Abandoned Luna's Rebirth

I arrived early at the Silverpine Pack house, the carved wooden box clutched tightly against my chest. Seven years. Seven years of building a life, a pack, a family with Ryan. The weight of the memories inside the box—our first written pack treaty, dried flowers from our marking ceremony, a lock of Jake's baby hair—felt heavier than they should have. I'd spent weeks gathering these tokens of our life together for our marking anniversary.

The courtyard was already decorated with silver lanterns and pine garlands—preparations I'd overseen myself last night. Everyone had been instructed to arrive at seven, giving Ryan and me a private moment to exchange gifts before the celebration began. My wolf, Silver, purred contentedly within me, eager to reconnect with her mate on this special day.

*He should be in his office with Liam,* I thought, making my way through the familiar stone corridors of our pack house.

Voices drifted from the partially open door of the Alpha's study. I slowed my steps, not wanting to interrupt if Ryan was handling pack business. Then I heard my name, and something in the tone made me freeze in the shadows.

"—Sarah's Luna gifts are mediocre at best," Ryan's voice carried clearly through the gap. "The way she handles the diplomatic meetings is nothing special. Any she-wolf with basic training could do it."

The wooden box nearly slipped from my suddenly numb fingers. I clutched it tighter, my knuckles turning white.

"But Alpha," Beta Liam's voice held a note of confusion, "the Western Alliance only agreed to the timber treaty because of Luna Sarah's—"

"Because they were desperate," Ryan cut him off dismissively. "Not because of any special talent on her part."

*No. No, that's not true.* I had spent months building relationships with the Western Alpha's mate, learning their needs, finding the compromise that would benefit both packs. Ryan had praised me then. Hadn't he?

"Chloe understands my wolf in ways Sarah never could," Ryan continued, his voice softening with an intimacy that sliced through me like claws. "When I'm with her, it's like... it's like what the mate bond was supposed to be."

Silver whimpered inside me, a sound so broken I had to press my hand against my mouth to keep from echoing it aloud.

"Alpha," Gamma Elara's voice now, hesitant, "the Luna has been by your side through everything. After the rogue attack—"

"I know what she did," Ryan snapped. "And I'm grateful. But obligation isn't passion, is it? Chloe makes me feel alive again."

I backed away silently, clutching my box of memories. Each step felt like walking through deep snow, my limbs heavy and unresponsive. Silver was howling now, a mournful sound that only I could hear.

*Seven years. Seven years of love and loyalty. And this is how he speaks of me when I'm not there.*

---

Hours later, I stood beside Ryan in the great hall, my face a carefully composed mask as pack members offered congratulations on our anniversary. The