Chapter 2

I stared blankly at the mirror.

The woman looking back at me wasn’t the same one from five years ago. Her skin, once glowing and flushed with life, was now pale—almost gray. Her cheekbones jutted out too sharply, her lips dull, her eyes hollow. Lifeless.

I looked... sick.

And no matter how many times I tried to deny it, I was.

Certainly not the radiant Luna people expected. Not the glowing mate an Alpha like Kayle would want.

Not compared to someone like her—fresh-faced, bright-eyed, Omega Arlene, basking in his attention like a flower in sunlight.

My phone buzzed on the sink, snapping me from my spiral.

Amy. The only friend I had left.

I answered with a whisper. “Hey.”

Her voice came fast, breathless, angry. “Seraphina, why didn’t you tell me? I was at the clinic today, going over reports, and saw your file...”

“Amy,” I interrupted, voice flat, “what’s the point?”

Telling her would only break her heart too.

There was a long silence. Then her voice cracked. “Did you tell him?”

I nodded before realizing she couldn’t see me. “I did,” I whispered. “He thought it was just another trick. Said I was trying to manipulate him... again.”

Amy cursed. Loud and unapologetic. “He’s a damn monster. And I heard he brought another Omega to the Moon Feast tonight? Seraphina, what the hell? After everything, after all these years, how long is he going to keep doing this to you? Just because of—”

She stopped. Dead silence. She knew she’d crossed a line.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “It’s fine, Amy. Don’t.”

After I hung up, I stood there for a while, just listening to the dripping faucet. My reflection had started to blur from the tears I wouldn’t let fall.

Eventually, I turned on the water and washed the blood from the sink—red, silent proof of what was wrong inside me.

When the porcelain was clean, I straightened my shoulders and walked out, determined to hold whatever dignity I had left.

At the end of the hallway, he was waiting.

Alpha Kayle leaned against the wall, half of his face cloaked in shadow, cigarette burning slowly between his fingers. The picture of casual cruelty.

I kept my head down, trying to pass him without a word. But he reached out and grabbed my wrist. His grip was firm. Too familiar.

“Still hiding?” he said quietly. “The feast ended a while ago.”

I didn’t meet his eyes. “Thanks for taking care of it.”

My voice was flat, polite, distant. The way strangers speak at funerals.

I was genuinely grateful—or at least, trying to be. The Pack members had likely been dismissed by him in my absence, sparing me further embarrassment.

Technically, that was my job. As Luna. As the woman they expected to see, smiling through pain, pretending nothing was wrong.

He studied me for a second longer. “So, what... You hate being around me that much now?”

I finally looked up. His brows were drawn together, the frown on his face more irritation than concern.

“I wasn’t feeling well,” I said.

I tried to pull my wrist free, but he held tighter.

“Still playing the sick card?” he sneered. “What’s it this time? A fever? A broken heart?”

I gave him a bitter smile.

“Oh, it’s much worse than that,” I said lightly. “I’m pregnant. With your pups. Surprise.”

He stilled.

For a moment, the sarcasm drained from his eyes. But just as quickly, it was back—colder than ever.

“Is that supposed to be funny?” he said, voice low. “Because as far as I remember, it’s been a very long time since I last touched my Luna.”

He stepped in closer, so close I could feel his breath on my neck, warm and invasive.

“Seraphina,” he murmured, voice like poison wrapped in silk, “no one’s going to indulge your fantasies anymore.”

His hand tightened, and he yanked me forward.

I stumbled, crashing back into the wall. Pain shot through my spine, stealing the breath from my lungs.

By the time I caught my balance, he was already walking away—hand in hand with her. Arlene.

She had been waiting. Listening. Smirking.

And he didn’t even look back.

I stood frozen in the hallway, breath shallow, limbs numb. It wasn’t the first time. It wouldn’t be the last.

A low voice broke the silence. One of the Warriors approached, careful, almost timid.

“Luna... the car is ready. Shall we head to the cemetery?”

I turned slowly, forcing my expression to harden.

He hesitated, his gaze flicking to the hallway Kayle had just walked down. “Are we... still waiting for Alpha Kayle?”

I stared past him, at nothing.

“No,” I said softly. “We’re not waiting for him.”

And with that, I walked away.

Alone. As always.