Chapter 1

When Dante Wagner brought his longtime friend home, I had just finished cooking dinner and was setting it on the table.

Dante walked ahead carrying Nova Cross' luggage, while she followed behind him with a smile. I could tell it was the smugness of a victor.

"Emby, this is Nova. Her mate and parents died a month ago, and she'll be staying with us temporarily. You don't mind, do you?" Dante asked.

I froze in place, forcing a nonchalant smile. "I… Why would I mind?"

Dante nodded with satisfaction. "That's good."

Nova put on a bright smile and stepped forward to grasp my hand enthusiastically. "Please take care of me then. You won't find me bothersome, will you, Ember?"

I shook my head awkwardly, hiding the report that said I was expecting in my hand behind my back. Then, I heard Jack's furious questioning.

"Dante! What are you doing? You brought Nova back to stay temporarily? Why'd she take so much luggage with her then? You clearly want her to live here permanently!

"And what about the day after tomorrow's bonding ceremony? Isn't that the surprise you prepared for Ember? Why did I see the wedding dress you designed by hand in Nova's luggage?

"Dante, that's Ember's wedding dress! You wouldn't have given it to Nova, would you?"

I saw Dante frown. I couldn't hear his voice, but clearly, he was trying to calm Jack down.

I clenched my fists and stood frozen in place. After a moment of silence, Jack continued roaring, "What do you mean, Dante? You're going to let Nova participate in the bonding ceremony?

"How can you do this? What about Ember? No, I only acknowledge her as Luna! I won't accept any other she-wolf! I hate Nova!"

So, the bonding ceremony two days from now wasn't meant for me after all. It was no wonder Dante had been so busy lately, always coming home after midnight. He was preparing for a bonding ceremony with another she-wolf.

My heart felt instantly wracked with pain. Wasn't I the one he loved most?

I had heard Jack say that Dante only liked me. As his wolf, Jack had sensed at first sight that I was Dante's fated mate. But how could everything suddenly change?

However, Dante acted as if he hadn't heard Jack's questioning. He glanced at Nova, then looked at me.

"Emby, Nova's with pup. Our house has the best environment. Which room gets the most sunlight? Let her have that one."

I stared at him in shock, unable to believe my own ears. Jack also voiced an incredulous question, "Dante, you're asking the obvious! The best room is obviously Ember's!

"Besides, Ember has to give up her room just because Nova's with pup? Don't tell me the pup is yours?

"Dante, you've gone too far! You…"

Jack was ready to defend me, but Dante must have said something because Jack quieted down. I couldn't get any more information.

But what I had heard was already enough. This information was sufficient to destroy me. I swayed and nearly fainted.

The report in my hand had been crumpled into a ball, pressing against my palm until my hand bled, but I felt no pain. The ache in my heart surpassed everything else.

I never imagined that Dante, who used to love me so much, would do something like this.

Nova seemed to notice my hesitation. She immediately put on a pitiful expression, gently shaking my hand.

"Ember, if it's inconvenient, just forget about it. I'll be fine. Just find me any room..."

"No way. You're pregnant now, so of course, you need proper care. Emby, you move to the guest bedroom," Dante insisted.

Before I could answer, Nova seemed to deliberately display her presence and superiority. "Ember, you won't be angry with me taking over your room, will you?

"My mate and parents died in a car accident. Dante is only being so kind to me because he pities me. Please don't be angry."

I replied, "Of course. You're with pup now, and you're alone. It's only right that we take care of you."

I pretended to be generous, acting as if giving up my room didn't matter at all. But inside, I felt like my heart was bleeding out.

Dante didn't know that I was also with pup and needed to be cared for as well.

I discovered that I was expecting a week ago. The pack's most famous oracle had told me I was carrying a male pup who would become the finest Alpha heir. He was destined to rule all the northern werewolf packs and become the Alpha King!

I had planned to share this wonderful news with Dante at our bonding ceremony, but now it seemed there was no point. He probably wouldn't care about any of this anyway.

Nova swaggered into my room. As she passed me, she flashed me a victor's smile. She stepped on my cashmere carpet with her mud-stained shoes, casually picked up the vase from my desk, then pretended to accidentally break it.

Then, when she saw the stuffed animal on the bed, she immediately clung to Dante and acted coquettish. "Dante, I really love that little wolf plush. Could you give it to me?"

That plush was handmade by Dante. It was the first gift he had ever given me. Though the craftsmanship was rough, I treasured it. He said he wanted to save it for our future pups.

Dante glanced at me. I thought he might hesitate, but he didn't seem to care at all. "Sure."

My heart ached fiercely, but I could only lower my head to hide my dejected expression.

Jack seemed to see my sadness and roared, "Dante, that belongs to Emby! You have no right to give it to Nova!"

Dante looked at me with a guilty expression and explained, "That one's pretty old. I'll make you a new one later."

"Okay. Give it to her then." I nodded and turned to leave the room.