Love Doesn't Turn Back

Celine Anderson held my hand tightly and asked sorrowfully, "Evelyn, you went through so much to give birth to this child. Are you really going to leave?

"David is just too young to understand what it means to cherish someone. Give him another chance. He'll come around and devote himself to you."

Just then, a few werewolves passed by my small cottage as they discussed the secret party that was going to happen at the castle that night.

"Do you guys know that Alpha David planned the secret party at the castle tonight just for Sarah? It's to celebrate him rescuing her from the Wildrift Pack's Alpha!"

"Sarah's wearing the gown and necklace Alpha David specially gifted her. She looks like a princess—the true lady of the castle!"

"I thought that Alpha David was a notorious flirt who was always surrounded by different women. Why is he so devoted to Sarah?"

"You clearly haven't been paying attention! I saw bite marks on Sarah's neck at the party. I asked her outright if she was Alpha David's mate and if she would become Nighthowl Pack's Luna. And guess what? She didn't deny it!"

"Even Alpha David didn't object! Everyone started cheering, and they kissed right in front of us. By now, they're probably already in bed!"

"I bet that they'll be forming their mate bond soon! We should start calling her Luna Sarah already!"

Their excited voices rang out clearly, reaching both Celine and me.

Celine looked at me with shame flickering across her face. "I'm so sorry, Evelyn. I thought that you and David would be a good match and that you'd be happy together."

Fearing I might break down, she pulled me into her arms.

I simply smiled. I had already cried all my tears the day I gave birth.

Seeing my calm expression, Celine lowered her eyes, which were filled with regret. "Do you want to see the baby one last time? You went through so much to bring him into this world. Once you leave, you'll miss him terribly."

A sharp pain tightened in my heart. Naturally, I would miss the child I nearly lost my life for.

Noticing the flicker of emotion on my face, Celine's hope reignited. "You were unconscious for two days after giving birth. You haven't even seen him yet, have you?

"He's healthy and fair-skinned. He's also very small.

"Maybe he knows that he was born without a mother. He's been so quiet and well-behaved. He only cried a little after birth, and even then, his cries were soft."

She turned to leave and was ready to bring the baby into my room.

"Enough. I don't want to know.

"Take him away. I won't see him."

I turned my head as I bit my lip hard, my nails digging into my palms.

I couldn't afford to waver.

David Jones never loved me.

Since I had already decided to leave, there was no turning back.

Celine stiffened. Seeing the determination in my eyes, she finally abandoned hope. She picked up the child and seemed to remember something before storming out of the room angrily.

Not long after, she returned with David in tow.

"Mom! Why did you pull me here? I'm busy handling Nighthowl Pack's affairs!"

"Busy, huh? How dare you lie to my face! Your secret party is widely known! Look at you—half-dressed and reeking of alcohol! Were you too occupied fooling around with that vixen Sarah?

"Evelyn just gave birth! Shouldn't you be here taking care of her?"

David's voice sharpened with anger. "How do you even know about Sarah? Did Evelyn go running to you and complain?"

He slammed his fists against the wooden door, his frustration boiling over. "Are you trying to manipulate me into caring about you? Keep dreaming!

"Let me make this clear, Evelyn! If it weren't for my mother liking you, I never would've chosen you as my mate!

"The more you try to get my attention, the less I'll care! I'm going back to bed with Sarah!"

With that, he stormed off.

Indeed. Everything between David and I—our meeting, our relationship—was orchestrated by Celine, who adored me and wanted me to become Nighthowl Pack's Luna, David's mate.

Unlike my love-at-first-sight feelings for him, David never cared for me. But he also didn't want to disobey his mother, Nighthowl Pack's former Luna.

So, even though he chose me as his mate, he never once acknowledged me publicly in the past seven years. I meant less to him than a woman he had known for only three months.

Like Celine, I used to believe that if I just loved him enough and waited long enough, he would grow, mature, and eventually understand my love.

So, I waited for seven years.

But I finally understood that all my love and patience had been for nothing when he forced me to kneel. I had lost all hope in him.

While I remained calm, Celine's eyes burned red with anger. She turned to me, her gaze filled with deep regret and sorrow. "Evelyn. Rest for a week, then leave. David doesn't deserve you."