Chapter 1: The Wake

~ Gwen ~

“You are Gweneth Darwin, an alpha’s daughter and the luna of this pack,” Gwen faltered in her words as she tried to convince herself. “You have every right to be here.”

Gwen’s slender frame stood before the doors of the memorial hall. Despite being the luna, she lacked the confidence to call herself one. She looked sorrowful. Her face was pale and drawn, bearing the unmistakable marks of sleepless nights and unspoken grief.

“You can endure this, Gwen,” she said before finally walking in.

The commemorative hall was crowded, and when the people inside noticed Gwen’s arrival, they all turned to her, their revolted stares piercing through her frame.

The people of Port Leon gathered that day to attend the wake of Agatha Sanger, the most respected elder of the pack.

“Why is she here?” The pack members began to talk behind Gwen’s back, not bothering to keep their voices down.

“Of course, she would be here. Elder Agatha was her biggest supporter.”

“Well, she is our luna, right? So, she should be here, but with Elder Agatha gone, will she still be our luna?”

“I think, not for long. Her days are numbered.”

“Have you heard? Madison is back? She is here to take back her throne. She should be the rightful luna and not Gwen. How could our enemy’s daughter be our luna?”

“It’s all because of the prophecy. That was how she got lucky.”

Laughter echoed behind Gwen as she found an empty seat. When she settled, the pack members close by moved to the other seats.

Gwen maintained a poker face despite the uneasiness filling her heart. She was used to the hate, but that did not mean it hurt less.

For minutes, she stared at the people honoring Agatha, standing by the casket. When they moved away, Gwen took her turn.

She studied Agatha’s lifeless frame and acknowledged the truth. Agatha was gone. Her heart was full of ache, and her tears could not help but flood her cheeks.

Gwen’s hands trembled as she touched the coffin’s glass window. Softly, she asked, “Oh, Agatha, what am I to do without you? How will I survive? Tell me, please. Tell me. I’ve been married to Theo for a year, but nothing has happened.”

Among the pack’s close-knits, only Agatha Sanger believed in Gwen. The elder was like a grandmother to her. She protected Gwen from the people who wanted to hurt her.

Agatha was not just an elder in Port Leon but also a seer. She had prophesied future events, but her insights were not always straightforward. Sometimes, they came in broken visions, like pieces of a puzzle that Agatha and the other elders had to put together. Nonetheless, her visions had always been right.

Three years ago, it was said that Agatha foresaw the war coming to Port Leon, but the former alpha did not take her warning to heart. As a result, they were unprepared for the neighboring pack’s attack.

Port Leon Pack became slaves to Lucius Darwin, the ruthless neighboring alpha, who happened to be Gwen’s father. Lucius killed the former alpha and tortured his family, including Gwen’s husband, the current alpha, Theo Erhart. However, like many oppressive conquerors, Lucius’ rule ended with a rebellion.

It was Theo Erhart who killed Lucius Darwin and defeated his warriors. Gwen, being his daughter, would have suffered the same fate if not for Agatha’s insight.

“Oh, who is that?”

“It’s Madison and Alpha Theo! They look good together!”

Gwen was still weeping before the coffin when she heard a fuss behind her. She turned to the hall’s entrance and saw her husband, Theo, locked arms with a beautiful lady.

Madison.

How could Gwen forget the name and face of the person whose picture frame stood on her husband’s office desk?

‘All this time, Theo never forgot Madison,’ she thought silently.

Instantly, Gwen felt a stabbing pain in her chest.

It was no wonder he did not leave with her. Theo, instead, came with Madison, his ex-girlfriend and perhaps his true love.

As always, Theo looked undeniably handsome. His neatly trimmed hair showcased his sharp, chiseled features, strong jawline, and piercing green eyes. His well-built body filled out his tailored suit perfectly, the fabric clinging just right to his broad shoulders and tapering down to a slim waist.

He carried himself with an effortless grace, his every movement well-measured. His demeanor, a blend of charm and authority, immediately commanded respect and attention from those around him.

Gwen did not miss the gentle gaze her husband gave Madison. For the first time, she saw him smile, an affection Theo never granted her in their one year of marriage.

The worst part about their entrance was when Theo’s family walked behind them. This gesture reflected the Erharts’ support for Theo and Madison and was a big slap to Gwen’s face.

How humiliating. But what could Gwen do? From the start, she never had her husband’s love.

Gwen looked away, trying to conceal the pain consuming her heart. Silently, she mused, ‘Perhaps the pack members were right. My days here are numbered.’

***

“Theo, you are back,” Gwen greeted. It was past two in the morning when Theo returned to the packhouse. After attending Agatha’s wake, Theo and his beta inspected the borders while Gwen went home.

Gwen had been waiting for Theo for what felt like an eternity. The unease about her position in his life had grown into a knot of anxiety, compelling her to seek a conversation with him.

“Why are you still awake? Don’t you have a medical mission tomorrow?” Theo coldly asked.

“I do, I - I just wanted to talk to you.” Gwen looked down at her hands before gazing back at Theo. She took a deep breath and asked, “Are you and Madison -”

“I want a divorce. This marriage should not have happened in the first place. Elder Agatha can no longer stop me.” Theo said without a moment’s hesitation.

‘Divorce.’ His announcement hit Gwen like a ton of bricks, catching her off guard.

It hurt. It earnestly hurt. Gwen wasn’t supposed to fall in love with her husband, but she did. Despite her efforts to hold back her feelings, they grew stronger over the year.

Who could blame her? Beyond his striking features, Theo was a true alpha—strong and brave, defending his pack as if his life depended on it. He ruled with stern authority but cared deeply for his people. To Gwen, these qualities were genuinely admirable.

Additionally, they were intimate, and something about Theo’s touch melted her reasons. It was as though they were connected in ways she couldn’t describe.

Gwen had hoped that one day, Theo would look past the fact that she was Timor Darwin’s daughter and eventually love her. She did not mind if she waited forever as long as she was by his side as his luna, but what about now? What has become of her fate?

“But Theo, remember, Agatha said -” Gwen raised.

“Agatha might have missed something. I followed the elder’s suggestion for a year, but it has to end now. Let’s face it. We don’t love each other,” Theo said.

Gwen did not know where her courage came from, but she just had to try and salvage her marriage. She desperately asked, “Don’t we? Not even just a little?”