The Luna Is A Widow-Maker

The Ashford family is thriving. Harry has three brothers, and two sisters already married off. The house is full of noise-and full of schemers. His parents act all kind and gentle, but the arrogance radiating from them makes my wolf bristle. "Fourth wife and still no heart," Harry muttered as he looked at me coldly. "Don't expect anything special from me," I replied, rolling my eyes. But my sisters-in-law came today. They brought gifts and sweet smiles, ready for their usual gossip. "I heard you've been busy lately?" Sister-in-law Ruby asked, eyes twinkling. "Busy?" I laughed dryly, "Busy waiting for him to drop dead." They giggled and talked how my first three husbands died. They were weak. One died in a carriage accident on the way to the wedding. Another drowned right in front of my door, fell into the pond. The last one lasted a bit longer, but on the wedding night, he ate too much and burst. I've never had the pleasure of interacting with a sister-in-law. I wonder if I'll end up killing one too. By lunchtime, the two of them had left. I had no intention of eating. Penelope, ever the spy, whispered, "They went to Mrs. Ashford's for lunch." "And didn't invite me?" I sneered. The first three wives, they always ate alone, never with Mrs. Ashford. This was different. A clear snub. I'd heard Harry was cursed to destroy his own kin since childhood. Looks like even his family is scared of him, but they're still alive, right? My family, though. they're not stupid. My father, mother, brother, and sister-in-law? None of them dared keep me from the table. They knew better than to risk my wrath. One wrong look, and I could ruin them. So, I had my lunch in my courtyard. Alone. Before the meal was even served, nanny Sara entered, leading a small girl. I recognized her immediately-alpha's first daughter. The only one to survive. Her mother died giving birth to her, and now she stood there, a ghost of a child, skin tight against her bones. "Good afternoon, Mother," she murmured, voice barely more than a whisper. Barely five, yet already looking like she'd lived a hundred years. I glanced at her clothes-filthy sleeves. This was the Moonshadow Pack. A powerful Alpha family. How could they let their own flesh and blood suffer like this? I raised an eyebrow. "Why is it that you don't even have a clean shirt?" Nanny Sara, her own clothes far more lavish, shifted nervously, eyes flickering with false pity. "Lady, ... she's been without a mother's care. The Alpha's too busy with pack matters, and Old Madam rarely remembers her-only on the full moons, you know?" Her words dripped with mock sympathy, but her gold bracelet glinted so brightly it stung my eyes. Her mother had been a merchant's daughter, with a dowry rich enough to dress a hundred women for life. But this child? Neglected, abandoned to the wolves. And I knew it-someone was lining their pockets while this girl went without. "Tell the Alpha-if his daughter is going to starve under his roof, I'll be sure the pack hears about it." The servant stiffened.