Chapter 1

In the hunting ground, my mate Liam abandoned me, even though I was pregnant and severely injured. He left carrying Beta Eva, who only had minor scratches.

As I was left behind, I took the prenatal medication Liam had given me, only to lose the baby. It was then that I realized what my mate had done to cover up his betrayal.

Since that was the case, I decided to let them be together.

After hearing what I said, my father remained silent for a long time. Then, he spoke in a voice full of sorrow and affection.

"The entire Howl of the Moon Pack and I are waiting for you."

At that moment, his voice became the greatest source of comfort throughout the long night. After ending the mind link with my father, I gently touched my flat stomach, and a wave of grief surged through me.

The pack's healer told me that the medicine Liam gave me was actually a slow-acting poison. It dulled my ability to sense the mate bond, but at the same time, it had a severe impact on my child.

Such drugs were usually used by those who were unfaithful in relationships. They wanted to enjoy the excitement while keeping the illusion of a stable home. Recalling the scene of Liam walking away with Eva in his arms, everything became clear.

I stared powerlessly at the ceiling and began to confess to my unborn child. That night, the chill in my heart slowly spread through me.

It was my seven years of naivety that caused the death of my child. I had not even noticed that Liam, the man who shared my bed every night, had long kept someone else in his heart.

The next day, while the pack healer was examining me, a sharp pain suddenly made me convulse on the bed. This was the agony caused by the betrayal of the mate bond.

I had not expected Liam's betrayal to strike so soon after the drug's effect wore off.

Since disappearing from the hunting ground yesterday, Liam had not shown a single sign of concern for me. He must have been too busy being intimate with Eva.

The healer, who was visibly anxious, tried to ease my pain.

"How could this happen right now? Your body can't handle the pain from mate bond! Lily, are you okay? Answer me!"

In my blurred vision, I seemed to see that night again. Liam was standing before me with a bouquet of flowers in his hands.

He looked into my eyes and spoke each word with care, "The greatest blessing in my life is that the Moon Goddess made you my mate. I will protect you for the rest of my life."

Seven years. The seven years between Liam and me turned out to be nothing but a cruel joke.

After the treatment finally ended, I returned to the home I had shared with Liam. As I looked at everything that once felt warm and sweet, all I could feel was deep mockery.

I walked through every corner of the house, remembering all the moments Liam and I had shared. We used to be a loving couple, inseparable from each other. But when did it all start to change?

Probably since that woman named Eva came back.

"Lily! Are you okay? Eva was seriously hurt. I'll take her to the hospital soon. Please take care of yourself."

Liam finally remembered me. His voice rang through our mind link, low and hoarse, still tinged with the aftertaste of pleasure.

Was Eva seriously hurt? I almost laughed out loud. I responded faintly, asking, "Since last night, have you been with Eva this whole time?"

It was a normal question, yet he reacted with intense anger. His tone rose sharply, full of frustration.

"Lily! Don't slander Eva's reputation. She is clean and pure. She's injured now, and as the Alpha, I have to protect the lives of our pack members.

"Eva is in a terrible state. She can't eat or sleep because of the pain. You are my Luna. Shouldn't you show a little understanding?

"Besides, Eva is our pack's Beta. Without her, could you even handle the responsibilities?" The concern in Liam's voice when he mentioned Eva was something I had never heard before.

"Liam, when you left the hunting ground yesterday, why didn't you check on my injuries? I was in pain, too."

Liam went silent. After a long pause, he spoke again, impatience in his voice.

"Lily, your wolf is much stronger. What's wrong with going to the hospital yourself? Eva's not like you. She needs me."

I was so furious I could barely speak. Liam mistook my silence as a sign of guilt.

"Alright. No need to feel too bad. Just apologize to her."

Once the mind link was cut off, I immediately began packing all my belongings. It was truly thanks to Liam that our pack had such a fragile Beta like Eva.

My life with Liam used to be peaceful and happy until his childhood friend Eva came back.

She was supposed to be another Alpha's Luna from a different pack, and we were supposed to have nothing to do with each other. But not long ago, her Alpha died in a pack war.

She returned to the pack and forced her way into our lives under the Beta title Liam had granted her as an exception. At first, Liam showed no particular reaction to her arrival. Or at least it seemed that way on the surface.

Until the two of them started spending more time together over pack matters. Until Liam became a rare presence at night. Until after Liam found out I was pregnant and gave me that so-called prenatal medicine.

I packed everything I owned and threw all the gifts Liam had given me away. I figured it was finally time to wake up from my seven-year dream.