Chapter 0005

Sylvia’s POV

"You manipulative bitch!" Elena's voice cut through the pristine shopping atmosphere.

Several customers turned to stare as she planted herself in front of Astrid. "Calling yourself his wife while wearing the jewelry you stole from his actual mate?"

Astrid's practiced mask of innocence slipped into place as she pressed a protective hand to her belly. "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just shopping with the allowance my... husband has given me."

"Allowance?" Elena spat the word. "You mean the credit card you're flashing around? The one that belongs to my best friend's mate?"

"Oh." Astrid's eyes flickered to me, still standing in the doorway. Her lips curved into a poisonous smile.

"You're making such a fuss over nothing. No wonder Raven prefers my company. At least I don't suffocate him with jealousy and send my friends to fight my battles."

The saleswoman shifted uncomfortably. "Perhaps we should-"

"No." I found my voice, at last, stepping forward. "Let's have this out right here. Every penny you've spent is our pack's common property - my mate's money. You need to pay it back."

Astrid laughed, the sound like breaking glass.

"Pay it back? With what money? My mate died protecting your precious Alpha. The least you can do is let him take care of his friend's widow."

She gestured at her shopping bags. "Besides, Raven gives it freely. Unlike you, I don't have to beg for his attention."

"Using James's memory again?" Elena's eyes flashed gold. "Is that your only trick?"

"At least I gave James pups before he died." Astrid's voice dripped honey-coated venom. "Poor, barren Luna. Can't even give Raven one child. No wonder he-"

The crack of my palm against her cheek echoed through the cafe.

Silence fell.

"How dare you?" I whispered, trembling with rage. "You use James's memory, manipulate everyone's guilt, play the grieving widow while spending pack money on luxury goods-"

Astrid’s wolf exploded out of her, fangs snapping at my throat. I barely managed to dodge, my weakened wolf struggling to respond. Elena shifted instantly, putting herself between us.

Astrid's claws caught my thigh before Elena could block her, tearing through flesh and muscle. The pain was shocking—I'd forgotten how vulnerable I'd become. Blood soaked through my dress where her claws had shredded both fabric and skin.

But instead of pressing her advantage, Astrid shifted back to human form, one hand protectively curved over her belly. Her eyes glittered with malicious triumph.

"How dare you attack me?" she gasped, loud enough for the gathering crowd to hear.

"I'm carrying a noble warrior's child! James's baby!" Her voice turned venomous as she lowered it for my ears alone.

"If anything happens to this child because of your jealous attack, imagine how Raven will feel. Losing his best friend's baby because his mate couldn't control herself?"

Elena snarled, still in wolf form, but we both knew we were trapped. Any move against Astrid now would make me look like the aggressor—the Luna attacking a pregnant widow.

"You manipulative—" Elena started to lunge forward, but I grabbed her with my good arm.

"Don't," I whispered. "It's what she wants."

The world spun slightly as blood continued to soak my dress. The mall's pristine floor now bore crimson droplets.

But the physical pain was nothing compared to watching Astrid's smug smile as she wielded her pregnancy like a weapon, knowing I couldn't fight back without looking like a monster.

"Luna!" Sarah, our pack healer, pushed through the gathering crowd. Her eyes widened at the sight of my injury. "You're not healing—you need treatment immediately."

The world tilted dangerously as she examined the wound. "You need to come to the clinic immediately. You're not healing properly."

Elena supported me as we hurried to Sarah's clinic, leaving behind the chaos of scattered shopping bags and shocked onlookers. Each step sent fresh pain through my thigh, a constant reminder of how vulnerable I'd become.

"I don't understand," I whispered as Sarah cleaned the wounds. "I used to be one of the strongest wolves in the pack. Now I can barely shift."

Sarah's hands stilled. Something flickered across her face. "Actually... I have your latest test results. The ones about your wolf's weakness and the... the fertility issues."

My heart stopped.

"And?" Elena gripped my good hand.

Sarah's smile was radiant. "It's not permanent! Your wolf isn't naturally weak, Luna. And you're not barren. With proper treatment, you could be back to full strength within months."

The words hit like a physical blow. All this time... all these years of thinking I was broken...

"I can..." My voice cracked. "I can have pups?"

"There's no reason you couldn't, once your wolf regains her strength. You and Alpha Raven could start your family within the year."

Joy bubbled up through the pain, so intense it brought tears to my eyes. A family. The dream I'd thought forever out of reach. The one thing I'd wanted more than anything.

"All those years," I whispered, remembering every disappointment, every pitying look, every whispered comment about the Luna who couldn't give the Alpha heirs. "I thought there was something wrong with me."

Despite the pain in my thigh, despite the morning's confrontation, hope bloomed in my chest. Raven had sworn to make things right between us. With my condition treatable, with the possibility of pups in our future...

"I have to tell him," I breathed, sliding off the examination table. "Elena, I have to"

"Go." She hugged me carefully. "But be careful. "

I barely felt my injuries as I rushed home, my heart lighter than it had been in months. A future stretched before me - one with strong pups playing in our yard, my wolf running freely under the moon, my mate's proud smile as our family grew...

But...

The sight of luggage in our driveway stopped me cold.

Expensive suitcases. Designer bags. A small mountain of possessions was carried into my home by pack servants.

"Ah, Sylvia." Raven appeared in the doorway, his expression grave. "We need to talk."

"What's going on?" But I knew. Deep in my soul, I knew.

"I heard about the fight." His voice held disappointment. Like I was a misbehaving pup. "Attacking a pregnant she-wolf? Causing her such stress in her condition?"

"She attacked me! Her wolves-"

"After you slapped her." He ran a hand through his hair.

"Look, given the situation, Astrid doesn't feel safe in the remote property. She doesn't trust the nanny, not after this. She needs to be somewhere I can personally ensure her safety."

"So you're moving her into our home?" The words tasted like ashes.

"Just until she calms down. Until she feels secure again." He wouldn't meet my eyes. "It's the only way to protect James's child."

The test results burned in my pocket. The hope of our own family turned to dust.

"I'm your mate," I whispered. "Your Luna."

"And she's carrying my best friend's baby." Finally, he looked at me. "A friend who died for me. Please, Sylvia. Just until the baby comes."

Gods, her smile.

All this time, I'd been playing a game I didn't even know the rules to. Every move I made pushed Raven further into her web. Every reaction gave her more power.

And now she was moving into my home.

My territory.

My life.

The joy of the test results crumbled to nothing as I watched another woman claim my space, my mate, my future.

I felt like a fool.