Curse Of The Forgotten Luna

Nova's POV

I felt my chest warm and my throat dry. I cried silently, staring at my birthday cake. It was smashed to smudge the table and was covered with bodily fluids.

I almost threw up at the sight but knew it was my mate and his breeder’s doing. They've done the deed in my chambers while I was away to attend pack matters.

Sleep was out of question for several days after that. I was throwing up everything I ate. But I coped quickly. It was hard to share your love with someone else who will carry your mate's child for the pack.

Three days later was a unique annual festival. I had to suck it all up. I'm the Luna after all.

Festivities called for happiness and prosperity. But my happiness was snatched away and I've been an empty human shell for several weeks.

It was a vibrant gathering at Graymoon packhouse. I was left alone and stranded while the alpha, my mate Nate Killjaw was greeting guests and announcing I was 'sick'. I was perfectly healthy.

I didn't know why he mentioned that to everyone and asked me to stay silent in a corner. I felt as though he was hiding something from me. But the reason showed itself quickly.

"I have an announcement." Nate requested attention. Alphas and betas of other packs joined us that night for celebration. I was finally going to know what he had to announce.

Unwavering, Nate's pearly smile shined as he invited a guest, "Karen Weaver,"

My blood started boiling. What is she doing here?

Karen Weaver had become the spotlight, as usual. She bumped into me intentionally when passing by. I was irritated. But that was when I noticed a second heartbeat from her.

Nate summoned her upstairs delicately. Her walk to the stage with her elegant gown looked like a dance. Karen smiled at the crowd before reaching to the mic and saying,

"Graymoon shall finally be graced with a male heir."

My world came crashing. She was carrying my mate's child after all. A child I couldn't give to Nate as his mate.

Tears threatened to fall and give away my tremendous heartbreak. But I sucked it up once again.

"I heard they conceived the traditional way. Good for them!" I heard another pack’s beta say. I got sick to my stomach. They conceived by deceit. That's what they did. That too, behind my back.

All eyes were on Karen and Nate as she proudly caressed her baby bump. Another hand joined to caress it My mate's. I refused to cheer and clap for them, initially. I was so hurt and felt like the world came crashing down on me. But I didn't want to seem vindictive or a killjoy.

I clapped only when Karen's flared expression fell on me. She was noticing everything I did. And she walked back down, receiving numerous congratulations.

"Didn't mean to ruin your anniversary, Nova. Sorry." Karen winked and said. I smiled back, containing the shudder of disgust before replying,

"It's alright. Wasn't anything special anyway. You get used to it when no one celebrates your union when it falls on a Blood Moon festival each year." I spoke the barren truth. Karen jumped her eyebrows.

"Well, I want happiness for the pack that gave me a second chance at life." I heard her say in a sweet voice.

"I agree." I replied flatly, having lost all respect for my mate's breeder best friend. Karen wasn't appreciating my cordial responses. She wanted to stir up drama, like usual.

When I saw Nate walking down the stage to greet us, I wanted to remind him of today. That it was our anniversary.

Back inside the packhouse, a small cake with decorations awaited for Nate and I. I was looking forward to making things right and celebrating our anniversary in private.

But when Nate walked over and snaked his arm around his best friend, I lost all hope.

"How's the pregnancy going?" I asked, trying not to grit my teeth. They've already sinned and there was no point in making them confess.

Nate clicked his tongue and stepped forward.

"Didn't I do it for the pack? For us, my love? We've been trying to have a strong heir from your womb for five years. It should be a Luna's duty to produce an heir but..." Nate stopped himself from continuing. I smirked softly. He was pressing on my wound wantedly.

"Don't be shy, Nate. Say it." I urged him to continue. Instead, Karen stepped in and said,

"I told you we're doing this for your pack." Karen's tone was sharp, as if threatening me. I raised an eyebrow.

"'Your pack'? So you accept that you're not from our pack?" I tricked her. Karen stumbled in her words, turning to her lover for rescue.

"Stop acting up, Please. I know you're upset we hid this pregnancy behind your back." Nate tried to shush me but I wasn't having it. I would've loved to see him in my place. If he cared at all, how would he react if I let another man pleasure me and plant his seed in me? I wondered.

"And that you've impregnated her ‘traditionally’? Bold move, Nate. You put me through so much pain." I said, finally finding out why my chest hurt so bad the night of my birthday. Suddenly, Nate hissed to retort,

"I was in pain too, dammit. I mated with you. I only slept with Nova for an heir." Disgust filled my body when he said that.

"Very well." I said and turned to leave. Nate tried to bring me back but I had gone back to the balcony. The Blood Moon seemed like a curse in periodic occurrence for me.

Every time it bloomed in the sky, impending doom awaited me. I hated it. I loathed that if I ever made a wish on this special lunar event, it would turn into my curse.

"My love..." Nate's gentle voice pulled me out of my trance. As much as I hated what he was doing, he was still my mate. An alpha who had responsibilities.

"I had to do what I had to." Nate said before curling his arm around me.

"You made me feel less of a woman, less of a Luna, because I couldn't give you an heir. You embarrassed me in front of everyone, Nate." I said, tears falling free now that I had no one to scrutinize me.

Why couldn't it be anyone else? Why did it have to be Karen? The Fallen Alpha's daughter who treated me like shit?

"Shush..." I wept on Nate's shoulder.

"I promise it's going to be fine. Even if you can't be a mother, you will be that child's godmother." Nate said. His words shook me awake from the false dream.

"Godmother? But isn't Karen our surrogate?" I anticipated the worst. But this wasn't what I expected.

"I'm sorry, Nova. Since Karen is carrying our child, she has rights. She's bonded with the child and claims to be its mother. I'm sorry."

And just like that, my opportunity to become a mother to a soul was snatched.

Before I could cry and yell at Nate for allowing this, Karen's erratic scream, followed by a thud, alerted Nate. He sprinted so quickly to her, shedding tears looking at her in distress.

I wondered if he ever shed tears for me. When I was in such pain, two years ago, when rogues kidnapped me and took advantage of me.

It was so unfair…

How convenient was it for Karen?

She fell on the ground unscathed, wine spilt all over herself and seizuring like a fish. However, her seizure stopped immediately when Nate stepped in.

I couldn't take it anymore. There was no other reason for Karen to randomly have a seizure at the entrance of the balcony. Stupidity has a limit and Karen always crossed it naturally.

I watched Nate pick her limp body bridal style and leave the party. I knew he wasn't going to come back. He'd spend sweet time alone with her. So, I left the party to go to my room as well.

My room was a small compartment inside a study. Karen had taken over my chambers upstairs. She needed to stay close to Nate at all times, even if it was on the first floor rather than on the ground floor for guests.

Karen and Nate were childhood best friends. Our Graymoon Pack and Crimson Pack were part of the Trilogy alliance the strongest werewolf alliance in the world.

A joint attack on Crimson Pack wiped out everything about the pack from the face of the Earth. Except for Karen Weaver. She was the girl who lived.

She was young and exceptionally talented in medicine and healing. She was born healer rank to her alpha and Luna parents.

She was barely eighteen when she sought our pack for help. Nate and I were twentytwo, three years back. Nate consoled her and took her in. That must've been the biggest mistake of his life.

And now, Karen grew more confident in taking over my place as Luna of Graymoon.

It was around midnight. I tossed around to sleep, but couldn't. My mind was a mess. The cake was stuffed into the dustbin, and the damn pillowcase was cold beneath my head. I didn't know what to do.

I received a text message in our group chat. My eyebrows jumped.

My safe haven...He keeps me warm, healthy, and happy. He's going to be a great father one day!

Karen's picture with the IV drip and Nate next to her in the healer's hut was posted. Many members of our pack wished for her well being.

I added a comment as well.

Get plenty rest. I'm going to sleep after anniversary night too

Texting quickly, I shut the phone off and turned away. Almost immediately, countless notifications from a number pissed me off. I switched the phone off and let slumber take over. Things will be dealt with the next day.

Following a long night of restful sleep, my soul awakened to the sight of countless gift boxes surrounding the room. There was barely any space to walk.

"Beta Ray!" I called loudly. The man rushed in and was awed at the sight.

"Please get rid of them," I said sharply, astounding him.

"But they were from—"

"I know who they're from." I cut Beta Ray off and said. Maybe I was a little too harsh, but my moon was ruined first thing in the morning. I woke up too hungry so I decided to grab a plate from the kitchen.

Nate and Karen were at the dinner table for higherranked wolves. Unfortunately, the guests from last night huddled up around the table as well. I lost my appetite.

"Excuse me." Saying, I turned on my heel to leave. However, Nate caught sight of me and rushed to me.

"Hey. Good morning, gorgeous." Nate said and tried to brush my hair behind my ear. I moved away, folding my arms on my chest.

"What do you need?" I inquired formally. His eyebrows furrowed at my indifference.

"Why are you being so distant?" He asked, knowing the answer.

"Because you decided to fuck your best friend and impregnated while keeping me in the dark?" I flashed a fake smile and tried to leave again.

"You're overreacting again. Do you see why I like being around Karen more than you? This is the reason. Everything has to be a bickering for you. I can't." I widened my eyes at his words.

"I'm your bloody mate, Nate. You should've just told me about planting your seed in Karen without making me feel like shit." I exclaimed.

"But it was for our pack, wasn't it? We both have duties and we found a way to keep the lineage. What's the problem?" He replied. Wow. How can he be this dense?

Suddenly, the horrible memory resurfaced like a reminder.

It was my birthday three months ago. It was around mating season, during the peaks.

The elders were discussing whether it was perfect for Karen to be bred by Nate as the breeder. The decision was already made and I had no say in it.

Nate was chained by chrome steel chains as I passed down the hall to go to my room. Karen, then in heat was sent to Nate's room, our master bedroom.

I was right next door and I heard it all. Nate couldn't stop himself for the entire night. He must've knotted her countless times for he ensured her pregnancy in one night.

I remember closing my ears with pillows and tears streaming down my eyes. I could hear everything that night. I was in heat too, my senses heightened. It was an awesome birthday gift.

"Anyway, get over it by today evening 'cause Karen wants you at the dinner we booked. She insists." Nate quickly pecked my cheeks and walked away.

I realized Karen wasn't doing this because she wants to be cordial with me. Karen wants to see me suffer.

Fine then.

Two can play this game and I know I'd win.

Revenge was to be served piping hot or freezing cold. There was no in between. And I wanted to play the game of hot and cold with Karen.

I showed up at the venue in my revenge dress. For the first time in years, I flaunted my dark wavy hair that reached my waist. Unlike Karen, I had a tall athletic body. Karen was more womanly, but I boasted the ALine black dress pretty fashionably.

With confidence, I walked inside the hotel exclusively seating Alpha and Luna ranks.

I was a head turner to say the least. Men and women ogled over my sight. Nate was a victim too, undeniably. So far, I was winning over Karen already. She looked jealous in her hideous lime green outfit.

"You know my order, darling." When the waiter came, Karen ran her hands over Nate and urged him to repeat her 'most frequented order'.

"Green salad with lots of kale, steak and mashed potatoes, with exactly three ounces of gravy. Same for me." Nate smiled giddily at the waiter as he said.

The waiter, unaware of the situation blurted out while pointing to Nate and Karen,

"You two look fabulous as a couple."

My smile fell.

Karen's eyes lit up. Before Nate could correct the waiter, Karen beamed with an obnoxious "Thanks!"

The waiter then stared at me, eyes starry as he asked if I'd take the same order. Nate attempted to say my order to get my trust back but failed terribly.

"Sorry, I'd not prefer crab soup. I'm allergic to seafood. Make it chicken instead with chicken broth. No cilantro, just lemon." I said and watched him walk away with the order.

I turned to Nate. He looked ashamed, as he should be.

"So! When is your wedding?" Karen asked, adding fuel to the fire. Nate pinched her thigh to shut her up. But I was going to go ahead and amuse her.

"Soon. Very soon. Sooner than you think." Karen's eyes lit up fakely at my announcement. Nate was confused but pleased to hear.

"I'm so going to wed you in the grandest venue on earth, my love," Nate promised yet another empty promise. He tried to sneak a hand hold over the table, but I subtly withdrew mine.

Karen, taking the opportunity flashed their interlocked fingers over the table. She smirked when I noticed and looked at her. But I was looking at something else.

"Nate? Where's our engagement ring?" My question caused panic in the male, who's usually calm and composed.

"In the car. Sorry." He replied guiltily, Karen and him exchanged knowing glances. Not that I cared.

"Well, throw it away." I said nonchalantly.

"WWhy?" Nate asked suspiciously. He smelled danger, but he had nothing to worry about as I lied through my teeth,

"We'd need wedding rings soon, right?" Saying, I took mine off and presented it on the table. He let out a nervous laugh.

"There's no need to give it so soon, baby. KKeep it until I replace with a wedding band." Nate said and pushed the ring back to me.

With an angelic smile, I took the ring and tossed it in the nearest dustbin. My wolf Rexi chimed in my head, amused, 'Nice shot, babe'.

After dinner, Nate was caught up with few guests which left me with the wrench. We waited for him at the parking.

"You know he would leave you soon, right?" Karen was showing her true colours. I turned to her, unamused and replied.

"I know. I've started my preparations." I said and folded my hands over my chest.

"Ladies! I'm so sorry. We've got guests coming back to the pack house with us." Nate showed up suddenly. Karen's demeanour took a 180.

"Hello, Alpha Jane! It's so nice to meet you!" Karen beamed. Alpha Jane and her beta greeted us.

"Well, I can't have my guests take another transport home. Baby, could you come back in another car? I'll send Ray your way as soon as I get home." I jumped my eyebrows at Nate. He was indeed insisting on me, not Karen. Our packhouse was an hour away, in the woods.

I nodded and let the four take off without me in Nate's matte black Supra.

I let out a shaky breath and walked out of the parking lot alone. The heels were eating my feet away. The lift wasn't working right on time.

I waited three hours for Ray or someone to pick me up. I couldn't even book a transport to go back home.

It was around 2 am when I decided to walk by foot back to the packhouse. I held the heels in my hand and walked barefoot.

I passed by a bar down the highway.

I attracted their attention, all of them were rogues and human thugs. One held a knife openly and threatened me,

"Lady... that's a very pretty dresss. You look beautiful. Mind showing some more to us?"

"Lady, ah...we will keep you good company all night long..."

Two men advanced out of the group of six. The other four were prepared to take me down.

I shut my eyes tightly.

Where was Nate when I always needed him?

Their aura trickled a nervous sweat down my back. Rexi was convinced she couldn't take them all down at once. Damage would be predictably high.

My life was going to get dark real soon.

In a flash, all bodies laid dead in front of me. Their heads were plucked out of their skulls.

"Delinquents."

The familiar man's voice sent a chill down my spine. I didn't fear him. It was another emotion. I sighed heavily in relief and turned around.

His scent was intoxicating, filling the air around us with the strong pine and citrus scent. Rexi was howling in happiness.

Despite the blood spewing everywhere and other drunk men gazing from the distance, horrendously confused, I jumped to hug my best friend.

"Goddamn you, Zade! You're always gone!" I hugged him tightly. We both chuckled, and agreed to move to a different location. Thank Goddess I had my amulet, or I'd flash Zade as Rexi would have torn my revenge dress during shifting.

My brown Luna wolf and his black alpha wolf glided through the forest. The heavy steps of our paws hitting the floor were soothing. I almost forgot about the betrayal inflicted on me.

Zade called to stop at the centre of the forest. It was a barren patch with just green grass and a pond by the edge of it, revealing the vast density of the woods further.

"Ah...I miss going on a hunt with you." Zade sighed heavily.

"I do too." I smiled, letting myself fall flat on the grass patch.

"Nate is cheating on me." I confessed. At once, Zade's smile faded as he propped on his elbows.

"On you? Is he serious?" He asked. I rolled my eyes and nodded.

"He's cheating on me with Karen." Zade's jaw dropped even wider at my reveal. The news was a great shock to Zade since Karen was related to him.

They were first chance mates.

"I'm sorry." Zade's voice was soft, which was rare. He scooted closer and pulled me in a hug. I needed that. Everyone in the pack ignored me for the new event coming up. The Alpha's Assemblage.

Parting from the hug, I hid my blush from Zade. Then he spoke.

"I couldn't have expected anything less from Karen. She's always needing someone's attention. That's why I had to reject her. Maybe she didn't take it so well and found Nate right away to keep her warm." Zade said atrociously about his previous mate. It was rare that he badmouthed someone too.

"It was Nate's choice, too. The elders decided she was to bear his heir. For the benefit of Graymoon." I said, my heart squeezing itself as the betrayal was still fresh. Worst part? It was a planned betrayal by everyone in the pack against me. Everyone knew they were fucking behind my back every night and day, trying to make a baby.

That explained why there were always stenches of sex erupting from corners of my room and corridors. I felt my stomach kick my chest up. I was about to throw up when I connected the dots.

"Are you alright? Do you need me to break his face?" I heard Zade and chuckled. He stood up, realizing it was too late for me to stay awake. That's when I noticed his toned body under the moonlight.

"Not so soon, Zade. But thank you. He's keeping his distance and is actually taking good care of me otherwise. It's just Karen who keeps polluting him. No offense." I said.

"None taken." Replying, Zade wore his amulet back, and we shifted to our beautiful wolves, who danced on their paws until we reached my packhouse.

"Stay for the night. I insist." I asked Zade to stay over. He raised his eyebrows and sighed.

"Nate would kill me and my pregnant exmate would try to force herself onto me again. Hard pass." I crushed my eyebrows at his reasoning. I sympathized with him. I hugged him tightly. His hug felt warm for the early morning coldness.

"Don't forget about the Alpha meeting with Prince Zyke tomorrow." He reminded, winking and walking backwards.

"I won't. Goodnight." I said and watched him disappear.

When I turned back, my soul jumped out at the silhouette. It was someone unexpected.

"Mother Luna," I said, bowing to my soon to be mother in law, Nate's vicious mom Janet.

"Was that Zade Silverstone?" She asked, her tone condescending. I nodded, not fearing her anymore.

"He is bad omen. Do not associate with him or you will end up rejected like he rejected poor Karen." She said and walked away. I looked down at my feet. She still cared about the one who produced an heir and her son's best friend. I didn't even matter to her, even if I had the same rank as her in the pack.

After her mate's demise at a young age, she raised Nate by herself against all odds. I held respect for her. But for some reason, she hated me. She was the one who declared I was indeed...an unmothering Luna.

The next day at Alpha's Assemblage, I sat next to Zade when two unexpected guests showed up. One was Nate, because he's the Alpha, and his pregnant mistress.

"Oh~ Look who's here. The handsome greeneyed Alpha of Grimstone! So nice to see you again, mate." Karen flirted with her ex mate shamelessly. She ran her hand down Zade's back suggestively. It sent shivers of disgust down my spine. Zade was uncomfortable, but he didn't even turn around to respond to her. I was proud of Zade.

"All redundant guests must leave." The harsh voice of Prince Zyke's beta was heard. Karen grumbled and walked away but with Nate.

Behind me, I heard Nate and Karen muttering to themselves.

"You're not sitting next to that bitch!" Karen declared. I rolled my eyes.

"She's our Luna! She has to be beside me so I can take her notes and present it properly, baby. Understand me for once." I held in a scoff at Nate's reply to her.

Nate always stole my notes at meetings and presented them awfully. He often blamed me for the poor explanation, saying I could 'ideate better'.

With Zade on my left and my pissant mate on my right, the meeting commenced. We were having a serious discussion when Karen suddenly let out a blood curdling scream behind the curtains. Alerted, Nate ran to her at the speed of light and yelled,

"I'm cancelling the meeting for us!" My eyes widened.

"Wait—!" Nate didn't even listen to me and dashed out with the limp woman in his arms. I turned to look at Zade, teary eyed.

Nate embarrassed me yet again. The Prince kicked me out of the meeting and we lost our chance to present our pack's problems to the royals.

Damn you, Nate.

After the demise of our meeting, I sprinted back to my packhouse. I needed to get the hell out of here. I didn't care if I was their Luna. They didn't care about me anyway.

'Would anyone come after us knowing we were leaving?' Rexi asked in my head. I wiped the beads of tears from my face and replied, 'They wouldn't even notice we were gone.'

After packing my embarrassingly small suitcase of all my belongings, I turned to stare at the wall clock.

It was late in the night. Nate didn't even message me an apology or further intimation about Karen's health. She faked the injury. I know it.

The blood stain by her seat when she was taken away didn't even smell like hers. Was Nate being dismissive of her acts on purpose or was he truly innocently being treaded to follow her demands all the time?

I didn't care.

Zade called me a few times but I didn't pick up. He texted me as I gave into my curiosity to see if he put a word about our pack's matters to Prince Zyke. We will be in touch with royals to resolve issues soon.

Meanwhile, a text from Karen was sent after I replied to Zade.

[Hoe Karen: You're worried about Nate but he's worried about me. What a shame that no one even worries about you after I've conceived. You're useless]

Karen's words had zero impact on me. I replied flatly,

[Me: Congratulations]

I switched the phone off and started making bigger plans to escape this uninviting turf.

Several hours later as I was talking to the Beta about pack matters, Karen and Nate strutted in.

They walked past me as if nothing happened. I grit my teeth to see Karen smirking right back at me.

"I'm tired, babe. I gotta sleep. Sleep with me? I want to feel warm and cosy ~" Karen said loudly in the hallway. She and Nate were always close. I was uncomfortable with that since the beginning.

Nate chuckled and patted her hair, "I will babe. Let's go sleep."

Nate didn't even notice me, his mate, in the hallway. He walked down holding hands with her. I shuddered when he smacked her butt as she walked up the stairs. I was the only one cursed to witness it.

I was passing by my room in the evening when loud laughter was heard from the study. Nate just walked out of my study with a grin on his face.

When I walked in, I gasped loudly.

"What do you think you're doing?" I asked, my hands trembling from anger. My new wedding dress, custommade for me with the finest fabrics for my psoriasis, was worn by Karen.

She removed a few stitches to fit herself into the dress. I was almost too close to crying and passing out. I held it all in.

"This is such a sweet wedding dress! And I look so good in it!" Karen said. She gleamed. My gaze fell on Janet, Nate's mother, sipping tea in my study. Her feet were on my desk, soiling the files below her sandals.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Formalities flew out of the window as I asked Janet.

"What do you mean?" Her tough voice replied.

"You know what I mean, Janet. She's in my custom wedding dress. Even if I won't marry your son, I would marry someone else in that dress. It cost a fortune." I said. I saved up money for two years, just to get this dress. I remember choosing between saving money and buying a decent meal for myself when we used to travel for pack matters abroad. That's how I accumulated money to buy this dress.

And there she was, opening stitches and crumbling it all up.

"Take it off. Take it off!" I went batshit and started ripping her off the dress. I didn't know what else to do. Just then, hearing the commotion, Nate flew in and pried me off of her. Karen started crying right away.

"She was abusing me!" Karen exclaimed. I spat on the dress she was wearing.

"You're always crossing limits and YOU are always letting her trample over me all the time! I hate you!" I cried loudly.

"There's no need for you to be this childish, Nova. It's barely a dress! I'll buy you a new one, dammit! You didn't have to hurt my lover!" The words slipped out of his mouth. Before he could realize it, the damage was already done.

"I see how it is." Wiping my tears harshly, I stormed out of the room.

When I walked out of my room and entered the study, I screamed at the sight.

The wedding dress was torn to pieces and a dead snake's blood was splattered all over. I turned around and crouched over the toilet bowl, throwing up on the spot.

I stormed out, my body weak and heart pulsating.

"WHO DID THIS!?" I screamed over the common dinner table.

"It's a little goodbye gift, can't you see?" Karen said, eating buttered scallops as if nothing mattered. My senses were clouded as I threw the dress on the dinner table, ruining the food with the dress and the snake carcass splashing all over.

Surprisingly, Karen screamed and rushed behind Nate. Nate was screaming his head off at me, asking if I was insane.

"I'm asking you again, Nate. Who did this?" I just wanted to know at that point.

"It was me." Suddenly, Janet stood up and presented herself. She was calm throughout the ordeal.

"I did it. The snake was a victim of my loathing for you. You're leaving tonight, isn't it? Stay away from me and my pack and never bring your infertility luck to my pack ever again." I stared at Janet as her words pierced unhealed wounds.

Nate turned to hug Karen, who was crying loudly, complaining about how I ruined her favourite dinner.

That didn't make any sense to me. Still doesn't. Where did I ever go wrong in choosing a family?

Was I being cursed since birth?

Even my parents and best friend left me alone in this world.

It was a work of art.

The way Janet stood up and reclaimed her sin of killing an innocent animal to ruin my dress. I wondered how could she even do that to me. Didn't she have any remorse? For that animal at least?

It was not my proudest moment, but I prayed that Janet would die the same fate as that snake soon.

I was walking to my room, sniffling and heartbroken. My family was snatched away from me. Everything was lost. I was lost.

My pace slowed down when I caught a silhouette lingering by my study. I grew confused.

"Healer Mia? What are you doing here?" Mia, one of my trusted healers, was looking tense as I inquired.

"Luna, we need to talk. I have something to show you." Saying, Mia shifted to her wolf. It was strange. I was on the fence but decided to follow Mia anyway.

I shifted into a big brown wolf. We raced down the territory border by the south. The overwhelming stench of wolfsbane concoctions was messing with my senses. But still, I followed Mia.

"Whoa..." I said in my head, staring at the outsourced healer's lab. Mia is the head of this secret project. They were weaponizing wolfsbane for war. It was foul, but it was only promised to be used in times of crisis.

"Please. Follow me." She urged. I shifted back. I followed Mia to her lab when she shakily passed a bunch of papers.

"Alpha Nate killed my mother to hide this secret from you, Luna." She said in tears. At once, I lost all humanity against Nate.

"Impossible...no...Mia, your mother..."

I started connecting the dots.

When Mia's mother, Kayla, took my fertility test, Karen and Nate were there. In fact, that was around the time Karen joined our pack after rejecting Zade, mutually.

I shuddered just thinking about it.

"This says I'm...I'm perfectly healthy." I stuttered. Mia nodded.

"Mother opposed to the idea of sharing The Truth with you. But alpha Nate silenced her forever." She confessed with trembling hands. I immediately hugged her.

"Your bravery might have just saved a bunch of lives, Mia. Thank you." I said through tears. The young woman needed my shoulder to cry on. I let her for a few moments. When we parted, Mia asked,

"You wouldn't leave the pack now, right, Luna? Don't leave us in the hands of that monster. He will starve us to death. Enslave us if need be." Her words broke my heart. Mia was born exceptional. Excellent healer, an excellent student, and an even more excellent daughter.

But I had my resolve.

"Mia. You're stronger than you think. Hold onto yourself until I come back to save you. Can you do that?" I asked, my heart being squeezed as her eyes welled with tears again. However, she nodded with a smile.

"I will wait for you, Luna." She said.

I clutched the papers in my hand and went straight to my room. I was begging Rexi to control me. But we were on the same page. To hurt Nate for what he did.

'He must've not done it by himself. That bitch is involved for sure.' Rexi said. I've been thinking the same, too. Karen was capable of dark, dark shit.

But taking away a life so she could make another with my mate? Outrageous. Barbaric. I was going to put an end to this madness. But first, I needed to get right back on track.

I couldn't look at Nate and Karen the same anymore. They were murderers.

The betrayal cut deep, but the truth about their true personalities cut deeper. I was repulsed to have not seen the signs before. Nate was always toxic to me.

After throwing up in the bathroom, I left the pack at the speed of light. No one was there to stop me. The warrior ranks meaning to patrol the borders weren't even there at the south borders. I had my escape pretty fluidly.

I was in my car, tears streaming down my face and trembling hands driving me to absolutely nowhere.

I was out of that place. But where did I want to go? What did I want to do? Where could I feel...belonged?

I was about to call the first person I thought would answer, but another call interrupted my chain of thoughts.

"Hello? Oh my Goddess! Nova! Where the fuck are you? Come back, this instant! I don't like your gift at all!" Gagging noises in the background interrupted him. I heard him run away and pant loudly.

"You almost made Karen puke and hurt our baby! What is wrong with you!?" He screamed. I smirked.

"That's what you deserve, Nate. For everything you did to me. For every lie you fed me." I growled under my breath. Gagging noises followed wherever he went.

"You're a fucked up person, Nova. Come back and clean this mess right now!" Nate yelled. I started laughing, as if that was the funniest joke ever.

The thing was...right before I left, I prepared a little biomedical gift for Karen and Nate.

Mia let me get my hands on rotting body parts and animal remains from her outsourced lab. I spread all the waste in Nate and Karen's room. The feeling was awful, but in the middle of Nate's room was a bloody note I wrote and stuck with a bone over the desk.

[You will regret this, Nate]

After my little art work, I rushed to my room to throw up. Now you know the real reason.

And I also knew something...that Nate will do everything in his power to bring me back.

He loves me too much.

So much that the idea of me leaving him haunts him and he...

It was around dawn.

I was sleepdeprived and slightly dehydrated. After driving aimlessly around the country for several hours, I knew I had lost it. But I was staring at the papers in my hand. Those fateful papers as they shined like proof for me.

It was all her fault.

And my foolish sexdriven mate was just her pawn.

"I'm going to make your life hell. Both of you." I swore again. The promise of the other day's coming back.

knock knock

There was a knock on my car door. I lifted my head, feeling the dizziness as I stared.

"What are you doing there? Why did you call me?" Zade asked. He needed to know too.

'No. Not this soon. We have to wait for the final act to bring Karen down.' Rexi mumbled in my head. Wiping my crazy tears away, I opened the car door for Zade who climbed in.

"Tell me what's going on with you. I've never seen you like this and it's weirding me out. Did you see a ghost?" Zade made me chuckle. With him, life felt much better and I didn't know why. I didn't have hope, because Zade already had two chances at life with a mate and failed twice, miserably.

"In fact, I did. I'm haunted by the ghost of revenge, Zade. Exorcise me." His eyebrows furrowed.

"Tell me what happened. Right now." His voice was soft but firm. And I opened up to him, revealing whatever was necessary and hiding what should be hidden.

"That's awful, Nova. I'm so sorry." I sniffled harder.

"I've started my revenge. But I'm still their Luna. The people and pups of my pack believe I've gone on a trip. I don't want to return to that toxic family, Zade. What do I do...?" I cried.

"It sucks that Karen helped Nate cheat on you. And we both know Nate is going to drown himself in guilt if he doesn't find you right away. Janet and Karen know you've gone missing. Nate doesn't. So here's what you're going to do." Saying, Zade and I made an elaborative plan on what needed to be done.

"...Alright then. I'll attend the annual Luna meeting and do what I must. Starting with a rejection." I said.

Zade and I parted ways at the highway, two days ago. He's beaten into my head that revenge isn't best served cold if it's not planned properly. And there I was.

Upon my return, Janet grabbed my arm and asked on the porch,

"Why did you return? You want to curse us with your infertility more!?" I stared at her, irony was lingering in her home, in her blood indeed. I smirked and yanked my arm out of her grip.

"Watch what your mouth runs, Janet. Maybe the words will come back to bite you in the ass." Saying, I watched her shocked expression return. She slapped me across the face.

"How dare you..." She growled. I was hurt, but I felt nothing besides the physical pain. That's when I realized my heart had grown cold as ice.

Hearing the commotion, lights were turned on but no one came out of their rooms. Glaring at Janet, I walked right in as she mumbled bad things about me, behind my back. I held myself from revealing anything.

The next day, the morning before Luna Assemblage, Janet barged into the storage room where I was given space to sleep. My study was being renovated. Nails and wood chips covered the surface when I went.

"What are you doing here? You're not welcome back." Karen said. I ignored her and turned away to sleep more. Suddenly, a bucket full of icecold water was splashed onto me.

I was shivering. Rexi was ready to bite Karen's throat off.

"Get the hell up and start preparing for the meeting. You pissed off Janet because she had made up a story of your missing. You shouldn't have come back." I scoffed hearing Karen. I wiped the water off my face and stood up. Karen tensed when I passed by. Her bravado crumbled.

"Tell Janet I'll stop being Luna soon. I'll fulfil her wish to continue being the rotten, corrupted Luna of this pack." I said in a low tone. Karen walked away but started berating me openly to passersby after a distance.

Out of nowhere, Nate barged into the dark storage room and held my face. He kissed me fervently, feverishly. I felt like my lips would be ripped off. That's how harsh he was kissing me.

Once his grip loosened, I pushed him so hard that he lay flat on the ground, flying a small distance.

"Thank you for coming back! Prince Zyke was commencing this meeting as well, but his mother told him she'd be representing instead! If you came with me, all will be good!" I scoffed at Nate after he spoke. He stood up grunting. His back fell on a nail which dug into his flesh.

He pulled it out and with crazy eyes...smeared the blood over my cheek with the nail.

"Good that you've returned on your own, Nova. I knew where to find you but I held myself. Because you need me and you still love me. We are mates, after all."

My courage shrivelled. Nate has never stared at me like this. He looked like he lost it. My lower lip wobbled in fear. It caught his attention.

"Don't worry, Nova. I can never hurt you. I love you way too much. But understand this. What I've done was done for the pack." I was rendered speechless. I was too afraid to respond other than a nod.

"Good girl." He kissed the crown of my head and left the storage room. Coming out after crying my eyes out, I asked if I could use Beta Ray's room to clean myself up. He looked uncomfortable and rejected the idea. He came closer, after seeing no one was spying on us in the hallway and whispered,

"Mother Luna Janet is keeping an eye on me. I'm sorry, Luna." He said and pulled away. He bowed and left with regret in his heart. He's a good man, but he was just a powerless beta in my wicked dramatic life.

In the end, Mia let me get dressed and practically forced me to wear her dress for the Luna Assemblage. The evening has to be grand. Word has spread that Prince Zyke will be attending with Queen Delores this evening, for the Assemblage. I couldn't have been more happier.

"This looks amazing," I said in amusement. Mia had a nice collection. One she lent to me was golden caped, Dior's prime collection.

"You can make heck ton of money when you're an aspiring head of healers for a pack, I guess." She said as I hugged her.

"I will save you, Mia. Wait for me." She nodded on my shoulder.

And then, it was time to implement my master plan.

The evening was vibrant. Luna's Assemblage was all about prosperity and discussions about happiness of packs.

As much as I loathed it, Janet, Karen and even Nate accompanied me to the Assemblage.

It made my plan tad bit difficult. But I pulled some threads secretly and made sure none of the three saw me walking into the Prince's chambers that evening after the meeting.

However, as I walked out of Prince Zyke's chambers after having a 'delightful' talk about my pack's future, I bumped into Nate.

I almost jumped at his appearance. His gaze on me was skeptical.

"What were you doing there?" Nate inquired harshly.

"What do you think I was doing there?" I asked. Nate's jealousy was off the roof and I could smell it in his aura. He was doing an awful job hiding his jealousy.

"I don't know, mate with him for dethroning my mother as Luna?" The words flew out of his mouth. My blood was boiling, my smile long gone.

"What do you fucking mean?" I asked harshly. Nate straightened up.

"I'm sorry. That was...irrational of me. I felt threatened." He said.

"Threatened that I would cheat on you too?" My question baffled him.

"NNo. I know you wouldn't. You're my mate." He said affirmatively and stared at the mate mark on my neck. My first and last. That's what he thought.

"You're insecure, aren't you?" I was pushing the nail deeper. Nate's eyes wandered to the passersby. He gulped harshly before replying,

"I'm not. I'm confident in our love." He said.

"Is that why you've been fucking Karen behind my back every time she came to visit? For six years?" The revelation finally struck.

"Baby. She was in heat and didn't have anyone around. You know how busy your best friend Zade could be. She was lonely, and I was helping her out—" He said, but I lifted my hand to cut him off.

"Enough is enough. You're pathetic." I said and tried to walk away.

What I wanted to do was done. The first and most important step Talking to Prince Zyke was done. I had nothing to do with Nate or Graymoon Pack anymore.

But Nate clutched my wrist and spun me back to himself.

"Nova. Listen. I want to reconcile with you. Tomorrow is Karen and my first child's 100th day. I want you to be the Godmother, as promised. Please. Be my mate and attend the party, as my mate." He asked. To me, it sounded like begging.

He was begging me to remind myself what they did, 100 days ago. They fucked all night on my birthday and they want me to remember the trauma forever.

Nate's expectant eyes pleaded with me. He was hoping I would reject the invitation so he could beg and plead more. Instead, I took my chances and said,

"Okay. I'll come as the Godmother. I'm still Luna, after all." I said. I never knew lying through my teeth would invoke a whole new level of anger in me. I hated myself for sure.

"Ah, you're the best." Delighted, Nate hugged me tightly. He was feeling my body, running his hands on my back and I felt something on my abdomen.

Well, I'll just have to put up with him for one more day. Just one more. After that is all war.

The next day at Graymoon Packhouse...

Karen's 100 days of pregnancy was celebrated no less than a bloody festival. While all members of my pack enjoyed booze and dances with festive lights filling up the sky, the ceremony only reminded me of my doom. The beginning of my doom. The day it all went downhill.

Karen and Nate were matching in a white dress and suit. It looked like their wedding. Almost everyone wore white that day, except for me.

I showed up in a bold black dress that hugged my figure and showed some extra skin. I was responsible for turning heads so hard that they cracked that evening.

The men of my own pack started salivating at my appearance. Did they mistake me for someone like Karen? I don't go spreading legs for them, unlike her.

Nate turned at my appearance. I walked down to the open ground decorated beautifully with 999 roses. The bouquet was as big as me. It made my shoulder hurt with small, unattended thorns pricking. But it was a small price to pay.

Nate's smile dropped when he saw me. He got down the stage and left Karen with an unsettling smile. I just knew the party was going to be amazing from that moment.

"Nova. What are you doing?" Nate asked and tried to take the huge bouquet off of me. It hurt even more as I tried to move it because the thorns impaled the mark on my neck. In other words, I was hurting Nate too, as his neck and shoulder were burning along with mine.

"What are you even wearing? Cover yourself properly. You're the Luna." Nate was taking his coat off for me. I barely exposed a part of my cleavage and wore sleeveless.

I looked at Karen. She was just as shameless. She was wearing sheer clothing, a white collar necklace that made her look like a whore. I scoffed in my head.

This is how men like Nate interpret women's clothing it literally depends on what they mean to him.

As his mate, Nate wanted me to be diligent. And as his girlfriend, Nate wanted Karen to show herself off to the crowd. He wanted to let them know that one of us was good as a wife and the other was good in bed.

Nate repulses me so much.

Just as Nate was trying to take the bouquet from me, he frowned.

"You couldn't have gotten any other kind? Karen is allergic to roses, Nova. You knew that." Nate accused as he took the bouquet.

However, Janet snatched the thick bouquet from his hands and threw it to the ground. The roses splashed across the floor.

Janet lifted her leg and stomped on the roses with her boots. The petals smashed against the dirt. I lifted my leg to look at Janet who couldn't stop herself from embarrassing me.

"You steal everything. The chance of my pack having an heir, my son's true happiness, my daughterinlaw's happiness...everything." I quickly knew Janet wasn't mentioning me as her daughterinlaw. It was Karen.

"What do you want from us!? You're a witch! Everywhere you go, happiness just vaporizes from around you! You killed your own parents and you know that!" Janet spat.

The crowd gasped.

Watching Janet act this way was new. The levelheaded woman finally uncoiled and burst into a naked wire of emotions. And somehow, I ignited that in her.

I was, yet again, made the epicentre of Janet's anger.

"You don't mean that, Janet." I retorted.

"Oh! We all know you sent your parents out to get a gift for your birthday. They didn't want to go, Nova! You killed them! They died because you urged them to be fed to the rogues in the middle of the night!" She screamed. Nate stared at my balledup fists. He knew I could hurt Janet if I wanted to. I didn't care if she was my Luna or Nate's mother.

It took tremendous energy to hold myself back. I was shaking. Rexi was already clawing at my head to be let out.

"You seem to be too proud of your 'daughter in law' Janet. Let me show you something." Saying, I walked up to Karen. She seemed uncomfortable. She feigned being scared of me, acting as if I'd hurt her.

"Tell them, Karen.

Tell them who's the real father of this child."

Because the last time I checked, I was not barren but my mate was. Nate was impotent.

Then who made the baby Karen's carrying?