Katherine's scream of rage pierced the basement. "You think you can take them? Then watch your nephew die first!"Before Alexander could leap, she plunged a silver-loaded syringe into Marcus's neck.My son's scream will haunt me forever.The next thing I remember is waking in the Blood Moon Pack's healing den."No, don't touch me!" I thrashed against gentle hands."Celeste, you're safe!" Emma's voice broke through my panic. "You're home, sister.""Emma?" My voice was raw from screaming.Alexander stood behind her, his massive frame casting shadows in the candlelight. His eyes burned with barely contained fury.Then memory hit like a thunderbolt."Marcus!" I bolted upright. "Where's my son?"Emma's face crumpled. "The healers are with him. They're trying-"I stumbled out of bed, my legs barely holding me."Take me to him. Now."The healing chamber was thick with herbs and magic. Three healers worked over my son's small body, their hands glowing with power."The silver dose was massive,"
Ryan stared at me, his eyes dropping to where Marcus's scent should have been. Our mate bond twisted with his growing horror."What are you doing here?" His voice cracked, raw with fear. "Where's Marcus?"I ignored him, turning toward the gate, Marcus's favorite books clutched to my chest. His wolf pendant burned in my pocket.Ryan's hand caught my arm, his grip desperate. The touch that once brought comfort now made my skin crawl."Celeste, answer me! Where's our son?"Alexander's growl vibrated through the ground. "Remove your hand from my sister-in-law, or I'll remove it from your arm.""Dead." Katherine's voice rang out with cruel satisfaction, her silver hair catching the morning light. "The weak little murderer couldn't handle a proper dose of silver. Just like his mother – no breeding, no strength."Ryan staggered back as if physically struck. "Silver? No... No, you didn't-" His face drained of color. "Mother, what did you do?""Your mother did what you were too weak to do," I s
The Blood Moon Pack's territory stretched across three states, dwarfing the Storm Shadow Pack's modest lands. Watching from Emma's car, I understood why William and Katherine had always feared Alexander."Their entire pack could fit in our hunting grounds alone," Emma explained as we drove. "They need our resources to survive – timber, prey, trading routes.""Welcome home, sister," Alexander said warmly."Your new home," Emma said softly, leading me to a sprawling stone house with a private garden. "Alexander made sure it has everything you need."The pack's top healer visited daily, trying to mend the wounds silver had left on my soul. My closet filled with dresses I'd never wear, gems that couldn't replace what I'd lost.The first morning, I found Ryan kneeling outside my gate, clutching white roses."Celeste, please," he begged, his voice cracking. "I swear I didn't know what my mother planned. Sarah told me Marcus was safe, training with private tutors. My mother said you were fi
I stared at the verdict in my hands, barely believing what I was reading. My silk dress – a gift from Emma, deep blue with silver threading that matched Marcus's pendant – rustled as my hands shook."The Storm Shadow Pack will be absorbed into Blood Moon territory," Alexander explained, his Alpha authority filling the room. "Complete merger. Their lands, their resources, everything.""They'll never agree," I said, though hope flickered in my chest. The gems Emma had woven into my hair caught the light, a stark contrast to the rags I'd worn in that basement.Alexander's smile was predatory. "They have no choice. We control their hunting grounds, their trade routes. Refuse, and they starve. Their pack dies."Emma squeezed my hand, her own outfit equally regal. "There's more. Alexander's taking evidence of Marcus's murder to the Pack Council next week.""The formal judgment will be then," Alexander added. "We'll take you in the pack helicopter. You should see justice done."I touched Marc
"Did you receive my ring?" Ryan asked as I entered the Council chambers, his voice cracking. "The healing crystal... it was worth millions." He didn't know I'd auctioned his precious heirloom for orphaned pups. "Celeste, please," Ryan stumbled forward. "We can start over. Have another pup. Be a family again-"The crack of my hand across his face echoed through the chamber. "Another pup? To replace the one you let die?""I just came to watch your sentencing," I said coldly.Katherine rushed forward, her silver hair wild, her aristocratic face ravaged by grief. "Celeste, please! I didn't know he was my grandson! I would never have injected the silver if I'd known!"She collapsed to her knees, clawing at my dress with trembling hands. "Forgive me! I killed my own blood! My precious grandson!"William's fist cracked across Ryan's face, sending him sprawling onto the stone floor."This is your fault!" he roared, kicking his fallen son. "Your weakness destroyed our family! Your cowardice k
My mate Ryan wanted our pup to take the blame for his first love's son and go to the Silver Prison for five years.The Storm Shadow Pack's grand hall buzzed with excitement. Pack Elder Gregory stood on the stage, his silver fur gleaming under the chandeliers."Last week, a young wolf's life was saved by Beta Ryan's brave son," he announced proudly. "We're here to honor this heroic pup."My heart swelled with pride. Marcus, my eight-year-old, squeezed my hand nervously."Would the young hero please come to the stage?"I stood up with Marcus, but froze.Ryan was already walking onto the stage – with Sarah Blackwood and her son Jamie.My blood ran cold.This wasn't right. Jamie wasn't the one who saved that pup. Marcus did."That's my achievement!" Marcus whispered, confused and hurt.Ryan's eyes widened when he saw us. I wasn't supposed to be here – I should've been visiting the Northern Pack today. But I'd rushed back for my son's ceremony."This ceremony is over," Ryan announced abrupt
Unreasonable? I didn't expect Ryan to see me like this."Then break our mate bond," I said quietly in the car. "Let me and Marcus go.""Never." Ryan's eyes flashed dangerously in the mirror. "You're my only mate. Marcus will be my heir after his... training."The next morning, guards surrounded our house.Ryan forced a silver-laced water down my throat. Wolfsbane. My wolf howled in agony before falling silent.He made Marcus drink sleeping grass tea. My son's eyes grew heavy, his small body collapsing into unconsciousness."It's for his own good," Ryan said, locking us in. "Until the trial."A dozen guards took position outside our door.The next day, voices drifted up from downstairs. Sarah and Katherine – Ryan's mother.Katherine's hand cracked across my face the moment she saw me."We treated Marcus like our own grandson for eight years," she spat. "And you repay us by letting your bastard kill an innocent pup?"She turned to Sarah, stroking her arm. "You poor dear, suffering in sil
I grew up an orphan. My parents died when I was too young to remember their faces.All I had was my sister Emma, both of us raised in the pack's orphanage. She presented as an Omega, making our lives even harder.When Ryan discovered I was his mate, his parents – the pack's former Beta pair – were horrified."An orphan?" Katherine had sneered. "With no bloodline? No status? With an Omega sister?"But Ryan had stood firm then. "I only have one mate in this life," he'd declared. "And it's Celeste."Now, a decade later, he spent the night holding Marcus and me in the basement, as if it could erase his betrayal.Morning came too soon. Marcus woke and immediately lunged at Ryan, tiny fists flying."Marcus, stop," I caught him mid-attack. "Don't treat your father like this."Ryan's face lit up. He gathered us both in his arms."I love only you two," he whispered. "Forever. I'll make everything right, I promise. Marcus will be my only heir."He took Marcus to the garden for training, personal
"Did you receive my ring?" Ryan asked as I entered the Council chambers, his voice cracking. "The healing crystal... it was worth millions." He didn't know I'd auctioned his precious heirloom for orphaned pups. "Celeste, please," Ryan stumbled forward. "We can start over. Have another pup. Be a family again-"The crack of my hand across his face echoed through the chamber. "Another pup? To replace the one you let die?""I just came to watch your sentencing," I said coldly.Katherine rushed forward, her silver hair wild, her aristocratic face ravaged by grief. "Celeste, please! I didn't know he was my grandson! I would never have injected the silver if I'd known!"She collapsed to her knees, clawing at my dress with trembling hands. "Forgive me! I killed my own blood! My precious grandson!"William's fist cracked across Ryan's face, sending him sprawling onto the stone floor."This is your fault!" he roared, kicking his fallen son. "Your weakness destroyed our family! Your cowardice k
I stared at the verdict in my hands, barely believing what I was reading. My silk dress – a gift from Emma, deep blue with silver threading that matched Marcus's pendant – rustled as my hands shook."The Storm Shadow Pack will be absorbed into Blood Moon territory," Alexander explained, his Alpha authority filling the room. "Complete merger. Their lands, their resources, everything.""They'll never agree," I said, though hope flickered in my chest. The gems Emma had woven into my hair caught the light, a stark contrast to the rags I'd worn in that basement.Alexander's smile was predatory. "They have no choice. We control their hunting grounds, their trade routes. Refuse, and they starve. Their pack dies."Emma squeezed my hand, her own outfit equally regal. "There's more. Alexander's taking evidence of Marcus's murder to the Pack Council next week.""The formal judgment will be then," Alexander added. "We'll take you in the pack helicopter. You should see justice done."I touched Marc
The Blood Moon Pack's territory stretched across three states, dwarfing the Storm Shadow Pack's modest lands. Watching from Emma's car, I understood why William and Katherine had always feared Alexander."Their entire pack could fit in our hunting grounds alone," Emma explained as we drove. "They need our resources to survive – timber, prey, trading routes.""Welcome home, sister," Alexander said warmly."Your new home," Emma said softly, leading me to a sprawling stone house with a private garden. "Alexander made sure it has everything you need."The pack's top healer visited daily, trying to mend the wounds silver had left on my soul. My closet filled with dresses I'd never wear, gems that couldn't replace what I'd lost.The first morning, I found Ryan kneeling outside my gate, clutching white roses."Celeste, please," he begged, his voice cracking. "I swear I didn't know what my mother planned. Sarah told me Marcus was safe, training with private tutors. My mother said you were fi
Ryan stared at me, his eyes dropping to where Marcus's scent should have been. Our mate bond twisted with his growing horror."What are you doing here?" His voice cracked, raw with fear. "Where's Marcus?"I ignored him, turning toward the gate, Marcus's favorite books clutched to my chest. His wolf pendant burned in my pocket.Ryan's hand caught my arm, his grip desperate. The touch that once brought comfort now made my skin crawl."Celeste, answer me! Where's our son?"Alexander's growl vibrated through the ground. "Remove your hand from my sister-in-law, or I'll remove it from your arm.""Dead." Katherine's voice rang out with cruel satisfaction, her silver hair catching the morning light. "The weak little murderer couldn't handle a proper dose of silver. Just like his mother – no breeding, no strength."Ryan staggered back as if physically struck. "Silver? No... No, you didn't-" His face drained of color. "Mother, what did you do?""Your mother did what you were too weak to do," I s
Katherine's scream of rage pierced the basement. "You think you can take them? Then watch your nephew die first!"Before Alexander could leap, she plunged a silver-loaded syringe into Marcus's neck.My son's scream will haunt me forever.The next thing I remember is waking in the Blood Moon Pack's healing den."No, don't touch me!" I thrashed against gentle hands."Celeste, you're safe!" Emma's voice broke through my panic. "You're home, sister.""Emma?" My voice was raw from screaming.Alexander stood behind her, his massive frame casting shadows in the candlelight. His eyes burned with barely contained fury.Then memory hit like a thunderbolt."Marcus!" I bolted upright. "Where's my son?"Emma's face crumpled. "The healers are with him. They're trying-"I stumbled out of bed, my legs barely holding me."Take me to him. Now."The healing chamber was thick with herbs and magic. Three healers worked over my son's small body, their hands glowing with power."The silver dose was massive,"
After Ryan left, I quickly packed our essentials. My hands shook but I forced them steady. "Get your favorite books, Marcus," I whispered, shoving clothes into a bag. "We're leaving soon."Five hours until Emma and Alexander would come. I watched Gregory, Ryan's "strongest guard," stationed at our door.I called Emma, pressing close to the damp basement wall. "The security's tight. ""Don't worry, sister," Emma's voice held a predator's confidence. "Alexander has a plan. The Blood Moon Pack is ready."Marcus snatched the phone, his small face lighting up. "Aunt Emma! I miss you!"Emma's laugh warmed my heart. "Miss you too, pup. Soon no one will ever hurt you or your mom again. We have a room ready for you both."The basement door exploded inward before I could respond.Katherine flew down the stairs, her shift so fast it blurred. Her massive silver wolf – still powerful despite her age – slammed me against the wall. Bones cracked. Blood filled my mouth."You witch!" she snarled, shi
I grew up an orphan. My parents died when I was too young to remember their faces.All I had was my sister Emma, both of us raised in the pack's orphanage. She presented as an Omega, making our lives even harder.When Ryan discovered I was his mate, his parents – the pack's former Beta pair – were horrified."An orphan?" Katherine had sneered. "With no bloodline? No status? With an Omega sister?"But Ryan had stood firm then. "I only have one mate in this life," he'd declared. "And it's Celeste."Now, a decade later, he spent the night holding Marcus and me in the basement, as if it could erase his betrayal.Morning came too soon. Marcus woke and immediately lunged at Ryan, tiny fists flying."Marcus, stop," I caught him mid-attack. "Don't treat your father like this."Ryan's face lit up. He gathered us both in his arms."I love only you two," he whispered. "Forever. I'll make everything right, I promise. Marcus will be my only heir."He took Marcus to the garden for training, personal
Unreasonable? I didn't expect Ryan to see me like this."Then break our mate bond," I said quietly in the car. "Let me and Marcus go.""Never." Ryan's eyes flashed dangerously in the mirror. "You're my only mate. Marcus will be my heir after his... training."The next morning, guards surrounded our house.Ryan forced a silver-laced water down my throat. Wolfsbane. My wolf howled in agony before falling silent.He made Marcus drink sleeping grass tea. My son's eyes grew heavy, his small body collapsing into unconsciousness."It's for his own good," Ryan said, locking us in. "Until the trial."A dozen guards took position outside our door.The next day, voices drifted up from downstairs. Sarah and Katherine – Ryan's mother.Katherine's hand cracked across my face the moment she saw me."We treated Marcus like our own grandson for eight years," she spat. "And you repay us by letting your bastard kill an innocent pup?"She turned to Sarah, stroking her arm. "You poor dear, suffering in sil
My mate Ryan wanted our pup to take the blame for his first love's son and go to the Silver Prison for five years.The Storm Shadow Pack's grand hall buzzed with excitement. Pack Elder Gregory stood on the stage, his silver fur gleaming under the chandeliers."Last week, a young wolf's life was saved by Beta Ryan's brave son," he announced proudly. "We're here to honor this heroic pup."My heart swelled with pride. Marcus, my eight-year-old, squeezed my hand nervously."Would the young hero please come to the stage?"I stood up with Marcus, but froze.Ryan was already walking onto the stage – with Sarah Blackwood and her son Jamie.My blood ran cold.This wasn't right. Jamie wasn't the one who saved that pup. Marcus did."That's my achievement!" Marcus whispered, confused and hurt.Ryan's eyes widened when he saw us. I wasn't supposed to be here – I should've been visiting the Northern Pack today. But I'd rushed back for my son's ceremony."This ceremony is over," Ryan announced abrupt