Chapter 2

When I woke up again, I could no longer sense my wolf nor hear her in my mind. My once-strong limbs felt extremely weak.

I didn't want to cry, but I couldn't keep my tears from falling.

"Ophelia, what's wrong? Are you in pain?" Xander concernedly asked.

He looked confused as he wiped away my tears for me. Then, in a soft voice, he added, "Do you need me to fetch the healer?"

I shook my head.

But then, out of nowhere, Xander guiltily choked out, "Ophelia… The healer said your wolf was too badly injured, so she couldn't stay with you. I'm sorry. You lost your wolf because you tried to save me."

His shoulders shook, and he looked genuinely pained—as though he wasn't the one who had been determined to kill my wolf yesterday. On the surface, Xander appeared caring and protective, but it was just a cover for his evil, scheming nature.

He was the Alpha of the New Moon pack, so shouldn't he know how important my wolf was to me? Maybe he did but just didn't care—because I was the one who would be hurt.

Dahlia Brown was the she-wolf Xander truly cherished and held closest to his heart. He would do anything to protect her.

After a long silence, I forced a smile and put on an understanding act—just like I usually did.

"It's okay, Xander. You know how much I love you. I'd give anything as long as it meant you'd be safe and well," I consoled.

"I love you too, Ophelia—forever. You'll always be my Luna," Xander replied.

His dark green eyes were full of sincerity as he embraced me, full of emotions.

Xander had made the same promise to me six years ago when he had marked me. Back then, like a fool, I had kissed him passionately. I had thought I had found a good mate and was determined to give him even more love.

Now, Xander's embrace felt as cold as his heart. I felt no warmth from it. The love I had received from him was nothing more than pitiful scraps—leftovers from the love and protection he gave to another she-wolf.

After a while, Xander released me and hesitantly said, "The ceremony to appoint Leander as my Alpha heir is tomorrow. Everything's ready, but in your current condition—"

"Find someone else to stand in for me," I cut him off. "Alpha heirs do not have weak, Omega mothers. So, I'd only embarrass Leander and you, and you'll both be mocked by other packs."

I knew exactly what Xander was trying to say. So, rather than fighting tooth and nail while being forced to accept it, I might as well suggest it myself. At least this way, I could still have some dignity.

"You truly are a kind woman, Ophelia. Leander and I will always love you," Xander replied.

He hadn't expected me to agree so easily. He exhaled in relief and was so moved that he hugged me again.

I smiled bitterly at his performance.

Changing the subject, I stated, "I want to go home."

I was desperate to hold my son, Leander Smith, and tell him everything would be okay.

"Go home? No, I don't think you should. You're still recovering, and I won't allow you to put your health at risk," Xander said.

I wanted to laugh.

He was the one who had carefully orchestrated that big fire I got badly injured in, just so he could give the woman he loved an honorable position in the pack. He had ordered my wolf to be killed without a second thought.

And despite having everything he wanted now, Xander was still playing the role of a caring mate to perfection.

My heart hurt so badly that I couldn't breathe. Yet, I smiled as I explained, "But we still need to tell Leander about this decision and find a she-wolf to replace me for the appointment ceremony. We're tight on time, and besides, I'll be fine. It's all for tomorrow's ceremony."

"Alright. I really can't say no to you," Xander acquiesced.

He smiled dotingly as he helped me into the car.

Then, he said, "Don't worry, I've already thought of a suitable stand-in—Dahlia Brown. She married into the Red Moon pack, but her mate died. Dahlia returned to the New Moon pack not long ago. She's also a strong warrior, and she loves children too. Plus, she's a teacher at the nursery school for Alpha heirs, so she already knows Leander very well."

I felt a stabbing pain in my heart as I listened to him excitedly introduce another woman to me.

Biting back the pain, I asked, "Does Leander know you plan to make his teacher his new mother?"

"He does," Xander replied.

Then, he reached for a photo album and handed it to me. "I took these photos when I visited the school. Look—don't they get along well?"

There were many photos, most of which were group photos of Leander, Xander, and Dahlia—them kissing during the full moon celebration, camping on Night of the Werewolves, and celebrating when Leander earned his first young warrior badge…

Dahlia was pretty much present during every milestone in Leander's life. In fact, she, Xander, and Leander seemed more like a family, whereas I was the outsider.

I suddenly thought back to the time Leander was six months old. Xander had said he wanted to raise him to be the strongest future Alpha the pack had ever had. So, he hadn't allowed me to raise Leander and had instead sent Leander off to nursery school, where Leander would be with the Alpha heirs.

Now, I knew why. It wasn't that I couldn't be close to my son, but that Xander had already chosen someone else to be Leander's mother. Xander wanted Leander and Dahlia to grow closer through daily interactions so that Leander would forget about me, his real mother.

And the cruelest part about Xander's plan? He had succeeded.

Leander had grown increasingly distant from me ever since he went to nursery school. Meanwhile, he was pressing warm kisses against the cheek of another woman.

In that moment, I abruptly lost all the strength in my body. The reluctance, shame, and anger evaporated into nothingness—along with all my unresolved questions and pain.

I felt like an intruder, destroying a perfect and happy family of three. My heart felt as though it had a gaping hole in it and was bleeding out, and it couldn't be healed no matter what.