Chapter 1"Dad, Beta Celeste said she's having your baby. She said once it's born, she can move in with us and play with me. Is that true?"
My own kid—helping the woman trying to replace me.
She was seven. Already knew exactly how to stab me in the heart.
I didn't say a word.
Everyone thought I was still deaf. Still wolfless. Still the useless Luna who couldn't survive without him.
They didn't know—my hearing came back a week ago. My wolf too.
So I left. One-way ticket north. Never looked back.
Months later, the scumbag tracked me down.
Got on his knees. Begged me to come back.
My daughter? Wrapped around my leg screaming "Mom."
That's when the man beside me stepped forward. Pulled me close.
"Back off. YOU ALL should call her queen now."
---
My daughter was exposing her dad's affair in front of everyone.
"Dad," Nova's voice rang out, bright and clear enough for everyone at the bonfire to hear.
"Beta Celeste said she's having your baby. She said once it's born, she can move in with us and play with me. Is that true?"
The laughter around us stuttered to a halt.
I didn't look up. Just kept eating what was on my plate.
Cassius reached over and set a glass of juice in front of me, smooth as if nothing had happened. His voice dropped low, but stayed steady in a way that was almost ridiculous.
"Nova, your mom and I made vows in front of the Moon Goddess. She's my only Luna. Anyone who betrays that bond has to get out of the other person's world and never come back."
He paused. Glanced at me.
I chewed without expression.
"So when the baby comes, I won't let them appear in front of your mom. I mean it."
Then he turned to me. Started signing with his hands.
[Honey, is the juice good?]
I pulled the corner of my mouth up at him.
He thought I understood. Thought I was still that useless Luna—deaf, wolfless, couldn't survive without him.
He didn't know my wolf came back a week ago. That my hearing came back too.
And he definitely didn't know that just yesterday, I heard him tell Celeste in the next room, "I'll come find you once she's gone."
I put down my fork.
[Done eating?]
[Tired. Heading back.] Lifted my hands and signed back slowly.
He stood up with me, started to lift his hand to sign something, but his friends grabbed him and pulled him back down.
"Luna's not feeling well, let her go. What's the rush? Celeste's about to get here anyway. You haven't seen her all day, have you?"
Nova immediately latched onto Cassius's sleeve. "Dad, I miss Aunt Celeste. Can we wait for her? I don't want to go back with Mom."
Cassius shot me a quick look.
My expression didn't change.
He let out a breath, frowning as he scolded Nova in a low voice. "Don't mention her in front of your mom."
Nova pouted. "Why not? Mom can't hear anyway."
I didn't say anything.
Just reached out and gently pushed Cassius back into his seat.
[I'll go back on my own. You guys have fun.]
I turned and left.
The moment I stepped out of the yard, someone slammed into my shoulder.
Celeste strutted past me in her heels, didn't even slow down.
I stumbled a step but caught myself. She didn't even glance at me. Just walked straight toward Cassius and Nova.
Nova stretched out her arms, and Celeste scooped her up without hesitation.
"Aunt Celeste! Did you miss me?"
"Of course I did, sweetheart!"
"Then you deserve a reward."
Nova wrapped her arms around Celeste's neck and planted a loud kiss on her cheek.
The whole thing was so seamless it hurt to watch. Nova had never kissed me like that.
Celeste set Nova down, draped her arm over Cassius's waist, tilted her face up at him. Cassius looked at her with a gentleness I'd never seen before.
Then she stood on her toes and kissed him.
Slow. Deep. Didn't care who was watching.
Cassius let out a muffled laugh. "Alright, alright. You've been clingy for months now."
None of his friends thought anything was wrong. Nova just stood there watching, grinning.
I stood outside the yard gate, freezing cold all over.
So everyone knew. The whole time, I was the only one kept in the dark.
The crowd started hooting.
Celeste smirked, looking pleased with herself. Someone shouted, "Cassius, when was the last time you two hooked up?"
Cassius ducked his head, pretending to be embarrassed.
Celeste was shameless about it, voice loud and clear. "Two nights ago. In the room next to his master bedroom."
My lips moved along with hers.
I knew. Of course I knew. I heard it.
A few heirs from nearby packs were cracking up.
"Nice, Cassius!"
"That's what I'm talking about! You're about to be Alpha, you got everything—who's gonna stay celibate with our status?"
"She can't hear anyway, and she doesn't have a wolf to sense your bond. She'll never find out. You're living the dream, man!"
Cassius's smile dropped. His face darkened. "Even if Lyra can't hear you, don't keep bringing it up in front of her."
No one listened. They just laughed harder.
Nova piped up again, voice loud as hell.
"Don't worry, Dad! Mom won't know. I'll keep your secret!"
The whole place erupted.
I stood outside. Couldn't move a step.
Someone lightly tapped my shoulder from behind. One of the pack elders lowered his head and started signing.
[Luna, do you need help?]
The noise inside cut off.
Everyone turned to look.
Cassius's face went white. He yanked himself away from Celeste, signing frantically, saying Celeste was just the Beta's daughter, and as the future Beta she needed extra attention, nothing more.
He didn't notice the lipstick smudge still on his mouth. Didn't notice Celeste's hand was still resting on his waist, hadn't moved at all.
She met my eyes. Mocking. Smug.
I smiled a little.
"Just came back to return the key."
I set the key on the table.
"You guys have fun."
I turned and walked away.
Through the crowd. Past the bonfire. Past all those people still laughing and messing around. Couldn't hear anything clearly. Couldn't see anything straight.
When I reached the main gate, I pulled the train ticket to the north territory from my pocket.
Three years ago on our honeymoon, he'd held my hand and said if we ever got separated, wait for him at the destination.
He doesn't have to wait anymore.
I bought a one-way ticket.
Chapter 2
When I got back to the place, I collapsed straight onto the bed. Didn't want to move at all. My head was empty. Just lay there staring at the ceiling.
The first time I met Cassius was at a mate gathering.
The second I saw him, I knew I was screwed. The Moon Goddess threw him in front of me just to mess with me.
He was my fated mate. I fell for him on the spot—completely.
After that, I started chasing him relentlessly.
The future Alpha. Untouchable. Rejected everyone who confessed. Didn't leave anyone any hope.
But I don't care about any of that.
I went to find him every day, whether he paid attention or not. Asked him out, brought him food, stuck to him, had zero shame. Chased him for three whole years.
I knew I was just a regular warrior. Didn't deserve him.
But I believed in the Moon Goddess.
If she tied us together, there had to be a reason. Didn't matter how many times he rejected me. I wasn't leaving.
Until one day he got completely fed up and said if I showed up in front of him again, he'd straight-up reject the mate bond.
That's when I finally backed off.
Then that night, rogues broke into patrol territory.
He was cornered at his front door. Rogues everywhere. The few guards who were there were on the ground. The rest ran back to the main camp to get the enforcers.
By the time I realized what I was doing, I was already standing in front of him.
I fought them off until the end.
By the time the rogues got thrown into the dungeon, I was already unconscious. Covered in blood. My wolf was gone because of it. My hearing too.
That's when he said yes.
I remember him holding me, hands shaking badly, voice cracking.
"Lyra? Lyra! Hang on—will you be my Luna?"
After we got together, my heart never changed. He kept getting better to me too.
Until Nova was born.
That kid hated that I was deaf. Hated that I was her mom. Hated that I wasn't good enough to be the Ravenclaw pack's Luna.
Cassius spent days teaching her sign language, just so she could talk to me.
The lock clicked, yanking me out of the memory.
I rolled over and closed my eyes, pretending to sleep.
Movement behind me. The mattress dipped. Then his hand reached over.
His breath hit the back of my neck.
Before, I would've turned around on my own. Kissed him. Clung to him. Would've given him everything.
Now I just felt sick.
The day my hearing came back, I was planning to tell him the good news.
But Nova suddenly stopped me. Said she needed help with homework. Pushed me toward the study.
"I don't want you bothering Mom Celeste," she muttered, head down.
Just that one sentence.
That's when I got it.
She wanted to replace me. All of them wanted to replace me.
They thought I was still deaf. Thought they had it all covered.
They were at it in the next room fucking all night. I leaned against the wall and listened to the whole thing. Start to finish. Didn't miss a word.
The next day I went to the North Territory warrior program registration site.
They needed instructors to train warriors from other packs. I filled out the form, signed the contract, bought a one-way ticket.
In seven days, once the approval came through, I was gone.
Cassius lifted the blanket and slid in, hand landing on my waist. Gave it a light squeeze.
I held still. Didn't move.
His fingers slid lower. The second they touched my thigh, all the sounds from that night flooded back.
His voice. Celeste's voice. The bed creaking.
I shot up and kicked him off the bed.
He yelped and hit the floor. Didn't get up for a while.
I froze. Instinct told me to reach out and help him up. I didn't move.
Cassius didn't get mad. He climbed up from the floor, first thing he did was check my face, asked carefully, "Lyra? What's wrong?"
I almost answered.
Then I remembered—I'm supposed to be deaf right now.
He paused, quickly caught on, switched to sign language.
[What's wrong?]
I signed back. [Nothing. Just not feeling well.]
Something flickered across his face. Like he suddenly remembered something. His whole body panicked. He leaned in closer, started explaining, hands flying.
[Lyra, Celeste is just the Beta's daughter, the future Beta. There's nothing between us. Don't overthink it.]
I didn't respond.
[Just tired. Good night.]
I turned over. My back to him.
He stayed frozen behind me for a long time.
Then I heard him say something very quietly. "Lyra... trust me. I really do love you. Without you, my wolf can't survive either."
Tears slid from the corner of my eye. Silent.
Love me? Love me and still cheat?
I reached under the pillow, found the train ticket, and held it tight.
Three days from now. North Territory.
The people there said once I arrive, report straight to the Silverwind pack. Take over those wild little wolf pups no one's been managing.
Better than staying here.
Chapter 3
The next morning, Cassius said he wanted to take us out.
Maybe he noticed I'd been off the past couple days. Maybe his conscience was finally catching up with him. When he signed, he moved super slow, word by word.
[We haven't gone out together in a while. How about we take Nova out today?]
After he finished, he rubbed his hands together, looking at me all hopeful, like he was terrified I'd say no.
Nova didn't even rush him. Just stood there waiting, eyes bright.
When Cassius bent down to grab my coat, his collar shifted.
Red marks all over the side of his neck. Light, dark, some already turning purple.
Bite marks.
Celeste's.
I looked away.
Nova moved fast. I hadn't even nodded yet, and she was already dragging me outside. She held my hand tight the whole way, like she was scared I'd run off.
Cassius followed along, handing me water one second, asking if I wanted food the next. So attentive it was suffocating.
I frowned a little, and he immediately twisted the cap off and handed me the bottle.
I glanced twice at some vendor's booth, and he ran straight over to buy something.
Before, when I wanted to ride that spinning swing, they both said they were scared and wouldn't come with me. Today they both got on.
Cassius's face was white when he got off, but his hand still wouldn't let go of mine.
Nova curled up in my arms, laughing. Said this was the happiest day of her life.
Then Cassius pulled out three bracelets like he was doing a magic trick.
Moonstone. Glowing faintly.
He put them on us one by one, expression serious as hell.
"Got these from the Moonlight Witch. She said if we wear these, our family will never be separated."
I didn't say anything.
He pulled my hand over and pressed it against his chest. His heartbeat was pounding. I could feel it through his shirt.
"Feel that?" His voice was soft. "It's all you in here. Always been you."
Nova was smiling so hard her eyes turned into crescents. "A family should always be together! I'm so happy!"
I looked at both their faces. My chest burned.
You say it's all me in there. Then what's Celeste? What's the baby in her belly?
You're sleeping with someone else and putting on this act in front of me—aren't you tired?
I didn't say a word.
Cassius's smile froze halfway. That's when he remembered I couldn't hear. He hurried to sign it all again.
I almost laughed.
"You sure," I stared at him, voice flat, "I'm the only one in your heart?"
Panic flashed across his face for a second, but he pushed it down fast, forced out a smile, and signed quickly.
[Of course there's our daughter too. My heart belongs to both of you.]
Nova joined in, signing with exaggerated movements.
[Mom, you're not jealous of me, are you?]
She wasn't even done signing when Cassius's phone rang.
He walked off to the side to answer it. Less than a minute later, he came back. His face didn't look good. When he signed, he wouldn't even look at me.
[Lyra, there's something urgent at the pack. I need to go handle it.]
"Dad, I'm coming with you." Nova said right away.
He grabbed Nova and left. Steps quick and rushed.
As he turned, I caught a glimpse of his phone screen.
Caller ID: Celeste.
I slowly stood up, pulled off the bracelet, and tossed it into a nearby trash can.
Turned and left.
Go ahead. I don't share.
From that day on, Cassius and Nova barely showed up.
When they did come back, it was always in a rush. Grabbed some stuff and left. Both of them looked exhausted. The second they saw me, they'd avoid me. Like they were scared I'd ask something.
I didn't bother asking.
They thought I was deaf. Thought I didn't know anything. So I'd keep pretending.
Celeste's social media, though? Updated every single day.
Day one: Nova sitting in a new car, smiling. Caption said "Gift from godmother." In the corner of the photo, half of Cassius's body was in frame. He was driving.
Day two: Cassius wearing an apron, busy in the kitchen. Cutting board covered in ingredients. Celeste took a side profile shot of him. Added a heart.
Every post had comments underneath. Congratulations. Teasing. People egging her on to "make it official soon."
Day three: Nova lying on Celeste's belly, listening. Cassius crouched next to them. One arm around Nova, the other hand resting on Celeste's waist. All three of them smiling like a real family.
Caption was just one word: Complete.
I stared at that photo for a long time.
Then I started packing.
Every photo in the album—I tore them up one by one. Threw them in the fireplace and burned them clean.
The glass greenhouse in the backyard—they built it for me years ago. I had people come tear it down. Didn't leave a single piece of glass.
His stuff in the closet—packed it all up and shoved it in the storage room.
I packed my own things into one suitcase.
Right then, the door opened.
Cassius stood in the doorway. Nova behind him.
His hair was a mess. Eyes red as hell. Clearly hadn't slept in days. He was clutching a stack of papers. His knuckles were white.
He looked at me. Raised his hand. Signed slowly. Like he was scared of getting a single word wrong.
[Lyra... this document says you applied for the North Territory warrior program. You're going there to be an instructor?]
His hand stopped midair. Stayed there for a long time.
[Is it true?]
