Chapter 2

When I got home, I quietly gathered my emotions and began to pack.

Leaving Kaine was the only choice I had left.

A sharp sting flared from the burn on the back of my hand. I pulled out a tube of ointment and carefully dabbed it on with a cotton swab.

Just then, the door clicked open. Kaine had returned.

He caught sight of my hand and froze, his face filled with concern. "Lara, what happened to your hand?"

I answered flatly, "Burned it by accident."

Guilt washed over his face. "Why didn't I notice? It must hurt a lot. I'm so sorry, I've been too busy lately and neglected you."

He took the ointment from me and gently applied it himself. "I promise I'll take better care of you from now on."

I said nothing.

After finishing the treatment, he lifted me into his arms and carried me to the bedroom with the same practiced tenderness. "Get some rest. If you need anything, call me."

He hesitated at the door. "Lara... the bonding ceremony with Adele is in three days. I'll be busy preparing for it."

He watched me cautiously, as if bracing for my anger.

I gave him a faint smile. "It's fine. Go do what you need to do. You don't have to worry about me."

Kaine looked stunned, clearly not expecting such a response.

He let out a sigh and kissed my forehead. "Thank you for understanding, Lara."

I forced a smile. "You're an Alpha. It's your duty. I understand."

He hugged me gently, his voice tinged with guilt. "When all of this is over, let's leave the Pack. Just the two of us. We'll start over, okay?"

"Okay." I replied obediently. But inside, I felt nothing.

In three days, I would disappear without a word and end this mistake of a love story once and for all.

The next morning, I received a message from Kaine: [Lara, I booked an appointment at the bridal shop for you. Come try on the dress.]

My heart clenched. After a long moment of hesitation, I decided to go.

'Even if we can't be mates, we can still take a few wedding photos as a keepsake,' I thought.

I thought of the promise he once made—to design a wedding dress just for me and make me his Luna.

Even if I couldn't become his Luna, I still wanted to fulfill that one small wish.

But when I arrived at the bridal shop, I was greeted by the sight of Adele standing before a mirror, admiring herself in my wedding gown.

The gown he had designed for me… now worn by someone else.

"Well, look who showed up," she sneered when she saw me, her lips curling into a smug smile. "You really think a lowly Omega like you deserves to wear something Kaine designed?"

I clenched my fists, swallowing the fury rising in my chest.

The message… it wasn't from Kaine. It was from her.

"Adele, don't go too far."

She glanced at me with disdain. "I'm going too far? Lara, take my advice and leave Kaine. Someone like you will never be worthy of him."

I bit down hard on my lip, ready to fire back, when the dressing room door swung open.

Kaine emerged, dressed in a groom's suit. "Adele, what do you think of this one?"

Before I could speak, another figure stepped into the room—Kaine's older sister, Irena.

She looked the two of them over and nodded in satisfaction.

"Perfect match. This is what the Star Moon Pack deserves—an Alpha and Luna who belong together."

"Not like that clingy ex of yours," she scoffed. "A pathetic Omega trying to use a pregnancy to climb into the Luna's seat. What a ridiculous fantasy."

Her words sliced through me like a blade, but I felt numb. Ever since I arrived in the Star Moon Pack, I'd heard this same judgment a thousand times.

At first, Kaine would fight back for me, arguing passionately. But over time, his resistance faded. Eventually, all he did was frown and tell me not to take it to heart.

Now, he didn't even bother with that.

Only then did the others finally notice me standing in the corner. Irena's expression turned contemptuous.

"Well, if it isn't Lara. Still have the nerve to show your face here?"

She walked over and stared at my stomach, her eyes dripping with scorn.

"You think getting pregnant makes you Luna material? Dream on. The heir of the Star Moon Pack will come from Adele. Not from some lowly Omega like you."

Her words were sharp and cruel, each one a knife to the heart.

The shop staff exchanged whispers, their eyes filled with disbelief.

"Did the Alpha father a pup outside of marriage?"

Irena glared at them and quickly snapped, "What pup? You think this shameless woman's carrying our family blood? She's probably using some random bastard in her belly to try and latch onto us. Pathetic."

Her words made me want to vanish.

I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood. Tears welled up, but I refused to let them fall.

I turned to Kaine, silently begging him to say something.

He frowned, clearly torn, but before he could speak, Adele took his hand.

"Kaine, let's go take our wedding photos." Her voice was sweet as sugar, but the look she shot me was pure triumph.

Kaine looked at her, then at me, then chose silence.

My heart shattered.

I turned and fled to the restroom.

Once inside, I slumped against the wall, tears spilling down my cheeks.

My phone buzzed with a message from Kaine.

[Lara, just bear with it for now. Once the ceremony is over, I'll make it up to you. For me, and for the future of the Pack, please hold on a little longer.]

I stared at the screen, a storm of emotions crashing through me.

'Kaine, you keep asking me to endure… but I have dignity too,' I thought inwardly.

I didn't reply.

Instead, I wiped away my tears, straightened up, and walked out.

As I passed the photo studio, I stole one last glance at him.

He was gently adjusting Adele's veil, his face filled with the same tenderness that once belonged to me.

But now, that tenderness wasn't mine anymore.

I drew a deep breath… and walked out of the bridal shop.