Chapter 1 — Katina

My heart races with excitement as I make my way through the woods. The sun is shining and the grass feels crisp under my feet as I hurry towards our home.

I have just left the pack healer’s house, and I can barely contain my joy. I am pregnant. Ezra and I are going to have a pup. Walking back to our den, I have a smile on my face, eager to share the news with my mate.

As I approach the den, I hear a sound that makes my blood run cold. My mind races with a million different possibilities, but I can hardly believe what I’m hearing.

The air is thick with the scent of arousal the closer I get to our den, and the sound I’m hearing is one of passion, of sex.

And it’s coming from my den.

I freeze in my tracks, my heart now racing uncomfortably fast. I know what this means. Ezra is cheating on me. My mate, the Alpha of our pack, is betraying me with another female.

I take a deep, calming breath, trying to compose myself, because I know I can’t lose it now. Not when I need to confront him. I close my eyes and inhale deeply, gathering all the strength and courage I need to confront him with this betrayal.

I push the door open, and the sight I see makes my heart drop to the pit of my stomach as I stand motionless, watching in horror as my mate blatantly betrays me with my biggest rival.

It’s like a punch to the gut and I feel physically ill. I want to scream, rage, and lash out at them both, but I’m frozen in place, my body numb with shock.

They break apart, breathless and flushed, and Lucia looks at me, her brown eyes wide in surprise.

Ezra looks neither guilty nor remorseful, as he runs a hand through his sweaty dark hair. He looks almost content, as if this isn’t the first time this has happened, which only makes my anger flare and my claws extend involuntarily.

My voice comes out a little more than a growl. “What the hell is going on here?”

Ezra stands up naked, his jaw clenching tightly as he looks at me condescendingly. “Katina, what are you doing here?”

“What am I doing here? What the hell are you doing here? With her?” I growl, pointing at Lucia whose lips have tilted up into a smirk as she wraps the covers around her naked body.

“It’s not what it looks like,” Ezra says, trying to placate me. But I’m not having any of it.

“I know what it looks like. It looks like you’re cheating on me!” I shout, my voice echoing through the den.

Ezra sighs, running a hand across his face, and for the first time, I see a hint of guilt on his face. “I’m sorry, Katina. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“I don’t want to hear your pathetic apologies. You betrayed me, Ezra. You broke our bond, and you broke my heart.” I say, as tears start to prick at the corners of my eyes.

“I know. But please, hear me out,” Ezra pleads, trying to reach for me but I just shake my head, and move away.

“No. I can’t deal with this right now.” I say, and I spin around and make my way out of the den.

I feel broken, like a part of me has been shattered into a million pieces. The man I loved, the man I trusted with my life has betrayed me. And not just with anyone, but with the female who considers me her biggest rival in the pack.

As I make my way out of the den, I see the other wolves in our pack watching me, their expressions filled with concern. I ignore them, determined to get as far away from Ezra and Lucia as possible.

I have no idea where I’m going, but I know I can’t stay here. Not when my mate has betrayed me so completely.

With each step I take away from them, I feel a little stronger, a little more in control of my emotions.

I have always been a strong-minded warrior, and I won't let this defeat me.

I won't let Ezra's betrayal define me. I am more than just his mate. I am the Luna of our pack, and I will not let Ezra and Lucia’s betrayal tear me down.

As I wander aimlessly through the woods, I take deep breaths, trying to calm myself down. I need to be clear-headed and rational if I want to make a decision about what to do next.

Eventually, my wandering brings me to a clearing near the river. It's a place I've always loved, a place where I go to meditate and gather my thoughts.

I sit down on a rock and take a deep breath, letting the tranquility of the place calm me down. I close my eyes and breathe deeply, trying to clear my mind of all thoughts of Ezra and Lucia.

But even in this peaceful place, they haunt me. I try to push them out of my mind, to focus on the joy of my pregnancy.

I am going to have a pup, and that is something to be excited about. But even that thought is clouded by the knowledge that my pup will be born into a world where my mate doesn't love me. A world where I have been betrayed by the one person I trusted above all others.

He didn’t come after me.

The thought plagues my mind, as I open my eyes, and stare at my reflection in the flowing water, wondering why I’m not enough for him.

Clear blue eyes framed with thick long lashes stare back at me, a delicate nose and plump full lips that perfectly complement my heart shaped face. Time and again, I have been complimented for my beauty in our pack, and others. But today, I don’t feel beautiful, or strong, or anything that I am known for.

I feel broken, and I hate it.

I feel the tears welling up inside me again as I stare at myself, wishing I could take back the last few minutes of my life. I take a deep breath, trying to hold them back, but it's no use.

The tears start to flow, and I let them. I let them flow freely, letting out all the pain and hurt that I've been holding back.