Crippled Luna's Farewell: Half A Life Without My Alpha's Deadly Deception

Chapter 1

Three days before my Moonbinding Ceremony, I was ambushed by a group of rogue werewolves. They left me with a shattered spine, my wolf’s essence barely clinging to life.

Ethan Sterling, my intended mate and Alpha of the Mooncliff Pack, swiftly had the rogues captured and imprisoned in the pack’s underground cells. But as I lay in the pack’s healing den, my body broken and my wolf spirit dimming, I overheard a conversation I was never meant to hear.

In my semi–conscious state, Ethan’s voice carried from beyond the sacred healing circle, speaking with Elder Mitchell, our pack’s master healer.

“Alpha Sterling, we must perform the ancient healing rite now. Any longer, and Sarah’s wolf will be permanently crippled! I know you desire Alexandra as your mate, but to deliberately let a packmate

suffer”

“Let her remain broken,” Ethan’s voice held no trace of the warmth I once knew. “The pack will provide for her, but if she heals, she’ll challenge the Moonbinding. I promised Alexandra her pup would be acknowledged as the next Alpha heir. A crippled wolf can’t contest pack law or interfere

with the succession.”

“Better she stays weakened,” he continued coldly. “She won’t be able to challenge Alexandra’s claim or threaten the pup’s birthright.”

From my position on the ritual stone, a single tear traced down my cheek, mixing with the sacred healing herbs. The Moonbinding I’d dreamed of–the eternal bond I thought we shared–was nothing but a power play in pack politics. Our supposed mate–bond was meant to be my undoing.

So be it. He wanted a broken wolf? I’d give him one.

But he forgot something crucial–sometimes, the most dangerous wolves are the ones you’ve left for

dead.

as planned,” Ethan’s voice hardened. “The fertility binding must be

never know.”

wakes, I’ll take her to adopt the pup from the Moon Orphanage. Without the ability to bear

own, she’ll have no choice but to love Rose as her own.”

his brow, the weight of

Sterling, for the love of the Moon Mother, think this through. Her

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Half A Life Without My Alps

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Chapras!

to hear cubs is a cruelty beyond measure. The pack laws forbid such. Have you forgotten how the Elders will view this? And Alexandra’s pup is already three winters old, carrying your bloodline so

traced my cracked lips with a damp cloth, his touch deceptively gentle. His

to pack lands, unable to

borders”

she’d watch our pup grow strong within the pack. Even though she’s mated to another now, I won’t

peace of mind.”

echoed through the healing chamber as he gazed

off.

Leave no trace. Do it while she’s still unconscious–I don’t want