Chapter 1

Walter Wolfgang was the Alpha of New Moon Pack and my, Layla Wolfgang's, fated mate.

Every month, he led a patrol team to inspect the border. It was where he would stay for more than two weeks each time.

Whenever I wanted to accompany him, one unexpected incident after another would keep me behind.

Sometimes, the high priest would suddenly fall ill, leaving me to preside over the Moon Goddess Ritual in his place.

Other times, rogues would repeatedly test our defenses, forcing me to remain in the territory and oversee our warriors.

The last time, my dad, Elder Lucas Treynor, had suffered a relapse of an old injury. I was urgently summoned to take charge of the council hall and keep the other branches of the pack in check.

Whenever this happened, Walter would lovingly kiss my forehead and gently persuade me by saying, "Once things have settled down in the territory, I'll personally come back for you and take you to the border. Just wait a little longer, okay? I hate having to leave you alone too."

But I didn't want to wait anymore. This time, I decided to drive there myself.

Without telling anyone, I drove all the way to the border, hoping to surprise him.

Following his scent, I found the house where he was staying.

Walter was sitting at a wooden table in the yard while intently reading some documents.

After parking, I picked up the bottle of his favorite wine that I'd brought for him and headed inside.

Just imagining the delighted look on his face when he saw me made my heart race with excitement, but the moment my feet touched the ground, a childish voice rang out.

"Dad!"

A small figure darted out from the side of the house and ran toward Walter.

It was a young male pup with round cheeks. He wrapped his arms around Walter's leg while beaming with happiness.

"Dad, you promised you'd take me fishing by the river today!"

Walter lowered his head and affectionately ruffled his hair.

My legs felt like they had turned to lead. I stood frozen in place.

A shewolf came out of the house and called to the boy. "Scott, don't bother your dad."

I recognized her. She was Lupita Summer, a quiet, unassuming Beta in New Moon Pack and Walter's assistant.

She was always quietly following Walter around, organizing his documents and managing his schedule.

Walter had told me she was nothing more than his assistant. I'd never suspected a thing.

I instinctively covered my mouth. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

Walter couldn't possibly have forgotten what the name Scott meant to me.

When we completed our mate bond, we'd agreed to name our first pup Scott.

It was a sacred promise between us.

But now, he'd given that name to another shewolf's pup.

A wave of dizziness washed over me, and I nearly collapsed. I quickly reached out to steady myself against the wall.

I watched as Lupita brought over a glass of water and placed it in front of Walter.

Her lips moved hesitantly. It seemed like she wanted to say something.

"What's wrong?" Walter asked while looking at her gently.

"I was just thinking. We can't keep Scott at the border forever. For the sake of his development, he needs to return to the pack–"

Walter thought for a few seconds before nodding. "You're right."

He lifted Scott onto his lap. "He's already six. It's time he returned to New Moon Pack. He needs an official status."

I suddenly felt like I couldn't breathe.

This pup was six years old.

Six years ago was the very year I'd been poisoned.

While I was fighting for my life after being exposed to wolfsbane poison, Walter had fathered a pup with another shewolf.

I still recalled how solemnly and sincerely he'd sworn his oath in front of everyone back then. He'd promised that even if I could never have pups, he'd love me forever.

I'd never once doubted his sincerity.

Now, that promise seemed like nothing more than a cruel joke.

"But what if Layla finds out? Will she be able to accept it?"

Lupita gently ruffled Scott's hair while her face filled with worry.

Walter fell silent.

I saw his Adam's apple bob as his gaze dropped to the ground. His index finger tapped repeatedly against the wooden table.

It was a habit he had whenever he was nervous.

Lupita glanced at him before continuing. "Do you think she'll leave you? Or even leave New Moon Pack? If that happens, I'm afraid everyone will blame me. Walter, I'm really worried.

"You know I have no intention of fighting Layla for the position of Luna. I only want to stay with Scott and let him grow up safely within the territory."

Walter turned around and reassuringly patted her arm. "Don't worry. I'll convince Layla. She's not as narrow-minded as you think. She's my Luna."

His tone was confident. It was as if he had no doubt that I would never leave him. "I know Layla. We've been together for so many years. She loves me. Even if she finds out, there's no way she'll leave me. Besides–"

He smiled and added, "The elders already know about this, including her dad, Lucas. They'll talk some sense into her. Layla isn't so unreasonable that she'd turn against everyone over this."

If there had been a mirror in front of me, I was sure my face would have looked ghastly.

Suddenly, everything made sense.

I'd never understood why something always came up whenever I asked to visit the border.

Now I knew why.

Everyone had known the truth. I was the only one they'd kept in the dark.

I took a step backward, and the sound startled Walter.

He jerked his head up. The moment he saw me standing outside, the smile vanished from his face.

Lupita quickly pulled Scott behind her. Walter immediately stood up and ran toward me. "Layla, listen to me. I can explain."

He grabbed my hand in a panic.

"Is this why you kept finding excuses to stop me from coming to the border? You didn't want me to find out? Every single one of you has been lying to me!"

I wrenched my hand free and ran back to my car before locking the doors.

"Layla, don't go! Just hear me out. Stay, and we can talk. I'll tell you everything."

Walter completely lost his composure. He chased after me and pounded on the car window. He called my name again and again with a trembling voice.

I ignored him, started the engine, and slammed my foot down on the accelerator.

Through the rearview mirror, I saw Walter shifting into his wolf form. He raced after my car like a madman.

I floored the accelerator and never looked back.