Chapter 1

SELENE

“Where is Alpha Ronan? I need him right now and he is nowhere to be found” My voice was barely above a whisper, but my heart pounded with urgency. I had something important to tell him—something that would change everything.

Lilith, my so-called best friend, smirked as she adjusted the lace on her gown. “He’s probably in the hall I guess, getting ready for the ceremony,” she said, her voice smooth, practiced. “You should go find him. I’ll handle everything here.”

I hesitated. There was something in her tone that made my skin prickle. But tonight was too important to dwell on it. I gave her a small nod. “Thanks. I won’t be long.”

As I made my way through the dimly lit corridors of the packhouse, excitement bubbled in my chest. Tonight was the Moonlight Ceremony—Ronan’s first as Alpha, and my official recognition as his Luna. It was supposed to be the beginning of everything we’d worked toward.

And I had news. Life-changing news.

I was carrying Ronan’s child.

A thrill ran through me at the thought. I could already picture his reaction—his eyes lighting up, his arms wrapping around me. We had been through so much together. This was our future.

I couldn’t find him in the hall so I made my way through the quarters.

But as I neared his quarters, my steps slowed.

Something wasn’t right.

The door was slightly open, candlelight flickering inside. Then I heard it—soft murmurs, followed by a sultry giggle.

A woman’s voice.

Lilith’s voice.

No. My pulse slammed against my ribs. It had to be a misunderstanding, I left Lilith at the grand hall she can’t be here again.

I edged closer, my fingers tightening around the folded parchment in my hand. But as I pushed the door open just enough to see inside, my world shattered.

Ronan was there. Half-dressed. Standing between Lilith’s parted legs as she perched on his desk, her dress bunched at her waist.

His hands were on her. His lips were on her neck.

And he wasn’t stopping.

I sucked in a sharp breath, the sound barely audible over the rush of blood in my ears. The parchment slipped from my fingers, floating to the floor.

Ronan stiffened. He turned slowly, his expression unreadable. But there was no guilt in his eyes. No remorse. Just… indifference.

Lilith smirked, running a lazy finger along his chest. “Oh jeez,” she purred. “Looks like someone doesn’t know when to knock, do you not have courtesy? Can’t you see the Alpha is busy?.”

I swallowed hard, my throat burning. “What… What is this? I just left you there.”

Ronan exhaled, rolling his shoulders as if this was an inconvenience—like I had walked in on him signing papers, not betraying everything we had built.

“It’s exactly what it looks like, Selene,” he said, voice flat.

The air in my lungs turned to ice. “You’re joking.”

Lilith let out a light laugh. “Oh, sweetheart, does this look like a joke to you?” She slid off the desk, taking her time smoothing down her dress. “I told you, didn’t I? That he was never really yours.”

I barely heard her. I was staring at Ronan, willing him to contradict her, to tell me this was some kind of mistake.

But he didn’t.

He simply picked up his shirt from the chair, pulling it over his shoulders like this was nothing. Like I was nothing.

I clenched my fists, every muscle in my body trembling. “I gave you everything, Ronan.” My voice wavered, but I held my ground. “I fought for you. I stood by you when no one else did, I worked so hard to become the Luna, I loved you as my mate. And you—” My breath hitched. “You throw it all away for her?”

Lilith clicked her tongue. “Selene, don’t be so dramatic.” She turned to Roman, running a hand through his hair. “Tell her, my love. Tell her the truth.”

He didn’t push her away. He didn’t deny her words. Instead, he met my gaze with cold detachment.

“You’re not my Luna, Selene.”

My stomach twisted. “What?”

He stepped forward, towering over me. “You never were.”

I staggered back. “You’re lying.”

Ronan’s lips curled into something cruel. “I am dead serious, you were never my mate, I don’t want you, I don’t love you.”

The door burst open behind me before I could process the full weight of his words. A warrior stepped in, face grave.

“Alpha,” he said, glancing between us. “The pack is waiting. It’s time.”

Ronan adjusted his cuffs, as if this was just another routine meeting. Then he turned to me one last time.

“Come,” he said. “I have an announcement to make.”

Every instinct told me to run. But I forced myself to follow, my legs moving on autopilot as we stepped into the grand hall.

The pack was gathered, their excitement palpable. They didn’t know. They had no idea.

Ronan stepped onto the stage, shoulders squared, exuding power.

I stood at the edge, my pulse drumming in my ears.

Then he spoke.

“Tonight is a night of change,” he declared, his voice strong, confident. “A new beginning for our pack.”

The crowd cheered. I wanted to vomit.

Ronan’s gaze flicked to mine—dark, unwavering.

Then he delivered the final blow.

“Selene is no longer my Luna.”

Gasps filled the room. Whispers spread like wildfire.

I felt my knees weaken, but I stood firm. “What are you doing?” I hissed.

Ronan ignored me. “She has betrayed me,” he continued, his voice ringing through the hall. “She has been unfaithful. She has dishonored this pack, she is also work—.”

The world tilted. My breath caught in my throat. “You’re lying.”

But Ronan wasn’t looking at me anymore.

He was seriously telling the pack members those lies.

And beside him, Lilith was, too.

The crowd erupted into shocked murmurs. Some looked at me with disbelief, others with outright disgust.

A warrior stepped forward, his stance stiff. “Alpha… what should be done?”

Ronan turned toward me, his face impassive.

Then he gave the order that made my blood turn to ice.

“Take her.”

Two guards stepped forward, their hands reaching for me.

And that’s when I ran.