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My Alpha mate Alaric proposed to me in public on my 20th birthday when my ex-mate abandoned me and marked my stepsister.

For five years after becoming his mate, I thought I have found the true love.

Until I accidentally overheard a conversation between him and his loyal Beta.

"Alpha, Eliza has already become Chief Healer. How long will you continue pretending to love Amara?"

"It doesn't matter since I can't be Eliza's mate anyway. Besides, as long as I'm with Amara, she won't interfere with Eliza's happiness."

Only then did I realize that the one that my mate truly loved was also my stepsister.

So, I've prepared a fake identity and planned a staged death at the hands of rogue wolves.

After confirming the final arrangements for my fake death over the phone, I hung up.

In two more days, I would disappear forever, just as they wished.

Just then, I sensed a familiar, commanding wolf presence. I looked up instinctively to see my mate, Alpha Alaric Blackwood of the Blackwood Pack, still as imposing and well-groomed as ever.

He embraced me, his voice gentle. "Who were you just talking to?"

"Nothing important, just something about the healing clinic." I smiled, trying to make my voice sound natural.

He kissed the top of my head softly and whispered, "Why so busy lately? Tonight I'll take you to the hunting grounds, and we can relax together."

In the five years since becoming Alaric's mate, he had always treated me with tender care and bone-deep devotion.

Everyone said the Alpha deeply loved his Luna, unwavering in his loyalty.

I too believed this was my happiness.

But now I finally understood—though he was my mate, his love belonged elsewhere.

Alaric gently stroked my shoulder, then suddenly spoke:

"By the way, Frostmoon Pack is hosting a celebration tomorrow for Eliza's promotion to Chief healer. You should skip it. I'll deliver a gift on your behalf and come right back to you."

" There should be many top healers participating, and I should be—"

He cut me off, his tone gentle but leaving no room for refusal.

" You should stop wasting your time on the healer business. Didn't you say you've been wanting a pup? This is a good time for you to rest and focus on that."

I lowered my gaze to hide the emotions churning inside me.

We'd been mated for years with no children.

I once thought it was because my wolf got seriously injured when I saved him , but now I realized he probably never wanted children with me at all.

I suspect keeping me from the healer business was just to prevent me from overshadowing Eliza.

He kissed my forehead, seemingly oblivious to my wolf's diminishing enthusiasm for him.

"The day after tomorrow is your birthday. I've prepared a surprise for you—a dress made from white fox fur, your favorite. You look most beautiful in white."

Most beautiful, you say?

I repeated the words softly, remembering how Eliza always appeared in white clothing, playing the innocent little flower. Suddenly everything made sense.

Every anniversary, when I wore the pure white dresses he gave me, he would act unlike himself—particularly excited and passionate toward me, nothing like his usually cold, distant self.

So it was because that look reminded him most of Eliza. He was never passionate about me—he was loving Eliza through me.

"That sounds wonderful. I've planned some activities for my birthday too. Make sure you have time for me."

He nodded. "Of course, whatever my Luna wants."

I looked up at him with a smile.

Oh, Alaric, how you must suffer.

That night, I couldn't sleep.

I can no longer pretend Alaric still loves me. At two in the morning, I carefully slide his arm off my waist as he sleeps beside me.

When his wristwatch clangs against the nightstand, the decorative wolf carving on the wall suddenly shifts, revealing a metal safe hidden behind it.

Remembering the conversation I overheard today, I easily open the safe using Eliza's birth date. Inside lies a thick stack of letters and a silver recording device.

Twenty-three handwritten letters are nestled in the safe. The one on top is dated yesterday. Every single one is a love letter from Alaric to Eliza.

The recording device plays Alaric's deep, husky voice, repeating the same words over and over.

Each full moon, he howls his devotion to the night, every growl filled with longing and love for Eliza, not me.

"May the Moon Goddess grant Eliza all she desires, and protect all that she loves."

“Eliza, we're not destined for each other in this life. I only pray we become fated mates in the next.”

In that moment, my heart turned completely cold. Alaric, I can live perfectly well without you.