Chapter 7
Ethan’s POV
1 had Farah in my arms, curled against me like she belonged there. Her scent–sweet and delicate, tinged with the barest trace of pregnancy–was all around me. It still felt surreal, even after the days that had passed. Farah was now carrying my pup.
I kept telling myself I was doing the right thing. That this was the path the Moon Goddess had curved out for me. I gave Farah everything she asked for, whether it was the strangest craving or the most trivial need. If she said she wanted honey–glazed rabbit at midnight. I had the kitchens buming within minutes. If she pouted over her feet hurting. I rubbed them myself. I was trying, damn it, I was trying mi convince myself I was happy.
But then came the pack meeting.
It was a formal gathering–elders, warriors, omegas, ranked wolves, all present. I was seated at the head of the long table, Farah me with a hand on her still–flat belly. My mind was half on the agenda and half on the empty seat at the other end of the table. Ivy’s seat !!
My Luna was late. I frowned.
She’d never been late for a meeting before–not once. I clenched my jaw, imitation bubbling up from beneath the surface. This wasn’t her. I motioned toward one of the wolf guards stationed by the entrance.
“Find Luna Ivy,” I said, my voice sharp. “Tell her the meeting’s started.”
But before the warrior could even turn, Elder Hamish cleared his throat. “Alpha Ethan,” he said slowly, like he was tiptoeing over hot coal “I believe there’s been a misunderstanding.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked, brows drawing together.
The elder folded his wrinkled hands in front of him. “Luna Ivy is no longer Luna, is she not? I received the formal letter. It was signed by both of you.
My heart dropped into my stomach. “What letter?”
Hamish blinked. The signed dissolution of your marriage, and her stepping down as Luna. With your signature.”
My blood ran cold
“No, I growled, rising to my feet. “That’s impossible. I never signed anything like that.”
But even as I said it, a flicker of doubt crept into my mind. My Beta looked up at me, surprised, but stayed quiet. The elder pulled a document from his case and laid it on the table.
“There’s your signature, Alpha. And hers.”
I stepped forward and snatched the paper. My eyes scanned the inked page.
My name. My signature. My damn wax seal.
What the hell?%
er until the
comers creased. I turned to the warrior at the door. “Find Ivy. Now,”
My fingers tightened around the paper until
The guard nodded and left swiftly
I stood there like a fool, my entire pack watching me. The woman I thought was still my Luna had quietly walked away from everything- her title, her marriage, her home. And I didn’t even notice.8
My wolf howled inside me, angry, confused. Where was she? Why hadn’t I smelled the shift in the air when she left?!
I stormed out of the meeting hall. My feet moved on instinct, carrying me to the Luna quarters–her quarters. The door creaked open easily. The room was empty. Not just clean, Empty. Lifeless. Her scent was faint, nearly gone, like she hadn’t set foot in there for days Drawers–empty Closet–bare. Jewelry box–gone.
Then I saw the boxes by the trash just outside the back balcony. I stepped over to them slowly, hear thudding. Inside were gifts I had given her through the years. A jade pendant from her birthday, a hand–carved comb made from darkwood, silk scarves from the southern border.
All dumped like they meant nothing.
My chest tightened painfully. I had thought she’d kept them. Thought maybe they still held value to her
I didn’t know what to feel!
Anger? Guilt? Shame?);
A rustle of footsteps made me turm
Farah stood in the doorway, her soft features drawn with confusion. “Alpha?” she asked, her voice hesitant. “What are you doing in Ivy’s
I looked at her, then back at the room that no longer smelled like my wife, and forced myself to step out!!
“Nothing.” I said, shaking my head. “Just.. needed a moment“}
Farah touched my arm. “Come back inside. The elders are waiting.
I nodded slowly and followed her.
But inside, something cracked &
had told myself I was choosing Farah because she needed me. Because she was pregnant. Because Ivy and I were too broken to fix⠀
Thad told myself I was choosing Farah because she needed me. Because she was pregnant. Because Ivy and I were too broken to foc
But now by was gone. Really gone.
She’d left behind silence and an echo I couldn’t chase.
cinan’s POV
They say time heals all wounds.
I say time only reminds you of what you’ve lost.
