Alpha’s Regret After Choosing His Sister-in-Law

After my mate Ethan's brother, the Alpha of Shadow Moon Pack, died in the territory war, my mate inherited everything from his brother, including his widowed sister-in-law Victoria.

For the past six months, he has gone to Victoria's room every night, promising that once Victoria bears an heir, he would declare me as the pack's true Luna.

At their mating ceremony, I dialed a number I hadn't called in five years:

"Mother, I already have an heir now. I'm ready to come home and claim your Alpha position."

……

After tucking my daughter into bed, I opened my phone to book flights back to Silver Crescent territory.

Unfortunately, our pack had thrived under my mother's leadership, and many wolves were seeking to visit our lands.

The earliest flight I could get was five days from now.

I stared at the date on the ticket, momentarily stunned.

February 14th. Valentine's Day. Also the five-year anniversary of when Ethan marked me.

It felt like some cosmic joke of fate.

I pulled my lips into a bitter smile.

It seemed fitting. What began on this day should also end on this day.

A strong scent of moonflowers engulfed me from behind as Ethan's gentle voice came from above:

"What are you looking at?"

I instinctively darkened my phone screen. "Just some news."

In just half a year, Victoria's moonflower scent had practically marinated Ethan.

My wolf couldn't tolerate such a provocative smell. I pushed him away with disgust. "Go take a shower before you talk to me."

Ethan sniffed himself and released me with embarrassment.

"I'll do that right now..."

"I've been neglecting you lately, and that's my fault. I won't go to Vivi's for the next few days."

Vivi. Such an intimate nickname.

Before, he'd at least keep up appearances, calling her Luna Victoria in public and private.

Now he didn't even bother with her title.

Anyone who didn't know better would think Victoria was Ethan's true mate.

The bathroom door suddenly opened, and Ethan emerged wrapped in a towel, his body still damp.

Broad shoulders, narrow waist, tall frame—he carried a youthful energy rare in men his age.

For a moment, I saw him as he was five years ago, covered in night dew, climbing through my window.

So confident, as if showing off to the whole world:

"Autumn, from today forward, you're mine."

"For the rest of our days, it's just you and me, together forever."

Noticing me staring at his body, lost in thought, he broke into a wide smile and pulled me into his arms.

"Autumn, today I'm all yours. I'm not going anywhere."

The fresh citrus scent mixed with moonflowers created a strange, terribly unpleasant smell.

I lowered my gaze with a sense of melancholy.

The man before me was no longer the same person from back then.

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts:

"Young Alpha, Luna Victoria isn't feeling well. She's asking for you!"

Ethan's irritation instantly transformed into concern. He hurriedly dressed and headed for the door.

"What's wrong with her? Has the pack doctor been called?"

After a few steps, he realized something was off.

He turned back apologetically, looking at me as I leaned against the doorframe.

"Victoria isn't feeling well, I need to check on her. With my brother gone, I'm all she has."

"I'll be back soon, Autumn. You're always so understanding."

Understanding. That one word.

I had endured for six months, through countless dark nights.

In Silver Crescent, female wolves were revered. After I gave birth to my daughter, my mother had been urging me to return and directly claim the Alpha position.

But I hadn't wanted to leave Ethan, so I kept refusing to go back and inherit Silver Crescent.

I spoke softly: "Ethan."

His brows furrowed, comforting words about to spill from his lips when he was stopped by a sudden weight on his shoulders.

I draped a heavy coat over him. "The night air is cool. You should wear this."

Ethan clutched the coat on his shoulders, an unreadable expression in his eyes. "Autumn, you..."

The guest room door closed abruptly.

Five more days, Ethan. I won't wait for you anymore.