Chapter 1
AUTHOR’S POV
The grand Alpha mansion stood on the highest hill in Mooncrest Pack, overlooking miles of silver forests illuminated by moonlight.
Most wolves considered it a palace.
To Camille Jones, it felt more like a prison with every passing day.
She stood beside the tall bedroom window, staring into the darkness beyond the glass. The moon hung low in the sky, casting pale light across the grounds below.
The clock on the wall ticked.
Nine o'clock.
Then ten.
Then eleven.
Her dinner had gone cold hours ago.
The candle she'd lit at sunset had burned almost completely away.
Damien wasn't coming.
Again.
A bitter smile tugged at her lips.
Three years ago, she would have waited by the front entrance.
Two years ago, she would have sent a dozen messages.
One year ago, she would have worried something had happened to him.
Now?
Now she already knew where he was.
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.
Camille turned.
"Come in."
The door opened.
Her personal maid, Olivia, stepped inside carrying a folded blanket.
The older woman looked uncomfortable.
"Alpha Damien won't be joining you tonight, Luna."
Camille laughed softly.
The sound carried no amusement.
"I figured."
Olivia hesitated.
"He's with Lady Selena."
There it was.
The name Camille had grown to hate.
Selena Thorn.
The widow of Damien's older brother.
The woman who somehow occupied more of Damien's time than his own mate.
Camille folded her arms.
"Did something happen?"
Olivia lowered her gaze.
"Lady Selena said she had another nightmare."
Camille stared at her.
Another nightmare.
The same excuse for six months.
The same reason Damien rushed to Selena's side every time.
The same reason Camille spent countless nights alone.
"I see."
Olivia looked heartbroken for her.
"Luna..."
"It's fine."
It wasn't.
But Camille was tired of pretending otherwise.
After Olivia left, silence returned to the room.
The empty side of the bed seemed larger than ever.
A sudden burst of laughter drifted through the open window.
Camille frowned.
She stepped closer and looked down into the courtyard.
Her chest tightened.
Below stood Damien.
And Selena.
They were walking together beneath the moonlight.
Selena wasn't crying.
She wasn't terrified.
She wasn't suffering from nightmares.
She was laughing.
Her hand rested comfortably on Damien's arm.
Damien smiled back.
A genuine smile.
One Camille hadn't seen directed at her in months.
Pain stabbed through her chest.
The front doors opened.
A small boy ran toward them.
Ethan.
Selena's son.
"Uncle Damien!"
Damien crouched instantly.
The child threw himself into Damien's arms.
The Alpha laughed.
Actually laughed.
Camille couldn't remember the last time he'd laughed with her.
The sight hurt more than she wanted to admit.
The three of them walked back inside together.
Looking every bit like a family.
Leaving Camille standing alone in the darkness above.
A knock sounded again.
This time stronger.
Before she could answer, the door opened.
Damien entered.
Tall.
Powerful.
Broad shoulders filling the doorway.
The most feared Alpha in the region.
And the man who owned her heart.
Unfortunately.
He loosened his tie.
"You should be asleep."
Camille stared at him.
"Good evening to you too."
His brows furrowed.
"What?"
"You missed dinner."
His expression remained unreadable.
"Selena needed me."
Of course she did.
Camille swallowed.
"I cooked your favorite."
"I wasn't hungry."
The answer came too quickly.
Too carelessly.
As though her effort meant nothing.
Maybe it didn't.
Damien walked past her toward the dresser.
Camille watched him.
Waited.
Hoped.
Nothing came.
No apology.
No explanation.
No concern.
Finally she spoke.
"Do you enjoy spending time with her?"
Damien froze.
The atmosphere immediately shifted.
Dangerously.
Slowly, he turned.
"What kind of question is that?"
"A simple one."
His jaw tightened.
"She's my brother's widow."
"I know who she is."
"Then why ask?"
Camille held his gaze.
Because I want to know if I'm losing you.
Because every day feels like I'm watching our marriage die.
Because I'm terrified.
But she couldn't say any of that.
Not anymore.
"You spend more time with her than with me."
Damien sighed heavily.
"As usual."
Camille blinked.
"As usual?"
"You're making problems where none exist."
The words hit harder than a slap.
She laughed bitterly.
"No problems?"
"Selena lost her husband."
"And I lost my mate."
The room fell silent.
For the first time all evening, Damien looked surprised.
Pain flashed across Camille's face before she could hide it.
Something flickered in his eyes.
Guilt.
Maybe.
But it disappeared quickly.
"You know that's not true."
"Do I?"
His voice hardened.
"Camille."
The warning was clear.
Drop it.
Stop talking.
Be the obedient Luna.
Like always.
For a long moment neither moved.
Neither spoke.
Eventually Damien turned away.
Conversation over.
Just like that.
Camille's heart sank.
She watched him remove his jacket.
Watched him prepare for bed.
Watched him move through the room like she wasn't even there.
A ghost.
That was what she'd become.
A ghost in her own home.
As Damien climbed into bed, Camille remained standing by the window.
Neither spoke.
The distance between them felt endless despite sharing the same room.
Outside, the moon shone brightly over Mooncrest Pack.
Inside, something fragile was breaking.
And neither of them realized it yet.
