Chapter 1

There was an unspoken rule within the elite packs of Ravencrest Territory.

When an Alpha took a new mate and she wished to claim her place, the former Luna had to remove the Luna Jade Ring before the entire pack and place it onto the new mate’s finger herself.

The day Alpha Damon Redclaw brought Marisel Feralwood back to the Redclaw Pack, every noble wolf in Ravencrest gathered, waiting for chaos.

I had stood beside Damon for seven winters. For that ring, I had knelt in the Redclaw ancestral hall beneath the watching spirits of the moon for three days and nights. I had even taken a silver-edged blade meant for him.

No one believed I would give up my place without a fight.

But when Marisel stepped toward me, dressed in expensive fabrics scented with rare oils, her expression soft and innocent, and held out her hand, I didn’t cause a scene.

Calmly, I slid the warm jade ring from my finger and placed it onto hers.

Damon stood nearby, a glass of wine in his hand, his wolf quiet but his eyes full of pride and cold satisfaction.

"Rayya Greymoss. You finally understand your place."

I lowered my gaze to my now bare finger and said nothing.

What Damon didn’t know was this.

A month ago, every memory I had lost returned like a storm under the full moon.

I was not just his Luna.

I was the true-born daughter of the Wolfhart bloodline, the most powerful pack in Lunar Bay Harbor, missing for seven long winters.

In three days, my eldest brother’s fleet would cross the skies and come for me.

And I would leave this place behind.

***

The Redclaw estate shone brightly that night, the grand hall filled with wolves dressed in fine clothing, their scents layered with power and status.

Marisel lifted her hand, showing off the Luna Jade Ring to the gathered pack elites.

Soft gasps spread through the hall. Some looked at her with admiration. Others glanced at me with pity or quiet mockery.

I stood alone in the corner.

Damon sat at the head of the long table, his presence heavy, his Alpha aura pressing over the room. From time to time, his gaze drifted toward me, unreadable.

Once Marisel had enjoyed enough attention, she picked up a glass of champagne and walked toward me slowly.

Her eyes fell to my neck.

Resting against my skin was a rare Rose Moonstone Pendant. Three winters ago, Damon had fought off rival Alphas and spent a fortune to claim it for me.

Marisel gave a soft laugh and leaned close, her voice low.

"Rayya, you already gave up the Luna ring. Do you really think it is right for you to still wear the Luna’s jewelry?"

Her fingers reached for the necklace.

I stepped back.

In that instant, Marisel tilted the glass in her hand. The pale liquid spilled across the front of my gown, soaking the silk.

A sharp sound followed as the glass slipped from her fingers and shattered across the stone floor.

Marisel gasped and clutched her hand, her eyes turning red as tears quickly filled them.

"Rayya, I only thought the necklace was beautiful and wanted to see it. If you didn’t want to show me, you could have said so. Why did you push me?"

The music stopped at once.

Every wolf in the hall turned to look at us.

For seven winters, any she-wolf who dared approach Damon or challenge me had been driven out without mercy. Once, I had publicly humiliated a woman who tried to seduce him, making sure no one forgot their place.

Damon moved quickly across the hall and pulled Marisel behind him.

He looked at the faint mark on her hand, his brows tightening.

"Rayya, what’s wrong with you? Marisel just returned to the pack. Why are you targeting her?"

His tone was sharp, filled with clear blame.

I looked at him. At the man I once loved with everything I had.

A dull pain spread through my chest, like a wound reopening under the moonlight. I took a slow breath and forced the emotion down.

I didn’t argue or get angry. Instead, I lifted my hands and reached behind my neck, unclasping the Rose Moonstone Pendant.

Under the silent stares of the entire hall, I held it out toward Marisel.

"You like it? Then take it. I slipped just now. I am sorry."