Chapter 3

Arabella’s Pov

The rhythmic chiming of a healing moonstone was the first sound that reached my ears as consciousness returned. For several long moments I lay still, gathering the scattered pieces of memory.

Then it came rushing back. The burial ceremony. The rogue attack. Tony, throwing himself in front of Hailey without a second thought, wrapping his body around hers while I stood abandoned in the middle of the battlefield.

A sharp ache spread through my abdomen, forcing a gasp from my lips.

The wooden door opened, and an elderly healer entered carrying a bowl of medicinal broth. Her robes bore the silver crest of the Moon Goddess, marking her as one of the High Healers entrusted with treating Alphas and Lunas. Relief softened her weathered features when she saw my eyes were open.

"Luna Arabella," she said warmly. "Thank the Moon Goddess. You have awakened."

My throat felt raw. "What happened?"

A crease appeared between her brows. "You remember nothing after the attack?"

"I remember the rogues. Then everything became unclear."

She helped me sit up. The movement tore pain through my side, and I couldn't suppress a groan.

"I'm sorry," she murmured, tucking cushions behind my back before handing me a cup of herbal water infused with moonleaf. Only after I'd taken several sips did she continue. "You were struck by a silver arrow."

I froze. So it hadn't been a nightmare.

The healer lowered her gaze. "When we cleansed your wound and removed the arrowhead... we discovered you were carrying a pup."

Everything around me stopped.

"...What?"

"You were with child, Luna." Her eyes filled with sympathy. "We tried everything. Every healing rite known to our order was performed beneath the Moon Goddess's blessing. But the little one was too young."

A strange numbness settled over me. My hand drifted to my stomach. Empty.

"I was pregnant?"

She nodded slowly. "We are deeply sorry."

I could not cry. I could barely breathe.

Only a month ago, after nearly two years of keeping his distance, Tony had returned to our chambers drunk after a feast celebrating an alliance with another pack. That had been the first — and only — night he'd touched me as a mate since Hailey entered our lives. That single night had given us a child neither of us had known existed.

And now our pup was gone.

The healer reached toward me. "If there is anything you require—"

"When may I leave?" I interrupted.

She blinked. "Luna, your injuries are serious. I strongly advise remaining here while your wolf continues healing."

"When can I leave?"

She studied me, then sighed. "If your wound stays closed through the night and no fever develops, you may depart tomorrow. But you must not strain yourself or shift until your wolf has fully recovered."

I inclined my head. "Thank you."

She gave me one last sympathetic look before leaving.

The instant the door closed, I reached beneath my pillow and withdrew a small moonstone, pressing my thumb to the rune carved into its center. Through the mindlink woven into it, one sentence passed between myself and the warrior on the other end.

Everything is prepared. Begin.

The stone pulsed once. As you command, Mistress.

A knock sounded, and before I could answer, Tony stepped inside. His clothes were wrinkled, fresh scratches covering his arms and jaw — no doubt earned shielding Hailey. His expression was filled with guilt, or a convincing imitation of it.

"Arabella... I'm sorry." He stepped closer. "I panicked. Hailey was standing nearer to me. She's younger, inexperienced. I believed you would know how to protect yourself." His voice faltered. "I never imagined you would remain standing until the arrow struck you."

I said nothing. Not anger, not sorrow. Only emptiness. The silence unsettled him more than tears ever could.

"Please," he whispered. "Say something." He swallowed hard. "The healer told me about our pup. I know how much you've wished for one." He reached toward me. "We'll have another."

A bitter laugh escaped me. Another? After ignoring me for two years, after treating me as if our bond no longer existed? One drunken night had given me the miracle I'd prayed for every full moon. Now even that had been stolen from me.

I lowered my gaze to the moonstone. Its surface flashed repeatedly — replies already arriving. Everything was moving exactly as I'd ordered.

"Luna Arabella..." Hailey peeked timidly from behind Tony. "I'm truly sorry."

I raised my eyes. Not a single bruise marked her delicate skin. Not one scratch. Meanwhile Tony's arms still bore fresh wounds from protecting her.

Before either of them realized what I intended, I ripped the healing threads from my arm and swung my legs off the bed. Pain tore through my abdomen, but I ignored it.

Tony's eyes widened. He knew me too well — he saw the fury blazing beneath my calm. He stepped in front of Hailey, shielding her again.

"Arabella," he pleaded. "Please. She's still young. Whatever anger you feel, direct it at me."

His sentence never finished. The crack of my palm against his face echoed through the chamber. He staggered sideways, frozen with shock — he hadn't expected me to strike him.

I moved before he could recover. Hailey gasped as my first slap sent her stumbling back. The second knocked her to the floor, clutching her burning cheeks, tears streaming down her face.

Tony rushed to her side. "Hailey!" He gathered her into his arms, then glared up at me. "Have you lost your mind? She's innocent!"

I laughed bitterly. "Innocent?"

He rose. "She didn't summon those rogues. She didn't force you to stand there while everyone else took cover."

I looked at him for a long moment. Then I smiled — the first genuine smile either of them had seen from me in years, though it held no warmth.

"No," I said softly. "Neither of you understands what you've truly lost." I met Tony's eyes, then Hailey's. "I promise you this. My revenge will not end until both of you beg the Moon Goddess for a mercy she will never grant."

I turned and walked from the healing hall. Each step hurt more than the last. By the time I reached the courtyard, warmth had spread beneath my robes. Fresh blood seeped through the bandages. The wound had reopened.

"Damn it," I muttered, steadying myself against a stone pillar.

Moments later, black wolf-drawn carriages bearing no pack insignia rolled through the gates. Nearly a dozen warriors descended, each dropping to one knee. The captain bowed and offered me a sealed parchment.

"It is finished, Mistress."

I broke the seal. Inside lay a completed severance decree dissolving the sacred mate bond under pack law, along with documents transferring my authority, wealth, and family holdings beyond Tony's reach. Without hesitation, I signed my name and handed it back.

"Make certain Alpha Tony signs every page."

"As you command." He helped me into the carriage.

As the horses carried us from Moon Shadow Pack, the captain spoke from the driver's seat. "Rest, Mistress. By moonrise we reach the hidden mountain sanctuary. The elders loyal to your father are already waiting."

I closed my eyes, finally letting exhaustion take me. Before long, the communication moonstone beside me began glowing. Tony.

I accepted the link. His fury exploded in my mind. Arabella! Instead of apologizing to Hailey, you've sent warriors to force me into signing a severance decree! Return to the pack immediately!

I listened until he finished, then answered with perfect calm. From this moment on, you no longer have the right to speak into my mind. Sign the decree — and pray our paths never cross again.

Without waiting for a reply, I crushed the moonstone. The connection shattered forever.

Leaning back, I rested a hand where my unborn pup had once lived. The grief remained. So did the betrayal. But neither would weaken me again.

Tony and Hailey believed they'd cast aside a discarded Luna. They had yet to discover they'd declared themselves enemies of the daughter of one of the oldest Alpha bloodlines on the continent.

And when that truth reached them, it would already be too late.