Chapter 1

I watched as my best friend lived her dream, the most beautiful Luna ceremony with her beloved mate. 

I wished I would have a big Luna ceremony, but when I looked at my mate Liam aside from me, I was not sure when the ceremony would be.

I smiled when I found Lily approaching us. I welcomed her with open arms as she hugged me. Her big pregnant belly stopped me from squeezing the life out of her because I was so happy. Liam chuckled at my enthusiasm as he gave Lily a side hug. 

“When do we get to meet the puppy?” I asked Lily.

“The due date is in one week,”she said, smiling gently as she touched her belly.

“Congratulations,” I chirped happily, my pearly whitw teeth on full display as Liam smiled at me. “April didn't sleep for a second last night because she was too excited to meet you today.” Liam told Lily, causing me to give him wide eyes to keep mum.

"April, I'm so happy you came," Lily said as she grasped my hands. “And I’m so happy for you,” I said genuinely.

“Trust me, she is on cloud nine,” Liam said, for me as he laid a gentle kiss on my cheek, making me smile.

Lily turned to face Liam. "When are you going to announce the lady next to you as Luna? Everyone knows she's your mate, for years." Lily said to him and my heartbeat quickened.

I know this is a taboo topic between us, Liam always avoids the announcement like a plague. 

He looked at me with affection and said. "She's still a little girl in my heart and she can enjoy a few more years of freedom. I don't want to burden her with all the responsibilities of Luna. That’s too tiring. I just care for her a lot," Lily grinned in response, she was satisfied with his answer. I smiled and bowed my head, pretending to be shy, but in fact I just wanted to hide the disappointment in my eyes.

I did Luna's job without a title for years, because Liam told me his pack needs a Luna. I worked so hard as Luna for his approval yet he never acknowledged me. Everyone thinks he loves me so much, but I’m not even sure if he wants to have a future with me. I was disappointed because I expected something more after all these years.

I was busy socializing with the Luna’s of the neighboring packs. I was discussing with them about the security measures that the security department of my pack is working on. We talked about almost everything. Ara, Luna of the Moon pack was tense, she informed us that they were facing minor rogue attacks at their east border. I instantly offered to help her by sending a troop of warriors for help. One thing I’ve learned as a Luna all these years was to look after other packs at the time of need so when our time comes, they will stand beside us.

I noticed that Liam looked bored and checked his phone from time to time while other Alphas were chatting.   Noticing my eyes on him, he glanced my way and passed me his smile. I smiled back at him. He excused himself and approached me.

“It’s time to leave, April.” He said and my face fell. It was too early to leave. "There's something more important," He said calmly but I felt cold as I touched my arm silently and nodded at him.

Lily and her mate approached us. "You guys are leaving so soon?" Lily asked.

"Liam has some work back at the pack," I lied hesitantly.

Lily faced Liam. "April looks so pale. I know she doesn't take care of herself. You should take care of her," Lily said to him and his jaw twitched slightly.

Worry swarmed in me at full force. "H...He takes care of me," I whispered, he truly does take care of me, making sure I eat healthy food. Lily's brows furrowed when she noticed something.

"Why are you wearing full sleeves in summer?" Lily asked and my heart dropped.

"I..." I gulped to wet the dryness in my parched throat.

"I like this dress and I had planned to wear it in your Luna ceremony," I lied and she seemed to buy my lie. In all these years I've lied so much that I've gotten used to lying and no one even detects it or maybe no one truly sees my soul.

The cars came soon, we said goodbye to the new couple and left.

I stared out of the window at the passing trees when Liam pulled me closer and cuddled me to his side. "I'm so tired," He whispered. 

My wolf Frea sneered in my mind, "Bullshit, why on earth would he be tired if he's sneaking around on his phone while all the other Alphas are busy socialising?" I didn't say anything.

I was disappointed at the answer he gave to Lily. When he first became an Alpha, the pack was weak, there were a lot of things to do, he told me that the pack needs a Luna, so does he. Because of his words, it has been five years since I was doing all my duties as Luna, but he still thinks it is not time to give me an announcement. 

"Don't be sad, April. You're my mate. You know that I love you right? I want to arrange our announcement ceremony to be the grandest in the world and we definitely will live happily ever after. You're the best girl I met. I’m the happiest man in the world to have you by my side," He said smoothly and I believed him.

"When would it be then?" I asked expectantly. 

"After Stella wakes up," He said.

Stella is his step-sister and she was in a coma for the last five years after the tragic accident. Alpha Jack, who was Liam's father and Stella's mother died in the accident.

I will never forget that day.

There was blood all over, splintered glasses piercing their skin. Alpha Jack coughed out blood as he grabbed my wrist. I was crying in fear and horror. He was dying right in front of my eyes.

“S…Save Stella,” Alpha Jack croaked out as I gazed at the unconscious form of Stella. I could hear her heartbeat. It was slowing down. “P…please… you are the only o…one who can save her,” Alpha coughed out blood as his hand fell from my wrist and I saw life leaving his eyes.

Alpha Jack had brought me to his house after my parents' death. He was a kind man who took care of me. I will always be indebted to him for his generosity toward me. Otherwise, I've been on the streets, starved and homeless but Alpha Jack sheltered me. When he died, It was a most painful time for me.

Shaking my head I tried to calm down and pull myself out of the memories.

"She will bless us," I whispered gently to Liam.

"Yes," His voice was dry. He just stared out of the window and avoided having eye contact with me.It was as if I said something wrong.

There was a different emotion in his eyes whenever Stella's name was mentioned.  I know he was hurting for his step-sister so I tried to console him. 

"She will wake up soon. She doesn't look pale anymore." I said but he still looked upset.

"Stella has been important to me since childhood. After the accident, I lost my father and my stepmom. She's the only family I've left." He said.

It hurts me that he didn't consider me as his family up to this day. Even after everything I did for him. I didn't entertain this thought.

I kissed his cheek as I made him face me. "I'm your family, Liam. And in the future we will have a bunch of kids, then you will have a big family once again." I said gently as he only hummed in response but then he smiled. "I would love to have so many pups of mine. Three sons and one daughter so my sons will look after their little sister," He said and I smiled.

Back at the packhouse. I was so tired after all the socializing but I still had very important work to do. 

I stepped into Stella's room and closed the door. Stella was lying on the bed as I walked to her. 

I picked up the knife sitting on the bedside table and glanced at the glass next to it. I had to fill that glass with my blood and feed it to Stella, every day.  It was my way to save her, because my blood can heal.

I took a deep breath before I pulled my sleeve up, I really don’t want to see the ugly scars that marred my pale skin. 

Though my blood can heal. I have had to put cuts on my arms every day for the past five years, just when my arms heal I had to cut again so that was why I got ugly scars all over my arms, that was why I wear full sleeves because only my blood can heal Stella and I want to save her no matter what. 

Especially because Alpha Jack had asked me to take care of Stella when he was dying. Liam loves his step-sister immensely and I love Liam. I want to see him happy.

Fisting the knife I cut my arm and winced as the blood dripped into the glass.No matter how many times I cut, I will never get used to the pain. Tears fell on my cheeks because of the pain but I endured it. 

If not for my blood, Stella would die soon. I can't afford to let her die. I had to save her no matter what.

Liam walked into the room. He just sat beside the unconscious body of Stella.

Once the glass was full, with weak arms and trembling hands with much difficulty, I wrapped my arms in bandages so they would heal more quickly as I pulled my sleeves down. He didn't offer me any help. 

He was just looking at Stella sadly, I didn’t know what he was thinking, but I knew that’s not about me. Because when I reminded him that I was done, he didn’t even look at me, he just took the glass from my hand and gently made Stella drink my blood. After that he wiped her lips and put the things away. He always did this by himself and never let me help him.

He kissed Stella's forehead and stared at her longingly before we both got up to leave. We barely took a few steps when we froze.

Stella made a noise behind us.