Chapter 3

Leina’s POV

As if nothing had happened, Kael’s expression quickly softened.

“My Luna…” he called gently while walking toward me. Like I hadn’t just caught him holding another woman.

“Sweetheart…” he said again, smiling warmly. The same smile that used to melt my heart every single time. “Happy anniversary to us. Ten years already… I still can’t believe we made it this far.”

His voice sounded lovingly perfect and carefully practiced.

“Future mother of my pups,” he added softly while staring into my eyes like he truly meant every word.

I stayed silent. I didn’t move at all.

Behind him, Helena calmly fixed her dress and brushed her hair back like nothing happened. Then she smiled sweetly at me.

“Happy anniversary, Luna,” she said softly. “Actually, today is a double celebration.”

She looked at Kael lovingly before continuing. “Alpha Kael just closed a huge contract.”

Kael immediately smiled proudly . “Yeah,” he said casually. “ Helena and I were celebrating with wine before you came in. The contract is worth billions. I’ve been trying to secure it for years, and finally it worked out.”

He chuckled a laugh lightly and then continued. “Looks like the Moon Goddess decided to bless me on our anniversary.”

My fingers twitched slightly beside me. I knew exactly which contract they were talking about. This wasn’t just any business deal.

It was the gift my grandfather secretly prepared for Kael after believing he passed the ten-year loyalty test.

For years, rogues struggled to survive in the werewolf world. Most packs looked down on them. Humans feared them. Rogues had no true place anywhere.

But this contract would change everything.

It would allow rogues to work openly beside humans and werewolves. New technology systems, AI security projects, and business partnerships would connect both worlds together. Power. Recognition. Freedom. Everything Kael ever dreamed about. And my grandfather gave it to him because of me.

Because I was the connection between them.

“ Leina.” Kael’s voice pulled me back to reality. He stared at me carefully before stepping closer.

“Come on, sweetheart,” he said softly, realising how quiet I’ve been. “What you saw earlier was just a misunderstanding. It meant nothing.”

Lies. Every word coming from his mouth was a lie.

“You know how much I love you.” He added.

Before I could react, he leaned down and kissed my forehead. But this time… I felt nothing. No warmth. No comfort. No mate bond pulling me toward him. Only cold emptiness.

I quietly stepped past both of them and looked around the office. Beautiful gift boxes covered the table nearby. Jewelry. Designer items. Luxury gifts. Then my eyes landed on a silver wristwatch, the same one I admired months ago, the one I never bought because Kael told me we needed to save money for the company.

Beside it sat a necklace too I once saved on my phone after seeing it online. More gifts followed. All expensive.

All things I secretly wanted before convincing myself not to waste money.

“Oh, this…” Helena started softly while reaching toward one of the boxes as her eyes landed on a rose-colored card inside, its font was written “To my one true love.”

“They’re all yours, my Luna,” Kael interrupted immediately.

He smoothly stepped between me and the card. Then he smiled at me again with those same loving eyes I trusted for ten years.

“I bought them for you,” he said gently and Helena went quiet instantly.

She simply lowered her eyes and stepped back silently, like I stole something that belonged to her.

“They are all mine? Then why didn’t you send them directly to our villa?” I asked calmly.

Kael paused for half a second before smiling again. “Of course, darling. I’ll have them delivered immediately.” He quickly added, “I just wanted to inspect everything personally first. You know I never want anything disappointing you.”

I stared at him silently. Every second around him felt unbearable now. I turned and walked away before the tears burning my eyes could finally fall.

Outside, the hallway remained bright and cheerful. Employees laughed together under decorations celebrating a love that never truly existed.

Maya quietly walked beside me. Before she could say anything, I spoke first.

“Find out everything connected to the contract between Blackthorn Enterprises and grandfather.” I said coldly. “I want every detail.”

Maya nodded immediately.

“I’ll prepare everything, my Luna.”

We left the building together. The drive was painfully quiet as my mind replayed everything repeatedly. Kael’s lies, his secret family and everything that broke me. His plans to throw me away after using me.

To distract myself, I grabbed my phone and opened social media but stumbled upon someone I recognized instantly from the past.

It’sThe Supreme Alpha. Kael’s greatest enemy. One of the strongest Alphas in the werewolf kingdom. A man who hated rogues more than anyone else. He is dangerous, powerful and proud.

And once upon a time… he was my childhood sweetheart. Years ago, he asked me to become his mate and Luna. A real bond blessed by the Moon Goddess. But I rejected him. Again and again. Because I loved Kael. I remembered looking him directly in the eyes and telling him my heart belonged to another man.

My fingers tightened around my phone, seeing him again. The photo showed him wearing a fitted black suit. He looked cold as always, handsome, and intimidating without even trying.

Even through a screen, his presence felt overwhelming. Then I noticed the caption below his picture.

“Contractual mate needed. Interested candidates should apply in person. Payment can be discussed later.”

My heartbeat quickened slightly. A temporary mate… For a moment, I stared at the post quietly. Then I scrolled past it. He belonged in my past. And I wanted nothing connected to him anymore even though I needed his help.

A little while later, I asked Maya to stop at a restaurant near the road so we could eat before heading home. The moment I stepped out of the car, a familiar scent suddenly reached me and my wolf stirred violently. Slowly, I turned toward the restaurant window and I saw them. Kael, Helena and their son.

The three of them sat together at a table near the center of the restaurant. Kael held the little boy easily in his arms while the child laughed happily beside him. Helena sat close to them, smiling warmly.

They looked perfect together. Like a real family. Like the family Kael promised me for ten years. For a moment, my chest felt completely empty. Beside me, Maya spoke carefully.

“Luna… should we leave?”

I kept staring at them. At the way Kael looked at the child with so much love. At how natural everything felt between them. Then I shook my head.

“No,” I said quietly. My eyes never left them. “We’re staying.”

Without another word, Maya and I walked inside and sat at a corner table far enough away not to be noticed. Meanwhile, inside me, my wolf burned with rage.