My Mate's a Bastard, My Mother-in-Law's a Monster

Five years of gnawing at moon herbs, their bitter essence carving a path through my insides like molten iron, and finally, I carried the fruit of our bond. But the moment our pup drew his first breath,Peter Thornfield, my mate, slammed the cursed moon blood test onto the birthing bed with a force that made the metal tray rattle like a death knell.​ "The pup isn't mine!" His howl ripped through the air. " You reek of another wolf! Sign the bond break and leave!"​ I bared my throat in a show of submission. "I've never strayed! You know I've only hunted in our territory!" With a brutal shove, he flung me out into the cold. The harsh winter air hit me like a wall of ice. On the desolate street, a rogue wolf, driven mad by moon fever, lunged at me. His teeth sank into my neck, piercing my flesh like daggers, and the world dissolved into a sea of pain and darkness...​ Then, I jolted awake. The fluorescent lights of the birthing room flickered overhead, casting an otherworldly glow over everything. I was back, in this place of hope and horror.​ "Look at our pup," Peter crooned. He nuzzled the tiny bundle in his arms. "Does he carry your storm-gray pelt, or my midnight fur?" I flinched, the memory of his previous snarls and accusations crashing over me like a tsunami,.​ Suddenly, a blood - curdling howl shattered the tense silence-the shrill ringtone of Peter's phone. My gaze snapped to the screen. There, in bold letters, was the name: Freya. Just the sight of it was enough to turn my stomach inside out. That she - wolf, with her honeyed lies and serpentine ways, had been the architect of my downfall once before.​ In my mind, I was transported back to that fateful day. Her whispers, like poisoned arrows, had found their mark in Peter's heart. She had spun a web of deceit about me hunting with a strange male, and he had fallen for it hook, line, and sinker. The next dawn, the moon blood test-a test that was supposed to be a safeguard, but had become a weapon-had sealed my fate. I had been home-bound, tending to our precious pup, with nothing but the elder healer and her moon herbs for company. And yet, that test had lied, proclaiming our pup a bastard.​ "Freya," Peter growled, his voice a low. Without another word, he stalked out of the room.​ I booked a place at the Lunar Maternity sanctuary. When the sanctuary's guards arrived, all hell broke loose. Peter's fury erupted like a volcano. "Lila Vance! You drain our coffers on this? My hunts pay for your-" "The fee comes from my sire's legacy," I snapped back. "Your monthly five silver pieces wouldn't buy a pup's chew bone."​ "Leave the pup. He's Thornfield blood," he commanded.​ "Like hell," I spat. I shouldered past him, the soft whimper of my pup a battle cry that echoed in my ears, fueling my courage. "You dare question my loyalty? Five years of moon herbs, vomiting under the full moon-all for this? You call me a traitor?"​