FREYA'S POV

"Luna, Alpha Eric sent you this?" Raven mumbled, the distaste in her voice evident as she placed a bouquet of roses. 

It had been two days since that welcome party for Alyssa, and there had been no sign of him. I just thought he was avoiding me because I knew about his dirty secret.

What a coward.

The warm breeze twirled through the garden, carrying the scent of fresh earth and flowers. Dim sunlight kissed my skin. 

I sat among the greenery, papers and documents from recent pack activities spread on little table, trying to distract myself from thoughts of Eric, but he still found a way to invade my mind.

My lips curved down as I took the flowers, noticing a little note attached to them.

"Happy belated birthday, my Luna. Sorry it’s coming late."

"No apology or an explanation." I scoffed, tossing the note on the floor. "This can't even be classified as bare minimum."

I stared at the flowers, feeling pain tighten my chest. I reached out and caressed them.

"He doesn't even remember I'm allergic to roses." I hissed with a sad smile.

Hearing those words, Chloe, who was standing beside me, snatched them from Raven and tucked them behind her back.

My skin prickled, heat and irritation spreading fast. The cloying scent hit my nose, sharp enough to make me sneeze. My wolf stirred restlessly, teeth bared in my mind.

"Luna, you shouldn't have touched the roses if they're going to make you sick," Raven chimed.

"It's fine... nothing serious."

Raven rolled her eyes and turned toward Chloe, who took a step back. "What should I do with the roses—"

"Sis, is that you?"

A sweet, soft voice ripped through the air and our attention turned to see her—Alyssa rushing up toward me.

She wore a long, light pink dress, her silver hair shimmering under the sun and her round eyes alight with excitement. But I felt nothing but utter disgust.

I noticed two maids beside her and frowned.

She wasn't even officially marked as his Fated Mate and already had servants assigned to her.

Alyssa tried to reach me, but Raven stretched her hand forward, stopping her.

My wolf snarled at the sweet lavender scent emitting from her.

"Behave yourself in front of the Luna," Chloe chided.

I turned my gaze away from her, taking the cup of tea that was on my table, slowly bringing it to my lips.

"Sis, I didn't mean to disrespect you. I just thought that we should be close, like sisters." Her tiny voice made my hand freeze before I arched a brow at her.

"Sister?"

"Hmm." She nodded with determination, then her face dropped as she reached over to her belly and caressed it slowly. 

"You know, since Eric and I will be expecting a baby soon. Let's be sisters so we can take care of the baby together. Eee told me you can't give birth."

My nails dug crescents into my palm. 

The same man who told me he didn't mind not having our own pup was the same person making fun of me to his mistress.

Ironic, isn't it?

"How dare you speak to the Luna like this!" Raven yelled.

My fingers trembled and I set the cup down, forcing back the bile building in my throat. "Did Eric tell you that?" I said calmly.

Alyssa's fingers fidgeted and then she nodded. "Yes, but please don't take this the wrong way. I was just trying to make reference to your condition."

I stood up slowly. Alyssa’s lips parting and eyes fluttering as she took a step backward.

My fingers clenched tighter with each breath. "What do you mean by my condition?"

Alyssa chuckled nervously and shrugged. "You can't have children. But surely it's not shameful for a wolf to remain without a pup.Don't worry, we can raise mine together..."

I latched my hand over her throat, my teeth bared, tears filling my eyes. "You can talk about anyone but don't insult me and pretend to care." I squeezed harder as she choked.

"You may have everyone fooled but not me..."

"Sis... please." Alyssa’s eyes filled with tears, turning red.

My hand loosened from her neck and she crumpled to the floor, gasping, her hands over her throat. Her maids rushed to her side, trying to hold her up.

"Don't you dare call me sis. Until Alpha Eric decides my fate, I'm still your Luna and you will address me with respect." I narrowed my eyes, watching Alyssa still on her knees, panting.

"Do you understand me?" I asked.

Alyssa’s nose flared, the corner of her lips raised in disgust as she cradled her neck.

Her sweet, innocent wolf façade cracking.

"Freya, what are you doing?"

I jolted, hearing Eric's voice from a distance.

Alyssa’s claws darted up, leaving a slow, thin streams of blood spilled around her neck. 

My eyes widened in shock. "You..."

Alyssa hurriedly crawled and grabbed my palm with her bloody hands. "Luna, please spare me and my baby. I promise to leave Moonhowl pack," Alyssa sobbed.

"Shut up! Luna didn’t touch you," Raven yelled, trying to pull Alyssa away from me.

Tears were already running down her face.

Shock made me stiff. I had a feeling this little silver wolf was no good, but this was on another level.

Eric shoved me backward, and Chloe caught me quickly. Eric’s eyes landed on Alyssa as he squatted beside her, taking her in his arms as they stood up.

Then his red eyes turned toward me. "How could you..."

"Alpha, it’s—" Chloe tried to speak.

Whack!

The sound rang in my ears. The sting bloomed like fire. My eyes blurred, tears threatening to fall. 

Eric, who would never lay his hand on a woman, had just hit me without a second thought. With shaky hands I brushed my cheek, just to see if this was real.

Sadly, it was.

My wolf growled in my ears, and I launched my hand at his face.

Silence fell. Eric’s arms stiffened around Alyssa.

He couldn't believe his eyes.

However, the battle line had already been drawn. What was the use of going back?

"Eric, are you so blinded by love that you can't use your brain?"

"You tried to harm my mate from the pack. I saw you choking her."

I swallowed the lump. "If I wanted her dead, she’d already be gone. I didn’t try to harm your fated mate."

Eric tried to speak when Alyssa coughed up a mouthful of blood and collapsed against Eric’s body. "Eric, the baby. Something’s wrong with our pup."

The sight of my mate holding someone else was already damaging, so I turned to leave.

"Stop right there. We’re not done," Eric ordered, and I paused.

"Chloe, you’ve learned the act of medicine, didn’t you? Check if our pup is okay."

My heart thumped hearing those words in front of me. Chloe’s gaze shifted to mine, seeking my approval, and I nodded.

Chloe frowned as she reluctantly stepped forward. Raven held on to me gently.

Chloe took Alyssa’s arm and then paused after checking her wrist. Her head turned in confusion.

"What’s the problem? Is our pup okay?"

Chloe’s body trembled. "Alpha, there’s no pup.”

*****