1

On the day I was about to give birth, a pack of rogue wolves attacked me and shredded my child to pieces. My Alpha mate Marcus went insane, rushing me to the healing center and commanding the healers to save my life.

But I unexpectedly overheard his conversation with Beta. It turned out that he had allowed his lover Celeste to plan the attack, just because he promised to let her child be his only Alpha heir.

The healing herbs helped my body recover somewhat, but they couldn't suppress the piercing pain or the agony of losing my child.

Every breath felt like swallowing glass. Every heartbeat reminded me of the tiny heart that would never beat again.

I closed my eyes, hoping this was all just a nightmare. But the physical and emotional pain kept me from sleeping.

The emptiness in my abdomen felt like a gaping wound that would never heal. I could still feel phantom kicks, phantom movements that made me reach down to comfort a baby who was no longer there.

Just then, Marcus and his Beta walked in.

I forced my breathing to remain steady, keeping my eyes closed.

"She's sleeping, but at least she's alive."

"There was a complication... The healer said although they saved her, but..."

Neil hesitated, glancing at my supposedly unconscious form.

"Spit it out!" Marcus snapped.

"How could there be complications? Do the healers have a death wish!"

The Beta's response made him explode with rage, his Alpha power filling the room with suffocating pressure.

"She's not in mortal danger, but Scarlett's wolf died. She's an Omega now..."

The words hit me like a physical blow. My wolf. The part of me that made me strong, that connected me to the moon, to the pack, to him. Gone.

I wanted to scream, to rage, but I forced myself to remain still.

Marcus let out a huge sigh of relief.

"Good, as long as she's alive. It doesn't matter if she can't bear Alpha children anymore without her wolf. Celeste is already carrying my child anyway."

The casual cruelty in his voice shattered whatever remained of my heart.

We used to be so in love. When I hit my head before, he'd let me rest on his lap.

He'd massage my temples with gentle fingers, whispering sweet reassurances. Breathing in his scent, I felt completely safe.

I remembered our grand mating ceremony. The way he looked at me like I was his entire world. The promises we made under the full moon.

I once thought we'd have our own children and live happily together for life.

Now I realize it was all just my foolish fantasy. A lie I told myself while he planned my destruction.

"What did the healer say? Did she injure part of her wolf's essence?"

"It's fine. I know the Silver Pack has premium healing herbs that can help restore core strength."

Marcus spoke calmly, as if discussing the weather rather than the death of my wolf.

But his Beta carefully reminded him, voice heavy with sympathy.

"Alpha, it's useless. The healer said there was no way to save her wolf at the time."

"The trauma was too severe. When they..." Neil's voice broke. "When they tore the child from her womb, the shock killed her wolf instantly."

Marcus was no longer calm. His eyes turned red, his tone extremely agitated.

"Did the healers not try their best! How is this possible!"

"At the time, Luna's body was already extremely weak from pregnancy. After Celeste and her people tore out the child, they didn't stop there..."

The Beta's voice carried pity and dissatisfaction with Celeste.

"Alpha, Celeste did far more than what she told you! They didn't just kill the baby. They made sure Scarlett would never bear children again."

My blood turned to ice. Never bear children again. The words echoed in my mind like a death sentence.

Marcus's expression didn't change. He spoke coldly to his Beta.

"Suppress this information. If it leaks, the healing center staff know what their Alpha is capable of."

"Arrange for all healers who know about this to transfer to other packs. Publicly announce it as an exchange program."

His voice was efficient, businesslike. As if covering up the murder of his own child was just another administrative task.

The Beta was silent for a long time, then sighed helplessly.

"These arrangements won't help much. As a werewolf, you know she'll sense her wolf is gone when she recovers."

"The bond between a werewolf and their wolf... when it's severed like this, the pain is indescribable."

Marcus's tone became firm: "Before then, I'll consult the elders, search ancient texts, try everything to restore her. Even if I have to find witches and trade my own power."

The Beta was quiet for a moment, glancing at me with genuine concern.

"Alpha, I hope Luna can fully recover too. After all, she's your true mate."

"She deserved better than this."

Neil left, his footsteps heavy with disapproval.

Only Marcus remained in the room.

He stood there blankly for a while, then quietly walked to my bedside, resting his head against my hospital bed.

His closeness brought his scent.

That wonderful smell I once loved most, like fresh grass after rain.

That scent that captivated me when we first met at the inter-pack gathering five years ago.

Before, this smell could relax me, make all discomfort disappear. It was home. It was safety. It was love.

The pain in my heart from losing my child remained unbearable.

"Scarlett, I didn't expect these consequences. I didn't want this either."

Liar.

"You're still my mate. I'll use all the pack's resources to compensate you. Whatever you want, I'll give you. I hope you can forgive me."

His words brought me no comfort. Only rage.

I had wanted my own child so desperately. Had dreamed of tiny hands and feet, of teaching them to shift, of watching them grow strong.

Only to lose him right before birth to the woman who would replace me in every way that mattered.

Marcus, how I wish I could forgive you.

But forgiveness was a luxury I could no longer afford.

I'll never forget this for the rest of my life. The sound of my child's cry. The feeling of my wolf dying. The moment I realized the man I loved had orchestrated it all.

Since you already promised Celeste's child would be the pack's next heir, you don't need to talk about compensation now.

You made your choice, and now I'll make mine.

I'll leave the pack and stop being your mate.

I wish you and Celeste a lifetime of happiness.

Because you'll never see me again.