Chapter 1

On my mating day to Prince Ronan, his true mate slips Barrenbane into my wine. That day, I become barren.

When they catch her, she just sobs, “Just a joke! I didn't think she'd really drink it.”

“I'm sorry, my Prince. Let me give you pups. She can raise them.”

Ronan turns to me and says, “Aurora, you're my Luna. In name, and that's enough. Show some grace. You don't have to carry pups now. Seraphina will do that for you. What more could you possibly want?”

My father's pack never bowed to any Lycan. We made kings. And we broke them—with our own claws.That's why the crown wanted this bond.

Seraphina and Ronan rule the pack together. She gives him four pups.

Everyone knows Seraphina—his true mate. Nobody remembers me. The political Luna. The placeholder.

I wither away in the back rooms.

Seraphina smiles down at me. “You've kept the Luna's seat warm for me long enough, you barren bitch. If we hadn't needed your father's warriors to put my Prince on top, you'd never have touched that title. Not for one night.”

“Aurora, tomorrow I become Lycan King. My true mate will be Queen. You're still breathing—why?”

Seraphina grabs my jaw and wrenches my mouth open. Ronan tips the bowl. The poison pours down my throat.

My wolf thrashes inside me，then goes still.

Darkness takes everything.

No sound. No scent. No pack bond.

Just... nothing.

Then,my heart slams back into my chest.

I gasp. Air floods my lungs.

My eyes snap open.

I'm back on my Mating Day.

“Please—Prince, Luna—drink the Rite Wine,” the elder announces from the center of the mating chamber.

I stare at the cup in front of me.

Seraphina was sloppy. There's still powder dusting the rim.

A cold smile curls across my lips. Without anyone noticing, I pick up Ronan's cup and slide mine toward him.

“I'd like to swap cups with you, my Prince. They say it binds two wolves into one. Your scent in my nose. Mine in yours.”

The elder nods. “Your scents will mix. Your wolves will recognize one mate forever.”

Ronan lifts the cup. We drink together.

The guests erupt in cheers.

Before the cups even touch the table, the doors swing open.

“Oh my—you've already drunk it?” Seraphina glides in with a breathless little laugh.

She's dressed like she's here to seduce, not celebrate. Her eyes land on my empty cup. She claps a hand over her mouth—the picture of shocked innocence, and tears spring to her eyes on command.

Then she turns to Ronan, wearing terror like a costume. “I'm so sorry, my Prince. I didn't mean any harm. I just wanted to play a little trick on your Luna, that's all. I… I put something in her cup.”

I gasp, letting the color drain from my face. “Who are you? Why would you put that in my wine?”

The guests break into murmurs. Someone speaks up: “Seraphina, I know you grew up with the Prince, but this is his Mating Day. How dare you joke about poison?”

Ronan rises and steps in front of Seraphina like a shield. He frowns at me. “Luna, this is Seraphina. She grew up in the palace. We've known each other since we were pups. She's a little spoiled, that's all. Just let it go.”

Then he turns to her, voice sharp. “What are you doing here? I told you—no trouble today. How dare you pull something like this?”

I ignore how close their bodies are. I fix my stare on her, cold and unblinking. “Seraphina. Tell me. What did you put in my wine?”

My handmaiden finally snaps out of it. “Someone fetch the Royal Healer! Now!”

Seraphina clutches Ronan's sleeve, weeping prettily. “My Prince, I'm not a bad person. I was on my way here and I passed a shop selling Barrenbane. It looked… interesting, so I bought some. I thought I'd give your Luna a little scare on her mating night—teach her to mind her Prince.”

“I was going to stop you before you drank. But I tripped outside—I was late. I had no idea she'd already finished it.”

“Barrenbane?” I press a hand to my chest and sink into the chair. “That potion will leave a wolf barren—no pups, ever. And this wine was blessed by the King himself.” My voice cracks through the room. “Guards—take her away.”

Seraphina shrieks and throws herself into Ronan's arms, crying beautifully, artfully. “My Prince, I didn't mean it! I really, truly didn't! And who even knows if this Barrenbane is real? What if it's fake?”

“Is your Luna really going to have me killed over a counterfeit potion?”

Ronan holds her gently—tenderly—and looks at me. “Aurora, Seraphina is young. It was just a joke. She never wanted this to happen.”

“Don't worry. You're my Luna. Even if you drank Barrenbane, I won't reject you. The title is yours.”

Seraphina drops to her knees, eyes red-rimmed, tears streaming in perfect rivulets down her cheeks. “It's all my fault. It's too late for words now. Let me make it right.”

“Your Luna can’t bear pups anymore. Then let me be the one to carry your bloodline. I’ll give you pups—and she can raise them. That’s how I’ll atone.”

The exact same words as last time.

But this time, I won't be that fool.

My eyes narrow to slits and my voice cuts through the chamber like a blade. “You tried to end my bloodline. That's a crime against the royal family. You deserve death.”