Lies and Rumors
“Arden, I’ve heard much about you from Kade,” she said, her golden eyes
gleaming. “It’s an honor to finally meet. you.”
“You‘ re even more stunning than he described.”
Her words made my wolf purr with pride. I first met Kade when Xander decided to
leave me for Cecilia. He had saved me from
my toxic ex mate and in the weeks that
followed, we discovered we were fated
mates. Just two moons later, we had already agreed to formalize our bond.
As I held the box, I hesitated, overwhelmed by the weight of the moment. Sensing my hesitation, Kade nudged me gently. “Open it, Arden. My mother wouldn’t give you anything that wasn’t meant for you.”
I guessed it might be something symbolic, like a pendant or an ornate dagger. But
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when I lifted the lid, my mother, who was seated beside me, gasped, her wolf s presence flaring briefly in astonishment.
“Isn‘ t this… the Shadowfang Pack‘ s Moonstone Collar?” she whispered.
Inside was a glowing crescent–shaped stone embedded in an intricate silver collar. Its radiance was ethereal, pulsing softly as though alive. It was said to be an ancient artifact, passed down through the pack‘ s Luna line. Stories told that it could only be worn by one worthy of leading the pack alongside the Alpha.
Flustered, I quickly tried to return the box. “This is far too sacred… I’m not worthy-”
But Luna Mireya stopped me, her hand firm yet comforting on mine. She removed the collar from its resting place and carefully placed it around my neck.
“You are to be my son’s mate and the future Luna of this pack,” she said, her tone unwavering. “This belongs to you
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now. No matter its worth, it is not too great. for someone as deserving as you.”
As the collar settled on my neck, I felt a surge of warmth spread through my body, a connection to the pack‘ s ancient magic. Luna Mireya’s eyes softened as she placed a hand over mine.
“You are one of us now, Arden,” she whispered. “Lead with strength, as I have.”
That day, as I followed my pack elders back to the den, I was surprised to find Elder Thain and Elder Florence, waiting for us near the Alpha‘ s chambers. Xander‘ st parents who are good to me.
My mother, the Beta female, let out a soft sigh, her gaze distant. “When your grandfather insisted on sending you to the Hallowspring Pack, Xander‘ s family swore to protect you. We all believed you and Xander would one day complete the mate bond. We don‘ t understand what happened, but his family have been loyal
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allies for generations. Turning your back on them is no simple matter.”
Her words weighed heavily, and I nodded solemnly. “I understand, Mother. Don’t worry–I‘ ll deal with it.” I grabbed two mugs of herbal tea and made my way into the den‘ s study to face them.
When Elder Florence saw me, her
normally fierce wolf softened, and her amber eyes glistened with unshed tears.
“Arden, I heard you joined the
Shadowfang Pack… and you plan to bond with Kade Hux?”
I sighed deeply, trying to steady the emotions within me. “Uncle Thain and
Aunt Florence, I won’t lie to you. Xander and I… it’s over. It was the reason I left.”
Elder Thain’s face darkened, and a growl rumbled low in his throat. “What did that brat do to you? If he hurt you, I’ll rip him apart!” His wolf surfaced momentarily.
Elder Florence, ever perceptive, tilted her
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allies for generations. Turning your back on them is no simple matter.”
Her words weighed heavily, and I nodded solemnly. “I understand, Mother. Don‘ t worry–I’ll deal with it.” I grabbed two mugs of herbal tea and made my way into the den‘ s study to face them.
When Elder Florence saw me, her
normally fierce wolf softened, and her amber eyes glistened with unshed tears.
“Arden, I heard you joined the
Shadowfang Pack… and you plan to bond with Kade Hux?”
I sighed deeply, trying to steady the emotions within me. “Uncle Thain and
Aunt Florence, I won’t lie to you. Xander and I… it’s over. It was the reason I left.”
Elder Thain’s face darkened, and a growl rumbled low in his throat. “What did that brat do to you? If he hurt you, I’ll rip him apart!” His wolf surfaced momentarily.
Elder Florence, ever perceptive, tilted her
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head. “Is this because of Cecilia?”
I didn’t respond, but my silence betrayed
- me.
My mother lowered her gaze, shame etched across her face.
“Arden, we’ve always loved you as our own. What Xander did… it’s unforgivable.”
Elder Florence had been like a second mother to me during my time in the Hallowspring Pack, and I refused to let Xander‘ s betrayal tarnish the bond we shared. “Auntie, you’ll always have my respect and love, no matter what.”
I knew they’d come to plead Xander‘ s case, but after hearing the full story, I stood firm in my decision. Once they left, my best friend, Elena, bombarded me with frantic mind–links.
“Arden, look at the images I sent you.”
“That Cecilia is completely deranged!”
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“She’s spreading lies about you to the pack!”
I opened the mental images she sent, and my wolf snarled with rage. The venomous. words etched across the pack‘ s bond were unmistakable:
“Some wolves act pure and innocent, but before they even sever ties with one mate, they’re already marking another. How pathetic.”
The message included an old image of me, and the malice behind it struck deeper than I expected.
In the comments, Cecilia had replied:
“Her new mate is ancient, scarred, and barely worth a howl. But I suppose some she–wolves only care about power and
status.”
