Sovia's POV "Sterile Luna." That was the name they branded me with. But today was going to change everything, because my mate-Janova-was coming home. "The Alpha King is here!" I spun, hearing the voices cheering from the crowd. My heart racing amidst the sound of roaring timbers and murmurs from the gathering. Nails dug into my dress, clutching the fabric like my life depended on it. It had been over a year since Janova went beyond the borders to battle the Chaldeans-vicious rogues who had been trying to invade Babel, the werewolf territory Janova ruled as Alpha King. Thankfully, my mate came back victorious. The doors shifted open with a heavy THOOM, the sound vibrating through the floor. "Welcome back, Your Majesty!" Heads bowed in reverence as he stepped in. I smiled as he moved past the doors, his magnetic presence making me shiver. "Um... who's that with the King?" Faint whispers followed, and that was when I finally noticed the lady beside him. She was frail and delicate, silver hair framing her soft features. She was... angelic. I held my breath when Janova stopped in front of me. A strange scent clung to him, metallic and cold. "Luna Queen." He had never called me Luna-at least not like that-with such an intimidating, cold gaze. "Ja-" "You look well. Good. Maybe this time, that body of yours might yield something fruitful." He said it almost in a whisper, yet everyone heard it. My legs shook as his shoulder brushed past mine. Only one thought clung to my mind- What happened to Janova? Was one year enough to change someone so completely? Where was the loving mate who once told me that having a baby did not matter, because every pregnancy I had ended in miscarriage? Tears threatened to fall, but I clenched my fists as the whispers grew. "Janova!" I called, taking a step forward before they could move further away. He turned swiftly, almost as if he had been waiting for me to call him. "Is there a problem, Luna?" Even though everyone's eyes were on us, I flicked my gaze from him to the girl clinging to him. When she noticed my stare, she shifted like she feared I would attack her. If I still had my wolf, I would have clawed that face. "Who is she?" I asked softly, taking a deep breath. The lady whimpered, hiding her face against his arm. My nails sank into my palm, leaving crescent marks, the sting doing nothing to compare to the burn in my chest. "Don't worry. She won't do anything to you, dear." Janova hushed her, placing his hand gently over hers. In the presence of the entire pack... he was coaxing another she-wolf. Because I lost my wolf and haven't been able to produce an heir, the entire pack already looks down on me. The elders even once petitioned to replace me, but Janova had insisted I would remain his only mate. But now... with this public humiliation... how was I supposed to hold my head high? "Who is she?" I snapped. He paused. "Her name is Blossom-someone I saved from the Chaldeans. She will be living with us now." He said it bluntly. "And please, I'll need you to take care of her. She's very fragile." "Why would I take care of her?" The air suddenly went chilly. Janova's face hardened, as though he didn't expect me to challenge him. "As Luna, it is your duty to care for your people. Have you forgotten?" "Like you said-" My heels clicked closer until we were inches from each other. "My people. Not rogues. And whatever thing you pick up from the streets." The rogue shifted. Her soft whimper sent chills down my spine as she pressed behind Janova, "I'm scared. I don't think she wants me here." Her eyes lifted almost hesitantly towards mine, and for a moment it hardened. Her soft exterior seemed to vanish. "I shouldn't be here." "Nonesense, with me here. No one will bully you." Janova's gaze shifted towards her, hands moved to tuck her hair behind her ears. The lump in my mouth painfully pressed hard against my throat, no matter how hard I forced it down. Everyone was watching, so I had to stay calm. "Can we talk without her?" "Blossom needs to get settled in properly? such important tasks, only you can do it properly." A scoffed escaped my lips, eyes rolled over the ceiling before I bit my lips. "I am your Luna Queen. Not a nanny. I'm your mate, Janova or have you forgotten." Gasps rippled through the hall as guests shifted against each other uncomfortably. Janova's face darkened, but he said nothing. "Whatever is going on-we need to talk after this." With the little dignity I had left, I lifted my gown and turned away. As if being called sterile wasn't enough... now my mate brought another woman into our home. I thought of my sister, Lydia, for the first time in longer than I could admit-we hadn't spoken since she married into her own pack. I wondered if she'd even heard. She was the smart one, the loved one-what would she do in a situation like this? Moon Goddess, what was I thinking. A few wolves from high society approached, attempting to converse, but all I saw was Janova-hovering over that wolf. One could even mistake her for Luna. I was still here, yet he had brought my replacement. All our years together, did it really mean nothing to him? Even after what he just did, I found myself longing for the warmth from his scents. His touches.... Every night, I went to bed with his names on my lips, praying to the moon goddess to bring him back safely and he does this? Moon goddess, is this my fate-to be constantly cast aside by those I care about. CRASH! I whipped my head toward the sound. My heart plummeted against my ears. What's going on, I wondered, making my way towards the front. A crowd had gathered. A maid knelt, trembling. Janova stood, holding Blossom protectively-tenderly. "How dare you touch her?" he roared, fury radiating from him, his body curled around Blossom like a shield. My breath stopped. "Your Highness," The maid sobbed at his feet. "please forgive me!" He kicked her away, eyes already lightened with a faint red glow. "You deserve death." What! Janova had a bad temper, but he would never harm his people recklessly. I moved to speak, but the maid trembled back to her knees. "Your Highness, please... I swear on my life... someone made me poison Lady Blossom." "Who?" he snarled. Slowly, her gaze lifted, and the moment her finger pointed at me, every eye in the hall turned. "I-It was the Luna Queen. She made me do it."

Sovia's POV Whack! The force blasted my neck to the side, a sharp sound ringing deep within my ears. A metallic taste flooded my mouth. Blood. I swallowed it down, along with my pride. "By the moon!" "Did the alpha just hit his Luna queen?" "Be quiet. She deserves it." With trembling hands, I held my face until I met Janova's eyes again. He, more than anyone, should understand how I felt about being hit. Janova knew my past better than anyone. How could he do this to me? My lips parted, unable to form words as a tear slid down my cheek. "Apologize to Blossom. Now," he said firmly. From the way he stood, he was giving me no choice. "Janova Lockham..." I gritted my teeth together. "I didn't expect you to be so ungrateful-after everything we've been through together. I even lost my wo..." "My lord..." a soft voice cut me off, her footsteps light as she skipped a few steps. Janova quickly wrapped his hand around her waist, propping her forward. "Be careful so you don't hurt yourself." I could hear the crack in my jaw as I pressed my teeth together. So he knew how to be gentle-he just wanted to be cruel to me. Before the tears rolled off again, I swiped them away with my palm, taking a deep breath. "Sovia Henric, I'll ask you one last time. Apologize and admit you're wrong." His red eyes shimmered again, and the wolves around us scurried back with low whimpers. Even though my knees knotted together, I took a step forward. "No." I forced a strained smile. "I didn't do anything wrong, and I'm the Luna queen of Babel State. I won't bow to a mere rogue." He blinked as if he didn't believe what was happening. Raising his hand again, I stood there unmoved. The Luna queen was the only thing I had left, and no one could take that position from me. Janova smirked, pulling Blossom closer. "You never talk back to me before. Do you want a death wish?" When I didn't answer, he waved his hand, signaling the betas guarding the hall. Swiftly, they came over, forming a circle around me. My pulse spiked as two of them snatched my arms. "Take her away. Forty lashes.," Janova ordered and then drawled."Sliver whip." Everyone gasped, and my breath hitched. "Janova! You..." He smirked while Blossom snuggled closer, feeling the pain as the betas started yanking me. "Janova! You can't do this to me!" *** It had been so long since I felt a tear in my skin. Maybe that's why I forgot what they actually felt like. Sore, bitter, and humiliating-but nothing compared to the pain of seeing my fated mate with another woman. The Moon Goddess never makes a mistake, so why has my life been so tragic, right from the day I was born into this cruel world? "My lady! My Lady!" I closed my eyes, pulling my knees together, burying my face between my legs. The door kicked open and her quick footsteps rushed inside. Her hand wrapped around my arm, causing a rough hiss to escape my lips. "I'm so sorry, my lady." Her voice broke. I didn't need to lift my gaze to know that she was already in tears. Vanessa-my personal maid who grew up with me since childhood. After I found her on the street, she decided to serve me once I gave her bread. Despite my countless rejections, she followed me relentlessly until I agreed. "How could the Alpha treat you this way?" she mumbled, her tears dripping on my palm. "He promised he would give you a better future. I thought we would finally escape from that hell. My lady, you deserve better." Even if I was tearing up inside, I had to be strong-at least for Vanessa. I pulled her close. "Don't worry. Everything will be fine." Even I didn't believe those words, because it was obvious-my mate had found my replacement. "My lady, everyone is talking about how the King has gotten a mistress. What about you..." Vanessa sniffed, wiping her nose. "Most Alphas don't stay with one woman. Some even have breeders. We still have a chance. Alright?" And in our wolf state, for a Luna to be removed she had to die or abdicate willingly. This entire state, the peace and prosperity-it all rested on my sweat and blood. "Hmmmm-" Clang! Vanessa sprang up to her feet as two beta guards trooped in. "How dare you enter the Luna Queen's room without permission. If the Alpha hears about this..." "So what if he does?" I frowned once I caught the faint sound of footsteps-soft and graceful. She smiled sweetly. "Greetings, big sis." I squeezed the blanket over my leg. Most people would think she was being polite, but I had never met anyone so disrespectful. Adjusting my hips against the bed, I straightened. "It's Luna Queen," I scoffed, turning back to her. "I don't know how people live in Chaldean, but in Babel State, we have rules and hierarchy. You are beneath me." Blossom's delicate appeal cracked, but she tilted her head gracefully. "Greetings, Luna. Forgive my rudeness." I thought she was going to put up a fight, but surprisingly she was cooperative. Strange. "What do you want?" Vanessa snapped. Blossom smiled. Once she stretched her palm, one of the betas placed a paper in it. Stretching it forward, she continued, "The Alpha King has gifted me your residence. Please, Luna, move out now." I nearly sank back onto the bed. Everything was beginning to spin, and for some reason, it was starting to make sense. They humiliated me so I would leave. Squeezing my palm, I dragged a smile across my face. "Inform my mate that if he wishes to seize my title, I will not make it easy for him." Blossom purred, her fingers playing over her neck, and that was when I noticed the moon jade necklace-the one I carved specifically for Janova on our first anniversary. He told me he was going to keep it for the rest of his life, but he gave it to another woman. "That bastard..." I shot up from my bed, tossing the covers away, my sight darkening for a moment as I staggered over to where she was. The urge to hit her, to shred her face into pieces, filled my mind, but now more than ever I had to be calm. "That necklace..." I whispered, watching how perfectly it suited her slender neck. "Oh, this..." Blossom chuckled, caressing the necklace. "This trinket was a gift from His Majesty. Please Luna, don't think too much about it." Closing my eyes, I stretched my lips into something that resembled a smile, my jaw aching from the strain. "Trinket?" I asked, cocking a brow. "You don't deserve it." With those words, I reached out, ripping the necklace from her neck and smashing it against the floor. Its shards clanged and scattered. "Get out! All of you!" I yelled. "I'll never give up what's mine. Over my dead body..." I took a deep breath as the pain from my back surged through me. "My lady," Vanessa held me back when I stumbled. Thud! Thud! "My lord. What are you doing here?" Blossom purred, her eyes dilated as Janova strolled past her. His pupils contracted for a single heartbeat, noticing the necklace. "Who did this?" When I didn't answer, he dragged his steps until he stopped in front of me, sizing me up carefully. He tilted his head before crossing his arms over his chest. "Tell me, Sovia. Do you want death that much?"

Sovia’s POV “What do you want?” My voice shook with tension as he stepped closer. I moved back until my back hit the wall. Goosebumps trailed up my neck. His smile revealed his perfectly shaped fangs as his eyes lit up with a blue glint. “What do you want?” Everyone called him the Demon because he had a dominant lycan blood. Ruthlessness, he wore like a second skin—Janova always told me to stay away from him. I tried to move, but he caught my arms and I froze. A surprising soft warmth coiled through my cold skin. Yet I shivered. Was it from his stare? Or his claws that were already trailing my arm? “You haven’t answered, Little Red.” Little Red? I lifted my chin, trying to keep my voice steady. “I’m the Luna Queen—how dare you address me…” He chuckled. And for a moment, I feared that people would see us together. Janova’s room was just to the side. With this kind of compromising position, it would be easy to spin different narratives. “That’s cute.” He leaned in, enough for me to feel the heat from his breath. “Your mate brought a wolf—she could be his breeder.” His head tilted slowly, and his eyes dipped lower as they fell onto my lips. “Or his next Luna.” My nails started digging into the wall; the tear in my skin burned with ache. “Make me your consort. I’ll be good to you.” “Have you lost your mind?” He cupped my chin. I froze under his touch. I shivered as his claws started to brush gentle circles over my skin. “Tell me, Red—all these years chasing my half-brother. Has he made you happy?” I opened my mouth to speak. No words came out. I wanted to say it. Say that I was. But deep down, I wasn’t. He smiled and took a step back. The light caught his features. Sharp jawline, stormy gray eyes, and the way he looked at me—like I was something he needed. It made my thighs clench. I was overthinking. Besides, he was my brother-in-law. His hands reached for me again, and for a moment it felt like I wanted him to touch me—and when he did, it burned. Moon Goddess, what was wrong with me? His fingertips grazed my arm. I winced in pain, only for a moment. He lifted his lips as he brought his fingers to his mouth. And flicked his tongue against my blood. “Hmm—you taste… sweet.” I gulped. Wrapped my arms around my body and turned away from him. “Whatever it is you want, I won’t help you.” “But you helped my brother—I even heard you sacrificed your wolf for him. Else, how could he have become Alpha King?” My eyes widened. “How did you…” He placed a hand over my lips. “Shhh.” He rasped. “We wouldn’t want your mate knowing I’m spending some alone time with his woman.” “Leave…” “Come with me to the North. I’m a businessman with a successful company. It won’t be glamorous like royalty, but I can promise comfort and peace. Something your precious Janova cannot give you.” I ground my teeth. “And what is that?” “A mate would watch the world—” He reached for my hair; his fingers sank into its length and yanked me to his body. “—then gather its ashes at your feet—and worship you as my woman.” “You’re insane. I’m the Luna Queen of Janova. I will not leave my mate.” “Foolish. If you don’t leave now, you’ll regret it. And I’ll be waiting to gather the pieces.” Footsteps approached. I spun toward the sound and found a familiar figure closing in. I turned back, only to find him gone. His jacket had been firmly placed around my shoulders. His thick musk lingered even though he was gone. “My lady…” It was Vanessa, my personal maid who had grown up with me since childhood. “How could the Alpha treat you this way?” she mumbled, her tears dripping as she grabbed my shoulders. “He promised he would give you a better future. I thought we would finally escape from that hell. My lady, you deserve better.” She was right. When I married into the royal family, I thought I had escaped. But sadly… Even if I was tearing up inside, I had to be strong—at least for Vanessa. I pulled her close. “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine. We’ve already survived worse.” Vanessa sniffed as she hugged me, squeezing my injury. I shut my eyes and hugged her back. “We will survive.” *** After that day, I became an outcast in my own home—my palace was given to that rogue. They said I had to atone for my sin—what a joke. Janova must have been so busy with his little rogue that he didn’t come to see me. Until today. The door opened and Janova stepped inside. I was seated on my bed, a blanket draped over my legs. My nerves still shook with the aftermath of that day. “Finally, you’ve come to see me.” Janova paused a few steps from where I was before he sighed. He walked over to the bed and took a seat beside me. “Do you still resent me?” I scoffed, pulling my legs together. “How could I possibly resent my Alpha—his word is law.” Janova frowned as he pulled the blanket further up my body. Then his hands reached forward to my face. I avoided his touch. Retracting his hand, he exhaled. “We need to talk.” “About what?” “Us. It’s been years—and I don’t have an heir.” I already knew what he was going to say. I swallowed, but a hard lump burned in my throat. It made my fists squeeze the sheets. “She’s carrying your child, isn’t she?” Silence. Then he dropped the words. “Yes.” I already knew. But it hurt even more knowing he was not denying it. “So what do you want from me?” “I want you to adopt Blossom’s pup and raise it like your own.” A bitter laugh rose in my throat as I rolled my eyes. He grabbed my hand and moved closer. “This is for our people—for you. Didn’t you always want children? I’m giving it to you.” “Can you even hear yourself? You want me to raise a child from your affair.” “That is precisely why you must adopt the child. So it would be ours legally. You’ll be its imperial mother. We will be a family.” The way he smiled. It was like he knew this was the right thing to do… he believed it. “You’re sick if you think I’ll do that.” Janova’s face turned cold with shock as I snatched my hand away from his. The door opened again. It was my mother who strolled inside. “Mom?” She didn’t even look at me before she asked, “Did she agree?” When Janova didn't respond, my mother marched forward and grabbed my hand. “Sovia, this is a very serious decision concerning our family. Adopt Blossom’s child so our family can have a legal ground in the royal family.” I smiled as tears filled my eyes. “Mom, so even you want me to do it too?” “Of course. You’re infertile. Janova cares for you so much he’s willing to keep you by his side despite your shortcoming. The least you can do is show gratitude.” I pulled my hand away from hers. “All these years you’ve never treated me like a daughter, but I didn’t ever think you’d ask this. This time I won’t.” “You…” I set my feet on the floor and forced my spine straight. My vision swam for a moment before I lifted my chin. “Get out. Both of you…” A hand grabbed my neck hard. I gasped when I saw that it was Janova, his eyes flooding red as he groaned. “Blossom told me you were not going to agree—too bad I’ve let you grow wings all these years.” He lowered his voice, looked me right in the eyes, and mumbled, “Now I have to break those wings.” “Janova, you… you’re hurting me.” His claws sank into my skin, tearing my flesh as more tears ran down the side of my face. “Please… Janova… I’m your mate.” “Stupid girl—you really believe that?” My mother chuckled as she came beside Janova. “If it weren’t for your grandfather’s Moonshade treasury under your name—why would His Majesty choose you?” Blood slipped from my lips, my face stained with tears. “Is that true?” Janova’s eyes narrowed, the last of his restraint slipping from his face. “You are nothing but a pawn I chose. And do you know what happens to pawns when they try to control the game—they die.” Crash! The sound of broken plates filled the air. “My lady!” Vanessa yelled as she charged toward us. “Nessa… leave!” “My Lady. I'll protect you…” “Useless.” Janova hissed, caught her by the neck, and swiftly clawed her throat out. Her blood sprayed the air and stained my face. I screamed as Vanessa’s body dropped to the floor. Janova lifted me by the neck and started moving. I struggled, clawing him with my nails. “You monster. I’ll kill you!” “Shhh,” he hushed and then pressed me against the window. “Blame yourself. All you had to do was obey me. But you didn’t. Don’t worry, though—I doubt anyone would miss you.” I choked when he pressed me against the window. I couldn’t feel the cold air biting against my back. “The Luna Queen, overcome by jealousy, committed suicide. Once I marry Blossom, our child will be the legitimate heir. But I have to say—thank you. All of this would not have been possible without my Luna.” His eyes filled with tears as he smiled. “If there’s a next life… perhaps I’ll choose you first.” “No, I’ll be your worst nightmare.” Janova’s lips curled into a cold smile. “Then I’ll wait for you.” Janova shoved me out the window. My hands clawed the air as I struggled to breathe. No. I can’t die. Thud! My head connected with something hard. Something wet started to pool over me. “Sovia!” I heard the scream from a distance. It was familiar and faint. It was my sister, Lydia, trying to run toward me, but guards held her back. I smiled. In this cold world, someone still cared. If there is a next life—Moon Goddess, don’t let me be so pathetic.