Chapter 2

I woke in the pack infirmary, staring at a cracked ceiling.

My hand went to my stomach before my eyes fully opened.

Flat. Cold. Empty.

"You're awake." Healer Marcus stood at the foot of my bed, unable to meet my eyes. "Ivy, I… I need to tell you—"

"Don't." My voice came out hollow. Dead. "I already know."

Marcus flinched.

"The extraction caused a hemorrhage. You… miscarried." He swallowed hard. "And the damage to your womb is severe. Future pregnancies will be… extremely unlikely."

I stared at the ceiling.

No tears came. I was beyond tears.

"There's more," Marcus said quietly. "Your wolf has gone dormant. The trauma suppressed her. You may not be able to shift for some time."

I felt it—the silence where my wolf used to be. A void where her warmth once lived.

But beneath that void, something else stirred.

Something cold. Something ancient.

My vampire blood.

The half I'd been told was a curse, a defect, a stain on my existence—it was awake now. Fully awake. Thrumming through my veins like liquid fire encased in ice.

I said nothing.

The door opened. Damien's Beta, Cole, walked in carrying a leather folder.

"Harper—sorry, Ivy." He didn't even bother getting my name right the first time. "Alpha Damien requires your signature."

I took the folder. Inside was a single document.

"Voluntary Relinquishment of Luna Title and Mating Rights."

I read the terms with dead eyes.

I would publicly surrender my Luna position to Serena at tomorrow night's Blood Moon Ceremony. I would declare Serena the true and rightful mate. In exchange, I would be permitted to remain in pack territory as an Omega servant.

Not exile. Worse.

He wanted me to stay. To watch. To serve the woman who destroyed everything I loved.

Because rejecting me outright would trigger the Fated Mate curse—it would cripple his Alpha power. He needed me alive and bonded to him, but shattered and obedient.

A blood bag with a heartbeat.

"The Alpha expects your answer by tonight," Cole said, already heading for the door.

"Tell him I'll be there," I said.

Cole paused, surprised by my calm tone, then left.

I sat alone in the silence.

Outside the window, Damien's voice echoed across the courtyard speakers.

"Tonight, we honor the memory of Elena Crescent, who gave her life defending our borders from the rogue attack one year ago…"

My mother's name. In his lying mouth.

"…and I am proud to announce that the Elena Crescent Memorial Fund has been established, generously founded by our future Luna—Serena Vale!"

Cheering. Applause.

They were using my mother's death as a PR campaign. Funded by the death benefits that should have been mine.

My fingers curled into the bedsheets until my knuckles turned white.

The door creaked open.

Serena walked in wearing a crimson silk dress, a diamond-studded circlet already on her head—the Luna's crown. My crown.

"Ivy!" She clasped her hands together in mock delight. "You look so much better! I was so worried about you."

I stared at her in silence.

She moved closer, making sure I got a good look at the circlet.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" She touched the diamonds. "Damien had it custom-made. Three hundred thousand dollars. He said his Luna deserves the best."

When I didn't react, her smile hardened.

She leaned close to my ear.

"You know," she whispered, "the night your mother died, I was standing twenty feet away."

My body went rigid.

"I watched the rogues circle her. She kept calling your name." Serena's breath was hot against my ear. "But you weren't there, were you? You were home, waiting for Damien like a good little dog."

"Stop."

"The best part?" Serena pulled back, her eyes glittering. "She didn't even scream at the end. She just… looked disappointed. Like she always knew you'd fail her."

Something cracked inside me.

My wolf was dormant. My body was broken.

But the vampire in me didn't need a wolf to kill.

I lunged.

The silver scalpel I'd hidden under my pillow sliced through the air.

SLASH—

A perfect red line opened across Serena's face, from her left eyebrow to her jaw.

Blood sprayed across her white-diamond crown.

"MY FACE!" Serena collapsed, shrieking. "DAMIEN! SHE'S TRYING TO KILL ME!"

The door exploded inward.

Damien stormed in, saw Serena bleeding, and his eyes turned full crimson.

He didn't ask a single question.

His hand cracked across my face so hard I hit the far wall.

"You psychotic half-breed!" He scooped Serena into his arms. "You used silver on her?"

I wiped the blood from my split lip and stood.

"Ask her what she said to me about my mother."

"I don't care what she said!" Damien roared. "After the ceremony, you're going to the Wastes! You want to die so badly? I'll send you where the rogues can finish the job!"

His eyes were pure animal rage.

"And if you don't kneel tomorrow and hand over the Luna stone willingly—"

He paused, and his next words were calculated, surgical.

"I'll dig up your mother's grave and scatter her remains in the sewers."

The door slammed shut.

I stood alone, blood dripping from my chin onto the cold floor.

I wasn't shaking anymore.

"Lord Kael," I projected. "Tomorrow night. The Blood Moon Ceremony. Be there."

His voice slid into my mind like silk over a blade.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world, my Queen."