From His Intended Luna to His Enemy

For twenty years, I was the cherished darling of the largest werewolf pack in the North. Then I found out I was nothing but a fraud—a baby swapped at birth.

I packed my bags that very night, ready to leave. But Kael Blackmoor—my brother—cornered me in my room, and what followed consumed three days and three nights.

"I love you," he said. "I’ve been waiting for this for so long."

He proved the depth of his obsession with every touch.

The moment we stepped out of that room, he announced our Marking Ceremony.

My adoptive parents were furious. He stripped them of every shred of authority and seized total control of the Blackmoor pack, crowning himself Alpha.

When the real heiress, Elowen, threw tantrums, he revoked every last one of her privileges and made sure she couldn’t hold her head up in high society.

He was a wolf who’d chosen his prey. He kept me caged within the territory, showering me with a love so twisted it bordered on madness.

I tried to escape more times than I could count. Every time, he dragged me back.

The farthest I ever got was deep into the border forests. He brought an entire squad of his elite to hunt me down, hauled me out of the underbrush, pinned me against an ancient tree, and kissed me until I couldn’t breathe.

"Seraphina," he murmured against my ear, teeth grazing the lobe, "you could run to the ends of the earth and I’d still find you. Next time you try to escape…"

He paused, his voice dropping to something low and dangerous.

"I’ll sever your tendons."

His net was everywhere. There was nowhere left to run.

Until a month ago, when he slipped out in the dead of night to pick moonflowers from a cliffside—because I’d made an offhand remark about wanting some. Rogue wolves ambushed him during the climb and cracked his skull.

When he woke, he remembered nothing.

Not his savage possession of me. Not those nights tangled together until dawn. Not the countless times he’d whispered “I love you” against my skin.

My adoptive parents were overjoyed. When they introduced me, they didn’t call me his unmarked mate—the woman he’d loved to the point of insanity. They told him I was the manor’s maid.

And now they wanted to use his amnesia to get rid of me for good.

……

"Seraphina." My adoptive mother, Isolde, slid a pouch of coins across the table. "That’s five thousand gold pieces. While Kael still doesn’t remember you, take this and leave. Don’t ever let him see your face again."

My adoptive father, Magnus, chimed in, his tone threaded with menace. “You’re not our daughter anymore. You have no reason to stay at the manor. If you know what’s good for you—”

"Fine." I cut him off and took the coins. "I’ll make the arrangements to leave."

They exchanged a look of visible relief.

The parents who once held me like I was made of glass now couldn’t wait to throw me out.

Pathetic, wasn’t it?

It was.

But I wanted to leave too.

Kael’s love was too wild, too suffocating. His amnesia was the only window heaven would ever give me.

"What are you all talking about?"

The study door swung open and Kael stepped out, Elowen trailing behind him.

He stood tall, his features sharp and cold, radiating the crushing authority that was the birthright of every Blackmoor heir.

I dropped my gaze instinctively—and the next second, his fingers closed around my chin and forced it up.

"‘You.” He frowned, his eyes roaming over my face. His nostrils flared. “What is that scent on you?”

My breath caught.

Before, he used to bury his face in the curve of my neck and inhale deeply, murmuring, “Bella, your scent drives me out of my mind.”

And now?

Something flickered behind his eyes, as if a memory was clawing its way to the surface.

"This scent…” he muttered, brow furrowed.

I was about to speak when he released me abruptly, his expression locking back into cold indifference.

"Stay away from me,” he said—but there was a hesitation in his voice he didn’t seem to notice himself. “A maid should know her place. Don’t get ideas above your station.”

I finally lifted my eyes. “Alpha, I’ll be leaving tonight. You’ll never have to see me again.”

This was my farewell to him.

He frowned, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before it hardened into a sneer. “Pack servants require my authorization to leave. You don’t have my permission.”

He turned to the Beta beside him. “Keep an eye on her. She doesn’t leave without my say-so.”

My heart lurched. Had he remembered something?

But he said nothing more, turning on his heel and striding away. Elowen shot me a venomous glare before hurrying after him. “Kael, let me help you organize the study—”

I stood rooted to the spot, my fingers slowly tightening around the pouch of gold.

It was fine. He hadn’t remembered. I still had a chance to get out—even with someone watching me.

But that night, Elowen appeared at my door with a handful of Betas.

"Seraphina.” She smiled, wide and vicious. “You stole my identity for twenty years. Don’t you think it’s time you paid for that?”

She pointed down the hall to the last door. “The punishment chamber. I hear you’ve always been afraid of the cold. Perfect—it’ll help clear your head.”

I looked at her. “Does Kael know about this?”

"Of course.” She lifted her chin, triumphant. “He signed off on it personally.”

The Betas seized my arms and dragged me into that freezing chamber.

Ten below zero. The cold cut straight to the bone.

I curled up in the corner as consciousness slowly slipped away.

Before, when Kael knew I couldn’t stand the cold, the territory was kept warm year-round. On winter nights, he’d tuck my icy hands and feet against his chest and murmur, “You’re not cold, Bella. I’ll keep you warm.”

Now he’d personally ordered me locked in here.

It was fine.

I told myself.

I’d be gone soon enough.

Just before the darkness swallowed me whole, I thought I heard someone calling my name.

Frantic. Urgent.

"‘Seraphina!”