Chapter 1 The Devil’s Bargain

MIRA

The music from the packhouse shook the ground beneath my feet as I stood outside, smoothing down my white dress for the hundredth time. Tonight was supposed to be perfect. Tonight, I would officially become Luna of the Crescent Moon Pack.

"You look beautiful," my wolf, Sera, whispered in my mind.

I smiled, touching the silver pendant Kade had given me on our wedding day three years ago. Three years of marriage, and tonight would seal our bond in front of the entire pack. I couldn't wait to see the pride in his eyes when he placed the Luna crown on my head.

"There you are!" Delilah rushed toward me, her green dress flowing behind her. My stepsister had always been beautiful, with her long dark hair and bright smile. "Everyone's waiting inside. Are you nervous?"

"A little," I admitted, squeezing her hand. "Thank you for being here, Lilah. I don't know what I'd do without you."

She pulled me into a hug. "That's what sisters are for, right? Now come on, let's not keep your Alpha waiting."

We walked toward the packhouse together, but as we reached the entrance, Delilah stopped. "Oh no, I forgot your flower crown in the preparation room upstairs. You can't do the ceremony without it!"

"I'll come with you…"

"No, no. You wait here. I'll be super quick, I promise." She squeezed my shoulder and disappeared inside.

I stood there, listening to the laughter and chatter from inside. My pack. My family. My home.

Five minutes passed. Then ten.

I frowned, checking my phone. The ceremony was supposed to start in fifteen minutes. Where was Delilah?

Finally, I decided to go find her myself. I slipped through the side entrance, avoiding the main hall where the guests were gathered. The preparation room was on the third floor, down a quiet hallway I'd walked a thousand times.

But as I climbed the stairs, I heard something that made me freeze.

A moan. Low and breathless.

It was coming from Kade's private office.

My heart started pounding. Maybe someone was hurt. Maybe they needed help. I moved closer, my hand reaching for the door handle.

Another sound. A woman's voice, gasping. "Kade... we shouldn't... not tonight..."

The world tilted.

That voice. I knew that voice.

"She'll never know," Kade's deep voice responded. "She's too naive to suspect anything. She trusts you completely."

I pushed the door open.

The sight before me burned itself into my brain. Kade, my husband, my mate, had Delilah pressed against his desk. Her green dress was hiked up around her waist. His hands were tangled in her dark hair. They were kissing like they were starving for each other.

The folder I'd been holding slipped from my hands and hit the floor with a loud thud.

They jumped apart.

Kade's eyes went wide. "Mira…"

"How long?" My voice came out as a whisper, but it felt like I was screaming.

Delilah adjusted her dress, and I waited for her to look ashamed, to apologize, to cry. But when she met my eyes, she was smiling.

Actually smiling.

"How long?" I asked again, louder this time. "How long have you been sleeping with my husband?"

"Two years," Delilah said casually, like she was telling me the weather. "Give or take a few months."

Two years. The same amount of time she'd been living with us. The same amount of time I'd called her my sister, my best friend.

"Mira, let me explain" Kade started.

"Explain?" I laughed, but it sounded broken. "What's there to explain? You've been screwing my sister behind my back for two years!"

"Stepsister," Delilah corrected, examining her nails. "We're not blood-related. And honestly, Mira, did you really think someone like Kade would be satisfied with someone like you?"

The words hit me like a slap.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, come on. You're so... ordinary. No special wolf abilities. Your family lost their wealth and status years ago. The only reason Kade married you was because your father did him a favor." She walked closer, her smile growing. "But me? I'm from the Silver Crest bloodline. I'm strong. Powerful. Everything a real Alpha needs in a mate."

I looked at Kade, waiting for him to tell her she was wrong. Waiting for him to defend me, to choose me.

But he just stood there, silent.

"Say something!" I shouted at him. "Tell her she's lying!"

Kade ran a hand through his hair. "Mira... maybe we should talk about this after"

"After what? After you make me look like a fool in front of the entire pack?" Tears were streaming down my face now, but I didn't care. "After you put that crown on my head while knowing you've been betraying me for two years?"

"I never wanted to hurt you," he said quietly.

"But you did! You both did!"

Delilah laughed. "Oh, Mira. Always so dramatic. Did you really think Kade loved you? Did you think any of this was real?"

I felt Sera howling in pain inside me. The mate bond, the connection I'd cherished for three years, felt like it was being ripped apart.

"I want a divorce," I heard myself say.

Kade's head snapped up. "What?"

"You heard me. I want a divorce. Tonight."

"Mira, be reasonable.."

"Reasonable?" I was shaking now. "You want me to be reasonable while you've been sleeping with my sister? While you've been making me look like an idiot?"

"Fine." Kade's voice went cold. "If that's what you want, I'll give you a divorce. But don't expect to walk away with anything. You came to this pack with nothing, and you'll leave with nothing."

"I don't want anything from you. Just sign the papers."

"There's one more thing you should know," Delilah said, stepping forward. "Kade and I are true mates. The Moon Goddess blessed us. You were just... a placeholder until I came of age."

The room spun.

True mates. The rarest, most sacred bond a wolf could have.

And they were each other's.

Which meant I was nothing. I'd never been anything.

"Get out," Kade said. "Get out of my pack. Tonight."

I stood there, looking at the man I'd loved for three years, and the sister I'd trusted with everything.

"Gladly," I whispered.

I turned and walked out, my head held high even though my heart was shattering into a million pieces.

But as I reached the stairs, I felt it. A flutter. A tiny spark of life inside me.

My hand went to my stomach.

No. It couldn't be.

But it was.

I was pregnant with Kade's child.

And I hadn't told anyone yet.