The Alpha Stole My Daughter’s Heart, So I Burned Down His Throne

Fianna's POV

On the sixth anniversary of our mating bond, I went to the Alpha pack hall with a gift, hoping to surprise my Alpha mate.

My mate, Alpha Bastien Ashbourne, had been obsessed with a rare Moonfang Shadowrunner, a legendary wolf-drawn royal carriage crafted by the finest artisans in the Alpha Kingdom. I used every connection I had and finally secured it for him. The enchanted moonstone token that proved ownership rested inside a black velvet box.

In my other hand was a pregnancy crystal glowing with two silver lines because I also wanted to share the joyful news that he would become a father once again.

A bright smile stretched across my face as I stepped into his office without knocking.

I almost wished I hadn't.

Because what I saw shattered my entire world.

He wasn't alone.

He was with my best friend, Valeska Firemane.

Valeska sat on Bastien's desk as though she ruled the place. Her blouse hung open, and her lips were swollen. She trailed her fingers across his shoulder while he stood between her knees, his ceremonial Alpha jacket unfastened and his hand gripping her thigh.

My heart slammed against my chest.

My best friend.

My mate.

I opened my mouth to scream, but no sound came out.

For a long moment, I couldn't move or breathe. I simply couldn't believe what I was seeing. My mind refused to accept it, trying to convince me it was nothing more than a cruel illusion.

Because it couldn't be real.

Valeska, who had stood beside me under the Moon Goddess's blessing when my daughter, Danica, was born.

Valeska, who had become Danica's moon guardian.

And now she sat there, moaning against my mate's lips.

The betrayal cut through me like silver blades.

My chest tightened. Tears filled my eyes as I stared at them.

I wanted to scream.

I wanted to cross the room and drag her away from him.

But my body refused to obey.

I remained frozen in the doorway, the gifts trembling in my hands.

Just when I thought nothing could hurt more than this, Bastien's crystal communicator began to glow.

He growled in annoyance and pulled away from Valeska before answering it. His hand never left her thigh.

"What do you want now?" he snapped. His voice was cold and irritated. "I already paid you to stay silent. Don't push your luck."

Valeska pouted and brushed her fingers across his chest.

"I already gave you a fortune in gold for the heart transfer ritual," Bastien hissed. "You know how much I've spent to bury this."

The words struck me like a blow.

Heart transfer ritual?

What ritual?

My ears rang, but I forced myself to listen.

I couldn't hear the healer on the other side, but Bastien's answer came sharp and furious.

"I already paid you to give the heart to Valeska, not Danica. Danica is dead now, so why are you threatening me?"

The ground seemed to shift beneath my feet.

My daughter's heart? Given to my best friend, Valeska?

None of it made sense.

I couldn't understand what I was hearing. My mind refused to process it.

Meanwhile, Bastien's voice turned icy.

"Don't contact me again, Healer. If this secret gets out, I'll destroy you."

After ending the call, Valeska smiled softly and ran her hand across his chest.

"I still can't believe you really did all that for me," she murmured, loud enough for me to hear. "You truly gave me her heart."

Bastien pressed a gentle kiss against her wrist, admiration shining in his eyes.

"I told you, Valeska. I'd do anything for you. Fianna was too foolish to notice. She signed the ritual approval herself. I told her it was a trade agreement between packs, and she didn't bother reading it."

A sharp gasp escaped me before I could stop it, but Valeska's laughter drowned out the sound.

My chest collapsed inward. My knees nearly gave way as his words echoed through my mind.

Two months ago, a suitable heart became available. It had felt like a miracle.

Our daughter, Danica, had been waiting for a heart blessing for three winters.

At last, after all the pain, all the prayers beneath the moonlight, and all the sleepless nights beside her healing chamber, there had been hope.

I still remembered the day the healers summoned us.

"We have found a perfect match, Luna Fianna," the healer had said with a warm smile.

That day, I fell to my knees and cried with happiness because my little girl was finally going to live.

But two days later, Danica died during the ritual.

Bastien told me there had been complications. He even blamed the healers.

And I believed him.

But the fact just came out that he was the one murdered our daughter for Valeska. Even he used my signature to make it happen.

Valeska only had a minor heart weakness from birth. Moon herbs and healing potions could have treated it. Yet Bastien used my signature to give Danica's heart to Valeska, someone who never truly needed it.

That was probably why she never attended Danica's funeral pyre beneath the sacred moon.

My best friend… turned out to be my mate's mistress.

Danica's moon guardian… also her murderer.

I trusted her with my life.

And all the while, she held me as I cried for my daughter, even as my baby's heart beat inside her chest.