After My Mate Replaced Me with a Rogue

I'm Luna Juliette Greene of the Moonveil Pack, and tonight I'm watching my daughter sleep when my world starts to crack apart.

Evie's curled up in her bed, one small hand clutching her favorite stuffed wolf, the one Uncle Bruno gave her years ago. Buster lies at her feet, his golden head resting on his paws. He's been restless all evening, growling at shadows, his ears pricked toward the door like he's waiting for something terrible.

"It's okay, boy," I whisper, stroking his soft fur. "Everything's fine."

Then the mind-link slams into me.

*Luna! Emergency at the festival grounds. Your daughter—the ceremonial maze collapsed. She's been trapped for three hours. We need you NOW.*

The security chief's panic floods through the connection, sharp and metallic. My heart stops. I look down at Evie, sleeping peacefully, her chest rising and falling in steady rhythm.

She's right here. Safe.

But the mind-link is official, high-priority, the kind reserved for life-or-death situations. My hands shake as I pull out my phone, checking the time. The Harvest Moon Festival started hours ago, but Evie never left the pack house. I made sure of it myself.

"Mrs. Chen," I call softly to the trusted Omega in the hallway. "Stay with Evie. Don't let anyone in. No one."

Her eyes widen at my tone, but she nods. Buster whines, pressing against my leg like he's trying to hold me back.

I run.

The festival grounds blaze with light when I arrive, the sacred moon banners snapping in the wind. My hair's come loose from its careful updo, and I'm still wearing my house clothes—soft leggings and an oversized sweater, nothing like the formal Luna attire I should be wearing for such an important night.

The VIP entrance guards stare at me like I've grown a second head.

"Luna Juliette?" The younger one blinks. "But you're already—"

"What?" I push past him, my wolf surging beneath my skin. "What did you say?"

"Luna Juliette is already inside," the older guard says slowly, pointing toward the Royal Box. "In the VIP booth with Alpha Isaiah. She's been here all evening."

Ice floods my veins.

I shove through the crowd, ignoring the startled gasps and whispers. The Royal Box sits elevated above the festival grounds, draped in silver and white—our pack colors. Through the sheer curtains, I can see figures moving.

I climb the stairs. My fingers find my Luna pendant, my mother's gift, the one I never take off. It's still there, warm against my skin.

Then I see her.

A woman sits in my chair, wearing the ceremonial Luna robes that should be locked in my closet. My family's moonstone jewelry glitters at her throat and wrists—pieces that have been passed down through generations, that I wore at my own mating ceremony.

Mckenzie Bell.

I'd know that red-brown hair anywhere, though I've only seen her in pack security reports. Rogue. No pack affiliation. Dangerous.

She's leaning into my mate's side, and Isaiah—my Isaiah—has his arm around her