Chapter 1My Alpha is a judge. The whole pack thinks he's perfect.
But when our pup ended up in the ICU - beaten so badly he almost died - my Alpha did nothing.
You know who put him there?
His first she-wolf's son.
Ten years.
I lived like a ghost in my own mating bond.
Separate dens. Separate lives.
Then I found out he'd been protecting her all along.
Spending our pack money on her.
Using his power to shield her brat while our own pup bled.
So I dragged them BOTH to the Pack Council.
And made sure the WHOLE TERRITORY was watching.
He thought I'd stay quiet?
He was WRONG.
...
The day our pup Jeremy was born, my Alpha - the honorable judge - kicked me out of our den.
"I'm not rejecting you. Jeremy deserves to grow up in a stable pack."
He said it like he was passing a sentence.
"But don't expect anything else from me."
From that moment on, I became invisible to him.
I could trip and fall right in front of him, and he wouldn't even flinch.
My wolf curled inside me, whimpering. He never heard her.
His political enemies went digging. Desperate to find dirt.
Mistresses. Affairs. Anything.
They came up empty.
Because ten years of mating, and there wasn't a single photo of us kissing in public.
Not even one shot of us holding hands.
When reporters pressed him, he gave them his trademark answer:
"What my Luna and I share is private. That's how it should be."
The pack ate it up.
So respectful. So disciplined. A wolf of integrity.
Only I knew the truth.
Ten years. I was his Luna in name only.
Until the day our pup ended up in the ICU.
Beaten so badly at school. Brain bleed. Broken rib.
Machines keeping him alive.
My Alpha - the judge - didn't rush to file charges.
Instead, he stalled. Delayed. Hid behind bullshit excuses about "procedure" and "impartiality."
My wolf clawed at my ribs. I couldn't take it anymore.
One afternoon, I left the healing den early and went home. Desperate for answers.
That's when I heard him on the phone with his Beta.
"Ricky, if your Luna finds out the real reason you're dragging this out - that the pup who put Jeremy in the healing den is Ella's son - she'll reject you on the spot."
"She won't find out."
Ella. Ella Dorsey. My Alpha Ricky's first she-wolf.
I stood in the hallway, frozen. The truth gutted me.
Even my wolf went still.
He wasn't impartial. He wasn't honorable.
The pack laws he swore to uphold? They'd been tipped for years.
Just not for me.
It was the middle of July, but I felt frozen to the bone.
From his study, Ricky's voice drifted out - calm. Almost bored.
"Even if she finds out, what's she gonna do? Leave?"
His Beta laughed. "Guess not. She's stuck around this long."
Yeah. They were right.
After Jeremy was born, I'd played the devoted Luna for ten years.
Never once threatening rejection. Never making waves.
And Ricky? He'd learned exactly what that meant.
I was too in love to leave. Too weak.
His Beta's voice turned teasing.
"Brother, I still can't believe you're carrying a torch for Ella after all these years. That she-wolf was chaos."
"She was your only scandal, man. Mr. Perfect's one and only fckup."*
"Remember when you two got busted hooking up in the Pack Trainer's office? She stood up at that assembly - in front of the entire pack - and asked if her lip gloss tasted good. I thought I was gonna shift from laughing!"
Their laughter rang through the house.
I stood in the hallway, nauseous. My wolf snarled low in my chest.
Hooking up in a trainer's office?
This was the same wolf who wiped his hands with sanitizer if he accidentally touched me.
The same wolf who built a career on being untouchable.
And I was supposed to believe he used to sneak around pack grounds with some she-wolf, making out in empty dens like a horny teenager?
The bile rose fast.
I barely made it to the bathroom before I doubled over the sink, dry-heaving. Nothing came up but acid.
I hadn't eaten in three days. Hadn't slept.
I'd been camped out at the Pack Enforcers' post, the Alpha Council's office - anywhere I thought might help move Jeremy's case forward.
Meanwhile, Ricky was in his study, laughing about his ex.
When I came out, his Beta was gone.
Ricky sat at his desk, flipping through case files like it was just another moon cycle.
He glanced up. Took in my bloodshot eyes, my hollow cheeks.
His lips pressed together. He looked away.
"The evidence isn't solid enough yet. The hearing's delayed. You panicking isn't going to change that."
Same bullshit.
If I hadn't overheard that call, I'd still believe him.
I stepped into the doorway.
"What do I have to do to get you to move this case forward?"
He frowned, already gearing up another excuse.
I cut him off.
"If you schedule the trial, I'll sign the rejection papers."
He went completely still.
"Are you kidding me right now?" His voice turned sharp.
"If every Enforcer's mate or Alpha's Luna started pulling stunts like this - blackmail, manipulation - the whole pack law would collapse. You get that, right?
"Jeremy's getting bullied because he takes after you. Selfish. Entitled."
The words hit like a claw to the chest.
He was the one protecting his ex's pup.
He was abusing his position.
And somehow, I was the villain?
My wolf surged. My claws bit into my palms.
I opened my mouth to argue -
He stood up and slammed the door in my face.
The sound echoed through the house. Through my chest.
My wolf let out a silent, broken whine.
I stood there for a long moment, staring at the wood grain.
My phone buzzed. The defense attorney I'd hired last week.
He cleared his throat awkwardly. "Luna Cairns... I'm really sorry, but I can't take this case. You're gonna need to find someone else."
My hand tightened around the phone. I tasted copper.
"Did someone tell you to drop it?"
"Sorry. I can't answer that."
He hung up.
Whatever. I didn't need him to answer.
There was only one wolf in this territory with enough pull to scare off a top defense attorney.
My Alpha. Ricky Cairns.
I stared at the phone for a second. Then I called him back.
"You won't take the criminal case. Fine. But you'll take a civil suit, right?"
A pause.
"Well, I need a rejection lawyer."
Chapter 2
I went straight to Jeremy's den.
He was out of the critical ward, but he still looked like he might shatter. Bandages wrapped around his head. Cheeks hollow. Skin the color of old ash.
When he saw me, his whole face lit up - then his eyes shot past me to the doorway.
Waiting.
When nobody else walked in, his face crumbled.
"Dad didn't come again?"
I forced a smile.
"He's working on your case, pup. Making sure the wolves who hurt you can't get away with it."
The lie burned going down.
My wolf whined softly inside me.
Before I could say anything else, heels clicked down the hallway.
A voice rang out - loud. Cheerful.
"Laura! There you are!"
I froze. My wolf's hackles rose.
Ella walked in like she owned the pack, carrying a fruit basket that looked three days past rotten and a bouquet of white lilies.
And right behind her? Drake. The pup who'd nearly killed my son.
She flashed me a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"I've been trying to get ahold of you. Did you think about what we discussed? The settlement?"
Drake locked eyes with Jeremy and flipped him off.
Jeremy went stiff as a board. Pure terror washed over his face. I could feel his wolf pup cowering.
I stepped between them.
"Get out."
Ella's smile stayed plastered on.
"Come on, Laura. Let's not be dramatic. Pups fight. That's what they do. You're making this into something it's not."
My hands started shaking. My claws bit into my palms.
"Pups fight?" My voice cracked.
"Your pup put mine in the critical ward with a broken rib and bleeding in his brain. You think that's just pups being pups?"
Her smile finally slipped.
I took a step closer. My wolf pushed forward. My voice dropped low.
"You want to settle this? Fine. We'll settle it the second your pup has a broken rib too."
Her face went hard. She yanked Drake behind her like I was the dangerous one.
Drake peeked around her shoulder, smirking.
"Mom, Alpha Cairns said we don't have to worry. He said she can't touch us."
Alpha Cairns.
Everything went white-hot.
My wolf lunged.
I slapped him across the face without hesitation.
The crack echoed. Drake's head snapped to the side. Then he started screaming - high-pitched, theatrical wailing.
"YOU JUST ASSAULTED MY PUP!"
Ella came at me like a rogue wolf. She grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked me backward. Her claws raked down my face.
I hit the floor. She didn't stop. Slapping. Clawing. Screaming in my face.
My ribs screamed. I couldn't breathe. Couldn't see straight.
From the bed, Jeremy was sobbing.
"STOP! LEAVE HER ALONE! MOM!"
He tried to climb out of bed. That's when I saw it - blood soaking through the bandages on his side.
My wolf howled inside my chest.
By the time pack security dragged her off me, Ella looked barely mussed. Hair a little messy.
I was on the floor in a heap. Blood streaming from my nose. Shirt ripped half off. Every breath felt like knives.
My wolf was pacing, snarling, begging to shift.
When the pack enforcers showed up, they took one look at both of us.
Ella, tears streaming down her face, clutching her pup.
Me, looking like I'd been through a shredder.
At the station, I asked for a healer. Told them I wanted to press charges.
The enforcer's whole demeanor shifted.
Suddenly, Ella wasn't the one who'd beaten me bloody - she was just a worried mother "defending her pup." And I was the aggressor. I needed to apologize.
I shot to my feet. The restraints slammed against the table.
Then I saw it - the way the enforcer's eyes flicked to his phone. The way his posture changed, like he was standing at attention for an Alpha.
I dropped back into the chair.
Ricky.
Of course it was fucking Ricky.
He'd protect her no matter what it cost me.
My throat locked up. My wolf tried to surface, but I forced her down.
I refused to apologize.
They threw me in pack lockup for three days.
Seventy-two hours that felt like drowning in slow motion. The air reeked of piss and old blood. Every minute crawled by like broken glass scraping against my skin.
In the dark, my mind kept circling back. Ten years ago. That night. Too much wine. Bad choices. A pregnancy test with two pink lines.
Ricky told me to keep the pup. Said he'd mate me. Said we'd figure it out together.
I thought he'd finally seen me.
Turns out I'd just trapped myself.
My wolf let out a long, broken whine.
When they finally let me out, I looked like absolute shit.
Hair matted. Clothes reeking. My wolf weak and starving.
I went straight to the healing den.
Jeremy's private room was gone.
Some stranger was in there now. An old she-wolf hooked up to IVs.
They'd shoved Jeremy into a shared ward.
Four beds crammed together.
The second Jeremy saw me, he broke down.
He threw himself into my arms. His whole body shook. His wolf pup whimpered against mine.
"Mom - Dad said it's my fault - he said I got bullied because I was bad - because I deserved it - but I wasn't, Mom, I SWEAR - "
My claws extended. I bit down on the inside of my cheek until I tasted blood.
I held him. Rocked him. Told him over and over that none of this - none of it - was his fault.
When he finally stopped shaking, I kissed his forehead and walked out.
My wolf was snarling low and constant.
I made it halfway down the hall before I froze.
Through the window of a private suite I saw him.
Ricky.
Chapter 3
Ricky.
Drake tucked under his arm like he belonged there.
An older she-wolf in the bed held Ella's hand, pressing it into Ricky's palm. Her voice shook.
"Ricky, sweetheart, Ella's been through hell. That rogue walked out on her and Drake without looking back. I don't know what she would've done without you."
Ricky - the Alpha who sanitized his hands after accidentally brushing against me - held on tight.
His voice was soft. A gentleness I'd never heard.
"Don't worry. I'll take care of them. Both of them."
The pain hit like a claw to the chest.
My wolf went deadly still. Then she snarled.
I lifted my phone. Hit record. Captured the whole scene - this perfect little pack, all warmth and belonging.
Fine, Ricky. You can't let her go? I'll help you out.
Two weeks later, the trial got delayed again. "Insufficient evidence."
I'd known it was coming. Didn't stop it from gutting me.
That same morning, Jeremy was supposed to go back to pack school for the first time since the attack.
I shoved everything down. Forced a smile.
Outside the school entrance, he wouldn't look at me. Just stared at his paws - no, his shoes.
"Mom... Drake's really gonna get arrested, right?"
My throat burned. I pulled him close.
"Yes. I swear. Every wolf who hurt you is going to pay."
Every single one of them.
I promise, pup.
It took less than twenty-four hours.
Drake cornered Jeremy in the locker room. Slapped him. Forced him to his knees in front of the other pups.
When I got to the healing den, Ricky was already there - phone to his ear.
"Just keep it quiet for now - "
I didn't even think.
My hand flew across his face.
The crack echoed. He stumbled back, eyes wide.
Then his jaw locked. His wolf flashed behind his eyes.
"Can you stop making everything about your feelings? I'm trying to handle this the right way. You're just making it harder."
I was standing over Jeremy's bed, shaking all over. My claws punched out.
"GET. OUT."
He exhaled like I was being unreasonable. "I'll handle this. I told you."
I didn't want to hear it. Not another lie.
That afternoon, I went to the pack school district office myself. Filed an official complaint.
Two hours later, Drake was pulled from class for questioning.
Ella showed up at the healing den with Ricky right behind her.
She dropped to her knees the second she saw me - mascara streaking, hands clasped.
"Laura, please. He's just a little pup. This kind of interrogation will traumatize him. Please withdraw the complaint!"
I looked past her.
At Ricky.
For just a second, his face cracked - worry, heartbreak - and I caught it.
His OWN pup was in a healing den because of hers. And Ricky felt sorry for her.
My wolf let out a low, dangerous growl.
He bent down and pulled Ella to her feet, steadying her.
Then he turned to me. His voice was steel.
"Withdraw it."
I didn't blink.
"Over my dead body."
He pulled out his phone. Typed. Sent.
Thirty seconds later, my phone rang.
My boss.
"Laura - what did you do? The Alpha Council's office just called. Someone reported you for pack fund fraud. Don't come in tomorrow."
The line went dead.
I stood there. Ears ringing. My wolf pacing, snarling.
Ricky's face was blank. "You pushed me into this."
No. If I went to pack lockup, what would happen to Jeremy?
My wolf whined. I had no choice.
I withdrew the complaint.
They released Drake that same day.
I watched from across the room as the three of them hugged - Ricky, Ella, Drake - like they were the real pack.
One day. Two. Three.
Ricky never kept his word.
The charges didn't go away.
Instead, I got fired.
And Ella? She became his pack judicial assistant. Working directly under him.
He didn't even try to hide it.
My wolf wanted to shift and tear something apart.
I didn't ask why. What was the point?
He came to me anyway.
"It's not what you think. She's a lone mother. She needs stability."
Then - for the first time in years - he reached for me.
Wrapped his arms around me from behind.
I used to dream about this.
Now my wolf recoiled. My skin crawled.
I shoved him off. Let out a cold, bitter laugh.
"You think this'll make me back down? You're INSANE."
His face twisted. He stormed out.
The second the door closed, I grabbed my phone and texted my lawyer.
[Lawyer Reed. I've got everything we need. Let's move forward with the rejection.]
