Chapter 3

A week later, I was finally discharged from the infirmary.

On the way home, old memories began to flood my mind.

I met Charles when my father brought me to his pack for a negotiation.

While he was in the meeting, I wandered off into the territory to hunt alone.

But I got lost—and worse, I was followed by a group of rogue wolves.

Fear gripped me as I faced those feral beasts. I was completely outmatched.

Just when I thought it was the end, a massive wolf leapt in front of me and drove them away.

It was Charles.

I still remember his scent—wild yet comforting—and that powerful, commanding presence.

From that moment on, I was drawn to him completely.

To my surprise, he fell for me at first sight.

He claimed me as his mate soon after, and even held a grand ritual in my honor, under the blessings of the entire pack.

I truly believed our happiness would last forever.

But fate had other plans.

The following year, everything fell apart.

On the night of the Full Moon, the entire pack was immersed in joy.

They clapped, howled, and celebrated this sacred day under the blessing of the Moon Goddess.

As the celebration reached its peak, everyone shifted into their wolf forms and lit the fireworks.

But suddenly, chaos erupted—a wolf lost control.

He went wild, lashing out violently at every wolf near him.

The moment I saw what was happening, I dashed into the heart of the chaos and managed to pull only Lisa and her pup to safety.

But then, I saw her mate—he was pinned beneath the rogue wolf's claws.

Without thinking, I charged toward them.

I was badly injured trying to stop the wolf, but by the time I finally calmed him down... it was too late.

Lisa's mate was already gone.

And when Lisa saw the bloodied wolf lying on the ground, she didn't hesitate.

With unwavering certainty, she pointed at me and screamed—

"You killed him."

I didn't argue with her—she was far too emotional to listen to anything I said.

So I left that chaotic scene without another word.

But a few days later, when I saw her again, she slandered me.

She told Charles that her mate died saving me.

And from that moment on, I became a living sacrifice—forced to pay for a crime I didn't commit.

Charles granted her every request, all in the name of helping me "make it up to her."

No matter how many times I tried to explain, no matter how desperately I told him the truth—that I was the one who saved Lisa and her pup—he refused to believe me.

But deep down, I realized something far more painful:

It wasn't that Charles didn't believe me.

It was that he didn't want to believe Lisa could ever lie to him.

I should've seen it earlier.

But because he was my mate, I kept holding on.

I kept hoping that one day he would see the truth and stand by me.

But reality is cruel.

I wasn't just wrong—I was pathetically naïve.

When I got home, I quietly packed my clothes and printed the Severing Bond Agreement.

I glanced at it once before signing my name without hesitation.

Just then, the door opened.

Charles walked in—with Lisa and her pup trailing behind him.

They were laughing, talking… like a perfect little family of three wolves.

The moment they saw me standing there, Charles's smile froze.

He quickly forced an awkward expression and lowered his head to avoid my gaze.

"Fiona," he said quietly,

"Lisa and her pup… they need to stay in our den.

The healer said her pup should live somewhere with plenty of sunlight.

So… I need you to make room for them. I'm… sorry."

I forced a smile, keeping my wolf under control.

He didn't wait for my response.

Charles had already started preparing the room for them—our room.

I stood there like I didn't belong.

Like I was a stranger in my own home.

Seeing me standing there without moving, Lisa lowered her head, as if trying to hide her tears.

She gently tugged on Charles's arm, her voice soft and pitiful:

"Charles, maybe... maybe my pup and I should go back to our own den.

I don't want to make things inconvenient for Fiona, especially since she's pregnant…"

As she spoke, she glanced sideways at me—like I was the one being unreasonable.

Sensing her unease, Charles turned to me at once.

I could tell he was suppressing his anger—his claws had quietly extended.

"Fiona," he said with forced patience,

"Don't act like a child. Lisa's just worried about you. You're pregnant and living alone—she wanted to help take care of you.

That's why I allowed her and her pup to stay here. You should be happy, okay, my beloved Luna?"

He gave me a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"You can see there's nothing going on. She'll leave as soon as our pup is born."

I smiled back—but coldly.

He was still pretending I could believe him.

Still acting like his words meant something.

He had told me countless times he loved me.

But what had he actually done for me?

He hadn't even noticed that our pup was gone.

And now, he let another woman sleep in our bed, walk through our home, while calling me "beloved."

Is this what he called love?

Because to me...

it felt like betrayal dressed in tenderness.

Seeing my face darken, Charles walked over and grabbed my hand, whispering,

"Fiona, please… don't make things difficult for Lisa. You're making this really hard for me."

"She can stay here as long as she wants."

I stared into his eyes, my tone steady and cold—to make him understand I wasn't joking.

Charles looked genuinely stunned by my reaction.

He let out a long sigh and pressed a hand to his chest, trying to calm himself.

"Fiona. Please… try to see the bigger picture.

I made them a promise—I said I'd take care of them.

But I haven't forgotten about you. When our pup is born, I'll ask them to leave."

He reached out, like he always did when he talked about our baby, and placed his hand on my belly.

But this time… he froze.

For a moment, he didn't move.

Then slowly, he touched my stomach again, as if trying to confirm what he already felt.

His hand trembled.

Finally, he looked up at me—his voice shaking.

"F-Fiona… where's our pup? Is it because... that day...?"

Charles's voice trembled.

"My Goddess!"

Lisa gasped, rushing toward me and covering her mouth with both hands as if she were horrified.

"Did you really miscarry your pup? Was it because Charles wasn't with you when you were attacked?

But Fiona… how could you?! You didn't have to lose your pup just to spite me!

Don't you know how long Charles had been looking forward to meeting his pup?"

Charles turned to me, his eyes bloodshot, blazing with fury.

His voice was hoarse, shaking with disbelief and rage.

"Is it true, Fiona?

You miscarried… just to compete with Lisa?

You killed our pup just to get my attention?

Don't you see everything I've done was for you?

I took care of Lisa and her pup to help you make up for your mistake—because I love you!"

At the sound of "I love you," I felt nothing but disgust.

Love?

He hadn't believed me.

He hadn't believed Leo.

But every word out of Lisa's mouth—he accepted without hesitation.

I stared at him in silence, feeling the last sliver of love I had for him shrivel and die.

"None of it matters anymore," I said coldly.

"I'm ending the bond."

I placed the Sever Bond Agreement in front of him, turned around, and walked away—

not even bothering to see his reaction.