Chapter 1

I made my mate Alpha, beside him as Luna. And in secret, I went back to being the witch no one knows about.

Today, Tyson walks into my ritual room with a woman on his arm.

"Make her look like my Luna."

The blade in my hand goes cold against my palm.

Thank the Goddess for the hooded cloak and the spell masking my scent. He doesn't recognize me. His own Luna. His fated mate.

I keep my voice low, distorted by magic.

"Do you understand what this spell does, Alpha Tyson?"

"Luna's bones will crack and reshape. Her face will tear apart from the inside. She'll lose her scent — every wolf in your pack will walk past her like she's nothing. She'll go blind. It's worse than death."

Tyson looks at me. His eyes are cold. Flat. Like I'm talking about a stranger.

"I don't care. Just do it."

He won't give up my father's warriors. But he can't stand his mistress living in the shadows either.

So his plan is to paste my face onto a rogue and let her play Luna?

Fine.

Seven years of loyalty. Gone. I don't owe him a damn thing.

The only version of me walking back to him will be a widow. And every wolf in Ashgrove will answer to me.

"Deal," I say, turning the blade between my fingers.

"But we do this my way. Both women stay here during the process. No interruptions. No one comes in."

Tyson nods.

"Alpha." Nola presses into his chest, fingers curling around his sleeve, lips parted like she wants to say something but won't.

The coldness melts off his face. Just like that. He cups her jaw and murmurs:

"Briar's father commands the most warriors in the region. His wolves only answer to Voss blood. I can't break ties with her openly."

"And your past… it can't come to light. This is the safest way."

"Bear with it. After this, you'll be my Luna. My everything."

Nola's face lights up. Hope. Hunger.

Then she squeezes out a pout of concern.

"But what happens to Briar after? She'll be… ruined. Where will she go?"

I'm curious too. What exactly does he plan to do with the real me?

Behind the hooded cloak, I watch him.

But Tyson doesn't answer.

He turns at the door. "Don't try anything. And don't damage her before delivery — I need her untouched."

Then he pulls Nola out with him.

I call after him.

"Alpha Tyson. When you bring Luna tomorrow, not a scratch on her. No bruises, no cuts. Her skin and hair — untouched. Or the spell won't hold."

He doesn't turn around.

"Tomorrow."

The chamber door shuts.

I pull back the hood. Peel off the cloak.

From the witch no one's ever seen, I become Briar Voss again.

Thank the Goddess I listened to my father. He told me never to reveal my witch bloodline to anyone — especially not my mate. He told me to keep my Gamma close and my secrets closer.

I tap the edge of the ritual table twice.

Fenn steps out of the shadows — my Gamma. She's been with me since before the mating ceremony. Ironveil-born. Loyal only to me.

"Find out everything about that rogue," I tell her. "I want to know exactly how 'unspeakable' her past is."

"And tomorrow — you take my place here. Wear the cloak, use the voice-masking spell. Let him think you're the witch. When he brings 'his Luna,' take her in. I'll handle the rest."

Fenn nods once and disappears.

I pull my cloak back on and slip out the hidden path toward the pack house.

The night air hits my skin. Somewhere in the distance, wolves are howling on a pack run.

Seven years ago, Tyson swore under this same moon that he'd never betray me.

I believed him.

Now I'm going to make sure the only Alpha this pack ever answers to again is my five-year-old son, Callum.