No Longer Mine to Hold

I shivered as I hid behind a tree near the ancient altar, silently watching my Alpha mate, Anderson.

I saw him holding a shining silver crown meant for a Luna and offering it to Leah.

Leah’s eyes sparkled with tears of happiness as she bent down, allowing Anderson to place the crown atop her head.

The moment it was settled, Anderson couldn’t resist pulling her into his arms.

They kissed affectionately before the eyes of the expectant crowd. The scorching kiss lasted for a full 20 minutes, until Leah, flushed and breathless, gently patted him.

Only then did he finally stop with a smile.

A cold wind swept through, lifting the drooping branches.

It was then that I noticed that my entire pack was present under the sacred moonlight.

The younger brother I once protected with my life, Rhys, now stood at the center of the ceremony as the officiant.

He wore a robe embroidered with the pack’s emblem, and his eyes were filled with admiration for his stepsister, Leah.

Back then, Rhys and I had barely survived the torment inflicted by Leah and our stepmother, Maryanne Swift, in that correctional facility.

There, we were pierced with needles, electrocuted, drowned, and nearly burned alive.

Yet he had completely forgotten.

He spoke loudly with emotion, “Tonight, in this sacred moment, we witness the union of two hearts—our powerful Alpha, Anderson, and our wise Luna, Leah.

“Together, they will lead us to new heights. From now on, they are not just our leaders but the very symbol of Frostmoon Pack’s future.”

As soon as he finished, the other werewolves began dancing around them.

Excited howls and songs filled the air as Anderson and Leah turned toward the moon with their hands clasped, beginning their oath to the Moon Goddess.

Watching them, Rhys was overwhelmed with emotion. The moment they finished their vow, he roared at the top of his lungs, “Now go and enjoy your passionate night! Don’t hold back on our account!”

I fell into an abyss of despair. The wolf within me howled in agony.

I called Rhys, the same brother who once swore he would always stand by me and protect me, but he simply curled his lips in disdain and ignored me.

I didn’t stop and called Anderson next.

From the window, I saw his expression turn ice-cold the moment he saw my name. He wasn’t planning to answer me at all, but after Leah whispered something in his ear, he finally picked up.

I rubbed my swollen belly and asked softly, “Anderson, what are you doing? Will you be coming home tonight?”

He let out a scornful laugh and replied mercilessly in front of the entire pack, “Can you stop trying to monitor me? Irene, you’re already pregnant. Being so paranoid and jealous isn’t good for the baby.

“Or is it that you’re just that desperate for an Alpha’s touch and that you can’t survive without one?

“I’ve told you countless times that I came to the ancient altar with Leah to study the power-infused remains of the great wolves! Only a petty, disgusting she-wolf like you would constantly equate an Alpha’s duty with infidelity!”

He relentlessly attacked me with his words.

I felt my heart shatter into countless pieces. Forcing back the pain, I whispered, “It’s my birthday today. You promised you would celebrate it with me every year…”

You said that even if the world ended, you would always be by my side on this day.

So, even while pregnant, I braved the treacherous forests and steep mountain paths alone, pushing past my fear just to come find you.

But when I arrived, the wolves here told me there were no ancient wolf remains.

There was only the Alpha of the Frostmoon Pack, who often came here.

An Alpha who had been planning for half a year to hold his marking ceremony with his Luna at this altar.