Chapter 1

'Is there some kind of misunderstanding? Wayne even replaced his assistant with a male werewolf for your sake.'

My inner wolf, Moonshade, sounded puzzled.

Footsteps approached from behind.

I quickly slipped the ultrasound report into the book, took a deep breath, and pretended to read.

"Nina, what are you reading?"

Wayne Smith wrapped his arms around me from behind. He rested his chin on my shoulder.

I closed the book.

"Nothing much. It's just an old book about human history.

"Where did you go today? Why did you come back so late?"

He answered me without hesitation. "I was in the council chamber all day. We were discussing the takeover of the Frost Moon Pack's territory."

He retrieved a necklace. Inside a box, a pink diamond sparkled under the lights.

"A late Valentine's Day gift. Do you like it?"

He helped me put it on before immediately planting a warm kiss on the nape of my neck.

"I swear, you're the only one I love," he said.

In his sincere-looking eyes, I could clearly see my own stiff reflection.

After ten years together, I didn't want to assume the worst about Wayne.

Even so, that ultrasound report felt like a thorn lodged deep in my throat.

I couldn't swallow it, and I couldn't spit it out either.

Late at night, just as we lay down, Wayne's phone suddenly vibrated.

He glanced at the screen, and his expression instantly turned grave.

He got up at once to get dressed. I sat up too.

"What's wrong?"

"There are rogues invading the border. It's urgent. I have to go now." He fastened his shirt buttons at lightning speed before tucking me in.

As I watched him leave in a hurry, the unease in my chest grew heavier by the second.

After a moment's hesitation, I quietly got into my car and followed him.

After a series of winding turns, the route ended at the pack infirmary.

My heart gradually sank.

Guided by the mate bond, I concealed my presence and made my way to the top-floor VIP ward.

Through the glass, the sight beyond made my blood run cold.

The Alpha who once said he would only ever love me was now kneeling on one knee in front of a young woman.

He carefully lifted her foot and gently helped her into a pair of fluffy slippers.

I recognized her.

She was Yvonne Larson, the Omega Wayne had brought back as the victor's bounty after defeating the Frost Moon Pack a month ago.

She smugly stroked her slightly swollen belly and kicked Wayne playfully.

Not only was he not angry, but he even caught her ankle and pressed a kiss to the top of her foot.

A glittering anklet swayed lightly with her movement.

Behind the hospital door and hidden from sight, I overheard their conversation clearly.

Yvonne asked, "What if the Luna finds out?"

"She won't," Wayne answered casually.

"She's the Luna. She won't stoop so low as to argue with an Omega.

"And besides, the pup you're carrying is mine," he added.

At that moment, the overwhelming absurdity and pain nearly suffocated me.

I placed a hand over my mouth to stop myself from screaming.

I dug my nails deep into my palms. The intense pain was the only thing that kept me sane.

My whole body shook uncontrollably.

This explained why Wayne, who usually communicated with the werewolves at the border through the mind-link, had started using his phone regularly.

The Alpha who never stopped me from patrolling the border with him had begun gently refusing my company.

Everything turned out to be an act he put up for Yvonne's sake.

I wanted to barge in and tear them apart.

I wanted to scream at him and ask what those seven years of love and companionship had meant.

However, seeing the humility and tenderness Wayne showed Yvonne through that cold pane of glass, I suddenly realized that the Wayne who loved me might already be dead.

I was the Luna of Silver Moon Pack.

I refused to lose in such a humiliating way.

I forced down the blood rising in my throat and remained calm.

Through blurred tears, I raised my phone with trembling hands and recorded the intimate scene inside the ward.

This was proof of his betrayal, and it would be the weapon I used to strike back.

At dawn, Wayne came home.

He crept into the bedroom quietly, carrying no scent of gunpowder, just the smell of disinfectant from the pack infirmary.

He slipped into bed and hugged me from behind. His voice was heavy with feigned exhaustion.

"Nina, I'm sorry. Dealing with those intruders was too exhausting."

I kept my eyes tightly shut with my back to him.

My tears had already dried.