Chapter 1 Lady Of The House My name is Freya Vale - Thorne . I was born to be Luna of Silvercrest . พร Finished For ten years , I carried that title with pride . I gave the Alpha my counsel , my strength , and two children . I thought that was enough . But somewhere along the way , I lost everything . I lost my mate's love . I lost my children's voices calling me Mama . And tonight , I stand in my own packhouse as a ghost , while another woman takes my place . The air around me is thick with music and gossip . Wolves in silks and masks laugh and drink . I stand apart in a corner , my smile stiff , and my hands becoming colder by the second . Alpha Kade - my husband - rises on the dais . His mask gleams black , carved with silver edges . His voice carries over the crowd . " Tonight , on the occasion of the annual Masquerade Ball , in honor of Silvercrest's founding and another year of strength , I present to you the lady who has stood beside me . " His hand finds Izel's . Her gown shines white , heavy with pearls . She steps forward , her chin lifted in pride , her face adorned with a sweet smile . " Lady Izel , " Kade says , " from this day , you are the lady of this house . " The crowd gasps first , then someone begins to applaud , and the others follow . Wolves howl in approval . I stand still . My nails cut my palms , drawing blood . A councilman near me leans close . " At last , " he mutters . " The Alpha makes it official . " Another nods . " She carries herself well . Strong spine , soft smile . The pack will accept her ." " She is not the Luna ," I say with gritted teeth . The first man chuckles , taunting , " Perhaps not . But she looks the part ." I force a smile . " Looks can lie . " They don't care to respond . If the Alpha himself does not respect his wife and outright treats her like shit , why should they keep their bitter words hidden ? On the dais , Izel bows , graceful as a queen . When she rises , her gaze skims the hall until it finds me . The sweet smile on her face takes on a venomous edge - until something else takes her attention away . " Finn ! Ivy ! " Izel's voice rings bright . 1/3 21:31 Wed , Oct 15 Chapter 1 Lach Of The House Finished My children break from the crowd . Their small feet patter across marble . They run to her , arms outstretched . " Mama ! " Ivy , my three - year - old daughter , cries . Izel bends , gathers them close . She kisses Ivy's cheek , ruffles Finn's hair . She laughs , light and musical , as though they have always belonged to her . The sound splits my heart open and pokes it with glass shards at the same time . They're my children , but they think Izel's their mother . Around us , whispers ripple . " They call her Mama . " " Poor Freya ." " No wonder the Alpha chose differently ." I sip my wine , though it tastes of ash . " She holds them well ," a woman murmurs . " Better than their own mother , " her companion replies . I grip my glass so hard I think it might break . On the dais , Kade places a hand on Izel's shoulder . His eyes shine with pride . As if this is his true family . Anger bubbles through me . This is it . I've had enough . I slip out through the doors . Cool night air rushes against my face . Stars prick the dark sky . I grip the railing until my knuckles ache . For a moment , it is silent except for the whooshing of air and the chirp of crickets . Then I hear a voice . ' Leave ' I freeze . The voice is faint but familiar . " Nyx ? " I whisper . My wolf , who has been silent for so long - six years , finally speaks . I can barely breathe right . I've missed her guidance . I've missed her strength . ' Leave , ' she says again , stronger . ' You cannot stay . Thirty days . No more ! ' 2/3 21:31 Wed , Oct 15 ( 16 Chapter 1 Lady Of The House Finished A shiver cuts through me . Thirty days . The number hums inside my bones . The doors open behind me and heavy , familiar footsteps greet my ears . Kade . He pushes his black and silver mask up , revealing all the beauty in his charming face . It takes me a moment to remember all the shit he has dragged me through . His gaze sweeps over me . " You left the hall , " he says . I swallow the lump that has formed in my throat and tell him , " I needed air ." " You look pale . " Does he care ? " I'm fine , Alpha Kade ." " Good . " He pauses . " You should come back soon . The guests will wonder ." I force a smile . " Of course ." He doesn't move toward me . His gaze drifts back inside . Izel dances , the children clinging to her skirts . His expression softens . With pride ? Belonging ? " They called her Mama , " I say , my voice wavering with pain . Kade stiffens . " They're children , " he tries to explain . " They don't know titles . " " They know enough ." He exhales . " Freya . Don't make a scene . " My lips twist . " I never do . I'm the quiet one , remember ? " Kade glares at me and then leaves without another word . The music swells again inside . Izel laughs , clear as bells . Nyx's voice coils through me . " Thirty days . Leave .' I tilt my head to the moon . My throat burns , but no tears fall . " Thirty days , " I whisper . " Then I will be free . " And I begin to count . Send Gifts 名