3

The moment Derek left, I immediately contacted a pack healer to terminate the pregnancy.

Just before the anesthesia entered my system, I received a mind-link message from him.

"Vivian, everything I said earlier was just out of anger. Don't worry, you're my mate and the pack's female Alpha. I'll definitely be back for the full moon ceremony. Wait for me."

"As for Sarah, just pretend she doesn't exist. I've already talked to her, and she won't interfere with our lives anymore."

I stared at those messages with cold detachment as I turned off my screen.

For the past two years, Derek had repeatedly neglected pack responsibilities because of Sarah.

I had completely given up on him and decided to leave, but on the day I was set to go, he caught up with me.

He begged me not to leave, tears streaming down his face.

That day, he marked me without restraint. We both lost control, and that's how this baby came to be.

But I only discovered the truth as I lay dying—Derek came after me that day only because his family had threatened him using Sarah as leverage.

Our families' alliance wouldn't be changed for anyone or anything. So even if Derek loved Sarah more than anything, he had no choice but to become my mate.

I felt the warm mass leaving my body. This child had been a mistake from the beginning.

When I awoke, I found myself in the hospital room.

By then, Derek and Sarah had already reached the forest and started their hunting game.

Sarah had sent numerous boastful messages, including several photos of her with Derek.

He embraced her from behind, his expression tender—once, he had looked at me the same way. Now, it only made me sick.

"Sister, Derek said you also enjoy the feeling of running during the hunt. If I'd known, we should have brought you along."

"By the way, he prepared a fireworks show for me. I'll send you pictures later."

"Old woman, if I were you, I'd have left long ago. Clinging to the Alpha like this—you're so pathetic."

In the past, I would have ignored her, but this time, I replied.

"Since you love Derek so much, never let him go."

I wanted to see if Sarah would still follow Derek once he had nothing left.

After sending the message, I was exhausted and about to put down my phone to sleep when it rang.

As soon as I answered, Derek's furious voice came through.

"Vivian Gray, what are you doing now? You're already the pack's female Alpha—why do you keep targeting a fragile Omega?"

"I finally take her out hunting to relax, and you have to make everyone miserable, don't you? Apologize to her, or don't blame me for not showing you any mercy."

I frowned, finding his voice irritating.

As Derek continued his tirade, I hung up in frustration and blocked our mate bond connection.

The day I was discharged from the hospital happened to be the night of the full moon.

Back home, I purged everything related to Derek.

Clothes, toothbrush, even books he had bought—all packed up and thrown away.

This house was mine. His belongings had no place here.

Afterward, I returned to my family's estate for a reunion dinner.

The night before the full moon ceremony, I was idly scrolling through my phone.

Suddenly, a fireworks display shot to the top of social media.

Seeing the initials "DH" and "SJ" (Derek Hale and Sarah Johnson), I guessed this was the fireworks show Derek had prepared for Sarah.

Sure enough, moments later, Sarah sent me a video.

"Old hag, Derek says this fireworks show is only for me. So what if you're soulmates? So what if you're childhood sweethearts? So what if you're pregnant? You still can't win Derek's love."

"I've realized that even if you two are mates, it doesn't matter. After all, Derek loves me."

Just then, a chat notification from someone else appeared at the top of my screen.

I read the message and smiled coldly.

Let tonight be the final celebration for this despicable couple.

On the night of the full moon, pack members gathered at the sacred altar to pray to the Moon Goddess.

Yet Derek, the Alpha, was nowhere to be seen.

The former Alpha, Derek's father, glared with a grim expression. "What is wrong with this boy? His usual antics are one thing, but to be late on such an important day? It's your coddling that's ruined him. When he arrives, I'll have to teach him a lesson he won't forget."

Derek's mother looked anxious, but when her husband snapped at her, she just lowered her head in resignation.

At the altar, everyone wore sour expressions because of Derek's absence.

But I knew he was nearby.

He was waiting for me to apologize to Sarah. Today's lateness was just his way of teaching me a lesson.

I was waiting too—waiting for someone.

I tried to calm the pack members, ignoring my repeatedly vibrating phone.

Half an hour later, my phone finally went silent. Then Derek approached me, his face dark with anger.

"Vivian Gray, are you blind? I told you to apologize to Sarah. This is your last chance—if you don't apologize, we'll break our bond right now."

Instantly, silence fell over the gathering.

Derek's father stood up, slamming his fist on the table. "You ungrateful son! What nonsense are you spouting? Being late is bad enough, but now you're threatening Vivian? Apologize to her, now!"

My father's face turned livid as he scoffed.

"Brother Hale, you've raised your son well, haven't you? He clearly has zero respect for my daughter."

Derek's father looked mortified as he forced Derek to apologize.

Derek stubbornly refused. Then Sarah ran in, tears streaming down her face.

"Alpha, don't be angry because of me on such an important day. It's fine if I suffer a little injustice. I've been living with it my whole life anyway."

Derek's expression darkened further. He leaned close to my ear and whispered a threat: "Vivian, if you don't apologize, I'll reject our bond in front of everyone. Then we'll see if your family still accepts a discarded pregnant she-wolf."

"And I'll spread rumors that your child is some rogue wolf's bastard. Imagine how that would affect your precious family name."

I jerked my head up, staring at him in disbelief.

Derek raised an eyebrow, trying to manipulate me.

"Vivian, it's just one simple apology. Say it, and this will all be over. I'll fulfill my Alpha duties and complete the prayer. You know what choice to make, don't you?"

Though my father was angry, he hadn't once mentioned canceling our union.

This made Derek even more reckless.

He waited confidently for me to bow my head.

The next moment, another person burst into the altar ceremony—a tall figure pushed through the doors.