Chapter 1

Three days before my Moonbinding Ceremony, I was ambushed by a group of rogue werewolves. They left me with a shattered spine, my wolf's essence barely clinging to life.

Ethan Sterling, my intended mate and Alpha of the Mooncliff Pack, swiftly had the rogues captured and imprisoned in the pack's underground cells. But as I lay in the pack's healing den, my body broken and my wolf spirit dimming, I overheard a conversation I was never meant to hear.

In my semi-conscious state, Ethan's voice carried from beyond the sacred healing circle, speaking with Elder Mitchell, our pack's master healer.

"Alpha Sterling, we must perform the ancient healing rite now. Any longer, and Sarah's wolf will be permanently crippled! I know you desire Alexandra as your mate, but to deliberately let a packmate suffer—"

"Let her remain broken," Ethan's voice held no trace of the warmth I once knew. "The pack will provide for her, but if she heals, she'll challenge the Moonbinding. I promised Alexandra her pup would be acknowledged as the next Alpha heir. A crippled wolf can't contest pack law or interfere with the succession."

"Better she stays weakened," he continued coldly. "She won't be able to challenge Alexandra's claim or threaten the pup's birthright."

From my position on the ritual stone, a single tear traced down my cheek, mixing with the sacred healing herbs. The Moonbinding I'd dreamed of—the eternal bond I thought we shared—was nothing but a power play in pack politics. Our supposed mate-bond was meant to be my undoing.

So be it. He wanted a broken wolf? I'd give him one.

But he forgot something crucial—sometimes, the most dangerous wolves are the ones you've left for dead.

"Proceed with the ritual as planned," Ethan's voice hardened. "The fertility binding must be absolute. She can never know."

"Once she wakes, I'll take her to adopt the pup from the Moon Orphanage. Without the ability to bear her own, she'll have no choice but to love Rose as her own."

Elder Mitchell wiped the sweat from his brow, the weight of guilt visible in his ancient eyes.

"Alpha Sterling, for the love of the Moon Mother, think this through. Her wolf is already crippled—taking away her ability to bear cubs is a cruelty beyond measure. The pack laws forbid such... Have you forgotten how the Elders will view this? And Alexandra's pup is already three winters old, carrying your bloodline so clearly. If Sarah discovers—"

Ethan's fingers traced my cracked lips with a damp cloth, his touch deceptively gentle. His voice carried false regret.

"She won't discover anything. Crippled, she'll be bound to pack lands, unable to venture beyond our borders."

"I promised Alexandra a proper Moonbinding ceremony. Promised she'd watch our pup grow strong within the pack. Even though she's mated to another now, I won't let anything threaten her peace of mind."

The Elder's deep sigh echoed through the healing chamber as he gazed at my pale face.

"Sarah is your childhood packmate. Yet you choose to protect that..." he trailed off. "So be it. If you're determined to walk this dark path, we'll proceed."

"Prepare the binding ritual. Leave no trace. Do it while she's still unconscious—I don't want her to suffer needlessly."

As the Elder left, Ethan pulled out his phone, sending a quick text to his Beta:

"The rogue wolves remained silent? Good. Transfer 200,000 silver marks to their kin, help them relocate beyond pack territories. Sarah must never know."

My tears soaked silently into the ritual furs beneath me. Ethan continued washing my body with blessed water, but I couldn't stop shivering.

The truth crystallized like ice in my veins—the Moonbinding I'd anticipated for five years was merely a cover for Alexandra's claim. The "rogue attack" was orchestrated. I was simply an obstacle to be removed.

My dreams of pack bonds and mate-love were nothing but moonlight on water. Lies and betrayal—that was our true legacy.

I fought to open my eyes, but the sleeping draught already coursed through my veins. Before they wheeled me into the ritual chamber, Ethan pressed a kiss to my forehead.

"Rest easy, little wolf. It will be over soon. I'll be waiting."

As ancient tools carved binding runes into my flesh, my heart froze over completely.

Chapter 2

When I regained consciousness in the healing den, I still couldn't feel anything below my waist. My wolf essence remained dormant, separated from my broken body.

Ethan knelt beside my bed, his face etched with perfectly crafted concern. He took my hand, pressing it to his cheek.

"Sarah, how are you feeling? I can summon Elder Mitchell if the pain's too much."

His expression mirrored the love I remembered, but his eyes were cold as winter frost. Amazing how far someone would go for another—how deeply they could deceive.

I shook my head weakly, touching the stubble on his jaw. "You haven't slept. Rest, I'm fine."

Ethan relaxed, quickly falling into exhausted slumber. I reached for his phone on the bedside table. The lock screen still showed our pre-Moonbinding photographs.

His messaging app was open. Alexandra's name was pinned at the top.

The chat history made my blood run cold. Photos of Alexandra with a pup—their pup. Messages filled with domestic bliss:

"Rose keeps asking for her daddy. She's already got your good looks—she'll be leading the pack hunt someday."

"She devoured that moon cake you sent. Your little warrior has quite the appetite."

"She's begging to visit the sacred training grounds with you. Come run with her under the full moon soon?"

Ethan never replied in text. But each photo had hours-long video call logs attached.

I remembered how he'd claimed to dislike pups. Now I understood—he only disliked the idea of pups with me.

He'd created a private photo album for them. The password? Rose's birth date. Five thousand images chronicling three years of his secret family. Every moon phase celebration, every milestone—he was there with them.

The second chat thread revealed conversations with the Pack's Ceremonial Keeper, Luna Grace, who traditionally oversees all pack bonds and rituals. From the very start, one month ago, he'd given them Alexandra's measurements for the ceremonial robes. The binding scrolls bore their combined blood signatures.

He never intended me to see that ceremony.

I contacted Maya, my closest pack sister from the Northern Frost Pack, arranging transfer to their healing grounds. I began the ritual to sever my ties with the Mooncliff Pack.

Maya didn't question it, assuming I'd finally seen through Ethan's deception.

I drifted back to sleep, only to wake to Ethan's orchestrated sobs. He clutched a healer's scroll, shoulders shaking.

"Sarah... the healers discovered you're unable to bear pups. A curse from birth. But I won't abandon you. You're still my mate, no matter what."

"Once you're healed, we'll adopt a pup. Having a child will help you recover."

The irony—he grieved more convincingly than I did over my supposed barrenness. I didn't bother exposing his act.

After a long silence, I nodded at the scroll in his hands.

Ethan embraced me, tears falling. "I'll take care of you. No matter what the pack says, I'll protect you. After the Moonbinding, I'll transfer half my territory rights to you. For security."

Our hearts beat against each other, completely out of sync.

Finally, he spoke hesitantly: "About the sacred binding ceremony... with your condition..."

Chapter 3

"Find someone to take my place. The Sterling Pack can't lose face."

I knew what he wanted to say. Better to take control than be cornered. At least this way, I could maintain some dignity.

Ethan was stunned by my acquiescence. But with his goal in reach, he didn't question it.

His phone buzzed. His face darkened as he read the message.

"Sarah, why are you filing to break pack ties?"

I quickly dismissed the notification, keeping my voice steady. "Just updating some expired documents. Nothing important."

He accepted the lie, pulling me closer with false tenderness. "You shouldn't strain yourself. Let me handle everything."

"Ethan, I want to leave the healing den."

His body tensed immediately. "Absolutely not. You haven't healed enough."

I tugged at his sleeve, forcing a playful smile. "Didn't you mention adopting a pup? The pack house has caretakers. I won't be in danger. Please, can we visit the Moon Orphanage?"

In five years, this was my first time playing the role of submissive mate.

Ethan's resolve crumbled. In the car, he presented an array of carefully selected treats, claiming they were for me.

But the "suitable for pups" label on the packaging pierced my heart like silver.

I closed the box, tossing it aside, and feigned discomfort to close my eyes.

This five-year deception needed to end.

At the Moon Orphanage, I sat in my wheelchair as a small girl burst forward, wrapping herself around Ethan's legs, crying out "Papa!"

Panic flashed across his face. "Don't misunderstand—I support this orphanage. I've visited before. She's just a lone pup who calls me that."

I nodded, reaching out to touch the child's cheek. "She looks like you. If you hadn't explained, I'd think she was yours."

"What's her name?"

"Rose. She's... the one I thought we could adopt."

Before he could continue, Rose began crying for her mother.

The blood drained from Ethan's face as he watched me anxiously.

"It's fine," I assured him. "Go comfort her. She's beautiful—I already love her."

Relief flooded his features. Without another thought, he carried Rose into the office, leaving me alone.