthony paused.
His face clouded with something complicated before a bitter smile curved his lips. "A pup I don't want doesn't need to exist. As for Phoebe..." He swirled the wine in his glass. "As long as she stops interfering with Jennifer's happiness, I'll honor my commitment. I'll protect her for life."
No one knew I had learned that dialect years ago.
I understood every single word.
I stood frozen in the hallway, Anthony's fresh mating mark still throbbing on my neck.
The bottle of my "antidepressants" was clutched in my hand.
So all the love he showed me... was only a lie.
What I thought was my salvation had been nothing but a crafted trap.
I didn't hesitate. I swallowed the pills dry. They tasted more bitter than ever before.
The conversation at the dinner table continued. Finn's voice was heavy with guilt.
"Forget the pup situation for a second - three years ago, when Jennifer jumped into that river, Phoebe's mother dove in to save her. But Jennifer shoved her under and let her drown." He set his glass down hard. "Anthony, the footage was clear. She did it on purpose. Phoebe had every right to bring it before the pack court."
"But you stepped in as her fated guardian just to keep Jennifer out of the Silver Cells. You signed that settlement behind Phoebe's back. Jennifer walked free - and Phoebe's been drowning in depression ever since. She blames herself every single day." Finn exhaled sharply. "If she ever learns the truth, it'll destroy her completely."
Anthony's eyes flashed with irritation. But his voice stayed cold.
"Jennifer didn't mean it. She was drowning. Those movements were pure instinct." He stared at the wall. "She regrets it too."
"I've hidden those documents well. Phoebe will never know the truth." He leaned back. "I'll be good to her. I'll spend my life making it up to her. Give her a home. She'll forget the pain. She'll heal."
Finn sighed.
"Look, don't snap at me. I just feel bad for Phoebe, that's all. You showed up when she was at rock bottom, and of course she fell for you. But you were never over Jennifer."
He shook his head. "Whatever, man. Just... hope you can live with this secret. Hope you won't regret it."
Anthony drained his glass. Each word came deliberate and sharp.
"I will never regret it."
That one sentence tore apart the last of my illusions like claws ripping through flesh.
Tomorrow was the Moon Festival. The pack territories buzzed with preparations.
Just this morning, Anthony had fucked me senseless. His teeth at my throat. Swearing how much he loved me.
Now every word felt like silver in my veins.
I collapsed onto a bench near the territory border, tears streaming down my face.
All those buried memories came flooding back.
Jennifer loved my former mate Ledger desperately. The day he and I completed our claiming ceremony, she couldn't handle it. She left a suicide note and jumped into the Silver River.
Even though Jennifer was a strong swimmer. Even though she was my father's bastard daughter.
My mother still dove in to save her.
So many pack members filmed it. I watched the footage again and again. My mother lifted Jennifer toward the surface. Jennifer pressed down on her shoulders. Used her feet to push my mother's head underwater.
That was how my mother drowned.
When I arrived, Jennifer wept pitifully. "I just lost my head for a moment, sister. Please don't blame me. When she saved me, she must have wanted me to live well..."
I broke down.
I demanded to know why she'd pushed my mother under when she could swim perfectly well.
She just kept crying. Insisting it wasn't intentional.
I brought murder charges before the pack court.
Then Ledger suddenly rejected our mate bond. He claimed Jennifer instead.
He said: "I won't let you hurt Jennifer."
Chapter 2
That single sentence sent me plummeting into the abyss.
Then the pack erupted with rumors. They said I was using my mother's death for sympathy. For attention. For power.
They called me jealous.
They said that was why my fated mate rejected me.
The pressure nearly suffocated me. I had a complete breakdown. My wolf went silent for weeks.
But I never gave up seeking justice.
My mother cared for me. Protected me for twenty-three years. How could I abandon her?
That was when Anthony began his relentless pursuit.
He brought me meals when I forgot to eat. He sat outside my door during the nights I couldn't sleep. His wolf stayed pressed against my wards, a constant, steady presence.
Such careful attention. Such devoted protection.
I saw him as my salvation.
I accepted his claiming bite.
After our mating ceremony under the full moon, the pack court declared Jennifer innocent.
So I tried to let go. I wanted his pup. I just... wanted us to feel like a real pack. A real family.
I never imagined my salvation was just proof of his love for Jennifer all along.
Anthony appeared beside me, his heavy coat draped over my shoulders before I even heard him approach.
The moment he saw my face, his furrowed brow relaxed. Concern flickered through his amber eyes.
"You disappeared without a word. I was worried sick." He crouched in front of me. "It's getting colder every day. I'm buried in territory disputes with the northern packs - if you get sick, how am I supposed to take care of you?"
I wasn't surprised he had found me.
He had installed a tracking spell on my phone. He said he was afraid my depression would make me do something dangerous. That he wanted to protect me.
I had believed him.
Now I knew better. He just wanted to make sure I never went after Jennifer.
I blinked. My tears had dried long ago.
Snowflakes drifted down from the gray sky.
"The elders say the Moon Goddess listens closest during the first snow." My voice came out hollow. "That's why I came out here."
First wish: sever my mate bond with Anthony. Cleanly. Completely.
Second wish: never see his face again after I left this territory.
Third wish: for my mother not to hate me.
Not to hate me for falling in love with the Alpha who protected her killer. For wanting to carry his pup.
Anthony draped his own jacket over my shoulders. He tapped my nose playfully.
"Then you should dress warmer, little wolf." He rubbed my frozen hands between his. "Look at these. Freezing."
"What did you pray for?"
I watched him perform his caring act.
Felt nothing.
"About us." I pulled my hands back. "And about my mother."
Anthony's face went rigid. He studied me carefully.
"Jennifer is your half-sister. Blood runs thicker than water." He chose his words slowly. "She was devastated when your mother died too. You two are each other's only family now." He paused. "It has been three years. Maybe..."
I knew exactly what he was getting at.
"I know." My voice stayed flat. "I won't cause trouble anymore."
I had already brought charges. Jennifer was acquitted.
I did not appeal back then.
Even if I withdrew the forgiveness letter now, it would not change a thing.
Anthony relaxed. Relief flickered across his face.
"Baby." He cupped my cheek. "I am so glad you can let this go."
"The new moon brings a new start. Just us two now. We are going to be so happy."
I listened in silence.
He took me home.
Finn was already gone. Anthony muttered something about border patrols and pressing pack business, then disappeared into his office.
I sat there numbly. Emotions crashed over me in waves.
Until finally -
I pulled out the mate-bond dissolution papers.
And signed my name.
Chapter 3
I signed the papers without hesitation and headed straight to his office.
The door was half-open. No one inside.
It was my first time entering Anthony's office alone. Neat. Clean. Everything in its place.
A framed photo of Jennifer sat on his desk.
Scattered drafts lined the desk edge. Her name was scrawled across them. Over and over. Every stroke filled with boyish devotion. The kind an Alpha should only write for his Luna.
I thought I could handle this calmly.
I couldn't.
My heart felt like it was being crushed in a wolf's jaw. Suffocating pain.
Then I saw the elegant gift box on the corner of his desk.
Inside sat a stunning sapphire necklace. Priceless. Irreplaceable. The center stone was the size of a quail egg, surrounded by delicate diamonds that caught the moonlight through the window.
I loved sapphires. Their cool, proud beauty.
But Anthony always gave me gold.
He would say, "Gold holds its value above all else. Besides, you are beautiful, little wolf. You look regal in anything."
I had believed every word.
Now I held the sapphire necklace in my trembling hands. The stones shimmered faintly, like the necklace itself was alive. On the back, two letters were engraved.
JB.
Jennifer Browning.
My breath caught. I laughed through my tears.
Finally. I finally understood everything.
I fled his self-made prison of love.
Enough. It was really enough. I needed to get far away from this territory.
I contacted a rogue contact through the old network. Made the arrangements. A body double. A staged drowning. Everything had to look real.
Now I just had to wait for the pack council to retrieve the settlement documents Anthony had hidden for three years.
Anthony did not come home that night.
The next evening, he returned with a smile stretched wide across his face. "Phoebe. Tomorrow is the Moon Festival - and your sister's birthday. Let's celebrate together."
"I already sent word to Jennifer. Using your name." He squeezed my shoulder. "You two have been distant too long. It's time to heal this rift between sisters." His amber eyes met mine. "For me. Please?"
I looked at him.
He coaxed me gently. His dark eyes held nothing but apparent sincerity. Devotion. The same look he gave me during that darkest year. The year he took the blade from my shaking hands. The year he pulled me back from the edge.
"Fine." My voice didn't waver. "I will go."
He wanted this.
I would give it to him.
Consider it repayment for every time he kept me breathing through my worst episodes.
Moon Festival night.
Anthony had reserved the entire hunting lodge for us.
Jennifer arrived in a pristine white dress. She looked every bit the innocent she-wolf she pretended to be.
Anthony dropped my hand immediately. He walked straight to her.
"Jennifer. Happy birthday." He presented the gift box. "This is for you."
I recognized it.
The sapphire necklace.
Of course. Of course it was always meant for her.
Seeming to suddenly remember I existed, Anthony added stiffly, "Your sister helped me pick it out."
Jennifer raised an elegant eyebrow. "Thank you. I absolutely love it."
She fastened it around her throat immediately.
After Anthony excused himself to speak with the lodge staff about our meal, Jennifer dropped her sweet smile. She walked toward me slowly.
"The Luna of Duncan Pack still remembers her poor little sister." Her voice dripped with mockery. "How sweet."
"But you do realize your precious Alpha is just my second choice, right?"
I glanced at her and sat down calmly.
"That all you came here to say?"
Her expression flickered with irritation when I didn't shatter. Then her smile sharpened into something vicious.
"Of course not. You gave me a gift. So I brought one for you too."
She pulled out a green jade bracelet. My mother's bracelet.
She tossed it on the table like garbage.
My blood ran cold. My wolf snapped to attention, hackles raised.
This was the bracelet from my mother's burial urn. The one I had placed there with my own hands at her funeral rite.
How the hell did Jennifer get her claws on it?
