Moira’s POV

By the time I step onto the foggy tarmac of the northern territory and walk down the stairs of the plane, every muscle inside me is already tense.

I turn on my phone and dozens of messages flood in—birthday wishes from packmates, distant cousins, and a few old friends. But from my mate, Jude, heir to the Northern Alpha? Not a single word.

What was I even expecting? Our marriage was a sham from the start. If I hadn’t had that one-night stand with Jude—if I hadn’t ended up pregnant with Mireille—he would have gotten rid of me without a second thought.

He hasn’t hit me in the last seven years. He simply ignores me, as if I’m nothing more than a shadow in his house.

The familiar sting of disappointment rises in my chest. I swallow it down and step into the wide, candlelit hall of the Winters estate; it’s already past midnight.

Mrs. Leah, our loyal housekeeper, an Omega who practically raised me, hurries over to greet me, surprise flickering across her face. “Luna Moira, what are you doing here? It’s so late.”

I force a tired smile. Only a handful of people even know I’m Luna; Leah is one of them. “Where’s Jude? Where’s Mireille?”

“Alpha Jude still hasn’t come back. Mireille should be asleep in her room.”

I nod, hand her my luggage, and go upstairs. The light in Mireille’s room is still on. She’s still not asleep this late? I frown and push the door open.

I see her sitting at her desk, golden hair spilling over her shoulders, completely absorbed in stringing polished stones and shells together—is she making a birthday gift for me?

“Mireille?” My voice comes out softer than I expected at the thought.

She turns around, blue eyes brimming with anger. “Mom! What are you doing here?” A bead rolls to a stop at my feet as she jumps up, scowling. “You scared me! You should be more polite—next time knock before you come in!”

I stare at my own hand, frozen halfway to her. I had meant to pull her into a hug. I haven’t seen her in two months; I just wanted to tell her how much I missed her. But Mireille is busy scrambling to pick up her beads.

I swallow my hurt and help her re-string them. Her expression finally softens, but she still wants me gone. “Mom, I’m not finished yet! It has to be perfect.”

“Why are you still making a necklace this late?” I ask, trying to sound casual.

She holds up a shimmering bead, pride glowing on her face. “This is for Aunt Bella. Her birthday is coming up. Dad says she should get the very best, and I think so too.”

“Oh no! Aunt Bella’s birthday is in just a few days! Mom, you can’t forget! She’s your sister!” She widens her little eyes at me.

Step-sister. The very daughter of the stepmother who ruined my mother.

I shouldn’t burden Mireille with such heavy things. But what hurts even more is that my own daughter has forgotten my birthday, yet remembers the birthday of my enemy’s daughter.

I swallow hard and watch Mireille’s slender fingers fumble with the string. “Mireille… do you remember what day it is today?” My voice is barely a whisper. “…Do you remember your mom’s birthday?”

“Huh? Oh, Mom. You’re distracting me!” She frowns, but her eyes never leave her work.

“Staying up late is bad for you.” I stop her at once and, ignoring her protests, switch off the light. I hear her mutter, “I hate you.”

I close the door quickly, lean back against the wood and force myself to breathe, not letting the tears fall.

Those words cut into me like knives. I brace a hand on the wall to steady myself.

I raised Mireille from the day she was born, taught her our wolf history, wiped away her tears on stormy nights. But over the last two years Jude has been spending more and more time with her, and Mireille has grown more and more attached to him. Two months ago, when Jude came to the Netherlands to expand the market, she insisted on going with him no matter what I said.

Of course I didn’t want her to go. I wanted my little pup to stay by my side, but I couldn’t bear to see Mireille cry, so I gave in.

I never imagined that… after just two months away from me, Mireille would be standing with Jude to shut me out completely.

What on earth happened between us?

I think of Mrs. Leah.

Downstairs, Mrs. Leah is waiting for me in the dim corridor. “Luna, I called Alpha Jude. He says he’s busy tonight; we don’t need to wait for him.”

“Of course.” I answer, pretending to be calm. With Jude not coming home, I don’t even have to think to know he’s at my stepsister Bella’s house right now.