chapter 6

The cold forest air wrapped around me as I sat beneath the ancient oak tree, my knees drawn to my chest.

The moonlight filtered through the branches, bathing everything in a silvery glow.

It was quiet here, far from the packhouse.

For years, I had convinced myself that Henry’s coldness was temporary, a defense mechanism he’d built around his heart. I had worked tirelessly to break through it, believing that one day, he’d look at me the way I’d always dreamed.

But now, I knew the truth. I was never more than a stand-in, a placeholder until she returned.

My hand drifted to my stomach. This is what matters now, I told myself. My child. A

tear slipped down my cheek as I whispered a prayer to the moon goddess. “Please, give me strength. Help me protect my child”

Back at the packhouse, the atmosphere was suffocating. The whispers followed me like shadows.

“Did you hear? Henry never even showed up to the wedding,” someone sneered as I walked past.

“I can’t believe she thought she could replace the true Luna,” another scoffed.

Their words stung, but I refused to let them see it. I kept my head high, forcing myself to walk with purpose.

That evening, I overheard Henry and his ex-mate speaking in the common room. I stopped in my tracks, hidden behind a corner.

“She’s nothing, Celeste,” Henry said coldly. “Just a means to an end. I did what I had to for the pack.”

Celeste laughed, her voice dripping with malice. “She actually thought she could take my place? Pathetic.”

Their words tore through me, but this time, the pain transformed into something else—anger.

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“Tina, I’m leaving,” I said later that night as I packed my belongings. My hands trembled, but my voice was steady.

Tina’s eyes widened. “You’re serious?”

“I can’t stay here. Not for him. Not for them. My child deserves better than this.”

Her expression softened, and she placed a hand on my shoulder. “Good. You deserve better, Tesla. Let me help.”

As I gathered my things, my fingers brushed against a stack of letters buried in a drawer. Curious, I pulled them out. They were old, addressed to Henry in a handwriting I didn’t recognize.

Skimming the first one, my blood ran cold.

Henry, I know you’ve moved on, but remember what we discussed. If I ever return, you’ll find a way to make it right. She’s nothing more than a temporary solution.

The letters revealed that Henry had always planned to cast me aside if Celeste returned. All those years I had spent trying to prove my worth had been for nothing.

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Henry confronted me the next morning, his face a mask of anger.

“Rumors are spreading that you’re leaving,” he said sharply. “You’re embarrassing me. You think you can just walk away from your duties as Luna?”

I met his glare head-on, my newfound strength bolstering me. “You’ve taken everything from me, Henry. But I won’t let you take my child. We’re leaving, and there’s nothing you can do to stop us.”

For the first time, he faltered, his eyes narrowing. “You’re making a mistake, Tesla.”

“No,” I said firmly. “The mistake was thinking you could ever care about anyone but yourself.”

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