Chapter 2

"Thalia had a fight with Alpha Leif."

"She wants to stay at your place for a while. Beta Corwin has already agreed."

"Just go along with it, okay? Otherwise, seeing you will only remind her that you were once his mate."

"You know how she is..."

"But, Mom, why?" My voice wavered, cutting her off.

"Why what?" There was a brief pause before my father’s slurred voice came through the phone.

"Sweetheart, I know you still blame us for letting Thalia become Alpha Leif ’s Luna. But if we hadn’t, the Lovell Pack would’ve crumbled..."

My chest tightened. I had heard these excuses too many times before.

But that wasn’t what I wanted to ask.

I wanted to know why they had been so willing to sacrifice me. To bury the truth. Was protecting Thalia—the switched Luna—and the Lovell Pack’s reputation really more important than their own blood daughter?

On the other end, my father kept rambling, his drunken words swirling in my head like poison.

"I understand. I’ll do as you say."

The moment I hung up, I stumbled to the bathroom and retched violently.

As I wiped my mouth, I caught my reflection in the mirror—pale, hollow-eyed, exhausted.

I had made my decision.

If everyone only cared about Thalia, then fine—I would disappear.

I returned to the living room and dialed the number of the pack doctor, the one who had once cared for me.

"Mama Maris, I want to your pack with you to help establish a new haven for abandoned pups."

After a brief pause, I nodded. "Yes, I’ve made up my mind. I can leave with you at the end of the next moon cycle."

Once I ended the call, I dialed another number—my private pack doctor.

"Don’t tell Beta Corwin about my pup yet. I want to surprise him."

"What surprise?"

At that moment, the front door swung open, and Beta Corwin stepped in, catching the last part of my sentence.

"Your birthday is at the end of the next moon cycle. It’s a birthday surprise," I replied smoothly.

His face lit up, and he stepped forward to pull me into his embrace.

"Thank you, my mate. You don’t have to do all this. I just want you to be happy every day."

Once, those words would have melted my heart.

Now, they left me cold.

"My parents called just now," I said quietly. "They told me not to cause trouble during my sister’s pregnancy."

"Corwin, I’m really upset."

"They mean well." His arms tightened around me.

"My brother said ever since Thalia got—" He let out a sigh. "Her temper’s been unbearable. He even fled abroad today just to get away from her."

I shook my head slightly, my eyes burning.

"I’m not upset about that."

I hesitated before whispering, "I’m just sad... that I can’t give the man I love a pup, like my sister can."

Beta Corwin stiffened, a flicker of something unreadable in his gaze.

Regret? Disappointment?

"I’m sorry, Corwin... I’ve been a burden to you."

Tears burned my eyes as I bit down on my lip.

His expression softened, and he cupped my face gently.

"Don’t think like that, Selene. I told you two years ago, even if you couldn’t have pups, I would still love you just the same."

He hesitated, then added, "By the way, I promised my parents that Thalia could stay with us for a while."

His tone was careful, as if seeking my approval, but the silent plea in his eyes told me it wasn’t really a request.

"Sure, that’s fine," I murmured.

"I wouldn’t want to put you in a tough spot with your parents."

His face brightened in relief. "Selene, you’re amazing!

A bitter taste filled my mouth. "Amazing how?"

"You’re a wonderful mate, a great sister, a good daughter... You’re just good in every way!"

I forced a smile, the weight of those words pressing down on me.

So, this is what being ‘good’ meant?

Watching my pack rally around Thalia?

Protecting a criminal?

Turning a blind eye to my suffering?

Noticing my slight tremble, Beta Corwin pulled me closer, his voice soft. "Are you tired? Come on, let’s get you to bed."

Later that night, after making sure I was sound asleep, he carefully slipped his hand from mine and disappeared into his study.