RILEY'S POV
The morning sun rose over Silverpine Pack in New South Wales. Birds chirped in the gum trees outside, but their song felt far away... just like every other day in this house.
I had been up since dawn.
The scent of fresh bread and roasted meat filled the kitchen as I moved between the stove and the counter, trying to keep up with the endless list of chores.
My mother-in-law, Mrs. Hartley... had invited three of her old friends from the neighbouring pack for lunch.
She hadn't told me until this morning and believed I must prepare all the meals before noon.
"Make something proper this time!" she yelled from the living room, her nose wrinkled as if the smell of me alone made her sick. "We don't want the guests to think our Luna was raised by rogues."
That word again, Rogue... Like a stain that would never wash off.
I tightened my grip on the ladle. "Yes, Mother," I replied quietly because I'd stopped correcting her months ago.
To her, I wasn't Riley Hartley, Luna of Silverpine Pack. I was just the stray her son had foolishly taken in five years ago.
The clock ticked past noon before I finally finished cooking. Roast lamb, garden salad, garlic bread, and pumpkin soup... everything made from scratch.
My hands were sore, my back ached, and my wolf kept whining softly inside me, asking why we bothered. Because if we didn't, there'd be consequences.
The doorbell rang just as I was wiping my hands on the towel.
"Riley! Hurry up and open the door before our guests melt in the sun!" Mrs. Hartley's voice floated from the living room, sharp and commanding.
I rushed to the front door, forcing a smile as I opened it. Three older women stood there, dressed in pearls and expensive dresses, their perfume hitting me like a wall.
"Oh, so this is her," one of them said, tilting her head to look me up and down. "The Luna who used to be a rogue."
The other women laughed softly but I kept my smile steady.
"Welcome to Silverpine," I said, bowing slightly like I'd been taught. "Please, come in."
They swept past me without another glance, marching to the dining hall. Mrs. Hartley came to greet them, her fake smile bright.
"Ladies, this is my son's wife, Riley. Don't mind her, she's still learning how to behave properly with important guests."
My cheeks burned, but I said nothing. I just lowered my gaze and went to serve lunch. As I carried the trays to the dining table, their voices drifted through the room.
"I still can't believe your son chose her," one woman said. "An Alpha marrying a rogue? It's unheard of."
"Tell me about it, dear." Mrs. Hartley sighed loudly. "He could've had anyone like Lara Doyle, for instance. A proper she-wolf from a respected family. Instead, he brings her home."
Their laughter filled the room, sharp as claws.
I placed the dishes on the table one by one, my hands trembling slightly. The aroma of food that once made me proud now made me sick.
"Careful," Mrs. Hartley snapped when I accidentally placed a bowl slightly off-center. "Can't you do anything right?"
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
One of the guests smirked, "She's got manners, I'll give her that. Shame she doesn't have pups. A Luna with no heir? What a waste."
The other women giggled again.
My chest tightened, but I forced myself to keep serving. "Would you like more soup?" I asked softly.
"No," Mrs. Hartley said coldly. "Just stay quiet and try not to embarrass me."
I stood near the wall as they ate, pretending I was invisible. They talked about their children, about how strong their sons were, about their daughters getting chosen by high-ranking wolves.
Each word dug deeper, each laugh reminded me what I wasn't. And then Mrs. Hartley turned to me again.
"You know, Riley... you should've been grateful when my son married you. No one else would take a rogue like you but instead of blessing him with a pup, you shame him by being barren."
My throat went dry and I swallowed hard. "I… I've tried, Mother. You know I have."
"Then try harder or leave!" she barked. "The pack needs a Luna who can continue the Alpha line. Not a weak wolf who hides behind pity."
The room fell silent for a moment. Even her friends looked uneasy but Mrs. Hartley wasn't done.
"Sometimes," she continued, sipping her tea, "I wonder if the Moon Goddess cursed you before you came here. Maybe that's why your wolf never fought for her place."
My fingers clenched at my sides, wanting to use my claws to scratch that wrinkled face of hers. But what good would that do? I was outnumbered and outranked.
Most importantly, it would bring another fight between my husband, Alpha Ethan and I when he gets back. So I bowed my head again.
"I will work on myself, Mother."
"Better," she smirked, pleased. "Now clean up when we're done. We'll be having guests again tomorrow night."
Tomorrow? Our wedding anniversary.
I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from saying anything. She knew what day it was and just didn't care.
After they finished eating, I cleared the table and washed every plate until my hands turned red. When I finally looked up, the kitchen clock showed almost nine at night and my husband wasn't home yet.
The whole house was quiet as Mrs. Hartley had gone to bed.
I walked upstairs slowly, my steps echoing through the empty corridor. My wolf whimpered again, low and tired. When I entered our room, it was exactly as I'd left it... clean, perfect, and cold.
Not a trace of warmth or even Ethan's scent.
I shut the door, leaned against it, and let out a shaky breath. Then I slid down to the floor and buried my face in my palms. Tears came hot and fast, no matter how hard I tried to stop them.
Tomorrow will be our fifth anniversary. I should've been excited and hopeful, but instead, I felt empty.
I looked up at the full moon shining through the window and whispered to myself.
"Just one more day, Riley. Push through one more day and maybe tomorrow, Ethan would remember our love… and show care."