Severing Luna Mate Bond

The sacred Harvest Moon grove was bathed in silver light as I raised my hands toward the full moon, my Luna pendant catching the glow as I led the Silvermoon Pack in our most ancient ceremony. The air was thick with the scent of autumn leaves and ceremonial herbs, and for a moment, I felt truly connected to the Moon Goddess.

"May she bless our pack with prosperity and strength," I recited, my voice carrying across the gathered wolves. "May we honor her light and—"

A sharp baby's cry cut through my words like a knife.

My hands froze mid-gesture as heads turned toward the sound. The sacred moment shattered as Margaret Hamilton—my mother-in-law and former Luna—strode into the ceremonial clearing, a bundled infant in her arms.

"I apologize for the interruption," she announced, though her tone held no remorse. "But there's a matter of pack bloodline that cannot wait."

The pack members murmured in confusion. Alpha Levi stood beside me, his expression unreadable as his mother approached. I felt his hand slip from mine.

"Margaret," I said, keeping my voice steady despite the anger bubbling beneath my skin. "This is a sacred ceremony. Whatever pack matters you have can wait until—"

"No, Luna Roselyn," she interrupted, her eyes gleaming with something I couldn't quite place. "This concerns you directly."

She adjusted the infant in her arms—a tiny girl with wisps of blonde hair—and reached into her pocket, pulling out an envelope sealed with the pack's medical insignia.

"DNA test results," she announced loudly enough for everyone to hear. "Confirming what we already knew."

My heart stuttered as she broke the seal and extracted the papers inside. The ceremonial grove fell silent except for the baby's occasional whimpers.

"This child," Margaret declared, lifting the infant higher as if presenting a prize, "is the daughter of Alpha Levi Hamilton and his chosen mate, Zara Fox."

The words hit me like physical blows. Beside Margaret, Zara stepped forward, her lips curved in a smug smile that made my blood boil.

"The child is to be recognized as pack heir," Margaret continued, her voice taking on the authoritative tone she'd used when she was Luna. "And as such, certain arrangements must be made."

She turned her gaze directly to me, her eyes cold despite her false smile. "Roselyn, dear, we need you to pay $30,000 to secure custody of this child."

Gasps rippled through the pack. My Luna aura flared instinctively, a protective shield against this public humiliation.

"Custody?" I repeated, my voice dangerously quiet. "You want me to pay for another woman's child?"

"The pack's future depends on it," Margaret replied smoothly. "Surely you understand the importance of bloodline continuity?"

I felt dozens of eyes on me, watching for my reaction. Some faces showed shock, others pity—and a few, including Zara's, barely concealed satisfaction.

"And what exactly would I be paying for?" I asked, fighting to keep my voice steady as my mind raced through pack law and protocol.

"Securing the child's