Crippled Luna's Farewell Half A Life Without My Alpha's Deadly Deception novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1 

Three days before my Moonbinding Ceremony, I was ambushed by a group of rogue werewolves. They left me with a shattered spine, my wolf’s essence barely clinging to life. 

Ethan Sterling, my intended mate and Alpha of the Mooncliff Pack, swiftly had the rogues captured and imprisoned in the pack’s underground cells. But as I lay in the pack’s healing den, my body broken and my wolf spirit dimming, I overheard a conversation I was never meant to hear. 

In my semi–conscious state, Ethan’s voice carried from beyond the sacred healing circle, speaking with Elder Mitchell, our pack’s master healer. 

“Alpha Sterling, we must perform the ancient healing rite now. Any longer, and Sarah’s wolf will be permanently crippled! I know you desire Alexandra as your mate, but to deliberately let a packmate 

suffer” 

“Let her remain broken,” Ethan’s voice held no trace of the warmth I once knew. “The pack will provide for her, but if she heals, she’ll challenge the Moonbinding. I promised Alexandra her pup would be acknowledged as the next Alpha heir. A crippled wolf can’t contest pack law or interfere 

with the succession.” 

“Better she stays weakened,” he continued coldly. “She won’t be able to challenge Alexandra’s claim or threaten the pup’s birthright.” 

From my position on the ritual stone, a single tear traced down my cheek, mixing with the sacred healing herbs. The Moonbinding I’d dreamed of–the eternal bond I thought we shared–was nothing but a power play in pack politics. Our supposed mate–bond was meant to be my undoing. 

So be it. He wanted a broken wolf? I’d give him one. 

But he forgot something crucial–sometimes, the most dangerous wolves are the ones you’ve left for 

dead. 

“Proceed with the ritual as planned,” Ethan’s voice hardened. “The fertility binding must be absolute. 

She can never know.” 

“Once she wakes, I’ll take her to adopt the pup from the Moon Orphanage. Without the ability to bear 

her own, she’ll have no choice but to love Rose as her own.” 

Elder Mitchell wiped the sweat from his brow, the weight of guilt visible in his ancient eyes. 

“Alpha Sterling, for the love of the Moon Mother, think this through. Her wolf is already 

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Crippled Luna’s Farewell; Half A Life Without My Alps De 

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crippled–taking away her ability to hear cubs is a cruelty beyond measure. The pack laws forbid such. Have you forgotten how the Elders will view this? And Alexandra’s pup is already three winters old, carrying your bloodline so clearly. If Sarah discovers 

Ethan’s fingers traced my cracked lips with a damp cloth, his touch deceptively gentle. His voice carried false regret. 

“She won’t discover anything. Crippled, she’ll be bound to pack lands, unable to venture beyond our 

borders” 

“I promised Alexandra a proper Moonbinding ceremony. Promised she’d watch our pup grow strong within the pack. Even though she’s mated to another now, I won’t let anything threaten her 

peace of mind.” 

The Elder’s deep sigh echoed through the healing chamber as he gazed at my pale face. 

“Sarah is your childhood packmate. Yet you choose to protect that…” he trailed off. “So be it. If you’re determined to walk this dark path, we’ll proceed.” 

“Prepare the binding ritual. Leave no trace. Do it while she’s still unconscious–I don’t want her to suffer needlessly.” 

As the Elder left, Ethan pulled out his phone, sending a quick text to his Beta: 

“The rogue wolves remained silent? Good. Transfer 200,000 silver marks to their kin, help them relocate beyond pack territories. Sarah must never know.”