My Mate Betrayed Me with the Girl I Raised

The news of my ascension as Regent Mother spread beyond our territory's borders. I knew Taylor would hear of it eventually, but I hadn't anticipated how quickly rage would consume her.

"Luna Vivian," Elena whispered, slipping into my office with a tablet in hand. "You might want to see this."

She placed the device before me, open to a secure chat forum popular among werewolves across territories. There, in glowing text, was Taylor's unmistakable digital signature:

*"The Moonshadow Pack is being led by a liar. The so-called 'miracle pup' is nothing but a desperate attempt to cling to power."*

I scrolled through the thread, watching as Taylor's posts grew increasingly erratic.

*"She's manipulating everyone! Harvey would never have wanted her as Regent!"*

"Interesting," I murmured, setting the tablet down. "She's monitoring us."

"Which means they're still nearby," Elena replied, her healer's eyes narrowing. "Not in our territory, but close enough to hear rumors."

I nodded, a cold smile forming on my lips. "Good. Let her watch."

---

Three days later, I received a delivery of rare herbs—supposedly to aid in my "pregnancy." The package had been cleared by security, but as I lifted the lid, my wolf stirred uneasily within me.

*Danger.*

I inhaled deeply, sorting through the aromatic bundles until my fingers brushed against something that didn't belong. Beneath the harmless chamomile and lavender lay a small vial of dried wolfsbane—diluted, but potent enough to make me ill.

"Nicolas," I called, my voice steady despite the rage building inside me.

He appeared moments later, his posture alert. "Luna?"

"Have our food suppliers been screened thoroughly?" I asked, watching his reaction carefully.

"Yes, all deliveries are checked for contamination," he replied without hesitation.

I nodded slowly. "Then perhaps we should investigate who might have access to our delivery routes."

His eyes widened slightly—just enough to confirm my suspicions. "I'll look into it immediately."

As he turned to leave, I added, "Oh, and Nicolas? Have Elena meet me in my chambers. I'm feeling... unwell."

---

I waited until the training grounds were full before making my move. The pack's warriors were gathered for their daily drills, with Elena standing nearby as I supervised from a safe distance.

I crushed a tiny amount of the wolfsbane between my fingers, just enough to release its scent but not enough to cause serious harm. Then, with deliberate precision, I pressed it against my tongue.

The effect was immediate—a wave of nausea and cold sweat washed over me. I staggered forward, clutching my stomach.

"Protect the Luna!" someone shouted as darkness edged my vision.

I collapsed dramatically, my body convulsing as Elena rushed to my side. The training ground erupted in chaos.

"Poison!" Elena's voice cut through the commotion. "Someone has poisoned our Luna!"

The warriors formed a protective circle around us, their faces twisted with fury and fear. I moaned weakly, curling protectively around my stomach.

"My pup," I whispered, tears streaming down my face. "Someone wants to kill Harvey's heir."

Elena worked quickly, administering a neutralizing herb and declaring it an assassination attempt. The pack's outrage was immediate and overwhelming.

"This is an act of war!" Marcus Stone declared, his elderly frame vibrating with rage. "Who would dare attack an unborn Alpha?"

I let them believe what they wanted—that rogues had infiltrated our territory, that outside forces threatened our future. The truth was far more personal, but this version served my purpose better.

---

That evening, I sat in Harvey's—my—office, reviewing financial reports with Elena standing guard outside. I'd already identified the offshore accounts where Harvey had been hiding funds.

"Are you certain about this?" Elena asked quietly as I prepared the transfer authorization.

"Absolutely," I replied, signing the final document. "It's time to cut them off."

With a few keystrokes, I froze every account connected to Harvey Lynch. The money wouldn't disappear—that would raise too many questions—but it would be inaccessible from anywhere but the pack's central banking system.

"Now we wait," I said, leaning back in my chair.

---

Three days later, Nicolas received the urgent mind-link from Harvey.

*"What the hell is going on? My cards are being declined everywhere!"*

Nicolas glanced at me before responding, his thoughts carefully controlled. *"There's been a security lockdown. The bank flagged unusual activity after the 'rogue theft.'"*

*"Fix it!"* Harvey demanded. *"We're stuck in this damn hotel!"*

*"I can't,"* Nicolas replied, his mental voice laced with false regret. *"The Luna has implemented new protocols. Everything goes through her now."*

There was a pause, then: *"How is she? Still playing the grieving widow?"*

Nicolas looked to me for guidance. I nodded once.

*"She's fading,"* he lied smoothly. *"The pack is in disarray. If you came back now—if you survived somehow—they would welcome you with open arms."*

Another pause, longer this time.

*"Tell me everything,"* Harvey finally responded. *"I'm coming home."*

I smiled as Nicolas ended the connection, his eyes meeting mine with newfound respect.

"The trap is set," I said softly. "Now we wait for him to walk right into it."