Chapter 4

“If it weren’t for you, my mother wouldn’t have blamed Doris—and Peter wouldn’t have gotten lost during their argument!”

Peter… was lost?

Dread clawed at my chest. Hadn’t I returned from the past to prevent this very tragedy?

“You always think about yourself,” Luke snapped. “You’re pregnant—imagine the pain of losing your pups. That’s what Doris is going through! Can’t you stop being so selfish?”

He glared at me coldly. “This is your fault. You owe Doris. And if Peter isn’t found… then forget about your unborn pups too.”

His words cut through me like knives. My wolf howled in agony—I knew all too well the heartbreak of losing pups.

But he still didn’t know… ours were already gone.

“I’ll find Peter and bring him back,” I said quietly and walked past him. But Luke just sneered.

“Don’t act so noble. It’s your responsibility to find him. Don’t expect me to forgive you even if you do.”

I searched near Doris’s den. Her lights stayed on all night. Through the window, I saw her and Luke, holding each other tightly.

The cold bit through me. My body, still fragile from the miscarriage, felt weak and faint. But I pushed on, searching for Peter for two long hours. I had to find him. I couldn’t owe Luke anything—not after what he lost for me in the past.

It wasn’t until dawn that I finally found Peter. He was curled up, trembling in an abandoned den.

I carried him back to Doris’s place. As I approached, I saw Luke tenderly wiping Doris’s tears.

“Doris, look—Peter’s back!” Luke called out.

She rushed out and clutched Peter in her arms. When Luke turned to speak to me, she quickly interrupted with a sob:

“Peter—your body’s still burned! Luke, please take Peter to the infirmary with me. I can’t lose him—he’s just a child!”

Luke hesitated. I saw the conflict in his eyes.

Struggling to remain upright, I leaned against the wall and forced a small smile. “I’m fine. Go—take Peter to the infirmary.”

The moment they left, I collapsed. Darkness closed in around me.

When I opened my eyes again, I was in the infirmary—and Luke was sitting by my side, staring at me with a look of deep concern.

Why did you insist on looking for him, even if your body was weak?” Luke’s voice trembled with barely worried. “Didn’t you think my mother would cause trouble for Doris if she found you unconscious here?”

From his reaction, I could tell—he still didn’t know our pups had died. That, at least, brought me a strange sense of relief.

“I’m sorry about last night,” I said softly. “My attitude wasn’t right, but I acted that way because I was truly afraid Doris might do something reckless… Her son was missing, and I couldn’t leave her alone. That’s why you had to search for Peter on your own.”

Luke’s eyes softened with guilt. “I’m sorry for that,” he said, sincerely meeting my gaze.

His expression shifted as he studied me, searching for something in my eyes—perhaps doubt, or pain, or forgiveness.

“You’re always so kind,” I said with a faint smile. “Didn't you take me in just because you felt sorry for me? Do you regret marking me your Luna? If you hadn’t helped me back then, maybe you would’ve been happier now.”

Luke froze for a moment, then slowly shook his head.

“I’ve never—ever—regretted marking you,” he said with quiet conviction. “Don’t let those thoughts eat away at you. I made you the pasta you love. Come on, eat while it’s still warm.”

Just as I was about to take a bite, Doris stepped into the room.

“Luke,” she whimpered, clutching her stomach, “my wolf is too weak… she’s growling in pain. Can I have the pasta instead? Aria’s wolf is stronger than mine, isn’t she?”