After my mate Ethan’s brother, the Alpha of Shadow Moon Pack, died in the territory war, my mate inherited everything from his brother, including his widowed sister-in-law Victoria.
For the past six months, he has gone to Victoria’s room every night, promising that once Victoria bears an heir, he would declare me as the pack’s true Luna.
At their mating ceremony, I dialed a number I hadn’t called in five years:
“Mother, I already have an heir now. I’m ready to come home and claim your Alpha position.”
……
After tucking my daughter into bed, I opened my phone to book flights back to Silver Crescent territory.
Unfortunately, our pack had thrived under my mother’s leadership, and many wolves were seeking to visit our lands.
The earliest flight I could get was five days from now.
I stared at the date on the ticket, momentarily stunned.
February 14th. Valentine’s Day. Also the five-year anniversary of when Ethan marked me.
It felt like some cosmic joke of fate.
I pulled my lips into a bitter smile.
It seemed fitting. What began on this day should also end on this day.
A strong scent of moonflowers engulfed me from behind as Ethan’s gentle voice came from above:
“What are you looking at?”
I instinctively darkened my phone screen. “Just some news.”
In just half a year, Victoria’s moonflower scent had practically marinated Ethan.
My wolf couldn’t tolerate such a provocative smell. I pushed him away with disgust. “Go take a shower before you talk to me.”
Ethan sniffed himself and released me with embarrassment.
“I’ll do that right now…”
“I’ve been neglecting you lately, and that’s my fault. I won’t go to Vivi’s for the next few days.”
Vivi. Such an intimate nickname.
Before, he’d at least keep up appearances, calling her Luna Victoria in public and private.
Now he didn’t even bother with her title.
Anyone who didn’t know better would think Victoria was Ethan’s true mate.
The bathroom door suddenly opened, and Ethan emerged wrapped in a towel, his body still damp.
Broad shoulders, narrow waist, tall frame—he carried a youthful energy rare in men his age.
For a moment, I saw him as he was five years ago, covered in night dew, climbing through my window.
So confident, as if showing off to the whole world:
