hapter 23
Winter’s sobs echoed through the den. She clutched her chest, crying about difficulty breathing – her old trick. But her father’s gaze remained cold: “That heart is healthy – it’s Ravenna’s heart. Stop this pathetic performance!”
Winter’s face twisted with rage. In her mind, the ritual should have given her everything – her parents‘ love, Valdrin’s devotion. Instead, she’d lost it all. How had it gone so wrong? She clenched her fists in silent fury.
Meanwhile, news of Cyrene and Theron’s impending mate–bond spread through the territories.
Valdrin, upon hearing, descended into darkness. The once–proud Alpha lay drunk in taverns, mumbling Ravenna’s name and broken apologies. His once–joyful den stood empty and cold.
At the mate–bond ceremony, Cyrene stood beside Theron, accepting the pack’s blessings. Her new ceremonial shoes pinched, so she excused herself to rest.
A small figure burst into her chamber. “Mother!” Young Ash–so different from his usual cold pride. Tears streaked his face as he clutched her robes, terrified she’d vanish again.
Have you abandoned me?”
Cyrene’s heart clenched. He was still her pup, carried beneath her heart for nine moons. Sighing, she wiped his tears, straightened his disheveled clothes. Her eyes found Valdrin: “Is this how you care
for him?”
Unkempt fur, inappropriate attire for the season, clearly unwashed. Most worrying, he’d grown thin
Hope flared in Valdrin’s eyes at her acknowledgment. “I’m lost without you. He needs his mother’s. care.”
Cyrene saw through his ploy – using their pup to reclaim her. But she’d already chosen her pati
forward.
“You’re a clever pup,” she told Ash gently. “Strong enough to care for yourself, even without me.”
“No!” Ash sobbed. “You’re my mother! Why won’t you care for me? Why have you left us?”
“I’ll be better! Just don’t leave Father and me!”
Still just a seven–moon pup, devastated by loss. Cyrene stroked his fur tenderly.
The Alpha’s Substitute Luna: A Heart Claimed, A Soul Reborn
To Valdrin: “You shouldn’t have brought him. This only deepens his wounds.”
“Please,” Valdrin begged, “return for his sake if nothing else.”
“Hate me forever if you must, but don’t leave.”
Cyrene knew she needed to end this cleanly. “Valdrin, this is merely habit speaking. Eight years together – of course you feel lost. Time will heal this. Winter still waits for you.”
“No!” He exploded. “I love you! I can’t exist without you!”
Cyrene met his desperate gaze, her voice soft but cutting: “If I meant so much to you now, why did you shatteri
heart piece by piece before?”
