Chapter 4

He froze for a few seconds, then softened his tone: "Sophia, stop fooling around."

Lucas still clung tightly to his arm and wouldn't let go, and he didn't even try to put the child down.

When Ethan finally remembered to reach for my cold hand, my wolf instincts made me step back.

Sensing my rejection, he also stopped, his voice gentle:

"I'm sorry, Sophia, but he's still just a pup."

"I know tonight has been sudden for you, but we're both adults. We should handle this rationally."

Rationally?

I felt my wolf nature roiling and snarling in my veins.

Yes, I was the envied Pack Leader's daughter of the Blood Moon Pack, yet now I had to compete with a suddenly appearing pup for his love.

Utterly ridiculous.

When I first came of age, he pursued me with the entire pack's knowledge.

Everyone thought it was just post-awakening impulse, and I thought so too.

After all, he changed female companions faster than the moon phases.

Later I thought, he'd played hunting games with me as children, and I'd accompany him through growth as adults—this wasn't bad.

The day I accepted his courtship, he excitedly lit the most magnificent celebration bonfire in pack history.

On my birthday that year, he gave me his bloodline's inherited hunting estate.

He cut off all his flings for me. All pack members said the Alpha was deeply devoted.

I spent my entire youth peacefully in the gorgeous castle he built for me.

Never expecting he'd prepared such a big "surprise" for me, earning me the label of "willful".

Even when I mentioned breaking up, he showed no emotional response.

He quickly turned to check the pup's wounds.

"It's not too deep, but we should see the pack healer right away."

Ivy covered her chest nearby, coquettishly complaining:

"Ethan, that wolf dog is so scary. Why don't you send it away..."

The man didn't refuse:

"Sophia, Lucas will be staying here these few days. Lock Storm in the silver cage during this time. Don't let it out."

But Storm was the gentlest wolf dog, never biting anyone randomly.

Unless it was protecting me.

Ethan was clearly right there, yet I felt exceptionally distant from him.

Before I could say anything, he carried the pup toward the garage, the woman at his side pressing close as she looked concernedly at the pup.

Just like a loving couple.

The world suddenly became quiet.

The clock ticked away, like needles stabbing into my heart.

During our seven years together, all those nights we'd embraced, his burning body entwined with mine.

These memories had once made me certain this man was my destined Alpha, the faith I'd follow for life.

Thinking of this, tears finally spilled from my eyes.

I turned to close and lock the door, then walked into the bathroom.

In the mirror, my curves were graceful, my tender skin still bearing Ethan's bite marks.

My nature was conservative—I'd planned to wait until the official marking ceremony for our most important moment.

So everyone spread rumors that he'd suppressed his wolf desires for his beloved me for seven years.

Until yesterday, when we set the date for our bonding ceremony.

I'd thought his gentle restraint in bed was due to cherishing me, not knowing he'd already broken his vows.

The destined mate he thought was someone else.

I scrubbed every inch of skin vigorously, as if those marks were shameful brands.

Until my skin was red and aching.

My phone kept vibrating with messages from Ethan.

The man's voice sounded slightly weary.

"Sophia, there's pain-relief herb in the fridge at home. Apply it to your face."

"Lucas is my bloodline after all. It's my mistake—how could I bear to implicate you?"

"...Don't worry, I'll properly arrange their situation. I won't let you suffer any grievance—"

"Alpha, Alpha..."

The last voice message cut off abruptly, a woman's voice echoing in the room for two seconds.

I smiled, but tears flowed as I smiled.

I don't call Ethan 'Alpha' very often. I used to love calling him “Apex”.

This represents that he is a unique existence for me, the eternal pinnacle in my heart.

At sixteen, he told me only I could call him that.

When he first heard me say "Apex," the young man stood in sunlight, joy nearly overflowing from his eyes.

Later I met Ivy.

She was bright and generous. Though lowly born, she had the same pride as Ethan in her bones.

We quickly became acquainted, then friends, then close friends.

She also learned from me to call him "Apex."

Ethan was quite displeased with this. He even corrected her publicly.

"Apex is Sophia's exclusive term. You should call me something else."

He was like an impartial pack leader—somewhat frightening when not smiling.

The usually sunny Ivy suddenly had red-rimmed eyes.

I quickly defended her, trying to smooth things over.

Until one day, Ethan looked unwell and pulled my hand, asking me not to call him Apex anymore.

He said he preferred when I used special terms for him.

So I would privately call him "mate."

His ears would turn red, but his eyes held unfathomably deep emotions.

Now I understood—the word "Apex" were never a testament to our love.

Warm, fluffy touches suddenly came from around my ankles.

It was Storm, nuzzling my ankles affectionately.

"You'll stay with me forever, won't you?" I gently petted it.

Even destined mates couldn't escape the seven-year itch.

The love I'd held with such certainty—its collapse only took an instant.