Chapter 1My Alpha lost his memory after a car crash - woke up calling my best friend his fated mate.
To keep him from spiraling, I stepped aside. Let Lilith play his Luna.
The deal? Fake courtship. No marking. No knotting.
Once his memory returned, we'd go back to how we were.
Six. Fucking. Moons.
Still nothing. Not a flicker of recognition.
Then I found a post on the PackNet forum:
"Hit my head. Now I'm into my mate's best she-wolf. How do I tell my Luna?"
Top comment:
"Keep faking, bro. Fuck her till you're bored, then 'remember'."
He'd liked it.
I looked up from my screen.
Daniel was staring at Lilith - eyes full of that deep, possessive glow. The one he used to save for me.
The amnesia? Fake.
The betrayal? Real.
Fuck this.
Game over, Alpha Sinclair.
...
"Stella, you're back early."
"Daniel and I just hit the butcher. Making your favorite bone broth tonight - sound good?"
Daniel followed her in.
Gave me a stiff nod, then padded straight to the kitchen.
Ever since his "accident," I'd become a guest in their den. Just to stay close.
I WAS his real Luna. His chosen mate for four years.
But I had to watch him scent another she-wolf like she was his world.
Every time they brushed fur or shared a growl of affection in front of me?
My wolf clawed at my ribs.
All I could do was repeat the same mantra:
Once his memories heal, everything goes back.
I held on for six moons.
He never remembered.
Instead, I found out he'd fallen for Lilith - for real.
Lilith followed my gaze to Daniel at the stove. Leaned close, voice low.
"I'm so sorry, Stella. I've tried everything - herbs, moon rituals - but he still doesn't see you."
I looked down. Bitter smile.
She had no idea.
You can't wake a wolf who's pretending to sleep.
"But don't worry. I've got your back. I won't let him knot anyone else."
I hummed. My chest ached like a wound.
"Just came to grab something. Gotta head out again."
Right then, Daniel called her in to help.
She practically bounded over.
"Go do your thing, Stella. Dinner'll be ready when you're back."
I stood there.
Watched Lilith hold her bloodied paws up to Daniel's nose.
"Smell. Do I stink of garlic?"
Daniel licked her fingers. Smiled.
"Never. You always smell like moonflower."
They laughed, nipped at each other - like a true mated pair.
It was exactly how I'd imagined our den life would be.
Except I wasn't the one curled beside him.
Maybe he thought I'd already left.
Daniel asked Lilith, casual as a tail flick.
"Stella's been denning with us six moons. Still hasn't found her own territory?"
Lilith stumbled. "No. It's not safe for a lone she-wolf. Rent's brutal. She's closer to work here. I feel better with her around. Why ask?"
Daniel kept peeling hides. Voice firm.
"Let's ask her to move out. Three wolves under one roof is awkward. Every time I want to mount you, I have to check if she's listening. And I hate seeing you hold back because of her. You said you'd make your favorite ribs tonight - but the second Stella showed, you switched to broth. This is YOUR den. Why do you act like a guest?"
Lilith paused. Then suddenly kissed his cheek - a quick, wet lick.
My wolf snarled.
I dug my claws into my palm.
The scent of their bond - fresh, raw - hit my nose like silver.
I turned and walked out before I could shift and tear them both apart.
Outside, the twin moons hung cold above Shadowpine City.
I threw my head back and let out a low, choked howl - not for help, but for goodbye.
Because I knew now.
My Alpha wasn't lost.
He'd chosen.
And I was done choosing him.
Chapter 2
Lilith's kiss burned through me like silver through fur.
She'd sworn on the Moon she'd keep her fangs off Daniel.
When I was around, she barely even scented him.
But now? She licked his cheek like it was nothing.
Had they already knotted behind my back?
"I know you care about me."
"Let's talk later. It's hard to find a den right now anyway."
Daniel had clearly planned this.
"I already had a buddy scope out two lairs. Both close to us. And close to her hunting grounds."
Lilith nodded, no fight left.
"Then... I'll tell Stella when she gets back."
My eyes stung. I blinked hard and scanned the den.
I'd decorated every corner myself. Painted the walls with moon-ash pigment. Hung the pelts I'd hunted with my own claws.
It was supposed to be OUR den.
But after Daniel's "amnesia," I went from Luna to stray.
All my things got shoved into the tiny back room - the one meant for storage.
In just six moons, Lilith had erased my scent from every inch.
And now Daniel wanted me gone for good.
Their laughter drifted from the kitchen - warm, intimate - and sliced my ears raw.
I took a breath. Held it.
Slipped out the door without a sound.
Instead of heading back to pack duties, I ran to the Healer's Clinic.
Clung to one last shred of hope.
Maybe that post wasn't his.
Maybe he really hadn't gotten his memories back.
Maybe he only treated Lilith like his mate because he truly thought she was me.
"Daniel Sinclair?"
Healer Jones finally pulled his file from the stack.
"I called him three moons ago for a follow-up. He said his memory returned."
"I remember - it was the Harvest Moon Festival. I congratulated him. Told him perfect timing, coming back together on a day like that."
I froze.
Harvest Moon.
That was the day Lilith's parents came to visit.
Daniel drove to the border crossing himself. Welcomed them into our den like family.
Same day, my parents showed up at the pack gates with bags full of offerings.
He told the gate guards he didn't know them.
Had them turned away.
I couldn't hide it after that.
Had to tell my parents about Daniel's "accident."
My mom sighed over the call, trying to comfort me.
"As long as he's healthy, that's what matters. The Healer said it's only a matter of time before he remembers."
Turns out - Daniel had already remembered.
He knew Lilith wasn't his fated.
He knew I was the one he'd courted for four years. The one he'd promised to bond with under the full moon.
But he still chose to fetch Lilith's parents.
Still had mine thrown out like rogues.
He'd already decided to stay "amnesiac" forever.
Healer Jones looked at me, brow furrowed.
"Is something wrong with him now?"
I shook my head. Forced a bitter smile.
"Just checking. Wanted to make sure there's no leftover damage."
Jones chuckled. Gave a teasing growl.
"Don't worry. He came in for a full check. He's fine. Won't affect your mating ceremony or the knotting."
After the crash, Daniel had been unconscious for an entire week.
I took leave from patrol. Stayed curled by his bed the whole time.
But the one moment I stepped out - just to settle a bill downstairs - I asked Lilith to watch him.
That's when he woke up.
No matter how desperately I howled the truth, he insisted Lilith was his girlfriend.
Jones said his brain couldn't handle stress.
Told me the same thing back then:
"I know you love him. I know you're bonded. Don't worry - three moons, tops. He'll remember. It won't affect your ceremony."
Funny how things turn out.
Our bonding meremony? Probably never happening now.
Chapter 3
In the descent shaft, I replayed the last three moons in my head.
His acting was pathetic. Like a pup faking a limp.
I'd just been making excuses for him - scenting lies and calling them truth.
Lost in thought, I followed some random she-wolf off at the wrong floor.
By the time I snapped out of it, I was already halfway down the Whelping Clinic corridor.
I turned to head back.
That's when I caught his scent.
Daniel.
Wasn't he supposed to be back at the den, cooking with Lilith?
I froze at the doorway. Heard the Healer inside.
"She's pregnant. Eight weeks."
"Do you want to keep the pup?"
Lilith hadn't even answered.
Daniel jumped in.
"Yes. We're keeping it."
He snatched the ultrasound parchment from the Healer's hand.
Pulled Lilith into his arms.
"Did you hear that? We're having a pup!"
He was already planning everything.
"Let's bond before you start showing. I'll call my parents tomorrow. I know it's rushed. I know it's not perfect. But I promise - you'll have everything a Luna deserves."
Daniel had his back to the door.
Lilith, though - she looked up. Our eyes locked.
The color drained from her muzzle.
She shoved Daniel off her.
He turned, following her gaze.
The second he saw me, panic flashed in his pupils.
"Stella? I thought you went to patrol. What the hell are you doing at the Whelping Clinic?"
I ignored him.
My eyes stayed fixed on Lilith.
"You're pregnant?"
She looked down. Wouldn't meet my gaze.
Daniel stepped in front of her.
"We're engaged! Things got heated in the nest, we forgot the herbs. It happens."
I let out a bitter laugh - low and hollow.
Wasn't even sure if I was talking to him or myself.
"Right. YOU TWO are the engaged ones now."
On the ride back, Lilith sat next to me in dead silence.
Daniel kept checking the rearview mirror - like I'd lunge and tear out her throat any second.
My wolf snarled at the insult.
I looked down at my phone. Texted the Pack Assigner.
"I'll take the transfer to Milan Territory."
At the midyear council, they'd announced expansion into the eastern lands. Needed enforcers from the regional packs.
Lucky me.
I was the only one in the clan who'd studied their hunting dialects.
Even if Daniel hadn't "lost his memory," I never would've done long-distance with him.
Once, I chose Daniel over my rank.
Never again.
From now on? I choose my own fur.
When we got back to the den, I found out why they'd rushed to the clinic.
While prepping the evening meal, Lilith had suddenly retched - her stomach rejecting raw meat.
Daniel panicked. Thought something was poisoning her.
Now that we were home, he fretted over every scent in the air. Worried the smell of food would trigger her again.
He suggested I take over the cooking.
Lilith looked at me. Hesitated.
"But Stella doesn't cook."
Daniel helped her settle onto the furs.
"She can learn. You can't expect a pregnant she-wolf to do everything."
The word pregnant sliced through my ribs like a claw.
I turned and padded into the kitchen.
Daniel followed.
Locked the door behind us.
His Alpha aura pressed down - heavy, suffocating.
"If anything happens to Lilith or my pup?" He bared his fangs. "You'll pay with your hide."
