T.H.Jessica

I was never marked, yet I fought like hell to give birth to the heir of the Silver Moon Pack. One word from Jasmine was all it took for Alpha Zander to reject me and kick me out of the pack.
At my lowest, Alpha Wilmot of the Blackthorn Pack stepped in and claimed me as his Mate.
Five years flew by. Then, out of the blue, I overheard him talking to Beta Samuel.
“Digby’s five now. We can take the blood from his heart. Get the pack doc to do it tonight. That’ll save Jasmine.”
I was frozen with shock. The man I’d trusted with my life was planning to kill my kid.
Well, two can play at that game. He’s gonna feel the pain of having his heart ripped out.

The Comeback Luna

　　Wilmot's voice sent ice down my spine.


　　My wolf snarled in my ribs, claws raking my spine.


　　Samuel was right—Digby meant more than my own breath.


　　I dipped my head, letting tears pool. 'If my eyes showed what I felt, he'd see the truth.'


　　When I looked up, tears tracked my cheeks.


　　Wilmot's war-cloak swirled over the broken floor. As he reached for me, I caught Jasmine's scent—violets and marked flesh, clinging to his cuffs.


　　"Why're you shaking?" He brushed away my tears, his gold eyes catching the silver veins erupting on my neck. "Tomorrow's the pack assembly. You'll smile when Digby's named Blackthorn's future Alpha."


　　I stared at the wolf-tooth pendant on his sword.


　　Five years ago, that tooth had pierced a raider's throat—warm blood spattering Digby's swaddling cloth.


　　Now, the rust stain writhed under the moonlight, morphing into Jasmine's pale face.


　　"I—I tripped with your elk-blood soup. Hurt my palm, couldn't stop the tears." I forced the words past the rage in my throat.


　　Wilmot's tenderness was a knife twist.


　　"Still my weepy Luna. How'll you face the pack with swollen eyes?"


　　"Dinner's ready. Digby's bouncing off the walls—let's eat."


　　Once, I'd drowned in his false warmth. Now, looking at him, there was only ice.


　　Now, looking at him, I couldn't feel a trace of love.


　　It felt as if I had just met him.


　　I followed him to the packhouse as I had for 5 years.


　　Pup laughter spilled from the banquet hall.


　　Through the carved window, Digby handed winterberries to a servant's kit. The cowlick on his head mirrored Zander's.


　　When Samuel passed with a gilded dagger, Digby suddenly turned—amber eyes flashing silver.


　　"Mom!" He skidded toward me, powdered sugar on his nose. "Uncle Sam said after sweets, we watch Dad sword-fight—"


　　Lycan claws burst through my palms, blood scent making servants collapse.


　　Silver veins bloomed on Digby's nape—the secret even Wilmot didn't know.


　　My pup showed Lycan signs at three.


　　"Go fetch snow-honey from the cellar. The kind in the crystal jar." I bit my tongue, dotting his forehead with blood. Ancient runes slithered beneath his skin.


　　Digby studied me a moment, then nodded solemnly and ran off.


　　"Why not feed him first? Let Omegas run errands." Wilmot's grip on my hand was gentle.


　　Samuel, beside him, kept his head down. I couldn't read his face.


　　"He ate too much at breakfast. Needed the exercise." I shrugged.


　　Seeing Wilmot stop asking further, my heart eased.


　　Since learning Wilmot wanted Digby dead, I kept Digby hidden.


　　The tension coiled in my gut—what if I snapped?


　　My wolf howled in my brain, "Let me out. Let me tear them apart."


　　As Blackthorn's Luna, losing control would mean death.


　　After dinner, Wilmot offered to escort me home. I shook my head.


　　He just left for the border patrol as planned.


　　I slipped back to our villa with food.


　　Digby waited, clutching a honey jar.


　　His big eyes were wide with questions. I held him tight.


　　"Eat. Then wait here. No matter who comes—not Wilmot, not Samuel—you don't leave."


　　Digby's eyes widened, but he nodded, silent.


　　The Packhouse cellar was near-empty, guards preoccupied with training.


　　Wilmot's study had always been forbidden.


　　Now, I needed to know—what shadows lurked in there?


Chapter 3