Chapter 1

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

"I'm willing to leave the Alpha, Ryan Hayden," I said, enunciating every word. "Step down from the Mate position. But I have one condition — you send me somewhere he can never find me."

Russell was obviously pleased, his emotions laced with undisguised smugness.

"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.

"This is your own decision, Ayla. Once you're gone, don't you dare cling to Ryan again. You'd better not regret it."

"I won't," I said.

Strength drained out of me, and I let myself sink back into the ice-cold water of the dungeon.

When they finally let me out, I went back to the great hall.

"Ayla."

Selena saw me first.

She immediately straightened, tugging Dennis behind her on instinct, blocking him from me, eyes sharp and wary.

Ryan stepped forward, standing before them like a formidable wall, shielding the mother and her child.

The look he gave me was openly guarded.

As if I wasn't the healer who'd stood between that kid and bone-rot pollen, but some feral threat about to rip Dennis' throat out.

A servant, being smart, scooped Dennis up and carried him upstairs.

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 picked up a blanket, trying to drape it over my shoulders. I instinctively stepped back.

For a split second, his expression tightened.

"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 anyway. I don't want more trouble. And Dennis is innocent. Why would you—"

"I told you, it wasn't me." I cut him off, locking eyes with him. "I know exactly what bone-rot pollen is. How the hell would I ever use that on a newborn pup? That was a setup, carefully planned."

Ryan was silent for two seconds.

"Okay." His voice softened a little. "It doesn't matter now."

"Dennis is fine now."

In his mind, the only thing that mattered was that the kid was okay. Whether I did it or not, whether he "believed me" or not — none of that really ranked.

Something inside my chest went cold.

That's when Selena stood up and walked toward me, one hand absently resting on her slightly rounded belly.

"Ayla, I owe you an apology for last night too. I was too scared. You're a lone wolf and… you have never assumed the role of a mother…"

She lifted a hand and pushed her hair back.

That's when I saw it — the thing on her neck.

A silver pendant, holding a clear stone shaped like a drop of frozen moonlight.

My heart clenched.

Moon Tear stone.

The only thing my mother left me.

I stared at it for a second, then lunged forward and grabbed her wrist.

"Where did you get this pendant?"

My voice came out tight, edged with anger.

Selena flinched, instinctively trying to pull away, but I only tightened my grip.

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."

She gasped and staggered backward, one hand flying to protect her belly.

Her other hand slipped out a small vial of dark red liquid from her side, and she flung it at her own chest and throat in the chaos.

She let out a blood-curdling scream.

"Ah—!!"

The stench of burnt meat exploded into the air as her skin blistered, peeled, and blackened in front of our eyes.

Ryan's face changed instantly.

"Ayla!"

He lunged toward us, grabbing my shoulders and shoving me hard to the side.

"She's carrying my pup!" he roared. "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, trembling with pain, tears streaming down her face.

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

"Don't be. I'm here," he murmured, gentle and steady, like he was soothing a wounded animal. "You'll be okay. The pup will be okay."

I stared at his back, my throat tight.

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 his 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.

He didn't turn around. He didn't answer. He just threw down one cold line:

I need to take Selina for treatment first.

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

I laughed as tears spilled over.

"I will never believe you again."

"Ryan, I will never believe any of your promises again."