It’s been three years since Lily started treating me as a replacement, and she still doesn’t love me. She replaced all our travel photos with those of her deceased childhood sweetheart. She even turned these photos into a travel diary of their love story. Under each photo, she meticulously wrote: “Journeying together with you.” From the beaches of Miami to the mountains of Colorado, I accompanied her every step of the way. Yet in every picture she recorded, the face wasn’t mine. Until once again, with tears in her eyes, she looked at me and said in a pitiful voice: “I’m feeling so awful with this pregnancy. Don’t you know how to comfort me?” I brushed her hand away, my voice trembling slightly: “If it’s so awful, then get rid of it.” I discovered that travel diary while cleaning up the mess she had vomited all over the floor. She had brazenly left her love diary right on the desk. She wasn’t afraid at all that I would find it and be hurt. She didn’t even bother to close the cover. The photo on the first page was of her and her deceased childhood sweetheart, Ethan. It was from 7 years ago. The edges of the photo had yellowed, and some parts were worn from being frequently touched by its owner. Below the photo was a line of text, written in a strong hand that was clearly not Lily’s. “First stop on our love journey.” With trembling hands, I flipped through the travel diary. At the end were photo records of our trip to Miami last week. On Miami Beach, she cupped my face in her hands, smiling brilliantly. In the photo now, Lily was still smiling just as brilliantly. But the face she was cupping wasn’t mine – it was that of her childhood sweetheart who had died 7 years ago. She had replaced every single photo of us with someone else’s. My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Lily getting up. After hastily closing the diary, I walked out of the study. As always, she called out to me in a soft, sweet voice: “Honey.” On any other day, I would have pulled her into my arms and gently kissed the top of her head, telling her: “Breakfast is ready. I’ve already eaten and am about to head to the office.” But today, I only said: “I have an early meeting.” Ignoring the surprise in her eyes, I walked towards the front door, ready to leave. But she ran over, planting a light kiss on my cheek of her own accord. Looking at her still-swollen eyes, a wave of nausea suddenly hit me. Because in her travel diary, there was a yellowed note tucked inside. It looked quite old, and on it was written: “Ethan says he must get a good luck kiss before leaving each day.” I thought back on the 3 years I’ve been with Lily. Every single day when I left for work, no matter what she was doing, she would run over to give me a kiss. Little did I know, this was just her fulfilling a promise made to Ethan. She was carrying out with me the things she never got to finish with Ethan.

It wasn’t until I got in the car and saw the capybara charm hanging from the rearview mirror that another memory from that diary surfaced. She had written: “Ethan says capybaras are cute.” Because of one comment from Ethan, she became obsessed with capybaras. Her clothes, phone case, and even the charm in my car – all featured capybaras. Feeling irritated, I took down the capybara charm and tossed it out of the car. The car display lit up with a call from my assistant. “Mr. Chen, the proposal site you asked me to prepare is ready. The capybara robot to deliver the ring has also been produced by the factory as requested.” I pressed my lips together, silent for a long moment before saying: “Alright, I got it.” The words “proposal” echoed in my mind. When I had brought up marriage to Lily before, she seemed somewhat reluctant. She said: “Didn’t we agree we’d visit all the travel spots on our list before talking about marriage?” I had taken her words to heart back then. After checking off the final destination of Miami, I started preparing for the proposal. But now… I had always known she had a childhood sweetheart she grew up with. I understood and accepted that. I was just jealous that the one who got to grow up with her wasn’t me. I thought 3 years would be enough time for her to fall in love with me. But I never imagined that even after 3 years, I still couldn’t melt Lily’s heart. I hadn’t even pulled out of the driveway when Lily called. “Honey, didn’t you say you had a meeting? “Why haven’t you left yet?” I forced out words through my hoarse throat: “I was just on a call. About to leave now. “Hold on, I’ll take you with me today.” I was about to refuse, but she had already opened the car door and sat down. She was wearing perfume, a faint woody scent. I frowned slightly. It was a scent I had long grown accustomed to, but now found somewhat irritating. I instinctively lowered the window a bit. Once when we were shopping together, I had picked out a perfume for her – one with the scent of crisp white shirts on a summer day. It was the androgynous style she liked. But she had shaken her head and instead chose a men’s cologne with a heavy scent that didn’t match her pure looks at all. She had said then: “I’m going to use this one. If I ever smell women’s perfume on you, I won’t let you off easy!” The sales assistant who witnessed this had covered her mouth, giggling and saying how sweet our relationship was. Little did she know, Lily had only bought that perfume because of something Ethan once said. In her diary, she had written: “Ethan says he likes the scent of cedar.” Just because Ethan liked the scent of cedar, she had been using that fragrance daily for 3 years. Even when she got sick of the smell, she never switched.

“Honey, can you close the window? The wind is a bit chilly.” I lowered my eyes, still closing the window. The scent of cedar – Ethan’s favorite – filled my nostrils. An awkward silence fell over the car. After a while, Lily suddenly said: “Honey, where’s the capybara charm I hung in your car? “Why did you take it down? “I made that charm specially for you as a good luck charm.” I turned the steering wheel, saying offhandedly: “I think I lost it.” Lily immediately frowned, her tone tinged with impatience: “Adrian, what are you saying? “That was a good luck charm I made for you with my own hands! “What do you mean you ‘think you lost it’?” I glanced sideways at Lily. It seemed she had always been like this. Usually gentle and sweet. But the moment something she liked was challenged, she would immediately lose her temper. She took advantage of the fact that I loved her, always pushing my buttons on this point. But this time, I didn’t feel like indulging her anymore. “Lost means lost. I don’t like capybaras. “I’m the CEO of a public company after all. We don’t have a housekeeper, and I don’t have a driver. “How does it look to have a capybara charm hanging in my car?” Lily had said she didn’t like having extra people in the house, so I had let go of the housekeeper. We didn’t even have a part-time cleaner. Every day after finishing work at the company, I still had to come home and clean. At first, Lily would help with the housework, but she always had excuses – this part hurt, that part was sore. Of course I wouldn’t expose a young girl’s little tricks, so I just went along with it. But later she became more and more excessive, not even letting me hire a driver. It wasn’t until today that I understood why. “Ethan says a home is a little nest for two. With a third person, it’s no longer just the two of us.” “Ethan says his passenger seat is only for me to sit in. Even he won’t sit there, because he’s the driver.” “He can only be my driver.” In her diary, she had meticulously recorded every memory of her love with Ethan. Suddenly I felt utterly drained. Lily hadn’t spoken for a long time in the car, just sitting there with red-rimmed eyes, waiting for me to comfort her. But when my gaze fell on the redness around her eyes, I was reminded of how she had locked herself in the study drinking alone last night.

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Introduction：He tore my sincerity apart with his own hands, but whispered in my ear in the middle of the night: ‘Your waist is softer than before… Who touched my thing? ‘” Astrid was once the most perfect daughter of the moon god in the wolf pack, until she found out that her destined partner had betrayed her. She took off her gentle mask and was reborn in the fiery eyes of another Alpha- “Ask me for forgiveness?” She curled her red lips slightly, and her fingertips brushed across the abdominal muscles of her new partner, “What a pity… You don’t even have the qualifications to kneel down and lick my toes.” When the old love kneeled down to beg for mercy, when power and desire intertwined, this time, she wanted to let everyone know: the wolf abandoned by the moonlight will eventually rot in the eternal night.. One afternoon, I got news that made my stomach drop—my mate had been rushed to the hospital after nearly suffocating during a hookup in his car. When I arrived, my eyes immediately landed on another familiar face—his Beta’s mate—lying on a hospital bed. A dull pressure settled in my chest, not from heartbreak, just pure exhaustion. The doctor hesitated before speaking. “The patient was using a… device that got lodged inside. We’re in the process of removing it. This is the best we can do for now.” His tone was professional, but the awkward flicker in his expression said everything. Then came the inevitable question. “How are you related to the patient?” I turned slightly, avoiding eye contact. “Just a packmate.” Once, I would have exploded—demanded answers, hurled accusations, let the betrayal tear me apart. But now? I felt nothing. I was too drained to waste my energy on something so disgusting. I filled out the necessary paperwork without a single glance in their direction, my movements cold and efficient. Then, without hesitation, I turned on my heel and walked away. They deserved each other. As I stepped outside, the crisp night air wrapped around me. The scents of the forest, the distant howls of my pack, and the weight of my decision grounded me. I inhaled deeply, pulled out my phone, and dialed my family. “I accept the arranged mating ceremony,” I said, my voice steady. “Three days from now, I’ll bond.” As soon as I hung up, my phone buzzed again. Magnus’s name flashed on the screen. “Astrid, my car got towed. Take care of it when you get back and bring it home.” His voice was as smooth and confident as ever—that same commanding tone that had once made my heart race. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I never would have believed that this so-called Alpha had just been caught naked in a hospital bed with another female. Then, as if the universe wanted to humiliate me even more, a muffled groan filtered through the receiver. “Mm…” My grip tightened around the phone. Before I could say a word, Magnus quickly added, “I kicked the leg of the chair.” The audacity. He muttered a few half-hearted reassurances before cutting the call—completely oblivious to the fact that I had been standing in that same hospital just moments ago. I only responded with two words, my voice void of emotion. “Understood.” I was supposed to be away on a business trip outside the pack. If I hadn’t decided to come back early to surprise him, I never would have walked in on this absolute mess. The car he had used—the one he had so carelessly defiled—was a gift from me. And yet, I still went to retrieve it. When I found the vehicle and pulled the door open, an awful stench hit me. What I saw next made my stomach churn. A crumpled men’s dress shirt lay abandoned on the driver’s seat. Nearby, scraps of torn fabric—a woman’s, judging by the lace—were shoved carelessly to the side. But the worst part? The back seat. The scent of another female clung to the air—too sweet, too heavy. A direct insult to my claim on him. Stains. Sticky, undeniable evidence of what they had done, glaring under the dim moonlight. I felt bile rise in my throat. Slamming the door shut as if I could erase the sight from my mind, I turned away. But it was too late. The nausea hit me in full force, and before I could stop myself, I bent over and vomited. A hand landed gently on my back—warm, steady. I stiffened. The touch was careful, reassuring, yet a shiver ran down my spine. Slowly, I turned my head. The doctor from earlier stood beside me. He had removed his white coat, revealing a well-built frame beneath a fitted black button-down. The fabric stretched across broad shoulders, hinting at the strength restrained beneath. His scent was different now—Alpha. Potent. A presence that made my wolf stir. Gold-rimmed glasses sat on his nose, his deep-set eyes unreadable as they studied me. “Stormholt…” My voice came out quieter than I intended. Seeing him—my childhood friend, once my closest confidant, someone I hadn’t spoken to in years—sent a wave of unexpected emotions crashing over me. I wasn’t ready for this. Not tonight. Not when my wolf was still reeling. “I was worried about you.” His voice was calm, steady. Controlled, like always. But there was something else beneath it—a challenge. A claim. A long pause stretched between us before he spoke again. “You agreed to the arranged mating?” “Mm.” I nodded, unwilling to say more. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. “Good. Three nights from now, I’ll be waiting for you at the ceremony.” There was something unreadable in his gaze—something primal. A promise. But I was too exhausted to decipher it. “All right.” The words left my lips automatically. I refused his offer to take me home and called for a driver instead. The car was sent for a full detailing before I listed it for sale. I never wanted to see it again. On the ride home, I leaned against the cool window, watching the city lights blur past. My thoughts drifted to the last seven years with Magnus—years that now felt like a complete waste. I could still remember the way he used to look at me, like I was the only she-wolf in the world. His eyes had once been full of love. He used to tell me I was pure, untouched, the most precious thing he had ever known. Now, I understood the truth. I had never been his destined mate. Only a possession. A temporary claim. An Omega he thought he could keep under his rule. But he had underestimated me. And in three days, he would finally learn just how wrong he was.

After Magnus marked me as his mate, he treated me like a trophy, always calling me the perfect Luna—graceful, honorable, a leader in the pack and the ideal partner. For years, I believed him. But now, looking back, I realized his words meant nothing. Seven years together, and yet our moments of true connection had been painfully rare. Maybe he had never really wanted someone like me. Maybe he craved females like Seraphina—wild, reckless, shameless. The moment I walked into our den, I didn’t hesitate. I yanked a suitcase from the closet and started stuffing it with clothes and essentials, barely bothering to fold them. The space I had once lovingly arranged for us—**our home, our future as Alpha and Luna—**felt suffocating now. I wanted nothing to do with it. While rummaging through the study, my fingers brushed against something cold and metallic. Tucked beneath a stack of documents sat a laptop. Not one I recognized. An uneasy feeling settled in my stomach. I powered it on. A password screen popped up. I tried my birthday. Incorrect. Frowning, I typed another date—Seraphina’s birthday. The screen unlocked instantly. A sick feeling washed over me as the desktop loaded. Folder after folder, all neatly categorized. With a shaky breath, I clicked one open. Photos. Videos. Dozens of them. Magnus and Seraphina. My stomach twisted as explicit images flashed across the screen. Their betrayal was captured in painful detail—different positions, different settings. Seraphina bound, posed, displayed for the camera. A disgusting catalog of their time together. They had done it everywhere. **His Alpha’s office—**where Seraphina, dressed in a tight secretary outfit, knelt before him. **Our den—**on the bed, the table, the couch. Even here. In this very study. I slapped a hand over my mouth, my body trembling. I barely managed to reach for an external hard drive, copying everything. Every last file. Just as the transfer completed and I placed the laptop back where I found it, the front door creaked open. Magnus was home. It was late—he must have rushed back, worried that I had returned early and discovered his absence. I inhaled sharply, shut my suitcase, and composed myself. When he stepped into the study, his sharp Alpha instincts immediately took in the mess I had made while packing. His eyes narrowed. “Why are you cleaning all of a sudden?” “This place is filthy. I’m getting rid of the mess.” My voice was flat, detached. Disgust curled in my stomach. I couldn’t even look at him. Magnus chuckled, stepping closer. “You must be tired after patrolling with the pack. Why don’t you leave it for tomorrow? I’ll have the Omegas handle it.” His tone was smooth, filled with fake concern. He reached for me, attempting to pull me close. I shoved him away. Hard. “Go shower. You stink of her.” He blinked, then laughed. Oblivious. “Alright, alright, I’ll wash up.” Before leaving, he turned back with an easy smirk. “You should stop worrying about this, too. We’re getting mated under the moon soon. Maybe we should build a new den—deep in the heart of the territory.” He launched into a long speech about our future packhouse, renovations, decorations, furniture. Before, I would have eagerly played along, curling against him, discussing every detail. Now, my wolf was silent. Our bond was already breaking. I said nothing. Mistaking my silence for exhaustion, he kissed my temple before disappearing into the bathroom. I muttered a half-hearted reply and went to my room. Lying in bed, I stared at the ceiling, my mind racing. No matter how much I tried, I couldn’t sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw those images. Not long after, the mattress dipped beside me. Magnus had finished showering and slid into bed, wrapping his arms around me like he always did. One arm beneath my neck, holding me close—his way of making me feel safe. Once, it worked. Now, I wanted to run. I inhaled slowly, trying to steady my breathing. But the words burned in my throat, demanding to be set free. “Magnus, I want to sever the bond—”

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Introduction： “You gave me to a Beta like some common whore,” I whispered, tracing the scar where our bond used to be. Mother flinched. “While you knelt for Selene like a devoted dog.” Now Jarek’s hands shake when he reaches for me. “Come home.” Selene’s fangs gleam in the moonlight. “You’ll never belong here.” I laugh, cradling the life growing inside me—the heir they’ll never touch. “Funny… I don’t recall asking permission.” I was getting ready for my mating ceremony, practically humming with excitement, when my mom decided to drop a grenade on my perfect day. Out of nowhere—right before the ceremony—she announced she wanted a bigger offering for the Pack, something that would solidify our family’s standing among the ranks. Magnus, my fated mate, lost it. He didn’t just reject me—he made a whole spectacle out of it, ditching me at the last second and turning around to claim my cousin, Selene, instead. Classic. Straight out of a bad Pack drama. Humiliating? Understatement of the century. I wanted the ground to swallow me whole. Then, like some kind of twisted cosmic joke, Jarek—my childhood best friend and Beta—steps in. He doesn’t even hesitate. Offers to claim me on the spot. And just like that, my mom—who was ready to drain Magnus dry—suddenly has no problem slashing the tribute. Practically shoves me into Jarek’s arms and out the door. Three years later, Selene and Magnus are living the high life—Alpha and Luna, Pack royalty, rolling in wealth. And me? I’m stuck at home, raising pups, feeling like I blinked and lost my entire future. It’s the Full Moon celebration, the Pack’s all gathered at my mom’s for a feast, and I’m just trying to get through the day. Then I hear them—Jarek and my mom—talking in the backyard. “You’re a mastermind, Mom,” Jarek is saying, laughing under his breath. “Jacking up the tribute like that? Got Magnus to walk away so fast his head spun. Now Selene gets to be Luna, just like you wanted. But if Astrid ever finds out you two played her like that… think she’ll ever forgive you?” …I was coming back from the Pack store, arms full of groceries, when I caught the conversation. My mom, cracking sunflower seeds between her teeth like she had all the time in the world, didn’t even blink. “She’s my daughter. What’s she gonna do, cut me off? I could tell her never to take a mate at all, and she’d still listen.” Jarek hesitated. “I mean… You knew how I felt about Selene back then, and now, you basically handed Astrid to me just to make sure Selene got the Alpha. That’s kinda—” Jarek exhaled heavily. “Look, if Selene gets everything she ever wanted, is it really a loss? She’s the sweetest she-wolf I know. If she had to struggle in the lower ranks, I don’t think I could stand it.” “And now she’s the Luna, living in the Alpha’s estate, got wealth pouring in, whole Pack at her feet—it all worked out!” My mom beamed and gave Jarek a pat on the back. “That’s my boy. And now that she’s given Magnus an heir, he’s making sure she’s set for life. Bonus payout, three Pack nannies, everything she could ever need. That’s what real security looks like.” Jarek chuckled, looking satisfied. “Yeah, I saw her earlier. She was glowing. Magnus couldn’t make it, busy with Pack duties and all, but he still made sure she and the pup were taken care of. Just goes to show, we did the right thing.” My chest clenched so hard I thought I might choke. This was my reality? My own mother thought Selene deserved more than me? And my so-called mate—my Beta, my husband—was still thinking about my cousin like she hung the moon? What did that make me? A consolation prize? I stood frozen, gripping the grocery bags. Then, my youngest pup stirred against my back, whining before breaking into full-blown wails. I rocked her automatically, my mind still spinning. I had gone out to do the Pack’s supply run—trying to help, trying to be a good daughter—and this is what I walked into. I used to feel bad for my mother, always alone after my father left. Now, I just felt stupid. She turned at the sound of my footsteps, barely sparing me a glance. “You’re back? Did you get Selene’s favorite venison steaks?” “And the goat’s milk for little Mikey?” Jarek and my mom both looked at me, waiting. Not one of them offered to take a single bag. I said nothing, just carried them inside and set my pup down carefully before making her a bottle. Behind me, I heard them retreat to the living room—back to doting over Selene’s son, the precious heir. Their laughter filled the den, easy and warm. I rubbed my stomach absentmindedly. Three months along with my second pup. One more to care for, while I cooked for a Pack that barely noticed I existed. Tears burned at the edges of my vision, but I swallowed them down. I should’ve known better. Jarek wandered into the kitchen, leaning against the counter like nothing was wrong. “Hey, Ash, don’t let it get to you. Just—” My mother’s voice rang out before he could finish. “See, Astrid? Jarek is such a good mate! You made the right choice accepting his claim.” Right. Such a sweetheart. One who only ever gave me empty words. My pup finished her bottle and reached for me, fussing. I kissed her forehead before passing her off. “Go to Daddy, honey. Mommy has work to do.”

She held on tight, her little hands gripping my leg like a lifeline. No amount of coaxing would make her let go. She barely knew Jarek—how could she, when he was always too busy running around handling Pack affairs as Beta? My mom’s expression twisted with irritation, her amber eyes narrowing. “That wolf? What does he know about pups? Just sling her on your back like you always do and get on with it!” Right. Because that was my job, wasn’t it? I turned my head just in time to see Jarek cradling Selene’s son, Mikey, in his arms, making soft growling noises as he waved a shiny new toy in front of him. He looked like a natural—gentle, patient, even affectionate. Where was that when it came to our daughter? If he spared her even half that effort, maybe she wouldn’t tense up every time he walked into a room. Maybe she wouldn’t look at him like he was a stranger. With a sigh, I shifted my daughter into the sling and adjusted the straps. The weight on my back was familiar by now, but that didn’t make it any easier. My body ached, my energy had been drained dry ever since I got pregnant again, and now, with the truth gnawing at me, even breathing felt exhausting. I forced myself into motion, grabbing a knife and chopping vegetables, but my vision blurred as hot tears stung my eyes. Was this it? Was this the rest of my life? A Beta’s mate—bound by duty, never truly chosen. I was only twenty-eight, and already, I felt like I was suffocating. After being strapped to my back for so long, my daughter’s cries escalated into helpless wails. I sighed and untied the sling, carrying her into the bedroom, whispering soft reassurances. It took a while, but eventually, she curled into my chest and drifted off. My mom, meanwhile, was probably halfway to my uncle’s den already. She never missed a chance to see Selene. “Selene carries herself so well—so refined, like a true Luna. Not like Astrid, always looking like some stray.” I wasn’t sloppy. I just didn’t have anything new to wear. Selene and I were the same age, but my mother always gave her the fresh clothes first. Only after Selene got bored with them did they make their way to me. And somehow, my mom still had the nerve to tell me I looked unpresentable, like I had no sense of dignity. I outperformed Selene in Pack training, but my mother never once praised me for it. “What’s the point of a she-wolf being clever? In the end, the only thing that matters is if she lands a high-ranking mate.” Then came the courting season. I brought Magnus home, hoping to finally prove my worth, to show my mother I had done something right. Instead, she turned right around and invited Selene to meet him. I wasn’t blind. I knew Selene had asked Magnus to go out with her more than once. He never accepted. When I mentioned it to my mother, she just scoffed. “You’re being selfish, Astrid. Selene needs a strong Alpha like Magnus. Why not step aside and let her have him?” For the first time in my life, I disobeyed her. Magnus and I were getting bonded. At least, that was the plan. But my mother wasn’t done yet. At the very last moment, she increased the Pack tribute, setting the price so high it reeked of pure greed. Magnus had the wealth to cover it, but he wasn’t blind. He saw what she was doing and refused to play along. He walked away. I ran after him, begged him to stay. But he never looked back. The invitations had gone out. The Pack Elders had already given us their blessing. But none of it mattered. Selene stepped up in my place, smiling sweetly, lowering her head, offering herself as his Luna—no strings attached. No demand for a tribute. And just like that, she took everything that was supposed to be mine.

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Introduction：”He sneered and said I was unworthy when he tore up the contract, but now he pinched my waist and growled: ‘Why is your scent… stained with other wolves?’” Five years. I bled for him as Luna, but watched him mark someone else with my own eyes on the night of the full moon. When the truth tore apart the last bit of fantasy, I took off my wedding ring and turned into the blizzard– Now his empire has collapsed, and my new partner is gently kissing the scar on the back of my neck: “Baby, do you want to see him kneeling and confessing?” The moment the truth stared me in the face, I felt as if the ground beneath me had been ripped away. My hands trembled as I clutched the pregnancy test slip, my breath coming in short, uneven bursts. Pregnant. Again. My vision blurred as I forced my feet to move, rushing through the Pack House corridors until I stood before Alpha Kael Vargan’s office. The heavy oak door loomed before me, but before I could knock, voices slipped through the cracks—clear, sharp, impossible to mistake. “Make sure the suppressant isn’t too damaging, alright? I promised Nyra I wouldn’t mark Selene Nightbane. If she ends up carrying a pup, that little she-wolf will lose her mind.” A deep, measured voice responded, irritation woven between the words. “Every drug has its risks, Kael. Even the best suppressants can cause permanent damage over time. And I have to ask—Selene is your Luna. Why waste your time chasing after a Beta?” Kael scoffed, and I could practically hear the smirk in his voice. “You think I haven’t tried handling this properly? I’ve had her take suppressants, and she’s miscarried three times already. Another one won’t make a difference. She’ll never be able to carry a pup at this rate.” He exhaled, then added almost lazily, “Not that it matters. You don’t choose who you love.” I stiffened, my breath catching in my throat. Three times. My fingers dug into the pregnancy test slip so hard the paper crumpled. My entire world—the love I had once been so certain of—had unraveled in mere seconds. Inside, Kael was scrolling through a luxury goods site on his phone, an indulgent smile playing at his lips. “What do you think of this one?” he mused, tilting the screen toward his companion. “Nyra’s been eyeing it for a while. A rare gemstone—it’ll shine beautifully against her pale fur.” Across from him, Fenrir Drayden, the Pack’s Head Healer and one of Kael’s oldest friends, let out a heavy sigh. “That kind of jewelry would look good on anyone, Kael,” Fenrir muttered, rubbing his temples. Then his golden eyes hardened. “But tell me something—after five years of being your Luna, have you ever given anything like this to Selene?” Kael’s expression darkened instantly. “She doesn’t know how to present herself as a Luna,” he replied dismissively. “Even if I did, she’d just say I’m wasting the Pack’s resources.” Then, as if speaking of some rare, delicate thing, his lips curved into a wistful smile. “ Nyra is different. She’s young. She enjoys beautiful things.” The chair legs screeched against the floor as Fenrir shot to his feet, his patience snapping. “Wake up, Kael! Selene is your mate—your mate of five years! Do you even remember what she’s sacrificed for you? She’s lost three pups—three!—and yet, you still treat her like she’s nothing.” His voice turned dangerously low. “Let me say this one last time. Those suppressants you keep forcing on her? They aren’t harmless. If she takes them for too long, you’ll never have an heir—not even if you regret it later.” Kael waved a dismissive hand, his expression impassive. “Regret? I don’t make mistakes, Fenrir.” His voice was laced with arrogance. “I told Nyra she’d be the only one to carry my heir.” Then, leaning back in his chair, he added coolly, “As for Selene? I won’t reject the bond. Half of what I own in this Pack is more than enough for her.” The temperature in the room seemed to drop. Fenrir’s jaw clenched, his golden eyes blazing. “I watched you claw your way to Alpha, step by step—and Selene was right there beside you through it all. Do you even remember? How many times she drank for you at diplomatic banquets, how many sleepless nights she spent managing Pack affairs while you pursued your ambitions?” His fists tightened at his sides. “And this—this is how you repay her?” The silence that followed was suffocating. Then, with a sharp exhale, Fenrir turned on his heel, storming toward the door. “I’ve said my piece. If she ever finds out the truth, Kael, you’ll be the one to destroy yourself.” The door slammed shut behind him. I shrank back into the shadows of the adjacent storage room, pressing my hand against my mouth to stifle the sob threatening to escape. Five years as his Luna. Seven years as his mate. I had fought beside him, sacrificed for him, built this Pack with him. I scrimped on the smallest luxuries, living frugally so the Pack could grow stronger. I thought when he thrived, I thrived. When he won, I won. But it was all a lie. I had convinced myself the miscarriages were due to stress and exhaustion. Fenrir had told me my body was overworked, too drained from handling Pack duties. I had blamed myself, forcing down tonics, doing everything I could to strengthen my body for the pup I longed for. But Kael never wanted me to carry his heir. He never wanted me at all. He just didn’t have the courage to reject me outright. That was fine. Because I would make the choice for him.

I stepped out of the Obsidian Fang Pack House, the icy wind slicing through my coat like sharpened claws, burrowing into my skin until it numbed me to the bone. Five hours. That’s how long I stood beneath the flickering streetlights, my breath fogging in the cold air as I watched the windows of Bloodfang Enterprises, waiting. The office lights blinked out one by one until only a single floor remained illuminated. My fingers curled into fists, my nails biting into my palms. Finally, Alpha Kael appeared. The moment his eyes landed on me, he leaned toward Nyra Raventhorn, the Beta at his side, whispering something close to her ear. She giggled, her hand lingering on his forearm for a fraction too long before stepping away. He turned toward me then, his features schooled into something warm, something that might have convinced me once. Before I knew better. Before I understood what that warmth masked. His arms enveloped me, but I felt nothing. “When did you get here? Why didn’t you come inside?” His voice was laced with concern, but I could hear the careful control in it, the effort he made to sound affectionate. “I’m fine,” I lied, forcing a small smile. “I just wanted to bring you dinner, but your Beta said you’d already eaten.” A faint crease appeared between his brows, his grip tightening just slightly before he let out a soft sigh. “You shouldn’t push yourself when you’re not feeling well. I’d feel awful if you wore yourself out.” He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a familiar bottle, the label unmistakable. Suppressants. “By the way, Fenrir dropped off your dose. You’re almost out, aren’t you?” My fingers closed around the container without a word. The capsule rattled inside, hollow as the silence between us. I slipped it into my bag, feeling the weight of it settle like a stone. Winter’s frost still clung to my coat, but Kael’s touch had long since gone cold. When we arrived home, Kael barely gave me time to take off my coat before he pulled me down onto the couch, his hands skimming my sides with urgency. His lips hovered dangerously close to my marking spot, the place where our bond should have made us inseparable. I pressed a hand against his chest, firm, unyielding. A flicker of irritation crossed his face, but he smoothed it away with practiced ease, his voice turning soft. “What’s wrong? Haven’t you always wanted a pup?” “Not tonight.” My tone was steady, controlled. “I’m not feeling well. Maybe next time.” Instantly, his desire evaporated. Without another word, he rose to his feet, his frustration palpable. The bathroom door clicked shut behind him, and the sound of running water filled the space between us. Moments later, a familiar vibration hummed across the table. Kael’s phone. I stared at it for a moment before reaching for it, my fingers moving before my mind caught up. The screen lit up with a name I already knew too well. Hot Kitten. The passcode was easy to guess. Nyra’s birthday. The messages unfurled before me like a slow-burning fire, scorching away the last remnants of any doubt I had left. [Alpha, rooftop date?] [Goblin, wait for me.] [Alpha, how about tonight in the back of the patrol SUV? It’s parked right under your quarters. I’ve never tried it before.] [Not afraid of getting caught? Guess I’ll have to risk it for my Beta.] [Alpha, I really want to be part of that new foreign alliance project…] [No problem. Impress me tonight and it’s yours.] A bitter taste settled on my tongue as I forced myself to keep scrolling. Every major Pack alliance, every high-profile project Kael had undertaken in the past five years—Nyra’s name was attached to all of them. She wasn’t just his mistress. She was his shadow, woven into every inch of his life. To keep her happy, he had handed an Omega a false Pack rank just so she could act as the face of Nyra’s campaign. The final contract date? Nyra’s birthday. There were countless auction receipts, each one listing extravagant gifts—necklaces, rings, rare gemstones—all purchased under the guise of “Pack donations.” Kael’s so-called hidden love wasn’t hidden at all. It was carved into every action, stitched into the very fabric of our Pack. The same brands of jewelry he once claimed to have picked for me, the same gestures that had once made me believe I was cherished—had all been meant for her. Everything had become a weapon he used to cut me down. I let out a slow breath, then laughed. The sound was sharp, brittle, like the cracking of ice over a frozen lake. I didn’t need to read another word. Reaching for my phone, I typed in the contact I had saved for weeks now—the Pack’s legal representative. “I’d like to proceed with the Pack separation papers.” What was mine would remain mine. No one—not Kael, not Nyra, not anyone—would take it from me. The night passed without sleep. At dawn, I showered, dressed, and prepared myself for the day ahead. Just as I stepped out of the bathroom, my phone rang. Kael’s voice drifted through the speaker, his tone tinged with mild confusion. “Selene, what did you book?” I pulled the phone away from my ear, my expression unreadable. “Nothing important. Just a grooming appointment. Didn’t you say I should present myself better as your Luna?” A chuckle rumbled through the receiver, low and pleased. “That’s my girl. You’ll be the most stunning she-wolf at the next Pack gathering.” There was an ease in his voice, as if he believed everything would go back to normal. As if he had already won. “There’s a meeting at the Pack House today. I better get going,” I said smoothly. He pulled me into his arms, nuzzling against my scent gland, breathing me in. “My mate is the most beautiful she-wolf in the world, even without trying. Marking you was the best decision I ever made.” I smiled faintly but said nothing. Some lies no longer hurt—because I had already decided to leave.

“Will my mighty Alpha grant me a grand gift today?” I teased, letting my voice dip into a playful lilt. Kael’s lips curved into that easy, practiced smile—one that once made my heart flutter, but now only felt rehearsed. “Of course,” he assured me, his tone dripping with confidence. “I’ll make sure it’s worth the wait. See you at the Pack House.” He didn’t linger, didn’t kiss my forehead the way he used to. Instead, he turned on his heel, his stride purposeful as he disappeared down the corridor. A few moments later, a Pack Omega arrived, balancing a silver tray draped in fine linen, a lavishly plated breakfast arranged with meticulous care. Five years ago, my heart would have swelled at the gesture. Kael had religiously ordered my favorite meal from the same high-end kitchen, ensuring it arrived without fail each morning. Back then, I had foolishly convinced myself it was a display of devotion. Now, I saw it for what it was—habit. A duty, devoid of sentiment. A wolf as powerful as he was, capable of leading an entire Pack, yet he had never once lifted a hand to prepare a meal for me himself. If he had ever cared, he would have at least tried. Instead, he had spent years ensuring I never clashed with Nyra, his precious Beta. I didn’t hesitate. Without a second glance, I picked up the tray and dumped the meal straight into the trash. Grabbing my coat, I stepped out into the brisk morning air, my decision set in stone. This five-year farce was ending today. The Pack Council’s law office was dimly lit, the scent of aged parchment and ink filling the room as I sat across from the Pack’s legal advisor. “The longer the mate bond, the more tangled the resource entanglements,” the advisor explained, adjusting his spectacles as he sifted through the thick stack of documents before him. “It’ll take a few days to finalize everything.” I nodded, sliding across the ledger filled with evidence—the financial records of Kael’s generosity toward Nyra, disguised as Pack expenses. “We’ll meet again in three days to review the final agreement.” Without looking back, I left. As I made my way home, my phone buzzed with a notification. A new announcement had been posted by Bloodfang Enterprises. The screen illuminated with a video—champagne spraying through the air, the raucous cheers of Pack members filling the Alpha’s grand hall. At the center of it all stood Kael, his dark hair damp from the celebration, golden eyes gleaming with unrestrained triumph. And then I saw it. The cloak draped over his broad shoulders. The ceremonial anniversary cloak I had gifted him last year—the one he had once sworn was irreplaceable, steeped in meaning. This year’s gift? He had sent it back to me without a word. I arrived at the Pack’s business estate just as the revelry reached its peak. Standing before the assembled wolves, Kael raised his glass high. “I am officially transferring half of my Pack assets to Beta Nyra,” he declared, his voice smooth, commanding, victorious. “Additionally, there will be a bonus of fourteen thousand gold marks.” Gasps rippled through the hall. Whispers and murmurs slithered through the crowd. “Half the assets? Nyra might as well be the Luna now.” “Careful. The real Luna is still around. If she hears this, you’ll regret it.” “Oh, please. She’s like a ghost—never seen, never involved. Nyra is young, stunning. No Alpha could resist that. Poor Kael.” “Wouldn’t be shocked if the Pack name changes to Raventhorn soon.” Their laughter rang out like a chorus of knives. I clapped my hands together once—sharp, deliberate. The room fell into dead silence. Kael’s golden eyes locked onto mine across the hall, the blood draining from his face. “Selene…” He stepped forward, his voice faltering. “Why are you here?” I raised a brow, watching the panic flicker in his gaze as he struggled to recover. “It’s not what it looks like. I was just distributing rewards—nothing more.” Nyra stepped in then, her lips curling into a saccharine smile, lifting the territory transfer decree in her manicured fingers. “Alpha Kael is truly a generous leader,” she purred, her voice dipped in false modesty. “Thanks to his unwavering support, I can finally afford a beautiful den overlooking the Silver River.” A few wolves chuckled, anticipation crackling in the air like a brewing storm. I met Kael’s panicked stare with a serene, unreadable expression. “Bonuses are a standard Pack practice,” I said lightly. “Every Pack member should receive what they’re owed. Make sure they do.” His brows furrowed. “You’re not upset?” I tilted my head, offering him a slow, indifferent shrug. “Why would I be?” “I just stopped by to take a look. You’re busy—carry on.” His relief was palpable. I turned, stepping past him toward the doors, but I didn’t make it far before he hurried after me, lowering his voice. “Selene, it’s not what you think,” he insisted. “I was only rewarding my warriors. Don’t misinterpret this.” I almost laughed. The irony of it all was suffocating. The same wolf who had sacrificed three unborn pups for Nyra’s sake was now scrambling to convince me his actions were honorable. Now that he had everything he wanted, who exactly was he trying to convince? I kept my expression carefully neutral. “Don’t worry, Kael. I’m not unreasonable.” “I don’t claim to understand Pack politics. Just do whatever you think is right.” He exhaled, his relief evident. As if my approval still mattered. Before I could leave, he caught my hand, his grip gentler than it had been in years. “There’s a Full Moon Banquet coming up,” he murmured, his voice thick with something unreadable. “Come with me. I have a surprise for you.” I nodded, expression unreadable. Then I turned and walked away. But deep inside, I laughed bitterly. He had already given me more surprises than I could ever stomach.

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Introduction：”Other hands hold me as I push my way into the depths, and the night of the moon’s night my lower back roar: ‘Your blood, your breath, your breath—the city just belongs to me.’” Since then, I have been blessed with a heavenly blessing, and I have been given a life-long wolf to protect my guardianship. Desperately running away, more than capable of running away from the bottom, ignoring the self-defeating Alpha story that is at its most dangerous. “Did you change my last name?” In the dark of the night, a man’s scorching breath caught my eye.. The evening before I was supposed to receive my mating certificate, Jasper Flynn, the wolf destined to be my mate, announced his decision to mark my best friend, Mireille Dalton, as his Luna. Betrayed by both my closest companion and the wolf I had once loved, I became the subject of gossip within the pack. Everyone waited eagerly for my downfall. Yet, Nolan Reed, the esteemed Beta of one of London’s most influential packs, appeared unexpectedly and proclaimed his desire to claim me as his mate. Without hesitation, I accepted his claim and stepped into the role of his Luna. Following our ceremony, I abandoned the dream I had spent years working toward. Instead, I devoted myself entirely to my new position, embodying the ideal Luna of the Reed Pack. Among the high-ranking she-wolves of the elite, I became someone they envied. During a pack gathering, I arrived to escort a drunken Nolan home, only to overhear his sister, a wolf of high standing, speaking of me with pity. “Nolan, the marketplace you built for Mireille’s pack is set to open soon, isn’t it? You’ve given up so much for her—even your bond with Selena was part of the scheme.” With a bitter chuckle, Nolan responded, “As long as Mireille finds happiness, I will clear every obstacle from her path.” The affection I had believed in, the devotion I had trusted—it had all been an illusion. I had been nothing more than a pawn in their elaborate game. That was the moment I decided to walk away. Accompanied by Irene Humphrey, Nolan’s most trusted warrior and aide, I made my way to the pack’s private lodge, carrying a bowl of herbal tonic meant to soothe his drunken state. A resident Omega informed me that Nolan was resting in the Alpha’s private chamber. As I reached for the door, the sharp scent of alcohol filled my senses. Through the half-open doorway, I heard a voice I recognized all too well. “Nolan, the trading grounds for Mireille’s pack will be operational soon. You’ve spent years making sacrifices for her, even arranging your bond with Selena as part of the plan. How long do you intend to keep lying to her?” My body stiffened. Just as I prepared to enter, Nolan’s slurred yet unmistakably bitter voice reached my ears. “As long as Mireille remains content, I can keep up the act indefinitely.” “For her sake, I will eliminate every obstacle.” It felt as though lightning had struck me, paralyzing my every movement. My hand hovered in the air, unable to complete its motion. Beside me, Irene cast a sideways glance, sympathy flickering in her eyes. Everyone had known the truth—except me. Time seemed to halt. The soft flute melody playing in the lodge suddenly grated on my nerves, a sound too piercing to bear. My world, once secure, now crumbled around me. “Selena adores you, Nolan. She has given you everything. What happens when she uncovers the truth?” “She never will.” Despite the warmth of the chamber, a chill crept through me. I turned to Irene and murmured, “Beta Nolan has had too much to drink. Give this to him later. I’ll be outside.” Then, as a quiet reminder, I added, “And make sure you don’t say anything you shouldn’t.” Stepping into the night, I sat outside, my eyes lost in the vast sky above our pack’s land. The full moon shone down, indifferent to my turmoil. Memories surfaced, unbidden and relentless. Jasper breaking our bond without warning. The scandal that followed. The humiliation that awaited me. And then, Nolan, stepping forward as my savior, telling the pack he had always loved me, marking me before them all. I had trusted his words. I had believed his promises. Our mating ceremony had been celebrated throughout the territory as a tale of love triumphing over adversity. Now, I saw the truth for what it was. A deception. A carefully crafted illusion. Inside, Irene helped Nolan into the black SUV waiting outside the lodge. His expression remained hazy for a brief moment before something sharpened behind his gaze. Then, he leaned his head against my shoulder. “It was just a pack meeting, Selena. You could have let Irene handle it.” I forced a small smile. “You shift unpredictably when you drink. I didn’t want you getting hurt.” Nolan exhaled, gripping my arm. “Mireille’s new trading grounds open tomorrow. I’ll be working late. Don’t stay up for me.” “There have been sightings of rogues along the borders. Stay vigilant.” That night, no matter how I turned in bed, sleep refused to come. Then, a sudden thought surfaced. I had left my moonstone charm in the study. Rising from bed, I entered the study. As I opened the drawer beneath the desk, the edge of several folded documents peeked out from within.

This had never happened before. His desk drawer was always locked. But this time, it wasn’t. Curiosity gnawed at me, and eventually, I gave in. I pulled the drawer open, expecting resistance. Instead, it slid effortlessly, revealing its contents. Inside lay detailed maps of the pack’s expanding territories—plans outlining future trading centers, alliance strongholds, and diplomatic outposts that Nolan’s pack had already established or intended to develop. Resting beside them was a small velvet box. I thumbed through the documents, scanning each carefully. Then, something caught my eye. Every trading post, every new settlement, even landmarks bore the same name—Dalton. Dalton Market. Dalton Lands. Dalton Jewelers. Although I was part of the Pack’s Strategic Development Council, Nolan had always assured me that he handled territorial affairs independently. I had seldom interfered. Yet now, the truth lay before me—every move he made, every political alliance he forged, had been dedicated to Mireille. Reaching for the small box, I flipped it open. The jewelry it once held was gone, yet the authenticity certificate remained inside. It was for a Cartier piece. The Cartier Sapphire and Diamond Necklace—the Moonstone Jewel. I had long admired that necklace. More than once, I had caught myself staring at it on my phone, scrolling back to it repeatedly. Yet, I had never owned it. I remembered the moment Nolan had dismissed the idea. “Selena, a necklace of that value isn’t suitable for a Luna to wear casually. Wouldn’t you prefer something more meaningful? I could commission a handcrafted silver pendant from our pack’s artisans.” And yet, only yesterday, Mireille had worn that exact necklace to her pack’s gathering. I stepped onto the Packhouse balcony, letting the icy night air bite at my skin. My vision blurred, moisture stinging my eyes. My phone vibrated. A message flashed across the screen. [Luna Hayes, are you certain about your decision?] I didn’t hesitate. [Yes. My mind is made up.] It was time to leave. At dawn, with my bags packed, I placed a call to Nolan. “I’m heading to Italy tonight.” A pause. Then, confusion tinged his voice. “That’s sudden. What’s going on?” Swallowing the bitterness rising in my throat, I forced a casual tone. “Some of the high-ranking she-wolves from New York planned a short trip, and I decided to join them.” He didn’t question it. Instead, he pressed a light kiss to my cheek, his wolf utterly unaware of the storm raging inside me. “Good. Enjoy yourself. Buy something nice.” I exhaled slowly, marveling at how effortlessly he could feign affection. But there was no need to pretend anymore. This game had run its course. Recalling the location of the newest trade hub from the documents, I drove there, knowing it would be the last time I set eyes on Nolan. At the gathering, a designated area had been prepared for the grand opening, and Nolan stood at the center of the event. Exuding confidence, he navigated conversations with every Alpha and high-ranking guest, seamlessly weaving through the crowd. Mireille, by contrast, wore an outfit designed to draw attention, her scent deliberately laced with dominance, her gaze seductive and knowing. She lifted her glass, her lips curling into a slow smirk. “Beta Reed, congratulations.” For a split second, something flickered in Nolan’s gaze—an emotion I couldn’t quite place. But just as quickly, his composed demeanor returned, and he clinked his glass against hers. “Alpha Dalton, your contributions to the design have been invaluable. The Dalton Trade Hub is already attracting key alliances on its first day.” He deliberately emphasized ‘our trade hub,’ and the words coiled around my chest like a vice. I stepped forward. At the sight of me, Nolan’s surprise was fleeting before his mask of control slipped back into place. “Why are you here?” Feigning nonchalance, I offered a smile. “What’s wrong? Am I not welcome at my own pack’s event?” He set his glass down. Something about my tone must have unsettled him, but he chose to ignore it. “Of course not. But you dislike large gatherings. I didn’t expect you to come.” Beside him, Mireille observed me with quiet amusement, her smirk deepening as though she knew exactly why I had come. Just then, Irene, the pack’s head strategist, approached, lowering her head in deference before addressing my mate. “Beta Reed, your speech is about to begin.” Nolan turned to me. “Find a seat and rest. I won’t be long.” Without another word, he strode toward the stage. I picked up a small piece of sweetbread, taking my time before sitting down. Mireille, naturally, couldn’t resist. With an arrogant sway in her step, she sauntered over, her voice dripping with mock affection. “Long time no see, Selena. My dear, dear friend.”

Mireille smirked. “What’s this? Keeping tabs on me now?” “If you’re that insecure, why not mark Nolan properly so he stays put?” “How does it feel, sitting on a throne that was never meant for you?” “You should never forget—you will always be beneath me.” She laughed—a melodic yet mocking sound that rang in my ears. The Cartier necklace—the Moonstone Jewel—glinted under the sun, resting elegantly against her collarbone. That sight pierced me deeper than I cared to admit. Once, Mireille had been my closest friend. I had believed our bond unshakable, that our shared dreams of shaping the pack’s future through architecture and development would unite us forever. But then, Jasper, my fated mate, shattered everything. He severed our bond and chose Mireille instead, leaving me with nothing but pain. To be betrayed by my mate and my closest friend—it was agony beyond words. Just when I thought I would drown in that darkness, Nolan emerged, offering me a lifeline. For the first time in months, I saw a glimmer of hope. At first, everything seemed to fall into place. Nolan claimed me as his mate, and I accepted, believing our future would be built on trust. I was preparing for an international architecture competition when he suddenly told me, “Selena, you don’t have to burden yourself with work anymore. Just focus on being my Luna. I’ll take care of you, of your family, of everything.” His words moved me deeply. Trusting in his promise, I sold my pack-funded architecture firm, walking away from the career I had fought so hard to build. Not only that, I withdrew from the competition entirely. In the end, the champion of that prestigious event was Mireille. From that moment on, the woman who had once been my friend became an internationally celebrated strategist and architect, while I was reduced to nothing more than Nolan’s Luna—known not for my own talents, but as the Beta’s mate. Now, looking back, the truth was painfully clear—Nolan had been paving the way for Mireille all along. My gaze lifted to the expansive layout of the new trading post. The structural design was strikingly familiar—so much so that for a moment, I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. But there were subtle differences, as if someone had taken my blueprint and altered it just enough to make it seem unique. My heart pounded violently. There was a project file I had abandoned years ago, stored on my personal pack-linked server. Since stepping away from my career, I had never so much as glanced at it. So how had my design—one I had left untouched for years—become Mireille’s? And why had Nolan transformed it into this trading hub? Forcing down the surge of emotions, I turned to Mireille, ready to confront her. But before I could speak, her voice rang out, sharp and panicked. “Selena! What are you doing? Do you want me to lose my pup?!” “Ah!” Before I could react, Mireille suddenly collapsed, clutching her stomach as her face contorted in pain. Gasps rippled through the crowd. “Get the healer!” “Someone fetch the medic wolves!” A flurry of movement followed as wolves gathered, their eyes flickering between Mireille and me, their expressions laden with judgment. In the chaos, my gaze locked onto a figure rushing forward—a figure I knew all too well. “Mireille!” It was my mate. The man I had shared a den with for three years. Nolan’s face was lined with worry as he descended from the ceremonial stage. But what did he do? He shoved me aside. Without hesitation, he crouched beside Mireille, his voice urgent, his hands steadying her trembling form. “Are you alright?”

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Just before my wedding, my fate mate, my Alpha fiancé, Fabian, stripped me of my wedding dress—our wedding dress—and handed it to his mistress, Yolanda Porter. Not only that, but he locked me in the dressing room like some rabid wolf he needed to contain. “Yolanda has a terminal illness.She just wants to experience being a bride before she dies.” I lunged forward, my wolf howling inside me. Alpha’s strength pressed against mine, his dominance forcing my muscles to lock. My claws twitched, itching to break free. “You bastard!” I snarled, my breath ragged. Fabian barely blinked. Instead, he let out an exasperated sigh, shaking his head . “She’s dying, and you can’t even show a little compassion?” His tone dripped with disappointment, as if I were the villain here. “You’re only losing a wedding, but Yolanda… Yolanda is losing her dreams and her life.” I was adjusting the hem of my dress when Alpha Fabian walked in. My white gown shimmered under the dressing room lights, the fabric hugging my figure perfectly. In just a few minutes, I’d walk down the aisle and officially become Luna of the Silver Claw Pack. Everything was perfect. Until I saw his face. “Salena, I…” Fabian’s voice wavered—and that was odd. I turned, smiling, reaching for his hand. “Why is the Alpha more nervous than the bride? Don’t tell me you’re going to cry from excitement later.” Normally, he’d roll his eyes and smirk, maybe pull me in close and whisper something entirely inappropriate for a pre-wedding conversation. But not this time. His usual sharp, confident aura was replaced by something… hesitant. “What’s wrong?” My stomach tightened as I smoothed my dress. “Did something happen at the wedding?” When I tried to step past him, he grabbed my wrist, stopping me. His fingers were warm, but his grip was tight—like he was afraid I’d disappear if he let go. I frowned. “Fabian?” A long pause. Then, finally, he met my gaze. “Salena, Yolanda… she’s terminally ill.” My breath hitched. Yolanda Porter. His childhood friend. His beautiful, always conveniently present childhood friend. The same Yolanda who had spent years lurking in the background, reminding everyone how she and Fabian grew up together, how they understood each other in a way I never could. The same Yolanda who had smiled sweetly in public and sabotaged me in private. She had been my biggest thorn, never missing a chance to remind me that I wasn’t worthy of the Silver Claw Pack’s Luna. But I had won. I had Fabian. And now— I swallowed hard. “She’s sick?” Fabian nodded, jaw clenched. “She doesn’t have much time left.” A strange mix of emotions twisted in my chest. Guilt? No—why should I feel guilty? Jealousy? Maybe. Fear? Definitely. Because I knew that look in Fabian’s eyes. I’d seen it before. “I only see her as a sister,” he’d told me a hundred times, exasperated, brushing off my concerns. It wasn’t until his birthday this year, when Alpha Fabian proposed to me, that Yolanda finally faded from our lives. “Yolanda has a terminal illness?” I blinked up at Alpha Fabian, my fingers instinctively tightening around the fabric of my wedding dress. My wolf stirred, sensing the tension radiating from my mate, but I didn’t panic. Not yet. “That doesn’t mean you need to rush to the hospital right now, does it?” I asked, trying to keep my voice even. “The wedding starts in ten minutes—” Fabian cut me off, his voice urgent. “Yolanda is already here. She said…” A pause. I folded my arms. “What did she say?” He exhaled, rubbing his temple. “She said she’s never been in a relationship her whole life and wants to experience being a bride… before she passes away.” Silence. The kind that made my wolf growl low in warning. Sadness filled Fabian’s dark, stormy eyes, his tone so reverent it was as if Yolanda had ascended straight into sainthood. Meanwhile, I sat down, slowly, like a queen lowering herself onto her throne, staring at him. “Don’t tell me she expects you to ditch our wedding and take her to a bridal shop?” Fabian shook his head. I sighed in relief. For a moment, I thought the little green tea snake had finally grown some self-awareness. Then, Fabian opened his mouth again. “There’s no time to go outside. Salena, why don’t you lend your wedding dress to Yolanda?” A bolt of lightning crashed through my brain. I stared at him. Did my Alpha mate just get possessed by sheer stupidity? “What, is she not going to survive until tomorrow? Or have all the bridal shops in the city suddenly gone out of business, leaving her no options but to take the dress right off my back?” “Salena.” Fabian’s face darkened, his eyes filled with disappointment—like I was the unreasonable one. “Yolanda is already so pitiful. Why would you curse her like that?” I laughed in disbelief, standing so fast my chair scraped against the floor. “Alpha Fabian, did a door slam on your head? Or did you hit it against the packhouse walls for fun? She’s terminally ill, and you think lending her my wedding dress is going to cure her?” I placed a hand over my chest dramatically. “What, is my dress some kind of divine elixir? More effective than a healer? Will she ascend straight to the Moon Goddess in couture?” My wolf was practically snarling inside my mind, tail flicking in rage. “Yolanda has spent years using these little tricks to pull you away, and I let it go before. But today is our wedding day—do you understand what those words mean?” My breath was shaky, but my tone was firm. Fabian, however, wasn’t listening. Instead, his expression grew even colder. “Salena, I never expected you to be such a heartless person.” And then he looked at me—no, through me. Like I was nothing. Like I was a burden instead of his mate. My wolf fell silent. And just like that, the bond that once made my heart race with love… felt like a chain tightening around my throat. Chapter 2 “Fabian.” The air was thick with tension, our standoff silent but charged. My wolf, restless inside me, paced in my mind, ears pinned back. Then, the door swung open. Yolanda stepped in, her long hair cascading over her frail shoulders, her lips trembling as crystalline tears shimmered in her wide, doe-like eyes. She looked like the Moon Goddess herself had personally crafted her to inspire pity. Her voice was soft, weak, as if merely speaking was draining the life from her. “Don’t fight with Salena because of me,” she murmured. “It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have… shouldn’t have gotten sick and then clung to life instead of just… dying right away…” I blinked. Did she really just say that? Fabian gently covered her mouth, like she was the most precious thing in the world. His eyes were brimming with so much raw tenderness . “Don’t be afraid,” he said, voice low, soothing. “No matter what happens today, no one will stop me from granting your wish.” A growl rumbled deep in my chest. My wolf was furious, tail flicking in agitation. Fabian turned toward me then, his towering figure casting a shadow over me. Alpha presence rolled off him in waves, oppressive and suffocating. “Salena, I advise you to show some kindness.” I crossed my arms. “And what if I say no?” Fabian paused, his jaw tightening. Then, without another word, he turned and took Yolanda’s hand, leading her out. For a second, I thought he had finally come to his senses. I was wrong. He returned. And this time, he locked the door behind him. My wolf’s ears flattened. “Salena, don’t blame me for this.” Something in his tone—a chilling finality—sent a sharp spike of alarm through me. I shot up, ready to run, but he was faster. His Alpha reflexes kicked in, his grip iron-tight as he spun me around and pinned me against the vanity. My wolf snarled, but Fabian’s strength overpowered mine. “Are you insane?! Fabian, let me go!” My frantic struggles meant nothing. I felt the zipper of my wedding dress sliding down, scraping against my skin like a brand. “Stop!” I cried out, pain flashing through me as his grip dug into my waist. My wolf whimpered, but Fabian didn’t let go until the dress—my dress—was completely gone. When he finally released me, I crumpled onto the floor, my arms wrapping around myself. My meticulously styled hair was now a wild mess. My body—bare, vulnerable—felt like a broken relic of what should have been my happiest day. Fabian, breathing heavily, held my wedding dress in his hands like a damn trophy. His voice was cold. “Does it hurt? You brought this on yourself.” I stared up at him, my wolf silent—too shocked to even growl. Then, I spoke. “Alpha Fabian, we are done.” His brows furrowed. I pushed myself up, chin high, and let my next words tear through the bond like claws through flesh. “I, Salena Carlson, reject you, Fabian Parkinson, as my mate.” The rejection hung in the air. For a second, he simply blinked at me, as if he hadn’t heard right. Then, irritation flickered across his face, and he let out a short, humorless laugh. “Stop acting out. I’ll make it up to you with another wedding.” He turned to leave. “But today, Yolanda’s dream must come true.” My vision blurred, my heart hollowing out as he disappeared. Then— Click. The sound was quiet. But the moment I heard it, my blood ran cold. I rushed to the door. Locked. I pounded on it, but no one answered. A bitter laugh escaped me. He really did it. I turned back, my gaze landing on a white T-shirt draped over a chair. Desperate for something to cover myself, I grabbed it and pulled it over my head—only for the collar to get stuck. Frustrated, humiliated, trapped—I could do nothing but fall onto my knees and cry and cry. “Tsk. Looking this miserable?” A deep, smooth voice cut through my despair. I lifted my tear-streaked face, my breath hitching. The moment I saw the man leaning against the doorframe, casually elegant in a crisp white suit, I knew trouble had arrived. Alpha Halbert. Fabian’s archrival. The Moon Goddess really had a twisted sense of humor. His eyes, sharp and mischievous, flickered with amusement as he took in my ruined appearance. My makeup was a mess, my hair tangled beyond saving—I probably looked like a rogue that had lost a fight with a tornado. His lips quirked, but for just a moment, his teasing faltered. Then, his voice dropped to a sultry whisper. “Want to get some payback?” My wolf’s ears perked up. I narrowed my eyes. “What are you doing here?” Everyone knew Alpha Halbert and Fabian had been close once, back in college—before something ripped them apart, turning them into bitter enemies. No one ever talked about why. “I don’t recall inviting Alpha Halbert.” Halbert, unfazed, simply raised a brow and took a slow, deliberate step forward. His scent—crisp pine and the kind of danger that lured people in—drifted over me, sending a shiver down my spine. My wolf stirred, intrigued. “Are you sure you don’t want to come with me?” His voice was smooth, tempting. “Opportunities like this don’t come twice.” He extended a hand toward me. My wolf growled softly, uncertain. Before I could even decide, Halbert moved. In a blur of movement, he pulled me to my feet—so effortlessly it was like I weighed nothing. His strength was undeniable. Then, before I could protest, he lifted a pristine white handkerchief and wiped my face clean. His touch was gentle, careful, as if he were handling something delicate and breakable. His golden eyes assessed his work before giving a small, approving nod. “Much better.” I blinked, momentarily stunned. Then, his grip tightened around my wrist, his warmth steady, grounding. “Let’s go.” His voice was quiet but firm. “Revenge is best served fresh. Bottling it up will only hurt you in the end.” For the first time since this disaster started, I didn’t feel alone. Chapter 3 “Fabian Parkinson, for richer or poorer, will you stay by Yolanda Porter’s side, never to part?” The officiant’s voice rang out over the crowd. Onstage, Alpha Fabian gazed at Yolanda with a tenderness so nauseating it made my wolf bare her teeth. “I do not.” The words ripped through the ceremony like a thunderclap. Gasps filled the air. Every head in the room snapped toward me. I saw it then—the exact moment realization dawned on Fabian’s face. His smile froze, his fingers twitching against Yolanda’s hand. “Where’s security?” Fabian growled, voice low and commanding. “Escort the troublemaker out.” Halbert, standing beside me, handed me the microphone with an amused smirk. I didn’t even look at Fabian. Instead, I turned up the volume to max and let my voice ring across the hall. “Everyone, I am Salena Carlson. Tonight’s bride, Salena Carlson.” Chaos erupted. A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd like wildfire. The sharp rustling of guests flipping through their invitations was almost comical. Fabian’s expression darkened, his jaw clenching so tight it could snap a bone. “Hey, she’s right! The invitation says the bride is Salena!” “Then who the hell is the woman onstage?” “Fabian’s wedding was so rushed, I didn’t even question it. But this…?” The murmurs grew louder, sharp whispers turning to judgmental glares. Yolanda’s fake innocence cracked, her wide doe eyes filling with crocodile tears. Fabian tightened his grip on her hand, his voice low but authoritative. “Everyone, there was a typo on the invitation.” His lips curled into a forced smile. “This is the real bride.” A laugh burst from my throat before I could stop it. “A typo?” I drawled, arching a brow. “Right. And let me guess—my name embroidered on the wedding dress? Also a typo?” More gasps. A few guests exchanged pointed looks. Fabian’s pathetic attempt at damage control had done nothing but pour gasoline on the fire. “The venue? The photography? The décor? Paid for with my money.” I pulled out my phone and, with a single tap, projected the receipts onto the massive screen behind the altar. “13.14 million.” I smiled, slow and deliberate. “Alpha Fabian, will that be on your credit card or by check?” Silence. The air was thick with tension, the scent of unease rolling through the room like a storm cloud. Fabian’s gaze flickered toward the doors, searching. Probably for security. “Don’t bother looking.” My smirk widened. “The security staff? Paid for by me. They don’t answer to you.” Fabian’s nostrils flared, frustration rolling off him in waves. And then, because the universe loved giving me more reasons to hate her, Yolanda decided to play her final card. “Salena, I know you have issues with me.” She sniffled, stepping forward. “It was wrong of me to borrow your wedding, but I have a terminal illness.” She paused for dramatic effect, gauging the crowd’s reaction. And just like that, a few whispers started up again. “She’s dying, though…” “Maybe Fabian was just trying to be kind.” “Is Salena really this heartless?” Yolanda lowered her gaze, trembling ever so slightly—but not before I caught the flicker of satisfaction in her eyes. I felt my wolf bristle beneath my skin, a growl curling low in my throat. Oh, this little actress wanted a show? Fine. I’d give her one. I swatted Yolanda’s hand away, my wolf thrumming beneath my skin, urging me to rip through her pathetic act. “Oh, a terminal illness?” I arched a brow. “What’s the diagnosis? Which hospital declared it?” Silence. “Funny how someone on death’s doorstep has enough energy to steal my multimillion-dollar wedding and act like she deserves it.” Yolanda stumbled back, clutching her chest, her breath turning shallow. Her wide, watery eyes flitted around the room, as if searching for sympathy. Cue the dramatic coughs. She hacked so hard that her pale face turned ghostly, as if she might crumple to the floor at any moment. And, right on cue, Alpha Fabian was there in an instant, shielding her with his broad frame, his scent sharp with irritation. “Salena.” He growled my name like a curse. “You’ve only lost a wedding, but Yolanda—she’s losing her life.” His voice dripped with righteous fury, like I was the villain here. “How can you stoop so low as to bicker with someone who’s dying? Where’s your compassion?” I stared at him. For a brief moment, I remembered the man I once loved—the one who whispered promises under the moonlight, who swore I was his forever. Now?

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Introduction: “When he marked my sister in public, I swore – one day, I will make him kneel down and lick my high heels.” At the funeral three years ago, my destined partner tore my dignity apart in public. I thought his brother was salvation, but I didn’t know that I was just the most ridiculous pawn in the game of power. Now, I broke the wolf badge, and my red lips brushed his Adam’s apple: “Dear, now it’s my turn… to play with you.” When the flame of revenge is ignited, when the former enemies tremble and bow their heads – I want to let them know that the abandoned female wolf will eventually become the queen of the entire wolf pack. At my father’s funeral, a moment that should have been dedicated to mourning our fallen Alpha was instead desecrated by the ultimate betrayal. Before the entire Silverhowl Pack, my mate, Kael, cast me aside without hesitation. He didn’t whisper his rejection in private, nor did he offer even a shred of dignity—no, he made a spectacle of it. Right there, in front of my father’s casket, he knelt before Lyra, my father’s bastard pup, and claimed her as his. The hush that fell over the pack was broken not by murmurs of sympathy, but by gasps and sneers, and then—the final cruelty—a screen flickered to life. The recording left nothing to the imagination. Lyra and Kael, tangled together in the throes of their bond, moving with primal desperation. Every moan, every whispered promise of devotion, rang through the ceremonial grounds like a death knell. My death knell. I stood motionless, my heart pounding against my ribs like a caged beast. The humiliation was suffocating. Wolves exchanged glances, some in amusement, others in pity, but none intervened. I, Selene Nightbane, the true heir of the Moonveil Pack, had been reduced to nothing more than a discarded promise. Then came a voice, deep and commanding, slicing through the oppressive weight of my disgrace. “Get. Out.” Stormfang stepped forward, radiating dominance, his golden eyes burning with something unreadable. A single word from him sent Kael flinching, his smug expression faltering. Lyra shrank behind him, but Stormfang’s authority left no room for defiance. “You’ve dishonored this pack enough,” he said, voice devoid of warmth. “Leave now, before I make you.” Kael hesitated, but Lyra tugged at his sleeve, whispering something that made his jaw tighten. Without another word, they turned and slunk away, the weight of Stormfang’s presence crushing them beneath its force. Then, to my utter shock, he turned to me. He sank to one knee, his gaze steady and unwavering. “Selene,” he murmured, his voice softer now, meant only for me. “Let me stand beside you. As your Alpha. Your protector. Your mate.” I had lost everything. And so, with shaking fingers, I took his hand. Three years later… A week before the mating ceremony, fate once again delivered its cruelty. Passing by Stormfang’s study, I heard voices—low, tense. I should have walked away. I should have ignored it. But something in my blood went cold, and I lingered by the door, ears straining. “Alpha Granville, there are other ways to claim the Moonveil Pack. Binding yourself to Luna Nightbane is too dangerous. Isn’t this too great a risk?” The voice belonged to his Beta, uncertain yet cautious. A pause. Then Stormfang’s reply, calm and deliberate. “Once she is mine, she will lower her defenses. Lyra was meant to have her place in the pack long ago. If I must claim Selene to secure it, then so be it. For Lyra, I will do whatever is necessary.” A sharp, numbing chill seeped into my bones. Three years of loyalty. Of trust. Of believing that I had found salvation in the arms of a mate who had saved me when no one else would. And it had all been a lie. The tea in my hands trembled, sloshing over the rim. Scalding liquid spilled over my skin, but I barely registered the pain. If I was nothing more than a stepping stone, then perhaps it was time I let them have what they wanted. Inside the study, Stormfang sat at his desk, absently flipping through the territory transfer agreement, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. “Luna Nightbane’s mother is nearing the end. She won’t make it much longer. Selene will insist on her attending the ceremony, and when she’s gone, the Moonveil Pack will be vulnerable. She’ll come to me, desperate, with no one else to turn to. That will be the perfect moment to strike.” “Are the agreements in place?” Stormfang’s gaze flicked to his Beta, who hesitated, fingers gripping the stack of documents. “Alpha… Lyra is still an Omega-born pup. This is brutal, even for us. Luna Nightbane has been nothing but loyal to you. She trusts you. If she finds out that all of this was just to put Lyra in power…” “Enough.” Stormfang’s voice dropped to something colder, deadlier. “Lyra is the rightful heir. If I hear ‘Omega-born pup’ from you again, I’ll strip you of your rank myself.” The Beta exhaled slowly. “Understood. I’ll finalize the paperwork. I just hope you don’t regret this.” Stormfang leaned back, expression unreadable. “Erase the funeral footage from three years ago. Selene must never find out the truth.” Then—a creak.The hair on the back of his neck rose.A shadow flickered past the doorway. Selene. I stumbled back, my breath uneven, my pulse roaring in my ears.So the public humiliation, the mating video, the whispers and jeers—they hadn’t been Kael’s doing alone.Stormfang, the mate who had saved me, had orchestrated it all.A strangled laugh built in my throat, bitter and hollow. I thought of my mother’s final moments, the way her frail fingers clutched mine, whispering, “Trust Stormfang. He will protect you.” Safe? I had spent three years believing a lie .A faint click echoed from the study as the door opened. I barely had time to wipe my face before his voice reached me. “Selene?” I turned, forcing my lips into a brittle smile. “I… I brought you tea, but I spilled it.” Stormfang’s brows furrowed as he stepped closer. The scent of whiskey clung to him, his movements slow but deliberate. He cupped my face, his thumb brushing along my cheek. “You’re trembling.” His golden eyes searched mine. “Are you unwell?” Yes. I was sick—sick of being played, sick of being manipulated. But I simply shook my head. For now.

“These tasks are better left to the Omega attendants. You’ve been at Luna Mother’s bedside every day, tending to her yourself. That’s more than enough. If you exhaust yourself, I won’t be able to bear it.” Stormfang’s voice carried its usual warmth, his tone gentle yet firm. He leaned in, brushing his lips against mine—a familiar gesture, one meant to soothe and reassure. But the comfort I once found in his touch had long since faded. His warmth no longer reached me. Could someone truly go to such lengths for another? Could they sacrifice their own desires, weave an intricate web of lies, and play the role of a devoted mate for years, all while their heart belonged elsewhere? I shut my eyes, but it didn’t stop the sting in my chest. Silent tears traced cold paths down my cheeks. Stormfang barely noticed. His steps were unsteady, the scent of whiskey clinging to his breath. I guided him to the bed, covering him with a thick fur-lined blanket. The alcohol did its job quickly—his breathing slowed, deepened, and within minutes, he was lost to sleep. Still kneeling by the bedside, I reached for his phone, my fingers hesitant but steady. One try. That was all it took. The screen unlocked instantly. The passcode was Lyra’s birthday. My breath hitched, but I pushed the rising dread aside and opened their messages. The screen was filled with confidential documents—pack land records, alliance agreements, strategic reports. From the moment my father, the Alpha of Moonveil, took his last breath, it had never ceased. Not for a single day. Every territorial dispute he had mediated, he had sent to Lyra, preparing her. Every negotiation with rival packs, he had passed along, laying the groundwork for her future. Even the Alpha authority transfer contract had been drawn up years ago. Stormfang wasn’t waiting for Luna Mother’s condition to improve. He was waiting for her to die. Waiting for me to step aside and surrender my birthright into his hands. I opened his private album, my heart hammering painfully against my ribs. Every image, every captured moment, was of Lyra. She was radiant, basking in the glow of pack gatherings, standing by Kael’s side at strategic meetings, her smile ever-present. And Kael—he looked so much like his brother, so much like Stormfang, it was no wonder the deception had been seamless. Beyond the pictures were endless records of rare artifact acquisitions. Jewelry, ancient relics, ceremonial trinkets—all purchased at rogue auctions, all sent to Lyra under Stormfang’s name, falsely credited as gifts from his Alpha-brother. A love hidden in plain sight. Subtle. Extravagant. Woven into every insignificant detail. It was a knife lodged deep in my chest. I recognized the jewelry brands, the auctioned artifacts. They were nothing more than tribute from the black market traders, gifts to secure Stormfang’s favor, yet he had given them to me, spun them into romantic gestures. I let out a breathless, humorless laugh, one that tasted of self-mockery. There was no point in searching further. Instead, I picked up my phone and sent a message to the Elders’ Council, summoning them for an Alpha succession meeting in three days. By then, I would claim what was mine. For three years, Stormfang had stolen from me—my trust, my future, my place in the pack. It was time he returned everything. I didn’t sleep. When dawn arrived, I washed my face, letting the icy water erase all traces of emotion. As I finished, a message popped up in the pack’s work chat. Stormfang’s reaction was immediate. “Selene? Since when did you take an interest in pack affairs? Luna Mother’s health is still fragile. Didn’t we agree that I’d handle things for you? You shouldn’t burden yourself. If you fall ill, she’ll blame me for not taking better care of you.” I stared at his message, at the concern so effortlessly woven into his words. Lies came naturally to him. I set my phone down and let a slow, unreadable smile stretch across my lips. “It’s nothing. I must’ve accidentally turned on notifications. I’ll switch them off. You have a meeting for the territory expansion today, don’t you? You shouldn’t keep them waiting.” He studied me for a moment, his sharp golden eyes searching mine. Then, as if reassured, he exhaled, the tension in his shoulders easing. Gently, he pulled me against him, his arms firm around my waist. “Thank you for understanding, my Luna-to-be. I need to finalize these alliances so we can focus on our mating ceremony.” I said nothing. Simply lowered my gaze and powered off my phone. “You’re going to the clinic today, right? Pick up the meal I ordered from the packhouse kitchen. I had them prepare something special for you. You’ve lost weight.” “I’ll bring some for Luna Mother too.” I used to believe his attentiveness was love. That his concern was real. Now, I saw it for what it was—an excuse to keep me out of his way. If he truly cared, would he have barely visited Luna Mother in an entire year? Would he have left her care to outsiders, refusing to even check on her himself? He hadn’t done it for my sake. He had done it to keep me distracted. To make sure I never turned my gaze where it truly mattered. He had orchestrated everything—ensuring I never stood in Lyra’s way. No more. This three-year deception ends today. I rushed to the clinic, but I hadn’t even stepped into the ward when hushed voices drifted through the hallway. The nurses’ gossip stopped me in my tracks.

“The Moonveil Pack holds one of the strongest bloodlines in all of Silverhowl, yet after a full year of so-called treatment, they still haven’t arranged a proper healing ritual for their Luna? When I went in to change the bandages, I could barely stand the sight—she looks as though a strong wind could carry her away. How can her own pack be so indifferent?” “Shh, lower your voice! Don’t ask questions that will get you into trouble. The Granville Pack has already given orders—even the Pack Healer knows better than to intervene. It’s obvious they’ve decided to let her waste away instead of giving her a real chance at recovery. They even replaced her wolfsbane antidote with diluted herbal tonics. At this rate, she won’t survive the next few days.” “The strongest pack in Silverhowl… and yet, they refuse to save their own Luna. How heartless can they be?” The words clawed through me like jagged fangs sinking into my chest. My vision blurred as I bolted down the hallway, barely aware of the startled whispers left in my wake. I burst into my mother’s den at the pack clinic, my heart hammering violently against my ribs. The woman who once commanded warriors with a single glance now lay motionless, her frail form swallowed by the oversized furs draped over her. The vibrant energy that had once made her the heart of the Moonveil Pack was nothing more than a flickering ember, struggling against the dark. I had been by her side every day. I had watched over her, spoken to her, held her hand through the worst of it. And yet—I had still failed to see how quickly she was slipping away. The monitors beside her blared warnings in frantic bursts, each alarm tightening the noose around my throat. Even as the strength faded from her, even as the scent of death loomed ever closer, she reached for my hand. “Selene…” Her voice was barely a whisper, her fingers cold as they curled around mine. “I won’t be able to see you take your rightful place as Luna… but Stormfang is a strong Alpha. After I’m gone, he will protect you. Call him… I need to speak with him one last time.” Tears streamed freely down my face, but I forced myself to nod, pressing a trembling kiss to her knuckles before tucking the blankets securely around her. Then, without wasting another second, I ran to find a healer. The Pack Healer’s face was grim as he examined her, his fingers pressing lightly against her wrist. When he finally spoke, his voice carried the weight of inevitability. “She’s too weak. Her wolf has receded beyond our reach. At this stage, she wouldn’t survive a full healing ceremony. The best we can do now… is prepare for her farewell ritual.” The words sent a deep, searing pain straight through my chest, but I swallowed my anguish and drove straight to Stormfang’s territory. Just as I reached the doors to his war room, I halted, my breath catching as Lyra’s voice drifted toward me, silk-smooth and laced with feigned concern. “Stormfang, you’ve done so much for me these past few years. But the former Luna still lingers. If you let me oversee the expansion project, my sister will surely take issue with it.” Stormfang’s voice followed—low, steady, but edged with something I couldn’t quite place. “She is my Beta’s sister. Helping her is only natural. Sign the papers. You’ll need to get accustomed to handling pack affairs sooner or later. As for the Luna… she won’t be a concern for much longer.” A flicker of triumph flashed in Lyra’s tone before she masked it with a carefully crafted sorrow. “The former Luna won’t recover? That’s truly unfortunate… I should visit her today. Even if she never saw me as her daughter, I still want the chance to say goodbye properly.” My fury ignited in an instant, tearing through my veins like wildfire. I shoved the door open with enough force to send it slamming into the wall. “Don’t bother with your fake sympathy,” I spat, locking eyes with her. “She doesn’t want to see you.” Stormfang’s chair scraped against the floor as he rose to his feet, his expression shifting from unreadable to outright alarm. He was already walking toward me, hands slightly raised in placation. “Selene, why are you here? You’re misunderstanding. Lyra only mentioned it in passing. There’s nothing for you to be upset over.” Lyra remained seated, an infuriatingly composed smile playing at her lips as she waved a delicate hand. “Nightbane,” she purred, as though we were old friends, “long time no see.” I didn’t acknowledge her. Didn’t even look at her. Without another word, I turned and made my way toward the stairs. But Stormfang wasn’t willing to let it go. “Selene, wait!” He followed after me, his voice filled with urgency. “You’re taking this the wrong way—Lyra has nothing to do with Luna Mother’s condition. Don’t let anger cloud your judgment.” I stopped walking, turning my head just enough to meet his gaze. He looked… desperate .How ironic. This was the same male who had stood before the entire pack three years ago, offering me his hand in my moment of humiliation. The same male who had promised me security, promised me loyalty. Now, I knew the truth. He hadn’t saved me. He had merely positioned me as a pawn. I forced a smile, one that barely reached my eyes. “Relax, Stormfang,” I said softly. “I’m not unreasonable. I won’t meddle in the affairs of the Granville Pack. I was just on my way to visit Luna Mother and thought I’d stop by to see you. Since you’re busy, I won’t take up your time.” The tension in his shoulders visibly loosened, and he exhaled, even offering a small nod. “I appreciate your understanding,” he murmured, personally escorting me to the door. I left without another word. But before I could reach the clinic, my phone rang. I barely had to glance at the screen before dread coiled in my stomach. It was the Pack Healer. His voice came through, quiet yet devastating. “Luna Nightbane… I’m sorry. Your mother… she’s gone.” I slammed on the brakes, my car skidding to a halt at the side of the road. A wave of anguish and fury crashed over me all at once, a storm so violent it nearly swallowed me whole. For a long time, I sat in silence, gripping the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white. Then, with painstaking resolve, I turned the car around. Not to the clinic. Not to my mother’s lifeless body. To the Moonveil Pack’s ancestral home. It was time to reclaim what was mine. I packed my mother’s belongings in silence, my movements careful, reverent. And then—just as I was placing the last item into a wooden chest—a shadow fell over me. Lyra stood in the doorway, her arms crossed, a slow smirk playing on her lips.

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Before the wedding, Alpha Lawrence’s first love, Sandra Barlow, was betrothed to none other than Emmett Wright—the most infamous rogue Alpha along the Mississippi River. A wolf so ruthless, even the werewolf Council preferred to pretend he didn’t exist. Alpha Lawrence, ever the noble hero, couldn’t bear to see his precious white moonlight thrown into the fire pit. So, what did he do? With the werewolf army of the Blue Moon Pack, he stormed into the rogue den and snatched her away from Alpha Emmett. That very night, they registered their marriage and held a wedding. And me? Oh, the entire Blue Moon Pack was practically at the thought of watching Gamma Audrey Gilbert—the strongest female warrior in the pack—get humiliated. After all, my years of loyalty, my unmatched skills, my blood spilled for this pack? Worthless. Why? Because their beloved Alpha had chosen another. I braced myself for the whispers, the pitying glances. But then— The very next day, Alpha Emmett, the same rogue who’d been so cruelly robbed of his mate, climbed onto my villa’s security wall like a damn cat burglar. He perched there, arms crossed, watching me with an infuriatingly lazy smirk. “Wife pays for her husband’s debt,” he drawled, his voice carrying the rough edge of a wolf who lived lawless and free. “Alpha Lawrence stole my mate. So I figured—you should compensate me by becoming my rogue Luna.” He grinned, canines flashing. “ That’s fair, isn’t it?” I nodded. “Fair.”

“I’ll marry you and become your Rogue Luna.” Alpha Emmett seemed completely taken aback that I would agree to such an absurd condition.he stood there, frozen like a statue, his jaw slack, his expression a mix of disbelief and confusion. “You… you, you—are you serious?” he finally stammered, his eyes wide as if he’d just seen a ghost. “Three days from now, I’ll come to marry you. No backing out.” I shrugged with a smirk. “Yes，I said it, Never take-backs.” The poor guy practically tripped over his own feet as he scrambled down the wall, clearly terrified I might change my mind. Just as he reached the ground, he stumbled and almost faceplanted. I laughed, the sound light and genuine. For someone with the reputation of being a rogue Alpha to the core, Emmett was unexpectedly… charming in an awkward kind of way. Not the arrogant brute the rumors painted him to be. My amusement was cut short when a voice interrupted my thoughts, sliding into my mind through the pack link. “Gamma,” came the calm, measured voice of my servant. “Alpha Lawrence is waiting for you in the living room.” The laughter vanished from my face in an instant. My wolf, usually heard this will be happy or wag her tail, but now went deathly silent. By the time I reached the living room, my smile was gone, replaced by a mask of cool detachment. Alpha Lawrence was standing there, his posture as confident as ever, but the forced smile on his lips gave him away. “Alpha Lawrence,” I said evenly, “shouldn’t you be at home with your new Luna? What urgent business brings you here?” His grin faltered for a split second before he forced it wider. “Audrey, you know I wouldn’t come if it wasn’t important.” I crossed my arms, leaning against the doorframe with an arched brow. “Important enough to leave your honeymoon?” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Sandra’s too soft. She’d be ruined if I let her marry that rogue. You know she wouldn’t survive in a life like that.” I tilted my head, my tone laced with mockery. “And yet, you didn’t hesitate to ruin me and my family’s reputation. Funny how that works.” His face fell, but he quickly recovered. “Audrey, let’s not do this. I didn’t have a choice. You know I care about you.” “Alpha Lawrence,” I said, voice cold and steady, “our engagement is over. There’s nothing more to say.” He took a step closer, his hand reaching out as if to placate me. “Audrey, don’t be rash. Just because I married her doesn’t mean things have to change between us.” I stared at him, incredulous. He actually believed the garbage coming out of his mouth. “Sandra won’t mind, She’s sweet, understanding. You just need to be patient for now. Be my girlfriend until things settle. When you have my pup, I’ll bring you back to my estate. We’ll be together—all three of us.” ““You and Sandra are both important to me, and I swear I’ll treat you equally. Neither of you will feel neglected.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. The audacity of this man, to ask the strongest female Gamma in the pack to be his mistress. Even if I were willing, my family would never tolerate such humiliation. I laughed, a sharp, humorless sound that made him flinch. “I, Audrey Gilbert, won’t be anyone’s mistress.” His smile faltered, annoyance flickering in his eyes. “Audrey, don’t make this difficult. Being my mistress isn’t as bad as you’re making it out to be. I’ll make sure no one disrespects you.Why make this so difficult for me?” I’m making it difficult for him? I almost laughed in disbelief. Was I the one who had disrupted someone’s wedding, dragged another woman to the registry office, and left my family in disgrace? I looked at him mockingly and repeated, “I said, I, Audrey Gilbert, will never—never—be anyone’s mistress.” He scowled. “You’re being unreasonable! The entire Blue Moon Pack knows you’re my mate. Do you think anyone else would want you now? You’re already ruined.” His words were like a dagger, but I didn’t flinch. My wolf growled low in my mind, her hackles raised. If she had her way, she’d rip his throat out for daring to speak to me like that. But I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me lose control. I stood taller, my voice steady and unwavering. “I, Audrey Gilbert, would rather live alone for all of my life than settle for being your second choice.” “Beta Audrey,Without me, no one else will ever want you.” “He stormed out, his word lingering like an unwelcome guest. The slam of the door echoed in the room, but I didn’t move. My hands clenched into fists and a bitter ache in my chest. From the moment I turned 18, I had taken over my father’s Gamma position, thanks to my rare white wolf. That same day, I found my mate. When I first saw Alpha Lawrence, my wolf howled with joy, “Mate!” The golden boy of the Blue Moon Pack was my destined mate. Even now, years after we graduated, we were still the star couple of the Blue Moon Pack’s No 1 Academy. But the Alpha Lawrence who once adored me, who couldn’t bear to see me suffer even the slightest pain—that Lawrence was gone. The man before me now was Sandra’s mate. The moment he chose Sandra over me, ignoring my love and trampling on my heart, I should have let go. But I couldn’t. Ten years of history between us—I couldn’t believe it would lose to their mere six months of knowing each other. Yet, I was wrong. Completely, utterly wrong. chapter 2 Alpha Emmett didn’t give me a chance to change my mind. The very next morning, a convoy of wolves from the Rogue Den arrived at the gates of my villa. Their cargo? Twenty-five chests of gold. Yes, you heard that right—one chest for every year of my life. When Alpha Emmett opened those chests in my living room, the dazzling gold nearly blinded me. Honestly, I didn’t know if I should be impressed or worried about getting robbed. My parents weren’t thrilled about Alpha Emmett. “Are you sure about this, Audrey?” my mom asked for the tenth time. “Alpha Emmett’s reputation isn’t exactly… spotless,” my dad added. But my mind was made up. “Love or power,” I replied with a shrug, “at least I’ll have one of them.” Now, was Alpha Emmett’s reputation as the Rogue Alpha of the entire Rogue Den a little intimidating? Sure. But he was powerful. His pack is tucked away in the remote Mississippi River region, but it was vast and fiercely strong. That kind of strength came with its own allure. And besides, if Sandra Barlow hadn’t turned him down, I wouldn’t even have this opportunity. Just as I was contemplating how to store all this gold , the door swung open. In walked Alpha Lawrence with Sandra trailing behind him. Upon seeing the scene before them, both seemed to jump to conclusions. Alpha Lawrence raised his chin with an expression that practically screamed, “I knew it.” Sandra, on the other hand, had a glint of greed in her eyes. “Audrey,” she cooed, her voice dripping with fake sweetness, “is this all your dowry?” Sandra Barlow is the unwanted product of a drunken night between Delta Kingsley and a stripper. The Barlow family barely tolerated her existence, sending her off on her wedding day with nothing more than a box of pastries. I frowned. “No, it’s not.” Lawrence scoffed. “Come on, Audrey, drop the act. Yesterday, you were all about not getting married, and now you’re stockpiling your dowry?” “Yes, Audrey,” Sandra chimed in, her voice sickly sweet. “We’re all family now that you’re marrying Lawrence.” Before I could tell her to shove her idea of “family,” she turned to Lawrence. “Didn’t you prepare a gift for Audrey? Go on, show her!” she said, tugging on his arm. As she moved, a glint of green around her neck caught my eye. My chest tightened. That necklace—a stunning emerald piece—was an heirloom from Lawrence’s family, meant for the future Luna. I’d dropped more hints about it than I cared to admit, but he’d always dodged the subject, refusing to part with it. Yet there it was, now sitting smugly on Sandra’s neck. Noticing my stare, Sandra adjusted her collar, ensuring the necklace sparkled under the light. And then, as if that weren’t enough, Lawrence pulled out a small box from his pocket, opened it, and tossed its contents at me. A ring. A cheap, ugly ring made of stainless steel. “Here,” he said, his tone laced with mockery. “It’s for you.” I picked up the ring, its chipped rose-gold paint flaking off in my hand, and couldn’t help but laugh. He was so generous with Sandra, yet so miserly with me. “Wow, Alpha Lawrence,” I said, handing it back to him. “This masterpiece should definitely go to your Luna.” Alpha Lawrence’s face darkened instantly. Furious, he snatched the ring and hurled it out the window. “If you don’t want it, then it’s trash!” Sandra pouted dramatically, stomping her foot. “Audrey, this ring was chosen specifically for you by Lawrence and me. It’s a token of our goodwill.” “Oh, and Audrey,” she continued with a saccharine smile, “I designed a wedding dress for you myself. I hope you’ll like it.” She gestured to a maid, who handed her a pink gown. I was so angry, I laughed. In Blue Moon Pack tradition, pink wedding dresses were reserved for second marriages or mistresses. Watching Sandra’s smug expression, I finally understood their purpose for coming today. They wanted to humiliate me. Without caring whether I agreed or not. Sandra handed me the dress with a smug grin, clearly enjoying herself. In front of Alpha Lawrence, I reiterated, “I’ve already told you, the wedding is off.” “If there’s nothing else, you two may leave.” But it was clear they didn’t take my words seriously. Sandra grabbed my arm, trying to drag me toward the fitting room. “Don’t be ridiculous, Audrey. At least try it on!” Annoyed, I shoved her hand away. “Get out. Don’t touch me.” I hadn’t even used much force, yet Sandra dramatically staggered backward, collapsing to the ground with the dress in hand. Tears quickly welled in her eyes. “Audrey, I… I was just trying to help,” she whimpered, clutching the dress like I’d ripped her heart out. Alpha Lawrence, seeing this, shoved me hard. “Audrey Gilbert, This dress was Sandra’s gift to you,She spent days designing it and made sure it was finished in time for the wedding. And this is how you repay her?” “An ungrateful, jealous shrew like you deserves to be alone forever.” With that, he scooped Sandra into his arms and stormed out. Sandra glanced over his shoulder, smirking triumphantly. That smirk reminded me of the first time I met her. chapter 3 Back then, she was just the illegitimate daughter of the Barlow family, a stray among nobles, tolerated but never truly accepted. At a grand banquet, her sister, Miss Fiona, treated her like a mere servant. When she accidentally spilled wine on Fiona’s silk gown, the entire hall fell silent. A hush of anticipation rippled through the crowd as Fiona, ever the perfect lady in public, cracked her fan shut with an audible snap and delivered a sharp slap across Sandra’s cheek. “Know your place,” Fiona hissed. “Kneel.” Sandra hesitated, her hands trembling. No one moved to help her. No one ever did. That was when Alpha Lawrence stepped forward. His golden eyes flashed with barely restrained fury as he caught Fiona’s wrist mid-swing. “Enough,” he said, his voice dangerously low. “She’s still your sister.” The crowd gasped. Fiona’s face burned with anger, but she swallowed it down, retreating with forced grace. From then on, Lawrence became Sandra’s silent protector. He offered her food before anyone else, took her on runs through the pack lands, even made sure she had the best training gear. I should’ve seen the signs. Whenever I pouted about it, he’d ruffle my hair and laugh. “I just feel sorry for Sandra,” he’d say. “She’s had it rough.” And I believed him. Like a fool. Until the day Sandra was set to marry Alpha Emmett, the most feared rogue Alpha along the Mississippi River. Lawrence stormed the rogue den like a man possessed, challenging Emmett in broad daylight. He didn’t just stop the wedding. He married her himself that very night. And to make sure no one could ever take her away, he marked her under the moonlight. That was when I finally understood. Pity had nothing to do with it. The night before my wedding, the Blue Moon Pack held its annual harvest festival—my favorite time of the year. Every year, Lawrence and I would set off fireworks together, laughing like pups as they painted the sky with streaks of silver and gold. But this year, I stood alone in the empty streets. The vendors were gone. The familiar scent of caramel apples and roasted nuts was missing. Something was off. Then, I heard two women chatting nearby. “Alpha Lawrence really went all out for Luna Sandra this time. Did you hear? He bought every single firework on this street just for her.” “No kidding. If I were Luna Sandra, I’d be moved to tears.” “That’s not even the best part. Alpha Lawrence went as far as offending the Rogue Alpha for her and even made Gamma Audrey to be a mistress. Alphas this good only exist in TV dramas!” Hearing that, I scoffed mockingly. I was about to leave when a familiar voice called out from behind me. “Audrey.” Instinctively, I turned around and saw Alpha Lawrence and Sandra standing not far away. Sandra was holding a sparkler and ran over to me, beaming. “Audrey, are you here to set off fireworks too?” Alpha Lawrence was still angry about what happened yesterday. Seeing me, he let out a cold snort. Sandra, ever the show-off, extended the sparkler in her hand toward me. “I’m sorry, sister. Lawrence bought all the fireworks on this street for me. Why don’t you take this one?” “No, thank you.” I stepped back, wary of her trying to frame me again. Besides, I had no interest in using something that had already been touched by someone else—whether it was an object or a person. Hearing my response, Alpha Lawrence’s expression turned icy, and his tone dripped with sarcasm. “Gamma Audrey wouldn’t deign to accept anything from us. Leave her be, Sandra. Let’s go.” With that, he pulled Sandra toward the riverbank. As they walked away, a man in a suit approached me. “Gamma Audrey, this is from Alpha Emmett,” he said.

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The day I found out I was pregnant, Ryan was tenderly cradling Chloe, who was supposedly blind. Then, he turned and *slammed* my pregnancy test report right into my face. “You abandoned me without a second thought when I crashed my car. If Chloe hadn’t given me her cornea, I probably would have died, left for dead in the middle of nowhere.” “Now you’ve gone to all this trouble to get pregnant with my child. You just want to use the baby to climb your way back into my life and resume your role as the lady of this mansion, don’t you? Let me tell you, forget it. Only Chloe deserves to be the wife of the CEO of *my* family!” Tears streamed down my face as Ryan’s hand clamped tightly around my neck, his voice a low growl. “I’ll give you a chance to make things right. All you have to do is seduce my older brother—the one who’s already married—and force him to marry you. Grandpa will definitely kick him out of the family business then, and I’ll be the sole heir.” But later, when the truth was finally revealed, and I became his sister-in-law, just as he’d wished… He knelt on the ground, begging for my forgiveness. I simply smiled, and took back the cornea I had once given him.

“Ava, weren’t you madly in love with me? How can you refuse to do even this small thing for me?” “You went to all this trouble to get pregnant with my child, just to force me to marry you and become the Ryan family matriarch you’ve always dreamed of, didn’t you? Two years ago, when I had that car accident, you ran faster than anyone. And after I woke up, you shamelessly came back and tried to claim the cornea Chloe donated to me. Is there a single truthful word that comes out of your mouth?” Ryan, seething with fury, hurled the pregnancy report at my face. I crumpled to the floor, powerless, passively enduring his baseless rage. Chloe, seeing this, melted into his arms like a wilting flower, coaxing him, her eyes betraying a smug triumph when she looked at me. “Oh, Ryan, Ava must have had her reasons for leaving you after the accident.” Chloe pretended to be blind as she fumbled to help me up from the floor, forcing a grateful smile. “Actually, I should thank you, Ava. If you hadn’t abandoned Ryan, how else would I have had the chance to come into his life?” I scoffed, my gaze fixed on Chloe’s bright, clear eyes. “That year, was it *really* your cornea you donated to Ryan?” Chloe shrank back into Ryan’s embrace, startled and flustered, sobbing heartbrokenly. “Ryan, is Ava still upset that I stole your affection by being with you? But after I lost my sight, you were the only person I could rely on. You’ve already been abandoned once; I don’t want to leave you and make you experience the pain of being deserted by someone you love again.” Ryan fumbled to console the woman in his arms with soft words. When he turned back to me, his expression instantly shifted to one of disgust, and he yelled, “Ava, haven’t you caused enough trouble?! That year, you were afraid I’d hold you back from marrying into wealth, so you turned and left without a hint of hesitation. I was bleeding on the ground, begging you, but you were completely indifferent. If Chloe hadn’t saved me, I probably wouldn’t even be standing here now, looking at your accusatory glare.” Chloe snuggled into Ryan’s arms, a sneer playing on her lips. “Ryan, since Ava is so certain, maybe your cornea really *was* donated by her.” Ryan scoffed, “I might have been blind to the truth back then, but I’m not an idiot. If she really gave me her cornea, then how did she regain her sight? How can she now stand here so boldly, accusing you?” A wave of bitterness washed over me. I clenched the bone ring on my finger, tears silently falling. All these years, no matter how much I explained, Ryan always unconditionally believed Chloe, constantly mocking me and giving me the cold shoulder, as if I were his mortal enemy. “Ava, I’m giving you a chance to make things right. You went to all this trouble to get pregnant with my child, didn’t you? Well, I might as well put you to good use. Grandpa is on his last legs, and my older brother, who’s been overseas for years, is coming back soon. I want you to seduce him, get into his bed, and then use the child in your belly to blackmail him into marrying you.” “Why? This is *our* child!” I stared at Ryan’s eyes, filled with longing, and spoke in disbelief. “Ava, stop faking that sentimental look; it’s disgusting. I told you, only Chloe is worthy of carrying my child. You’re not.” “Grandpa despises disloyal men above all else. Asher is a married man. If you seduce him, pretend to be pregnant with his child, and blow the whole thing up, Grandpa will never let him become the heir to the Ryan family. Then, the entire family will be mine.” “After it’s done, I’ll allow you to give birth to this child and let you stay by my side to attend to my needs. But give up your foolish dreams. The position of Mrs. Ryan will only ever belong to Chloe.” Watching the couple’s intense display of affection, I sneered. “Fine, Ryan. As you wish.” Second Chapter

Watching Ryan carefully lift Chloe and turn to leave, my tears finally burst forth, uncontrollable. Ryan and I met in high school. Back then, he was the distinguished adopted son of the powerful Ryan family, and I was just an orphan with no parents. He was the one who chose me, who pulled me out of the depths of despair. Later, I became a scholarship student sponsored by the Ryan family, gaining the opportunity to attend a prestigious university. I no longer had to worry about money or struggle to survive. Ryan and I naturally met, came to know each other, and fell in love. Everything felt so right. Ryan introduced me to his family, and we ended our long courtship, preparing to walk down the aisle. Just when I thought such a happy and peaceful life would continue forever, an accident shattered my utopian dream. Ryan and I were out for a drive in the countryside when we got into a car accident. In that split second, he shielded me with his body. His eyes were severely injured and required a cornea transplant, but there was no compatible cornea to be found in such a short time. So, I secretly donated my cornea to him. Immediately after the surgery, my mother had an emergency. I rushed back to our old family home in the countryside, missing the day Ryan regained his sight, which gave Chloe the chance to falsely claim credit. My mother, heartbroken that I would live in eternal darkness at such a young age, gave me her cornea on her deathbed. When I regained my sight and stood before Ryan again, I discovered he already had Chloe by his side. No matter how much I tried to explain, Ryan only believed Chloe’s version of events, convinced that I had abandoned him and left, and now, seeing that he had survived, I had shamelessly returned to try and reclaim my status as a wealthy lady. In truth, Chloe’s acting was terrible. She constantly forgot her blind persona, and her façade would crack more times than I could count over the years. Yet, Ryan chose to ignore it all, indulging her every whim and showering her with boundless affection. “Asher’s flight lands at 3 PM the day after tomorrow. Go pick him up at the airport.” My phone screen lit up with a message from Ryan. I gave a bitter smile. Ryan, I’m dying to know if you’ll regret your decision today when the truth is finally revealed.

A sharp sting in my eyes made me understand. My mother had been quite old and suffering from many complications when she gave me her cornea, so the transplant had left me with lingering side effects. I needed monthly check-ups and treatment at the hospital. Today was my scheduled appointment. “Ms. Yu, our examination shows a risk of retinal detachment in your eyes. You need a new transplant as soon as possible.” I gently shook my head. If finding a new pair of corneas were that easy, then Ryan wouldn’t have fallen for Chloe’s deception all those years ago. Seeing my indifferent expression, the doctor frowned, earnestly trying to persuade me. “Ms. Yu, you can’t take this surgery lightly. If you delay treatment, there’s a risk of permanent blindness.” The doctor sighed heavily. “I’ll start conservative treatment for now. Please go pay the fee.” Ten thousand dollars, a mere dinner bill for Ryan, became the last straw for me. I returned to the Ryan family mansion. The moment I opened the door, I saw Ryan, his eyes sparkling with delight, gazing at Chloe, who was surrounded by towering piles of luxury goods. I clenched my hands, lowering my head as I walked towards him. Third Chapter “Ryan, the doctor said there’s a problem with my cornea. I need ten thousand dollars for treatment. Could you please…?” “Enough!” Ryan impatiently cut me off. “Chloe was right. You’re just a greedy, unscrupulous woman who’ll stop at nothing to get what she wants. You’re only with me for my money, aren’t you?” I opened my mouth numbly, feeling utterly speechless. Chloe pouted, snuggling into Ryan’s arms and whimpering. “Ryan, if Ava wants it, just give her ten thousand dollars. That amount isn’t even enough to buy the cheapest bag I’m holding.” “But, Ava, you shouldn’t just lie to get money. Today, I clearly saw you getting into a strange man’s luxury car. How could you have been going to the hospital?” Chloe produced a blurry photo, a face barely discernible. Ryan’s anger instantly flared. “Ava, have you ever told me a single truth? A money-hungry, unfaithful woman like you—if you weren’t still somewhat useful, I’d be disgusted just looking at you.” Ryan seemed to recall something, and he suddenly clamped his hand around my throat, staring intently at my slightly swollen belly. “My child? Is that *my* baby in there?” I incredulously raised my head, my voice cold as ice. “Ryan, is that truly how you see me? As some kind of fickle, dishonest woman?” I remembered that night. Ryan had burst into my room, reeking of alcohol, clutching my waist like a large dog, burying his head in my neck. A few hot tears had fallen onto my skin, searing my heart. He’d held me tightly, pulling me into a deep, desperate embrace. It wasn’t until the heavy rain outside had finally stopped that he allowed me to catch my breath. I had thought that night was the turning point in our relationship, a naive belief that we could go back to how things were, that we were still the only ones in each other’s worlds. But I never imagined that what I’d perceived as sweet, uncontrollable passion was just his drunken mistake. If it hadn’t been me, it would have been anyone else. “Ava, since you want this money so badly, then open your eyes and watch me and Chloe make love.” With that, he pulled Chloe closer and kissed her passionately. Ryan’s strong, bony hands roamed over Chloe’s body, stripping off her clothes in a few swift movements. I watched their entwined bodies in the distance, listening numbly to the intimate gasps. I don’t know how long it lasted. As dawn broke, Ryan finally wiped his lips with a sated expression, then slammed a card down in front of me, his voice laced with venom. “Ava, for money, you actually watched me make love to another woman right in front of you.” “Take my money, then do what I tell you. You need to handle seducing Asher perfectly, or don’t even think about staying by my side.” I slowly picked up the bank card he had trampled under his foot. My heart felt like a gaping wound, a cold wind sweeping through, leaving behind an empty, hollow ache. Ten thousand dollars. Enough to sever our past and all our grievances. I had already repaid Ryan’s financial support with a pair of corneas. From now on, I owed him nothing. I opened my phone and scheduled an abortion for tomorrow. I gently stroked my slightly swollen belly. I had thought this child was the crystallization of Ryan’s and my love. Now, it seemed it was anything but. I didn’t want my child to come into this world burdened with stigma and humiliation. Mrs. Jenkins, the housekeeper, her face filled with pity, helped me up from the cold floor and then went to the kitchen to make me a warm mug of tea. “Ms. Ava, have some to warm yourself up.” I hadn’t cried when Chloe falsely accused me, nor when I endured Ryan’s baseless accusations and humiliation. But at that moment, receiving a long-overdue act of kindness, I felt an overwhelming urge to cry. Mrs. Jenkins sighed. “I’ve seen everything between you and the young master all these years. He has a sharp tongue, but a good heart. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have allowed you to stay by his side for so long.” I gave a faint, bitter laugh and shook my head. “No, he has no heart. No matter how much I burn myself, I still can’t warm him.” “I’ve decided to give up. To let him go, and to let myself go too.”

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The day my daughter was admitted to the ICU, Damien boarded a flight to the States, his first love, Seraphina, and her daughter right by his side. The man who once swore he’d be my and Chloe’s safe harbor had fled, taking every last penny with him. When the private investigator finally tracked him down, he only had one message for me. “Seraphina already lost her husband. I can’t let her lose her daughter too.” “When I return, I’ll give you the grand wedding you deserve.” Three years later, Damien returned. And I saw the news of Damien’s wedding… on TV. “Mommy, why is Daddy marrying someone else?” “That’s not your dad.” I put my phone away, my mind swirling with the image of Damien, Seraphina, and her daughter, their faces beaming with joy. Frozen in place, my vision blurred. “Mommy, hug.” It wasn’t until Chloe spoke that I realized it was pouring rain. And Chloe and I didn’t even have enough money for an umbrella. I scooped her up, and we huddled under the awning of a bakery. The rain was coming down in sheets. My face was soaked, but I couldn’t tell if it was the relentless downpour or my own silent, endless tears. “Mommy, was that Daddy on your phone just now?” Chloe leaned against my knee. “If it was Daddy, why is he marrying another woman?” For a moment, I had no idea how to explain. I touched Chloe’s face, wiping away the raindrops. The chime above the bakery door jingled. The door swung open, and out stepped Seraphina and Stella. “Mommy, the rain is so heavy! When is Daddy coming?” “Daddy’s almost here. He said he couldn’t bear to let his little princess get wet, so he’s driving all the way to pick us up himself.” Just as she finished speaking, a car pulled up nearby. The moment the car door opened, Damien stepped out, holding an umbrella, and walked gracefully towards Seraphina and Stella. “Mommy, it’s Daddy!” Chloe, ecstatic, started to jump up and down, but I gently pulled her back. “That’s not your dad.” Damien’s expression froze the moment he saw me. He tightened his embrace around Stella, his gaze slowly shifting down to Chloe. Then, Damien’s brows furrowed, and a displeased sound escaped him. Three years. This was the first time we’d seen each other since he left. A bitter, hollow laugh escaped me. In a twisted, heartbreaking way, I actually *understood* Damien. He was successful, about to get married. Chloe and I? We were just… excess baggage. “Aria, I genuinely didn’t recognize you. What happened to you?” Seraphina feigned a gasp, her eyes immediately welling with theatrical sympathy. She pulled a wad of cash from her purse and pressed it into my hand. “Honestly, if it weren’t for Damien back then, I might have ended up just like you.” I looked at her expensive clothes, her flawless skin, and remembered the woman I used to be. If Damien hadn’t run off with all our money, Chloe and I would never have fallen so low. What Damien didn’t know – or maybe he just didn’t care – was that he’d also taken the money for Chloe’s life-saving treatment. To save Chloe, I’d borrowed money from every corner. These past few years, I’d aged more than a decade, and Chloe hadn’t known a single day of true happiness. I threw the money to the ground and picked up Chloe. But Stella suddenly burst into tears, wriggling in Damien’s arms like a spoiled brat. “You mean witch! You hurt my mommy! And three years ago, you hurt *me*! If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have needed surgery! You’re both evil!” Damien’s face changed dramatically. He spun to face me, demanding to know what had happened back then. “Stella’s sudden illness back then… was it because of you?” His eyes were like cold blades, pulling me into an endless abyss. Chloe tried to explain, but Stella suddenly grabbed Chloe’s hand and bit her. My instinct was to shield Chloe, but Damien shoved me away with surprising force. Chloe and I slammed against the wall, the dull ache blossoming into a full-body throb. My eyes instantly burned with tears. Seraphina looked triumphant, even feigning an apology to Chloe and me. A bitter tang spread through my heart. He once promised to be our safe harbor, our shield from the world’s storms. Now, he *was* the storm. I sniffled, forcing back my tears, and gazed at Damien.

Chloe scrambled up from the ground and stood in front of me. Her face was etched with hurt as she looked at Damien. “Daddy…” Hearing Chloe’s soft voice, Damien’s heart seemed to melt for a moment. I hugged Chloe tight, checking her for any injuries. “Oh my! How could you be so careless? Look at that huge scar on her arm! What will she do when she grows up?” Seraphina shrieked, pointing at the wound on Chloe’s arm. Chloe tugged down her long sleeve, lowering her head. “Look at our Stella. Not a single scar on her.” Saying this, Stella even spun around triumphantly in front of Chloe. I remained silent. How did Chloe get that scar? Well, it was all thanks to Damien. After he left, kids at school called her names, whispered about her not having a dad. They called her a ‘nobody,’ and even the teachers turned a blind eye. I hated Damien. But the one I truly despised was myself. Damien’s face clouded over. He gently pulled Chloe closer, kneeling to meet her gaze. “Does it hurt, sweetheart?” he asked, his voice softer than I’d heard in years. Chloe looked at me, then bravely replied. “Daddy, it doesn’t hurt.” Stella, on the other hand, looked ready to explode. Her eyes narrowed into slits of pure venom as she glared at Chloe. Damien shielded Stella behind him, taking a deep breath before speaking to me. “Perfect timing. Let’s discuss Chloe’s custody.” Chloe didn’t understand what that meant, but she could read Damien’s tone. She struggled free from behind Damien and ran to me, hugging me tightly. “You walked out on us! You *abandoned* us! And now you’re talking about custody? Do you even have the right to breathe the same air as us?” I looked at Damien with cold contempt. My words were a direct hit, a verbal slap across his arrogant face. I could see the disgust for me deepening in his eyes. Seraphina dramatically crumpled, her shoulders shaking with carefully orchestrated sobs. “I know you hate me, but the situation was urgent back then. If you want to hate someone, hate me, just don’t hate Damien.” Seeing Seraphina cry, Stella instantly clung to Damien’s leg. “Daddy, did Mommy and Stella do something wrong?” Damien looked at me with palpable irritation, but the moment his gaze shifted to Seraphina and Stella, his face softened into a tender, sickeningly sweet expression. I couldn’t stand it. I picked up Chloe, ready to leave. Damien reached out to grab Chloe, but I raised my hand and slapped him across the face. “How could you hit Damien? Don’t you know how much Damien sacrificed for you all these years?” My palm tingled, and I realized my face was already streaked with tears. Sacrificed for us? What did Damien sacrifice for us? Chloe almost *died*! She was clinging to life in the hospital because we couldn’t afford her surgery! I couldn’t even afford her medicine, she never had a new toy, and every single item of clothing she owned was a hand-me-down. And Stella? A single one of her outfits probably cost more than Chloe’s entire course of treatment. I hugged Chloe tighter, biting my bottom lip, and said each word slowly: “Stay away from us.” “The day you left three years ago, I considered you dead.” Chloe touched my face. “Mommy, don’t cry. Chloe’s heart hurts.” Damien, still reeling from the slap, slowly composed himself. Then, he grabbed my arm, squeezing with brutal force. He looked as if he wanted to crush me, his eyes blazing with fury. “You can’t take care of Chloe! She’ll have a good life only if she’s with me!” “You selfish woman! You don’t deserve to be a mother! If you truly love Chloe, you’ll let her come with me, where she can have a real life!” His words were nothing but accusations. The past three years, all my hardship and tears – he saw none of it. Just as I felt myself collapsing, Chloe hugged me tighter in my arms.

The day Damien left three years ago was a bright, sunny day. I was watering flowers at home as usual when the front door was suddenly violently flung open. In my panic, I learned that Damien had borrowed a huge amount of money and then fled with the last of our savings. I simply couldn’t believe he would do such a thing. But that day, strangers were moving into our house, taking everything we owned. Pregnant with Chloe at the time, I went into early labor. From the moment she was born, Chloe was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition. Being premature on top of that, she was rushed straight to the ICU, her tiny life hanging by a fragile thread. Bringing Chloe up these past three years was nothing short of a miracle. I knew I couldn’t give her better material conditions, and often, in the dead of night, I would cry with regret. Once I started earning some money, I even hired someone to find Damien. He left me two sentences, not a single word of concern for me. “Seraphina already lost her husband. I can’t let her lose her daughter too.” “When I return, I’ll give you the grand wedding you deserve.” He even forgot the very promise he made. Seeing me lost in thought, Damien’s face grew even darker. “Are you even listening to me?” Damien lost all patience and yelled at me. Chloe choked back a sob. “You’re not allowed to yell at my mommy! You’re not my daddy anymore! I don’t want you!” Pouting, Chloe buried her face in my shoulder, heartbroken. She had always longed for a dad. Only I knew how much courage it took for Chloe to say those words. “Chloe, Mommy can’t take good care of you. Will you go with Daddy, okay?” An awkward expression flitted across his face, but he quickly composed himself, opening his arms and cooing softly at Chloe. “Mommy said you’re not my daddy! Stay away from us!” After saying that, Chloe cried until she was sobbing uncontrollably. Stella let out a snide, dismissive sound, making Chloe cry even harder. She bravely wiped away her own tears, a silent strength I didn’t possess. My heart, though, was being shredded into tiny pieces. We had waited for Damien to return. But he now had his own wife and daughter. Thinking of their grand wedding, I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. “I will take good care of Chloe. You don’t need to worry about us.” “Go take care of your own wife and daughter.”

Damien’s eyes were bloodshot, his hands falling helplessly to his sides. He finally snapped back to reality and pulled us into the coffee shop next door. Seraphina, leading Stella, picked up the menu and ordered with practiced ease. Chloe, meanwhile, looked utterly out of place. She knew I didn’t have money to pay for this meal. She looked up at me. “Mommy, why are the cakes here so cheap?” “How can the cakes here compare to what Stella eats in the States?” Seraphina and Stella smirked, then Seraphina lifted her eyes to look at me. “What would you two like to order?” The menu was written in elegant cursive, every item a string of French words. Chloe and I stared blankly, not understanding a single thing. Damien made a phone call, then called over a server and ordered some desserts. Seraphina looked utterly blissful. “Damien, I can’t believe you remembered Stella and I are allergic to mango!” “Daddy, I knew you loved Stella the most!” Stella burrowed into Damien’s arms, showering him with affection. Chloe sat forlornly, her head drooping. The desserts arrived, and every single one had almond slivers. My heart felt half-empty. I had foolishly believed Damien would remember I didn’t eat almonds. He didn’t notice my disappointed expression. He simply sent Seraphina and Stella off. “Mr. Damien, I’m not interested in your family’s happy life. Can Chloe and I leave now?” Hearing my words, Damien looked utterly disbelieving. “I was forced to make that choice back then! Why can’t you understand me?” “‘Forced to,’ huh? What a pathetic excuse.” I scoffed, turning my head away. “Were you ‘forced’ to marry Seraphina too?” “No one forced you to do any of this. These were all *your* choices.” After I finished speaking, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. Damien fell silent, his expression wounded. But I was the one who should be hurting the most. I’d clung to the foolish hope that when Damien finally returned, I’d get my wedding, the one that was rightfully mine. That we’d just… go back to how things were, to our quiet, peaceful life. But I was wrong. Terribly, horribly wrong. I was so wrong that Damien already had a whole new family, and I was still holding onto a ghost. The more I thought about it, the more ridiculous I felt. “Chloe, let’s go.” “I’ve already called my lawyer! We *have* to talk about Chloe’s custody!” But Damien was insistent, as if he was afraid I’d run away. I struggled twice, but Damien wrapped his arms around me and Chloe. A wave of violent nausea churned in my stomach, and I shoved him away with all my might. Damien’s hands froze in mid-air. Noticing the disgust in my eyes, he stood still, stunned. “Aria,” he whispered, his voice laced with disbelief, “do you truly hate me that much?” He mumbled, his body swaying slightly. Just as he reached out again, Seraphina’s shriek echoed through the cafe. “Damien! Stella’s gone! Help me find her!” Damien didn’t hesitate for a second. He spun around, abandoning us, and rushed out of the shop. Outside, Seraphina watched me with a smug, triumphant smirk. And peeking from behind a parked car, a supposedly “missing” Stella was barely suppressing her giggles. Their mockery made me feel utterly humiliated. I forced myself to appear calm, picked up Chloe, and walked away.

Back home, I gave Chloe a warm bath. Halfway through filling the tub, the lights and water stopped. That’s when I remembered. Chloe had a fever last month, and we hadn’t been able to pay the water or electricity bill. Chloe, ever so practical, cheerfully lathered herself with shower gel. “Mommy, this little bit of water is plenty!” she chirped. “Let’s not waste it!” She looked utterly delighted, never once making me feel like I’d deprived her. Thinking of Damien’s words, perhaps Chloe really would have a better life with him. Perhaps Chloe didn’t need a dad, but rather… money. Besides, the money Seraphina and Stella were spending? Some of it was rightfully mine. The thought solidified my resolve. I quickly finished bathing Chloe and helped her into clean clothes. Our landlady, Mrs. Gable, knocked on the door, bringing a small cake and a few candles. She knew we were always struggling, yet she’d never been anything but kind, even when we fell behind on rent. Chloe thanked Mrs. Gable, and I smiled with relief. “Is your son a lawyer?” Mrs. Gable nodded, her face etched with concern. “Did something happen?” “Damien’s back. I need to file a lawsuit. I want him to pay child support.” Mrs. Gable looked surprised, and then puzzled. “Your husband is back? Why hasn’t he taken you two in?” I stayed silent, simply smiling. Because he already had his own family, of course. Chloe and I were just… redundant. If that was the case, I wouldn’t cling to him. But what was rightfully Chloe’s and mine, I would not let go of a single penny. Mrs. Gable murmured, feeling for Chloe and me. “You’re so beautiful, and Chloe is such a sweet girl. You’ve both been through so much because of him. How could he just… leave you like that?” “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure my son does everything he can to help you.” Once Mrs. Gable left, I closed the door and sent a text to Damien’s creditor. **[Want your money? This month’s payment. Meet at the entrance of The Grand Estates tomorrow. Someone will be waiting for you.]** The creditor called, asking if Damien was back. I answered vaguely. He cursed under his breath, then agreed to meet tomorrow. I hung up, feeling satisfied, and saw Chloe’s face smeared with cake like a little kitten. Looking at my daughter, my heart felt more at peace. Damien, I’m sorry, but if you want your money, this is the only way. This is what Chloe and I deserve. And you, too, should pay for your actions.

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