Chapter 10

Sorenna’s next message appeared in Freya’s crystal comms, glowing with taunting lunar light, [Alpha Riven’s in the showers of my den. For the coming moons, whether it’s the Alpha or your pup, I’ll keep them by my side. You’ll be the one losing face at the public hearing.”

Her confidence was unmistakably bold and the moon days that followed proved she had every reason for it.

Riven and little Kael never once returned to the Moonstone Healing Hall. Not even to check on Freya.

Yet Freya remained outwardly calm, as if nothing could shake her.

Sorenna, assuming it was all an act, continued sending her daily goading messages with clockwork precision.

Riven smothered Sorenna in luxuries befitting a Luna-titled mistress, new estates across pack territories, enchanted fireworks under full-moon skies, chests of rare gems infused with moon magic.

He even cleared out an entire trading plaza so she could shop without disturbance during her “sacred expectancy.”

Soon, rumors of the mysterious “Golden Patroness” behind Alpha Riven spread through the Alpha Hall like wildfire. Her name soared to the top of every wolfnet ranking.

The Corvath Pack’s Beta team released a statement within the hour, “Yes. Alpha Riven is expecting a new pup.”

The simple claim plunged the entire supernatural realm into chaos.

However, Freya didn’t bother with the uproar. She took a carriage straight to the Corvath ancient Manor.

Since she would be leaving the territory soon, she felt obliged to bid farewell to the Corvath elders who had raised her. Despite being a foundling, the pack had sheltered her like true blood.

After she married Riven, the Gordons had even advised the newlyweds to move out of the ancient manor so they wouldn’t feel constrained by ancient Luna traditions.

But the moment she reached the arched entrance, she froze.

From within came soft laughter and warm conversation.

“Mother, relax,” a woman’s voice said brightly. “We’ll give the Corvath bloodline two pups within three years. I won’t let this lineage end with me.”

Ivora Corvath, Riven’s mother, chuckled with joy. “Good girl. That’s all this old wolf hopes for. I dream of seeing this house lively again.”

Then she sighed with sympathy.

“As for Freya… she’s kind-hearted, but damaging her core while birthing Kael was such a misfortune. Thankfully, we still have you. If you carry this pup to term, you’ll be the Corvath Pack’s savior.”

The gift bag in Freya’s hands suddenly felt scorching against her palms.

Inside were the farewell presents she had chosen so carefully.

Ivora loved moon-card games but often tired easily, so Freya had traveled far to a healer-witch to craft vitality tonics for her.

Jareth Corvath, the retired Alpha, adored fishing by the Lunar River. Freya had spent weeks securing a rare, spirit-forged fishing rod for him.

But now… all of it felt unnecessary.

She quietly passed the tonics and fishing rod to the nearby housekeeper, swallowing down the sting in her throat.

She still remembered the night after her mating ceremony, Ivora had clasped her hands tightly. “If Riven ever strays, come to me. I’ll tear his ears off myself.”

Jareth had vowed solemnly, “No matter what, you’ll always be the next Luna I acknowledge.”

Yet today, Freya heard them calling another woman “next Luna”… with genuine affection.

Riven was their blood. She, at best, was a wolf adopted into the family— a Luna with no blood ties.

Forever an outsider.

Freya stumbled back to her chamber, dazed.

Only when night cloaked the manor and wolves slept did her muffled sobs echo from her closet, where she curled tightly into herself.

This time, Riven wasn’t there to pull her into his arms, whispering that she still had him.

She didn’t even remember when she fell asleep.

When she woke, she found herself back on the soft bed and Riven, whom she hadn’t seen in days, sitting beside her.

He held her crystal comms, his eyes calm yet unreadable.

“Freya,” he said quietly, “someone just sent you a message saying, ‘Everything proceeds according to plan.’ What plan are you hiding?”

Freya jolted upright, her mind snapping clear. She snatched the crystal comms and exhaled shakily when she saw it was still locked.

“It’s… a surprise,” she said quickly. “You said you had a gift for me today. I wanted to give something back.”

Riven chuckled softly, tapping her forehead.

“Silly Luna,” he murmured, “you don’t owe me anything. It’s my duty to cherish my Luna.”