“You think I want this?” she hisses. “You think I asked for this bond? I hate you. I hate everything about you. You killed my husband. You took everything from me!” “Then kill me,” I growl, my voice barely more than a whisper. “If you hate me so much, kill me and end this.” She shakes her head, her eyes narrowing. “I’m not giving you the easy way out. Not until I know what rejecting this bond will do to me and my pack. Not until I know what we’re dealing with. Until then, I invoke The Gallows Law.” *** Luna Katya's world is shattered when her husband, Alpha Andrei, is killed by the ruthless Rogue Alpha Ruslan. Grieving and pregnant, Katya is ready to see the man responsible for her loss executed. But when Ruslan is brought before her, the mate bond snaps into place, throwing her life into chaos. Shocked and horrified, Katya calls for a stay of execution, invoking an old law known as The Gallows Law, which forbids the execution of a fated mate. Now, Katya must not only face the anger of her pack, who are disgusted by her sudden connection to the man they all hate, but a mate who hates her and who she hates in equal measure. Caught in a web of anger and attraction, Katya must decide whether to reject the bond and risk its unknown consequences, or keep the Rogue alive long enough to figure out what the Goddess has cursed her with. But the clock is ticking, and the pack won’t wait forever for justice.
View MoreThe fire crackles in front of me; flames licking at the sky as Andrei’s pyre burns. The scent of smoke fills the air, and the heat from the blaze is so intense that it almost feels like it’s burning me from the inside out.
I stand there, frozen in place, clutching the fabric of my black dress as if it can somehow ground me, somehow stop the spinning inside my head. It doesn’t. Nothing does.
Tears blur my vision and I blink them away, refusing to let myself fall apart in front of the pack. I’m their Luna, their leader now, and I can’t show weakness, not even when the man I loved more than anything is nothing but ash and memory.
But it’s impossible to hide the way my body trembles, the way every breath feels like I’m suffocating under the weight of the grief crushing my chest.
I look up, and there’s Andrei’s face, still so vivid in my mind. His laugh, the way his eyes crinkled at the edges when he smiled. How he would rest his hand on my belly, even before I told him I was pregnant. I never got the chance to share that moment with him. Now, I’ll never get the chance.
I close my eyes and take a breath, but it’s shaky and ragged. My hand instinctively moves to my stomach where his child grows inside me—our child. The secret I carry feels heavier now, more painful. He’ll never know. He’ll never hold them. I’ll never get to see the joy in his eyes when he finds out. It’s just me now.
A tear escapes, rolling down my cheek, and I don’t bother to wipe it away. What’s the point? There’s no pretending I’m okay. I’m not. I’ll never be okay again.
“Luna Katya.”
I hear the voice, but I don’t turn right away. I recognize it—Tomas, Andrei’s Beta. His voice is soft, cautious, but there’s an edge to it, something urgent. I grit my teeth, still staring into the flames. I’m not ready to deal with anything right now. I just need a few more moments with him to say goodbye, even though I know he’s already gone.
Reluctantly, I turn my head, blinking through the tears. His face is set in a grim expression, his eyes hard, and I know whatever he’s about to say isn’t going to help.
“What is it?” I ask, my voice hoarse from crying.
Tomas hesitates, his gaze flicking to the pyre before landing back on me. He swallows, and I can see he’s struggling with his words. “The one responsible… we caught him.”
I stare at him, not quite understanding. It’s like his words are in a different language, taking too long to process in my fog of grief. “What?”
“The Rogue Alpha,” Tomas says, his voice lower now, almost hesitant. “The one who killed Andrei. He’s been caught. We have him in custody and ready for execution.”
The words crash over me, and for a moment, I can’t breathe. Rage, sorrow, confusion—they all swirl inside me, too many emotions to untangle.
I should be relieved, shouldn’t I? The man who took Andrei from me, from the pack, is going to pay. He deserves it. He deserves to suffer for what he did.
But all I can feel right now is the emptiness left behind where Andrei used to be. Nothing can fix that. Not even revenge.
I shake my head, the words coming out before I even realise what I’m saying. “No.”
Tomas frowns. “No?”
“Not yet.” My voice is firmer now, more steady. I finally turn to face him fully, squaring my shoulders, even though my insides are screaming. “We mourn Andrei first. We honour him before we think about revenge.”
“But, Luna—”
“No!” The word bursts from me with more force than I intended, but I don’t care. “I won’t let this turn into a bloodbath right now. Not while we’re still standing here, grieving him. We mourn him first. We give him the respect he deserves before we deal with that filth.”
Tomas’s jaw tightens, but he nods, though I can see the frustration in his eyes. “As you wish, Luna.”
I turn back to the fire, my chest rising and falling with uneven breaths. My hand presses harder against my stomach, as if I can protect this tiny piece of Andrei I still have left. The fire roars louder, the flames brighter, and I feel like I’m being consumed by it too. I want to scream, to fall apart, but I can’t. Not yet. Not here.
There’s too much I haven’t said. Too much I’ll never get to say. Andrei’s face flashes in my mind again, the way he looked at me like I was his whole world, the way he kissed me like he never wanted to let me go.
And now he’s gone, just like that. One moment he was here, and the next… nothing. Snatched away by a man who should be dead right now.
I feel the rage building again, but I push it down. It’s too soon. The pack needs me to be strong and in control. I can’t let them see how close I am to breaking.
So I breathe through the pain, and I whisper softly, just for him. “We’ll get our revenge, my love. But not yet.”
Pack members begin to gather, standing in quiet mourning as the flames consume what’s left of their Alpha. I see their pain mirrored in their faces, their uncertainty. They look to me for guidance, but I have none to give. I’m just as lost as they are.
How am I supposed to lead them when I’m broken?
I hear Tomas’s footsteps retreating behind me, and I know he’ll spread the word. They’ll wait, just as I asked. But it won’t last forever. The pack needs closure. They need justice for Andrei.
And so do I.
But standing here, with the heat of the pyre washing over me, I can’t think of anything except how empty I feel. How this was supposed to be the beginning for us—leading the pack together, starting our family. Now I have nothing but memories and a life inside me that will never know its father.
I take a deep breath, letting the cool night air fill my lungs. I can’t change what happened. I can’t bring him back, but I can make sure his death wasn’t in vain.
“Luna.”
I turn at the sound of the voice, but his tone has shifted, more careful now. His eyes search mine, and I see the question there, the one he hasn’t asked yet.
“Do you want to see him?” he asks quietly. “The Rogue?”
I shake my head immediately. “Not yet, I know I won’t be thinking clearly when I see him. Let the pack all mourn their Alpha. We’ll deal with it after.”
He nods, understanding, and steps back, giving me space again. I appreciate that more than he knows.
As I turn back to the pyre, I whisper one last goodbye. “I’ll always love you.”
I stand at the pyre until the flames start to die down, until there’s nothing left but embers. Andrei is gone, truly gone, but I’ll carry him with me, in my heart and in the life growing inside me.
When the time comes, I’ll face the Rogue. I’ll look him in the eyes and demand answers. But tonight, I need to mourn. We all do.
I walk away from the pyre, my steps heavy, but my resolve clear. Tomorrow will come, and with it, the weight of my new reality. But for now, I let myself grieve the man I loved, the life we lost.
And tomorrow, when the ashes have cooled, I’ll decide what happens next.
5 Years LaterThe crisp mountain air fills my lungs as I stand at the foot of the cabin, the old wood of the porch creaking softly beneath my weight. The familiar scent of pine and damp earth surrounds me, grounding me in the moment as my eyes follow the scene in front of me.Katya’s laugh echoes across the clearing, light and carefree, the kind of sound that still catches me off guard because of how much it softens everything inside me. She’s running, her long dark hair streaming behind her like a banner as she chases Milanya and Mikhail.Milanya shrieks with laughter, her dark curls bouncing as she sprints ahead, her silver eyes gleaming with mischief. She’s fast, so fast for her age, and every time I see her move with that wild, untamed energy, I see pieces of both Katya and me in her.Mikhail isn’t far behind, his silver hair catching the light as he dodges around his sister, trying to outmaneuver her. He’s quieter, more measured in his movements, but there’s no mistaking the spark
I can’t help but smile as I think about the pride in Ruslan’s eyes when he watched Milanya shift for the first time. He looked so overwhelmed, like he couldn’t believe he was witnessing something so incredible. I wonder if he realizes how much of himself she carries. The same raw determination, the same strength—it’s all there in her, as much a part of her as her little hands and feet.The rustling of leaves pulls me out of my thoughts, and I look up to see Ruslan emerging from the trees, his massive wolf form padding silently into the clearing. Milanya trails behind him, her tiny black paws stumbling over roots and rocks but determined to keep up.Ruslan shifts first, his towering frame replacing the wolf in a seamless movement that still leaves me breathless. He slips on his shirt and pants and crouches down to help Milanya with her own shift, his hands steady and gentle as he murmurs soft words of encouragement.When she’s back in her human form, she giggles and throws her arms ar
The sun is high in the sky, and a soft breeze carries the earthy scent of the forest, mixed with the faint sweetness of wildflowers. Peace. That’s what this is—pure, uninterrupted peace.Milanya toddles ahead, her tiny hand gripping Ruslan’s much larger one. She’s walking more steadily now, her confidence growing with every day. It’s hard to believe she was just a baby clinging to my hip not so long ago. Now, she’s this curious little explorer at fifteen months, her grey eyes wide with wonder as she glances back at me with a giggle.“She’s fast,” I say with a laugh, watching as she tries to tug Ruslan forward.“She’s got my stamina,” Ruslan replies, smirking over his shoulder. “Lucky you.”“Lucky me,” I echo, rolling my eyes but unable to hide my smile.The past year and a half have changed everything. The shadows that once clung to our lives have finally dissipated, leaving room for something brighter. I feel it in the way Ruslan carries himself now—less guarded, more at ease. He’s
The silence in Tomas’ abandoned packhouse is suffocating. It’s a shell of what it once was—empty halls, shattered windows, the faint stench of fear and blood lingering in the air. The pack he once commanded with an iron fist has scattered, no doubt fleeing the inevitable after the council finally acted. There’s no one left to stand beside him now. Just like it should be.It’s almost poetic.The council’s letter came two months ago, filled with apologies to Katya. They admitted their mistake, exiling her without understanding the full picture. They’d tried to welcome her back, promising to reinstate her as Luna with me by her side, but she refused.“I already have a home,” she’d said softly.I remember the way my chest swelled with pride, hearing her say that. It didn’t matter how much power or respect the council tried to dangle in front of her—Katya wasn’t interested. She wanted peace, a life with Milanya, and me.I walk through the halls with purpose, my claws itching to end this.
The cabin feels far too quiet without Ruslan’s presence. Milanya is napping in her crib, the soft sound of her tiny breaths the only thing breaking the silence. Normally, I’d find her peacefulness soothing, but today it feels like a cruel reminder of how fragile everything is.I sit by the window, my gaze fixed on the treeline where Ruslan disappeared hours ago. He had to leave to help fortify the border and investigate how Andrei managed to get onto pack lands in the first place. He hadn’t wanted to go, not after everything we’d been through last night, but we both knew he didn’t have a choice.His absence weighs heavily on me, and I can’t stop my thoughts from spiraling. The memory of Andrei in Milanya’s room, his scarred face twisted with obsession and desperation, keeps replaying in my mind. The way he spoke about me, about Milanya, like we were possessions he had lost and deserved to reclaim.I close my eyes, leaning my head against the cool glass of the window. The bond between
Anatoly and I are standing outside my cabin, but my focus is locked on the sight of Katya and Milanya.Through the large window, I watch as the healers gently examine them, their practiced hands moving over Katya’s arm where a bruise has already started to form. Milanya sits on Katya’s lap, her little hands clutching at her mother’s shirt, her big, stormy eyes darting around the room.My chest tightens at the sight of them, the aftermath of everything that just happened sinking into my bones. They’re safe now, but the thought of how close it came—how close Andrei had gotten—makes me feel like I’m still on the battlefield.Anatoly’s voice breaks through my thoughts. “Ruslan, focus. I need your report.”I tear my eyes away from them, turning to face him. His jaw is tight and his fists clenched as he watches me with concern.“I already told you what happened,” I say, my voice rough. “Andrei got into the cabin. He had Marissa helping him, and she was armed with silver bullets.”Anatoly’s
Everything happens at once, a chaotic blur of motion and sound that stretches into an eternity. One moment, Marissa’s voice is ringing in my ears, cruel and taunting, her gun aimed at me and Milanya. The next, the window shatters, glass spraying across the room like frozen rain as the Gammas burst in, their growls tearing through the air.Andrei spins toward the sound, his snarl breaking into a roar as Roman lunges at him, his claws slashing through the space between them. The fight begins in an instant—a savage clash of strength and rage—but my focus is elsewhere.Milanya.My daughter’s soft whimper pulls me back, grounding me in the chaos. She’s still in her crib, her tiny face scrunched with fear. I can’t let her stay there, exposed and vulnerable.I move without thinking, my feet propelling me forward as adrenaline takes over. My arms reach out, desperate to scoop her up and hold her close.“Don’t you fucking dare!” Marissa shrieks, lunging toward me, her gun still aimed at my ch
My heart pounds in my chest, my instincts kicking into overdrive. My wolf pushes against my skin, snarling and growling, ready to fight. I scan the cabin, my eyes darting to every corner, every shadow.“Ruslan?” Katya’s voice is soft and groggy, coming from the bedroom.I don’t answer, my focus laser-sharp on the scent that refuses to fade.“Ruslan?” she calls again, louder this time.I move toward the door, my bare feet crunching over the broken glass. Every muscle in my body is tense, my senses on high alert.“Stay in the bedroom,” I say over my shoulder, my voice low and commanding.“What’s going on?” she asks, her voice tinged with worry.“Just stay there,” I repeat, my eyes falling to Milanya’s room, and seeing it is cracked open. I walk over and push it open slowly, my hand tightening on the frame as my eyes land on him.Andrei is standing by the crib, his back to me, his hand outstretched. His fingers trace gently along Milanya’s cheek, and bile rises in my throat.“You know,”
The packhouse is alive tonight. Laughter and chatter echo through the open courtyard, and the scent of roasted meats and spiced desserts fills the air. It’s not my scene. It never has been. But here I am, standing at the edge of it all, scanning the crowd like a hawk while trying not to look like one.Everything is calm, almost unnervingly so. The pack needed this, Anatoly had argued, and watching them laugh and relax after months of tension, I can’t say he was wrong. But I can’t shake the nagging feeling that something might go wrong.“Relax, Ruslan,” Anatoly says from beside me. He’s holding a glass of whiskey, his other hand resting casually on the hilt of his blade. “You’re wound so tight you’re going to snap.”I grunt, crossing my arms over my chest. “I’ll relax when Tomas is six feet under and Katya and Milanya are safe.”Anatoly smirks, sipping his drink. “Fair enough. But you don’t need to look like you’re about to kill someone tonight. This is for them.” He gestures to the p
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