Her Covenant on the Blood Moon

Just as I stepped into the main hall, a servant rushed toward me. He deliberately bumped into me, and my arm was jostled hard.

The tray clattered to the floor. Cocktails splashed onto my arm, and a searing pain shot through it.

"I'm so sorry, Luna Cora! I didn't mean to!"

The servant apologized tearfully, but I caught the flash of triumph in his eyes.

Jaxon was at my side in an instant, cradling my arm, his eyes filled with worry. "Cora, does it hurt?"

Then, his head whipped toward the servant, and he roared, "Get the pack's healer!"

His voice thundered through the hall, so loud the crystal glasses on the tables trembled.

A moment later, he turned on the servant. His gaze sharpened as he viciously gripped the man’s throat. "You useless thing! What the hell were you doing? If anything happens to Cora, I'll tear you to shreds!"

The servant, Lilah's accomplice, choked, his face turning purple as he clawed at Jaxon’s hand.

A cold dread seized me. Jaxon's panic, his fear, the love he showed when I was hurt—it was all real. But his betrayal was just as real.

How could a man love a woman so deeply, yet still betray her?

…

After the healer bandaged my hand, Jaxon stayed by my side. Only after I feigned sleep did he quietly slip out of the room.

I trailed him silently, my heart a stone in my chest, as he headed toward the singles' dorms.

Lilah was slumped on the ground, her face streaked with tears. The moment she saw Jaxon, she sobbed even harder.

She rushed toward him, trying to throw herself into his arms, but he shoved her away. "I warned you not to pull any more stunts! You're done here. Get out!"

Lilah wailed, "I missed you so much, Alpha Jaxon. I couldn't control myself, so I had someone… Please… don't make me leave."

"You hurt Cora. You have to leave. Get out on your own, or I'll have you banished from the pack."

Lilah blurted out, "I just wanted to tell you—I'm pregnant. Please don't make me leave!"

For a split second, Jaxon's expression wavered—a flicker of an Alpha’s primal desire for an heir crossing his face.

"Really? Fine. For the pup's sake, you get one last chance. But don't you ever appear in front of Cora again, or I won't hesitate to throw you out of this pack for good."

Lilah nodded obediently.

Seeing this, I turned and left. For a fleeting moment, a foolish thought had crossed my mind.

If Jaxon had kicked her out, I could have pretended none of this ever happened. After loving him for so many years, the thought of letting go was an agony I couldn't bear.

But he didn't. And worse, she was carrying his pup. What was the point of me staying?

…