Chapter 3
I wasn’t fooling myself—Izabella was indeed my child. Did Drake Arnold and Bianca Barnes truly believe they could deceive me, the Luna of the Ruiz Pack? Did they think their schemes could overshadow the will of the Moon Goddess?
Years ago, when Drake, a rogue masquerading as an Alpha, discovered he had a low sperm count, we opted for a pack ritual to ensure the continuation of our lineage. Before the ritual, I accidentally stumbled upon Drake conspiring with a pack healer, manipulating the sacred process. I overheard him mind-linking Bianca, his voice brimming with excitement as he claimed he’d successfully replaced my eggs with hers. The betrayal burned, but I didn’t confront him then. Instead, I discreetly approached the healer, offering him a fortune to switch back my eggs. I even “helpfully” suggested using Josiah Ruiz’s, my true mate and the rightful Alpha of the Ruiz Pack, sperm instead.
On the day of the ritual, Drake and I stood side by side, witnessing the “miracle” unfold. He was unusually thrilled, probably believing the child was Bianca’s. Watching him bask in his blissful ignorance was almost amusing to me. The Moon Goddess had her own plans, and I was merely playing my part in them.
Over the years, I’ve watched him dote on Izabella like a fool, convinced she was his daughter. It was a joy to witness. He tried to ensnare me, oblivious that he had been an unwitting father for over two decades.
Drake snapped me out of my thoughts with his smug remark, his alpha tone cutting through the room like a blade. “Stubborn as ever, Amalia. Izabella may have come from your womb, but the egg wasn’t yours! Her real mother is Bianca.”
I replied calmly, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me. “Dream on, Drake.”
“If you don’t believe me, let’s perform a pack DNA ritual!” he declared emphatically, his aura flaring with arrogance. “And I’m rejecting you as my mate! You’ve walked all over me, forcing me into this sham bond. I’ve been more than generous to you for twenty-five years!”
When he mentioned rejection, a hint of satisfaction flickered across his face. Clearly, he’d been itching for this moment.
Does he dare claim he’s been generous? Twenty-five years of a mate bond felt more like twenty-five years of solitude. While I was raising our child alone, he was gallivanting with Bianca. While I was battling to maintain the pack’s strength and honor, he was wasting time in decadence.
But he was wrong on one count—I hadn’t bonded with him for love but to secure the Ruiz Pack’s future and protect my daughter’s rightful place as heir. Now, the pack’s resources and power were firmly in my grasp. Drake was redundant.
“A rejection suits me just fine,” I shrugged dismissively, my tone icy. “But there’s no need for a DNA ritual. I am certain Izabella is my daughter.”
Izabella stepped forward, her presence radiating the strength of a future Alpha. She looked at me with unwavering trust, her voice firm. “Mom, I believe you.”
Drake and Bianca exchanged glances, their expressions faltering for the first time.
“Izabella,” Drake began, his alpha tone softening as he pleaded, “don’t you believe your father?”
Izabella ignored him, her loyalty unwavering as she held onto me tightly. Just then, a young werewolf burst into the room, his scent marking him as a rogue. He strode directly up to Izabella, his expression one of excitement, exclaiming, “Sis!”
The room fell silent, the tension thickening. Introducing a new mother was one thing, but a brother too? The Moon Goddess’s plans were unraveling before our eyes, and I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of triumph. The game was far from over, and I intended to win.
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