Chapter 3

For the next few days, I became the joke of the entire Blackthorn Pack.

They said I had seduced Alpha King Kael. They said I had no shame. They said an Omega without a wolf could never bear an heir, and even if I did, the child would be a monster.

Selene did not sit idle either.

She sent word to the outside Packs. Soon, everyone was saying she was the poor Chosen Luna being forced to give birth. They said Kael and Elder Luna Mara had humiliated her for the sake of an heir. They said I had crawled into Kael’s bed to steal her place.

I heard those rumors while sorting herbs in the herb room. The dried leaves in my hand crumbled under my fingers.

The little voice in my head gave a cold snort.

[Don’t be mad. The bigger she makes this, the harder she’ll fall later.]

I whispered, “Can you really leave her?”

The voice went quiet for a moment.

[I never belonged to her. A Moon-blessed pup can only form a bond with the mother accepted by the Moon Goddess. She can’t carry me.]

“Then why were you in her womb?”

[Someone cheated the Moon Goddess’s ritual.]

I wanted to ask more, but the voice went silent.

That evening, Mara sent someone to bring me supplements. Her housekeeper looked at me with a little more respect than before.

“Elder Luna said your body is weak. You need to build your strength.”

I accepted the things from her. “Please thank her for me.”

The housekeeper lowered her voice. “Don’t be afraid of rumors. In the end, a Pack doesn’t judge by gossip. It judges by results.”

I nodded.

But I knew the result would not come easily. Selene would not let me wait for that day in peace.

That night, she barged into Kael’s study.

When Mara summoned me over, Selene was already standing in the center of the room. A maid stood beside her, holding a bowl of black herbal medicine.

The moment I smelled it, my face changed.

Moonbane.

That herb could harm a pup. In severe cases, it could end a pregnancy.

Mara snapped, “Have you lost your mind?”

Selene touched her stomach and smiled coldly. “I’m perfectly clearheaded.”

She looked at Kael. “I’ll give you one month. One month from now, at the full moon gathering, if you still haven’t sworn the wolf oath and given me Luna authority and a Council seat, I’ll drink this moonbane in front of every Pack.”

Kael’s eyes turned vicious. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“You can gamble on that.” Selene turned to me. “You can also gamble on whether this useless Omega can give you an heir.”

I lowered my head.

Selene walked closer. Her voice was not loud, but every word cut.

“You think a few glances from Alpha King Kael mean you can rise above your place? People like you were born to kneel. Even if you climb into his bed, you’re still the lowest Omega in the Pack.”

My nails dug into my palms. I said nothing.

The little voice in my head shook with anger.

[She’ll have nothing soon.]

Kael said coldly, “Enough.”

Selene lifted the bowl of moonbane, then set it down again.

“One month. That’s all I’ll wait.”

After she left, the study was cold enough to freeze the air.

Mara looked at Kael. “We can’t let her keep doing this.”

Kael did not answer. He only looked at me.

“For this month, don’t go anywhere alone. My guards will stay with you.”

I froze. “Why?”

“She’s already watching you.”

I lowered my head, a chill running down my back.

Only then did I understand.

I was no longer a bystander.

If Selene wanted to win, she had to destroy me first.