2

Remembering my past life—how I was cut open while still alive, my child brutally torn to pieces—sent a chill down my spine.

Since fate had given me a second chance, I would make Derek and Sarah pay for what they did.

I ignored Sarah's feigned distress and Derek's angry shouting.

Instead, I calmly picked up the suitcase and continued packing.

Seeing my composed demeanor, Derek suddenly shoved me in frustration.

"Stop pretending to be so understanding, Vivian. Don't think that acting magnanimous and packing our bags means I'll accept you," he snarled.

"Let me tell you something—even though we're mates, I will never give up Sarah. She's the one I truly love, and she'll always be part of our family. Everything you have, Sarah must have an equal share. If you can't accept that, then you're not worthy to be my mate or the pack's female Alpha. I'll reject our bond."

I'd heard these words countless times before.

In the past, I would have argued with Derek, questioned him, even threatened him using our baby as leverage.

But now, I was actually desperate to break our bond.

"Fine, let's end our bond then."

Suddenly, the room went so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

I watched the shock spread across Derek's face as I coldly stated, "Perfect timing, since I never loved you anyway."

Derek and I had known each other since childhood—childhood sweethearts, some might say.

He was the Alpha heir from birth, while my family belonged to an ancient werewolf nobility. We were destined mates, our union representing an alliance between our powerful families.

Everything should have gone smoothly, but two years ago, an Omega named Sarah appeared as Derek's administrative assistant.

I remember first seeing her in Derek's council chamber. I had brought Derek some snacks and walked in on him berating his assistant.

The little assistant had just started dealing with complicated pack affairs and didn't understand the rules of resource exchange with neighboring packs. Derek had seized on her mistake, verbally abusing her relentlessly, even threatening her with fire punishment.

She stood there red-eyed, on the verge of tears. Everyone around feared becoming collateral damage, so no one dared defend the Omega.

Finally, I couldn't stand it anymore. I stepped forward to resolve the resource issue and pleaded for Sarah's case.

Only when Derek saw me did he let the terrified assistant off the hook.

Back then, he told me that such a stupid and weak wolf didn't deserve to live.

Yet somehow, not only did she survive, but she also ensnared Derek, who became obsessed with her, willing to give her everything.

He even killed my child for this Omega.

Derek thought I was acting irrationally out of jealousy, but when he realized I genuinely wanted to break our bond, he panicked for a moment.

He reached out to touch my face.

At that exact moment, Sarah covered her mouth and sobbed:

"Alpha, Vivian, if you separate because of me, I'll be the pack's sinner! I'll leave. I'll go far away and never disturb you two again."

After she ran away crying, Derek's expression reverted to the disgust I'd grown accustomed to these past two years.

"Vivian Gray, you just had to make trouble for me now, didn't you? You're the pack's female Alpha—you should care for and love every member of our pack. You shouldn't be so petty toward Sarah, who's just an Omega. Acting like this, you're completely unworthy of being my mate."

"You're pregnant now. If I reject you, you're finished. Your high-and-mighty family won't accept a pregnant she-wolf without a mate."

Derek's face darkened, his eyes cold as he finished speaking and hurried after Sarah.

What he seemed to forget was that as a female warrior, I wouldn't let a child become my burden. The pregnancy was less than three months along—it could be terminated.

As for breaking our bond, while my family valued the alliance with the Alpha, they valued family members more. Besides, the pack Alpha didn't necessarily have to be Derek.

My phone's vibration pulled me from my thoughts.

I checked the message—it was from Sarah.

"Luna, what does it matter if you're his mate? Derek will always take my side."

"This year, you'll have to endure the full moon celebration alone with your big belly. Next year after the baby is born, you'll have a little half-breed to keep you company. Then you won't be so lonely."

Every word dripped with provocation.

I'd received plenty of similar messages over the past two years and had even forwarded screenshots to Derek.

But Derek always said she was just an insecure Omega, and that as the female Alpha, I shouldn't take it to heart and should be more accommodating.

He was certain I couldn't leave him, that I was bound to him for life, which was why he behaved so recklessly.

Taking a deep breath, I contacted someone I hadn't spoken to in a very long time.

The full moon celebration was the most important day of the year for our pack, and I planned to give Derek a special gift that night.