Chapter 0002

Sylvia’s POV

Sleep eluded me after last night's revelation. I spent hours staring at the cold, empty space beside me in our bed.

Dawn found me in our kitchen, staring at Astrid's photo from last night. The intimacy in their embrace twisted my heart, even though I knew - rationally - that Raven wouldn't cross that line. Not with James's widow.

Not with the woman carrying his dead Beta's child.

But hadn't I said that every time before?

When did he rush to her side during pack meetings? When he spent hours "comforting" her while I handled pack duties alone?

Astrid - widow of James, Raven's former Beta who died protecting him three months ago.

I'd always encouraged Raven to look after her and had even defended him when others whispered about how much time he spent with her.

"She's grieving," I'd say. "She needs support." I'd even brought her soup when morning sickness hit.

This was different though. This wasn't just another missed dinner or forgotten appointment. This was our wedding anniversary.

Moments before that photo was taken, he'd been in our bed, whispering words of love, our bodies joined as one. His marks were still fresh on my skin when he left me for her.

"I need to talk to him," I whispered to myself, my wolf stirring weakly within me. "Calmly. Rationally. There has to be an explanation."

"Get it together," I whispered to myself, my wolf stirring weakly within me. "The pack needs its Luna."

The monthly safety inspection couldn't wait, even if my mate hadn't come home all night.

I forced myself up, wincing at my still-throbbing ankle from last night's fall. My wolf's usual healing hadn't kicked in - another sign of her weakening strength that I couldn't afford to dwell on.

The pack grounds were already busy when I arrived. Warriors training, pups playing, daily life continuing as if my world hadn't tilted on its axis hours before.

I focused on my checklist, methodically checking each area's safety protocols.

The accident happened near the training grounds.

I was noting some loose boards that needed repair when a blur of motion caught my peripheral vision.

A young wolf - clearly new to the pack from his unfamiliar scent - came tearing around the corner at full speed. He was looking back over his shoulder, laughing at something.

"Watch out!" I called, but it was too late.

He slammed into me hard, his momentum sending us both sprawling. My already weakened state meant I couldn't catch myself properly.

Pain exploded through my forehead as it hit the edge of a training post. Warm blood immediately began trickling down my face.

"Oh, goddess!" The boy scrambled up, shifting back to human form. His eyes went wide at the blood. "I... I didn't see you!"

I pushed myself up slowly, fighting a wave of dizziness. "This is exactly why we have rules about running in the training areas. You could have seriously hurt someone."

Instead of contrition, his expression shifted to defiance. "It was an accident! Why are you making such a big deal about it?"

"A big deal?" I pressed my hand to my bleeding forehead, trying to stay calm. "You were running full-speed in a training zone without looking where you were going. What if I had been one of the younger pups? Or someone elderly?"

"Whatever." He rolled his eyes. "Just wait until my sister's mate gets here. He'll show you how we handle stuck-up wolves who think they can boss everyone around."

The surrounding pack members who had gathered gasped. I almost wanted to laugh at the bitter irony - this pup had no idea he was threatening his Luna.

"Your sister's mate?" I kept my voice level, though blood was now dripping onto my collar. "And who might that be?"

"You'll see." He smirked. "He's coming now. He'll scare you to death."

Familiar footsteps approached from behind. My heart clenched as Raven's scent washed over me - mixed with Astrid's.

Of course. Of course, she'd be with him.

"What's happening here?" Raven's Alpha voice rang out.

I turned slowly, dignity intact despite the blood on my face. And there they were - my mate with Astrid at his side, her hand resting delicately on his arm like she belonged there.

"Your Luna was attacked," I said coolly, watching his face. "This pup shifted without warning and drew blood. He refuses to apologize."

Raven's eyes narrowed at the blood on my face, but before he could speak, Tommy straightened up with a smirk.

"You should see my sister and Alpha Raven together," he announced proudly, clearly emboldened by Astrid's presence. "They look like a real Alpha pair. Not like..." His eyes raked dismissively over me.

"Tommy," Astrid's soft voice carried a gentle reproof. She pressed closer to Raven, her hand resting delicately on his arm. "You shouldn't say such things. Alpha Raven and I are just... close friends."

But her eyes told a different story as she gazed up at him. "He's been so kind to me during this difficult time."

Raven's arm moved automatically to support her waist. The gesture was small, but it spoke volumes. How many times had he held me like that? When had that protective instinct shifted to another woman?

"She's weak!" Tommy continued, encouraged by Raven's silence. "Can't even dodge a playful jump. How can she be our Luna if she can't even have pups? Everyone can see who really belongs at our Alpha's side—"

"Enough!" Raven's Alpha voice rang out, but I barely heard it over the roaring in my ears.

Can't even have pups.

The words struck like physical blows. My empty womb, my weakened wolf, my mate's growing distance - all my private shame laid bare before the pack.

"Tommy." Raven's Alpha voice was cold with anger as he focused on the defiant pup. "You've not only broken pack safety protocols, but you've injured your Luna. This behavior—"

"Raven," Astrid's soft voice interrupted, breathy with distress.

Her hand tightened on his arm as she swayed dramatically. "Oh... I don't feel well..." She pressed her other hand to her stomach, her face going pale.

I watched, heartbreaking, as my mate's attention immediately shifted to her. His arm went around her waist, all thoughts of pack discipline forgotten. "What's wrong?"

"My stomach..." she whimpered, pressing against him. "The baby..."

The baby. James's baby. The child my dead friend would never know, growing in the womb of a woman who used it as a weapon.

"We need to get you to the healer," Raven said urgently, already turning away. He barely glanced at my bleeding forehead. "Tommy, we'll discuss your behavior later."

"But Raven-" I started, my vision blurring slightly.

"Later, Sylvia," he cut me off, leading Astrid away. "This needs immediate attention."

I stood there, blood dripping onto my collar, watching my mate walk away with another woman.

The whispers started immediately:

"She's gotten so weak lately..."

"The Alpha clearly prefers Astrid's company..."

My wolf whimpered, too weak to even growl at the disrespect.

The wound on my forehead throbbed in time with my pulse, each beat sending fresh pain through my skull. Black spots danced at the edges of my vision.

"Luna?" One of the pack healers stepped forward hesitantly. "Let me help with that cut..."

I backed away, somehow keeping my feet under me. "I'm fine. Everyone return to your duties. Tommy, report to my office tomorrow morning to discuss pack safety protocols."

The walk back to my office was endless. Each step was a battle against dizziness and nausea. By the time I closed my door, my legs were shaking so badly I could barely stand.

I slid down the wall, finally letting the tears fall. They mixed with the blood on my face, hot and bitter. My wolf curled up small and quiet within me, as broken as I was.

Not because I thought Raven was sleeping with Astrid.

Although my wolf was weak, she told me that he did not betray our physical bond. But what hurt worse was watching him choose her again and again.

Every time she swayed, he caught her. Every time she called, he ran. Every time she needed him, he forgot about everyone else—including his Luna, his mate, his wife.

A knock at the door made me flinch.

"Sylvia?" Raven's voice. "Let me in."

I didn't move.

"Please, little wolf. I brought medicine for your head."

A laugh bubbled up in my throat - harsh and foreign. He'd left me bleeding to tend to Astrid's latest dramatic episode, and now he wanted to play caring mate?

I opened the door.

Raven stood there with a first aid kit and concern in his eyes. The same eyes that had looked at Astrid with such urgency minutes ago.

"Let me help," he said softly, reaching for me.

I stepped back, maintaining distance. "How is Astrid? And James's baby?"

His face flickered at the deliberate mention of his dead Beta. "She's fine. Just stress."

"Of course she is." The words came out bitter. "She's always fine after she gets what she wants."

"Sylvia..." He sighed, setting down the first aid kit. "You know I have to look after her. After James..."

"After James died saving you, yes. I know." I pressed my hand to my throbbing head. "But when did looking after her start meaning abandoning your actual duties? Leaving your injured mate? Ignoring pack discipline?"

"You're bleeding," he said instead of answering, reaching for me again. "Let me-"

"Don't." I held up a hand.

The look of hurt on his face almost made me take back my words. Almost. But I remembered the photo Astrid had sent, the way she clung to his arm, the countless times he'd chosen her needs over mine.

"I love you," he said softly, reaching for me again. This time, I let him pull me into his arms, too tired to resist. "I love you more than anything, Sylvia. You're my mate, my Luna, my everything. I'm sorry I've made you doubt that."