Chapter 1

I forced myself to tap into Russell's, Ryan's father's, mind link.

"I'll cut ties with Alpha Ryan Hayden," I said, enunciating every word. "But you have to get me out of his orbit for good."

Russell's smugness was blatant. "So, one night in the water dungeon finally reminded you what you are? A low-rank wolf born a loner should never have dreamed of an Alpha in the first place."

"Five days from now, on the full moon, I'll personally send someone to escort you out of Silver Moon territory."

He paused, his tone turning icy.

"Remember, this is your choice, Ayla. Once you're gone, don't you dare cling to Ryan again."

"I won't," I said.

After that, utterly exhausted, I let myself sink into the icy water of the undercity dungeon.

When they finally let me out and I stepped back into the main hall, Selena saw me first.

She instantly pulled Dennis behind her, her gaze sharp as a blade.

Ryan moved in front of them, shielding them both, looking at me with pure wariness, as if I wasn't the healer who'd saved Dennis, but a feral beast about to maul a child.

A servant quickly carried Dennis away, and then it was just the three of us in the living room.

Ryan took a few steps toward me, his gaze skimming over my damp clothes and the pale, wrinkled skin.

"You're out," he said quietly. "That water is freezing. Did it hurt you?"

Looking at the man who once took nine silver-tipped moon spikes for the sake of being with me, my chest twisted with bitterness.

He held out a blanket, but I stepped back on instinct.

The emotion in his eyes hardened in an instant.

"Ayla," he said, voice low, "you mouthed off at my father last night. The more I protect you, the more he wants to break you. With your status, they've already talked about expelling you—"

He pressed his lips together, something complicated flickering in his eyes.

"We're leaving soon. Don't stir up more trouble. Dennis is innocent. Why would you—"

"It wasn't me!" I cut him off, staring straight into his eyes. "I know exactly how lethal bone-rot pollen is. How the hell would I ever use it on a newborn pup? This was a setup!"

Ryan was silent for two seconds, then his tone eased slightly. "Forget it. Dennis is fine now, that's what matters."

So that was it.

In his mind, the only thing that mattered was that the kid was okay.

Whether I was innocent or framed, whether he believed me or not, had never really mattered. 

The cold in my chest spread through my whole body.

That's when Selena stood up and walked toward me, her voice tinged with apology.

"Ayla, I owe you an apology for last night. I was too scared…"

As she pushed her hair back, I froze. 

Hanging at her throat was my mother's Moon Tear pendant.

The only thing my mother left me.

"Where did you get that?" I lunged forward and grabbed her wrist, anger burning through my voice.

Selena gasped and tried to pull away.

And Ryan stepped in immediately, prying at my fingers.

"I gave it to her," he said.

His gaze flicked over my face for a moment, and he added, almost casually: "Consider it a gift from you to her — an apology. It's just a pendant, Ayla."

"It's everything my mother left me," I forced out.

I stared at him. "What gives you the right to give it away for me?"

His brows pulled together, irritation seeping through. "I'll get you something new—"

I couldn't be bothered to argue.

I simply reached for the chain at Selena's throat. "Give it back."

However, Selena cried out and stumbled back, suddenly pulling a small vial of dark red liquid from her side and hurling it across her own chest.

The thick, metallic stench hit instantly as her skin began to blister and blacken, her scream tearing through the room.

"Ah—!!"

Ryan's face changed instantly.

"Ayla!"

He shoved me hard, knocking me to the floor, and roared, "She's carrying my pup! How could you be this vicious?!"

Lying on the floor, I forced my eyes open and saw Ryan cradling Selena, his whole body steeped in rage and fear.

Selena curled into his arms, tears streaming down her face.

"Ryan…" Her voice was weak. "I'm so scared."

His soft "Don't be scared, I'm here" jabbed into my heart like a needle.  

I remembered when I had just been taken in by Silver Moon as a lone wolf, unknown bloodline, lowest rank.

I was mocked in front of the whole pack, someone even drew a blade on me. Ryan stepped between us and took that blow in my place.

Later, when his family and the Elders forced him to break up with me, he stood before the entire pack and said only one thing: "I only want her. I can give up everything for her."

I stared at Ryan's back now and said, "You promised me that once she gave birth, you'd take me away."

That promise had carried me through countless nights.

"Does that promise still count?"

Ryan's steps faltered.

But he didn't turn around.

He just threw down one cold line: "I have to get Selena treated first."

Then the door shut behind him, and he was gone.

I laughed as tears spilled over.

“Ryan, every promise you ever made is dead to me.”