Luna's Deadly Deception: How She Made Her Alpha Pay novel Chapter 3

"When it happens naturally," Kieran gazed at Thea lovingly. "Perhaps by winter's end. Boy or girl, any pup from my Luna would be perfect."

Thea stared silently at her cake, but before she could respond, a beta wolf rushed in, reporting damage to Kieran's vehicle.

"I'll handle this quickly," Kieran frowned. "Eat, love. And remember, no iced drinks – your moon cycle begins in two days."

The young she-wolves in the bakery swooned. "He even tracks her moon cycles! What a perfect Alpha..."

"You're blessed, dear," the elderly baker told Thea. "Finding a devoted mate is rare indeed."

Thea's smile was bitter. "Yes... rare indeed." If only she had actually found one.

Through the window, she watched Kieran follow the beta – straight into a rose-gold Lunar Runner parked beside their black vehicle. She recognized it instantly – Aurora's car, a "welcome home" gift from Kieran worth nearly as much as Thea's new Silverwind.

Her phone rang – unknown number. When she answered, she heard Kieran's voice, husky with desire:

"Our clever Aurora, sending someone to fetch me..."

"I asked your beta for your location," Aurora purred. "You promised to come once she's asleep."

"Thinking of you with her on your anniversary... it hurts," Aurora whimpered.

Kieran's low laugh rumbled through the phone. "Be patient, my honey. I won't touch her tonight."

"Hurry to me then. Follow my scent..."

The sounds of passionate kissing filled the line before Thea ended the call, her hands shaking.

The cake before her turned stomach-churning. Her wolf stirred restlessly inside her, clawing at her chest with grief and rage. She stabbed the chocolate "Happy Anniversary" plaque until it was unrecognizable.

Thea caught the flash of anticipation in his eyes beneath the feigned reluctance.

So eager to leave, he'd invent an emergency?

She nodded silently, then walked toward their private garage. There, she witnessed Kieran and Aurora's passionate embrace in the rose-gold vehicle.

"I wore the moon-silk stockings you love," Aurora purred. "You haven't changed after all these years..."

Kieran's eyes darkened with desire. Aurora pressed his hand away playfully. "Let's go to the lake... your favorite spot."

"Consider it an early birthday gift," she winked.

As the rose-gold Lunar Runner disappeared into the night, Thea's phone buzzed with a message from Kieran – coordinates to the lake.