Chapter 3

When Jack appeared before me again, he had gone back to his usual polite and proper self. He even brought some offerings for my parents and said he was taking me to the pack's Spring Hunt.

Everything was so normal—so normal that it made my heart ache even more.

In this relationship, I was the only one who ever suffered. I'd break down, get dismissed as irrational, and be treated like I was crazy.

The ten days weren't up yet, so I still had to keep my promise to Monica.

I silently got into the car with Jack. His voice was gentle as he said, "This is your first time attending a pack gathering. I'll introduce you to the mates of some of the Elders."

I said nothing. This was the first time Jack had ever taken me out in public after all this time.

When I thought about it, I found it ridiculous.

…

At the banquet hall of the Spring Hunt, everyone laughed and chatted, smiling as they showered us with wishes of a happy and healthy pup.

Monica had also privately warned Isabella not to appear in front of Jack or me again.

Everything was draped in a veil of peaceful times, as if the rumors had never existed.

I found it all disgustingly fake.

Watching Jack surrounded by the crowd, I turned and left the hall to get some fresh air. I had just reached the garden when I overheard two guards chatting.

"I heard today is really just about celebrating Digger's birthday under the guise of the Spring Hunt."

"Right. Digger is the mastiff that the Alpha and Isabella raised together. It's very precious to them. We all joke that he's the Alpha's first son."

I felt my heart stop for a second.

It turned out the Spring Hunt party was just Jack's way of throwing a birthday celebration for Digger, and everyone had silently agreed to say nothing to me.

I chuckled bitterly at myself. Perhaps I should meet the real guest of honor.

I pushed open the iron gate, and sure enough, Isabella was there. She was crouched next to a brown, fierce-looking mastiff, gently stroking its neck.

"Luna, have you come to see Digger too? Isn't he cute?" She looked up with a smile, but there was no warmth in her eyes.

"You know, when Jack and I found him at the border back then, he was covered in wounds. We raised him like our own pup for a long time."

I looked at her calmly and said, "Then your future pup is going to be jealous."

Isabella's expression shifted. She swept her gaze over my slightly swollen belly and stood up, laughing coldly.

"Luna, those words are easily misunderstood. Are you planning to have Monica warn me off again?"

It seemed she thought I was here to assert my claim.

I looked her in the eye and said softly, "I'm serious. In three days, Jack and I will break the mate bond. I won't bother you two again. I just hope to spend my last days here quietly."

When Isabella saw how serious I was, she let out a mocking laugh. "Do I look that stupid to you? As long as you're still carrying that pup, Monica will never agree."

Her gaze sharpened, and she suddenly let go of the leash. "Digger, attack!"

The well-trained mastiff lunged at me like an arrow shot off a bow. In the chaos, I dodged to the side while grabbing the leash and yanking it with all my strength.

The momentum pulled Isabella off her feet, and she crashed hard onto the concrete.

Although I avoided the dog's attack, the force of my dodge made me fall backward onto the ground. A sharp, twisting pain shot through my belly.

The worst thing was that I heard Hannah let out a mournful cry. Then, she fell silent.

Hurried footsteps approached from afar.

Jack rushed over, and the first thing he did was go straight to Isabella and pull her into his arms.

"Jack… I only came to see Digger…" Her eyes brimmed with tears as she looked at him, weak and full of hurt. "The Luna suddenly attacked Digger. I was only trying to save him…"

Jack snapped his head toward me, his gaze sharp as a blade. "Gianna! Can't you even tolerate a mastiff? Isabella is a warrior! If anything happens to her leg, you'll be the disgrace of the pack!"

As I watched him hold onto Isabella so tightly, I suddenly laughed.

I forced myself to stand, saying, "Jack, the person you were as a child would be so disappointed in you."

I pulled the wolf fang from my pocket and threw it at his feet.

"Jack… I think I twisted my ankle…" Isabella groaned at a timely moment.

Jack hurriedly scooped her into his arms and turned to leave.

I stood there alone, feeling my connection to Hannah fading fast.

As I fell and my consciousness blurred, the last thing I saw was his decisive retreating figure.