Chapter 3​

As Kael Wood stared into his cup of tea, Rin Lake glided across the opulent study, her pregnancy - swollen belly barely disturbing the silk of her gown. She placed a tray of moonberry pastries before him. “Kael, Elara Miller is gone. You fulfilled your duty to the pack and the council. Don't let her memory poison your peace.”​ His silver - grey eyes snapped up, fixated on the curve of her stomach. “Our first pup... if it had lived, it would be running with the pack by now.” Rin' fingers trembled as she reached for a pastry. “Some things are better left in the past,” she murmured.​ The truth about our lost pup was a twisted knot of lies and betrayal. After our forced union, Kael avoided me like I carried the plague. On the night of the Blood Moon, I laced his mead with a fertility potion brewed from moonstone dust and wolfsbane petals. The mating that followed was a feverish blur of teeth and claws, and in the aftermath, he vanished into the woods.​ When I discovered the life growing inside me, Kael' demeanor shifted. His coldness thawed into something resembling concern, but it was a fragile facade. He brought me gifts from distant packs—amber - encased honey from the northern , rare healing herbs from the mountain wolves. At night, we'd sit by the hearth, his wolf' shadow stretching protectively over me, and for a few blissful moons, I almost believed in our charade of a happy mating.​ Then, in the sixth moon of my pregnancy, he announced he must leave for the flood - ravaged territories. I knew the truth even before I followed his trail to the hidden cabin in the Silverpine Forest. There, in the flickering firelight, I watched Rin Lake nuzzle against him, her belly already swollen . In a fit of rage, I halt the heartbeat of my unborn pup. Kael' howl of grief and anger echoed through the pack lands.​ Whispers of Kael' callous treatment of his Luna reached the ears of the High Council. Dozens of alphas filed grievances against him. But Kael was the Alpha Prime for a reason. With a single flash of his Alpha command, he quelled the unrest, leaving only a token punishment of reduced territory rights.​ Still, my death had achieved one thing—Kael was forced back to the desolate Wood Manor. As he approached the wrought - iron gates, a human male blocked his path. “Please!” The man clutched at Kael' cloak, his eyes wild. “I'm searching for Mrs. Wood. She saved my sister from a rogue pack, and I—” His words were cut off as Kael' hand shot out, gripping his throat.​ “Elara is dead,” Kael growled, his fangs bared.