Chapter 1

As Alpha Lucas’s Luna, I fought bloody battles to secure the richest territories on the West Coast for his Stonecrest Pack.

The war ended today, right on the night of the Stonecrest Pack’s annual gala.

I pushed open the grand doors of the banquet hall, covered in dust and dried blood. But there stood Lucas, bathed in the warm glitter of the chandeliers, with his arm wrapped around Selene, the daughter of the Whitfield Pack’s Alpha.

That night, Lucas rejected me.

He looked at me with fake sincerity. "Elara, the Pack is facing joint accusations from the council. Stonecrest needs a stronger political alliance."

He gestured to Selene, who was glowing under the lights. "I have to reject you. But you can still stay in the pack. She gets the title. You get my heart."

Seeing my silence, he grabbed my hand, acting as if he was being deeply romantic. "Selene doesn't have the strength to lead. The pack's daily affairs still need your guidance. Even without the mate bond, we are still family."

I looked at his hypocritical face and smiled coldly. "I, Elara Miller, accept your rejection, Alpha Lucas."

Lucas thought I was just a weak she-wolf who depended on him to survive.

He had no idea that I held the entire financial lifeline of the Stonecrest Pack in my hands.

With the rejection complete, Lucas nodded with satisfaction.

"Thank you for understanding, Elara."

He walked over, reaching out to pat my shoulder, but I stepped aside.

His hand froze in midair. He brushed it off, pulling a black card from his suit pocket.

"Take this card. The pin is still Noah’s birthday. Consider it compensation."

I took the card and slid it into the pocket of my mud-stained tactical jacket.

"It’s what I deserve."

My flat tone made him frown slightly.

He probably expected me to cry, scream, and demand answers. My coldness made him uneasy.

The side door opened.

Selene walked in, smiling sweetly, holding two glasses of champagne.

"Luna... oh, sorry, Elara. Is that jacket custom-made? It has such a... wild look."

She offered me a glass, the mockery in her eyes impossible to hide.

I didn’t take it.

"Ms. Whitfield, don't call me Luna. You can use that title after you two actually seal your mate bond."

Selene’s face turned pale. She looked at Lucas for help.

Lucas quickly stepped in. "Elara just got back. She’s tired. She's just joking."

He wrapped his arm around Selene’s shoulders, his voice softer than I’d ever heard it. "Go back to the guests, babe. I'll be right out."

Once Selene left, the smile vanished from Lucas’s face.

"Elara, stop throwing a tantrum. We have to think about the bigger picture. You know I did this for the Pack. For us."

"Where is our son?"

"In the side lounge. Leo is watching him."

I didn't waste another word. I turned and walked out.

I pushed open the door to the small lounge. My three-year-old son, Noah, was sitting quietly on the sofa, clutching a worn-out toy action figure.

The moment he saw me, his eyes lit up. He ran toward me on his little legs.

"Mommy!"

I knelt and held him tight, breathing in his sweet, familiar scent.

I had missed so much of his life over the past three years.

"Good boy, Noah."

Lucas walked in. He bent down, trying to play the loving father by patting Noah’s head.

But Noah instantly shrunk back into my arms.

The obvious distance between them made Lucas freeze again.

Selene walked in right behind him, pulling a beautifully wrapped gift box from her designer bag.

"Noah, look! Auntie brought you a gift. It's the newest Lego spaceship."

Noah just wrapped his arms tighter around my neck. "Mommy, I want the one you bought me."

The toy I got him was just a cheap, discounted plastic figure from a gas station on my way back.

Selene’s face turned sour.

I stood up, holding my son. "I’m taking Noah home."

"Alright," Lucas nodded. Then he added, "The Elder Council's accusation files... I'll have Leo send them to your office tomorrow morning. Write up a defense strategy as soon as possible. And please... help Selene get used to her new role."

He spoke so casually. He took everything I did for granted.

I looked at him and laughed.

"Lucas, do you know what I brought back with me from this war?"

He thought I was going to brag about my victories. His eyes flickered with annoyance.

"I know you fought hard. Don't worry, your contributions will be recorded in the pack's history."

"No," I shook my head, speaking clearly. "I brought back a wedding gift for you and Selene."

With that, I walked right past him with my son in my arms.

Once we were in the car, I made a call.

The person on the other end was a loyal commander from the Miller family—my secret, personal force.

"Elara, you're back?"

"Yes," I watched the city lights blur outside the window. "Trigger the foreclosure process on the Whitfield Pack. Tell our warriors to get ready."

"Now? But what about Lucas?"

"Don't worry about him," I cut him off. "He made his choice."

And now, I was going to make mine.