Chapter 0003

Sylvia’s POV

"Just a bit further," Raven's warm hand pressed against my lower back, guiding me through the pack's shopping district.

After yesterday's confrontation in my office, this sudden tenderness felt like a peace offering. "I want to show you something special."

My wolf, still weak from whatever was affecting her, nonetheless purred at his touch. Despite everything - the photo, the injuries, the constant presence of Astrid - my traitorous heart still skipped when he looked at me like this, like I was his whole world.

"Another apology gift?" I tried to keep my tone light, though the bandage on my forehead from yesterday's incident still stung.

His fingers tightened slightly on my waist. "Not an apology. A reminder." He stopped in front of David's Jewelry, the pack's finest artisan shop. "A reminder of who we are together."

The bell chimed softly as we entered. David, an elderly wolf with clever hands and kind eyes, looked up from his workbench. "Alpha, Luna! I have it ready."

"Have what ready?" I turned to Raven, but he just smiled mysteriously.

"Show us your finest pieces, David," Raven commanded, but his voice was warm. "Let my Luna choose what speaks to her heart."

David brought out tray after tray of exquisite jewelry. Diamonds that caught the light like Starfire. Rubies deep as fresh blood.

But it was a delicate silver necklace that caught my eye - moonstones arranged like a cascade of tears, or perhaps stars falling through a night sky.

"This is beautiful." I couldn’t help reaching for it.

"Ah." David smiled. "A unique piece. I crafted it using moonstone from the sacred caves. There will never be another quite like it."

Raven lifted the necklace gently. "Perfect for my Luna. Turn around, love."

I swept my hair aside, shivering as his fingers brushed my neck. The metal felt cool against my skin, but Raven's breath was warm as he fastened the clasp.

"Beautiful," he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to my shoulder.

The bell chimed again.

"Oh!" A familiar voice broke our moment. "What a gorgeous necklace."

My muscles tensed as Astrid glided into the shop, one hand resting on her slightly swollen belly.

After yesterday's confrontation and injury, I was in no mood for another of her performances.

"Astrid." Raven straightened, but his hand stayed on my shoulder. "Shopping for the baby ceremony?"

My grip tightened on the necklace. "Baby ceremony?"

"Didn't Raven tell you?" Astrid's eyes widened with fake innocence. "He's helping me plan James's baby's naming ceremony. It's tradition for the Alpha to stand in when... when the father is gone."

Something cold settled in my chest. "Is it?"

"Sylvia," Raven stepped forward, his expression pleading. "As Alpha, it's my responsibility to look after James's family."

"And as Luna, it's mine to organize pack ceremonies," I countered. "Yet this is the first I'm hearing of it."

Astrid sniffled delicately. "The necklace just reminded me so much of the ones James used to give me... and with the ceremony coming up..."

David cleared his throat. "As I mentioned, it's a unique piece. But I have other lovely-"

"Please," Astrid's eyes filled with tears. "Seeing it... it's like a sign from James. Like he's telling me he's watching over his child."

I felt Raven's fingers tighten on my shoulder. Felt the shift in his energy.

I saw the moment Raven's resolve cracked. "Sylvia, love... maybe you could pick another necklace for your birthday? This one would mean so much to Astrid..."

The shop went very quiet.

"What?" My voice came out barely a whisper.

"You have so many beautiful pieces," he continued, not meeting my eyes. "And Astrid has lost so much..."

"Are you serious?" I looked between them - my mate of five years and the widow who'd slowly been taking my place. "This necklace was meant for your Luna, your mate, and you want to give it to another woman?"

"Don't be selfish," Raven's voice hardened. "I've bought you countless jewels. One necklace won't hurt."

"Selfish?" The word hit like a physical blow. "I've watched you slowly pull away from me. I've endured the pack's whispers about my weakening wolf. I stayed silent when you missed our anniversary for her. And I'm selfish?"

"Please don't fight," Astrid whimpered. "I never meant... I just miss James so much..." Tears spilled down her cheeks.

"Stop it!" I snapped. "Stop using James's memory to manipulate everyone! If you need help with the baby, we can hire a nanny. The pack has resources-"

"No." Raven's voice cracked like thunder. "James died saving my life. I owe him everything. I will personally ensure his child and mate are cared for."

"What about my father?" The words escaped before I could stop them, years of buried pain erupting. "He died defending this pack too. He died in a war your father started, Raven. Where was this devotion then?"

The room temperature seemed to drop. Raven's face went white, then dark with rage.

"That's enough!" Raven's eyes flashed Alpha red. He stepped back, jaw clenched. "You've gone too far."

"Have I?" My fingers found the necklace clasp. "Or have you just never gone far enough for me?"

Astrid's tears had mysteriously dried. She stepped closer to Raven, placing a hand on his arm. "Perhaps I should go..."

"No." Raven wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "We'll go. You don't need this stress in your condition."

I watched, numb, as my mate led another woman toward the door. Just before they left, Astrid turned back. Her eyes met mine over Raven's protective arm, and the mask slipped—just for a moment, but it was enough.

That smile. That calculated, victorious smile.

My heart stopped as years of "coincidences" suddenly realigned in my mind.

Every time she'd swooned during pack meetings, it had been when I was speaking. Every stomach pain had struck just as Raven and I were having a moment. Every "emergency" had interrupted our private time.

All those times I'd defended her to others: "She's grieving," I'd said.

But now, watching her triumphant smirk, I saw the truth.

The door closed behind them with devastating finality.

I walked out of the shop, the bell's cheerful chime a mockery of the moment we'd shared minutes ago.

Through the window, I saw Raven helping Astrid try on my necklace and saw her lean into him with practiced vulnerability.

My fingers found my phone, scrolling to Elena, my best friend since childhood.

The only one who knew everything - about my father, about how I'd fallen for Raven despite our families' history, about how I'd given up my birthright to be his Luna.

The phone rang twice before she answered.

"Elena?" My voice cracked. "Can I come over?"

"Always, love. What's wrong?"

"Everything," I whispered, watching through the window as my mate adjusted the necklace on another woman's throat.