Chapter 1 Levi’s Betrayal  

THUD!

 “Levi! What have you done?”

Scarlett clutched her stomach, where a golden dagger was now buried deep. She stared wide-eyed and stunned. Her voice trembled, breath hitching as a searing, stabbing, agonizing pain tore through her abdomen.

This dagger was the very gift she had given Levi for their engagement. Memories flooded back—just last full moon, she had wept tears of joy as she watched him vow to cherish the purity of their love before the altar and in the presence of both their clans.

“I’m killing you,” Levi replied, his voice laced with a mocking smirk.

The sharp, unyielding tone snapped Scarlett back to the brutal reality of the moment. Calmly, Levi slipped the engagement ring from his finger and hurled it straight at her pale face, making her flinch. “Here. Take it back.”

“What did I ever do wrong?” Scarlett gasped for air, gripping the edge of a nearby table to stay upright. “You… you were meant to be my husband… we’re getting married tomorrow… please…” She reached out to him, her voice breaking in desperate please.

Suddenly, Viviane stepped out from behind the door. Without a hint of emotion, she grabbed Scarlett’s outstretched hand and shoved her hard. Scarlett crumpled to the floor with a pained scream, the movement drove the dagger even deeper into her flesh. Her vision blurred and swam, while every nerve in her body felt as though it was being ripped apart, all centered on that one agonizing wound in her stomach.

“Vivi-ane… how could you…” Scarlett stammered, bewildered and heartbroken. “Why…?”

“You ask why?” Viviane leaned down, bringing her face inches from Scarlett’s tear-streaked cheeks. “Isn’t it obvious? Because you’ve always been so arrogant and prideful. You act like you’re the only one worthy of being the Luna of our clan, just because you’re the legitimate daughter of our father. But me? I’m just the child he had with another woman—or so you’ve told everyone, loud and clear!” She grabbed Scarlett by the hair and jerked her head back, making her cry out in agony.

Scarlett shook her head weakly. “No… I… I never said that…” She choked back a sob, her body shaking uncontrollably.

She looked up at Viviane, her eyes soft and full of tears. She remembered so clearly how little Viviane used to wrap her arms around her, calling her “my best protector” every time Scarlett chased away bullies or scared off wild animals that came too close when they played at the edge of the forest.

“Viv…” Scarlett reached out to her again, her arm heavy and weak, but Viviane slapped her hand away. Scarlett squeezed her eyes shut. The pain in her heart was worse than anything—she felt as if a second dagger had just been driven straight through her chest.

Viviane suddenly burst into tears. “Everyone hates me, everyone looks down on me… all because of you! You’re like the Moon Goddess herself, perfect and adored. Meanwhile, I’m just a disgraceful outcast, someone who only brings shame to the great Shadowmoon clan! Why didn’t I just die when I was born? After all, my mother died bringing me into this world…” She sobbed bitterly. Scarlett shook her head over and over, wanting to deny it, to comfort her, but her throat felt dry and tight, choking off every word.

Levi stepped forward and pulled Viviane into his strong, protective embrace. “My love, that isn’t true. You are perfection to me. Your heart is gentle and pure,” he whispered. He wiped the tears from her face, then kissed her lips tenderly.

Scarlett’s eyes flew open in horror. “Since when did you two… Aaaghk…” She growled in rage, fighting against the overwhelming pain that threatened to consume her.

Levi deliberately lifted Viviane’s hand and kissed the back of it with exaggerated devotion, right in front of Scarlett. “Does it matter how long? All that matters is that we’ve spent years building a love that’s real and true,” he said, smiling sweetly at Viviane.

“Why, Levi…” Scarlett gasped, her breath coming in ragged sobs. “We’re supposed to be married tomorrow…”

This time, Levi turned to her with a cold, sharp glare. “I have only ever loved Viviane, and I always will. Everything between us was just a misunderstanding you forced on everyone. You were the one who chased after me, shamelessly, again and again. Even the King himself blessed our union—did you really think I wanted it? If I had refused the King’s order, or the demands of that stubborn old man, your grandfather, I never would have been accepted as the Alpha of my own clan! Did you honestly believe I loved you? Rubbish! Let me make this clear. I have never, not once, loved you!” Levi spat the words out with pure disgust, and Scarlett broke down into quiet, broken sobs.

He grabbed her throat, his grip tight and cruel. “You were always throwing yourself at me, using cheap tricks to make everyone think we belonged together. If I had rejected you openly, I would have looked like a monster. I only agreed to our engagement, Scarlett, so that the Alpha King would trust me enough to make me his right-hand man. And now? I don’t need you anymore.” He shoved her away roughly, leaving her gasping and struggling for every breath.

Levi stood up and wrapped his arm firmly around Viviane’s waist. “Viviane is the only woman I will ever want,” he declared, stroking her face. Viviane looked back at Scarlett, her eyes gleaming with triumph as she slowly, proudly rubbed her hand over her stomach.

“Darling… do you know something?” Viviane asked softly, turning her gaze to Levi, her fingers still resting against her flat belly.

Levi’s face lit up instantly, eyes wide with pure joy and pride. “Are you… are you pregnant?” He leaned in, his smile stretching from ear to ear.

Viviane nodded playfully. Levi let out a shout of happiness, sweeping her up into his arms and spinning her around. They laughed together, bright and unashamed, as if they were the only two people in the world. When he finally set her down, he kissed her deeply and passionately, long and hungry. There was no awkwardness, no hesitation—they moved together as if they were meant to be one, as if they had done this a thousand times before.

Tears streamed silently down Scarlett’s face. She could not look away, could not believe what she was seeing. The man she had loved since she was a child, the man who was supposed to be her husband tomorrow, the man who had sworn to be hers for all eternity… was right here, making love to her own half-sister, right before her eyes. He was showing her, without a word, that this—this passion, this happiness—was the love he had always truly wanted.

Scarlett squeezed her eyes shut, her mind reeling.

‘Pregnant? She’s already carrying his child… Is this how my life ends? Killed by the man I was going to marry, betrayed by him and my own sister…’

‘And it ends like this…’