Chapter 2

Kya POV

I didn’t stay to watch Owen’s performance. Instead, I hurried back home.

I prepared a beautifully decorated gift box, placing all the photos inside before locking it shut.

It wasn’t until 11 p.m. that Owen finally came back, carrying a faint scent of alcohol.

“Kya, I’m sorry I got home so late and couldn’t join you for dinner. You have no idea how busy it is to prepare for the Moon Goddess Festival. I got you a cruise ship—are you excited to see it? ”

He walked over to the bed and kissed me on the forehead, displaying more affection. I forced a faint smile.

Was it really work? Or was he busy tangling up with Lina?

Even though he always shut down our link before meeting her, even though he scrubbed the scent of her roses from his body after every sex.

He couldn’t erase all the evidence of his betrayal.

Sometimes, it was a stray hair on his clothes.

Sometimes, it was a hickey in a private spot.

Even now, when he undressed and headed into the bathroom, I saw a scratch mark on his hip. It was definitely not from me.

After his shower, Owen climbed into the bed beside me. I sat up and handed him the gift box from the nightstand.

“I prepared a gift for you too.”

As I passed him the box, he didn’t notice the missing wedding ring on my finger.

But when he accepted the box, the joy and love in his eyes still seemed real.

“What is it?” He fiddled with the lock, trying to open it.

“It’s a secret. I’ll give you the key on the day of the Moon Goddess Festival,” I said, pressing his hand to stop him.

“Kya, you’re so good to me. I love you.” He hooked an arm around my neck, nuzzling his head against the crook of my shoulder, and drifted off to sleep.

I returned the box to the nightstand.

It truly held a secret.

***

The following day, Owen woke up early, as always. He was brimming with energy.

Yes, full of energy—how else could he manage his double life? Or perhaps it was Lina who had injected excitement into his days?

"Good morning, sweetheart. I made your favorite strawberry cake," Owen said, feeding me a bite and gently wiping the strawberry jam from the corner of my mouth with his thumb.

"Let me take you shopping today. I want my woman to be the most dazzling star at the Moon Goddess Festival."

"Alright."

I didn’t want to go. I didn’t want any dress, but I couldn’t say no.

We walked into a high-end boutique.

"Alpha Owen, Luna Kya," the designer greeted us politely. "It’s been a while since I’ve seen you both."

"My mistake. I’ve been so busy with work this year that I haven’t taken Kya shopping for a long time," Owen replied.

He certainly had been "busy" this year, though not because of work.

Owen’s apologetic tone earned praise from two women in the store.

"Alpha Owen is a role model for all the men in our pack!"

"Exactly! It’s never about men not having time—it’s about not loving you enough to make the time! Even as an Alpha, he still finds time to take his mate shopping!"

Hearing their comments, Owen smiled at me and held my hand tighter.

I glanced at him. Perhaps he was a role model for men. After all, wasn’t having multiple wives and mistresses a dream for many of them?

"This dress matches your red hair perfectly! Try it on," Owen said, holding up an emerald silk gown against me.

He knew my size and preferences perfectly. Who else could know me better than him?

"Alright." I smiled, turned away, and sighed softly.

But any fleeting warmth I felt was quickly interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Hi, Luna Kya."

Lina stepped out of a fitting room, wearing a deep V, seductive red gown, and greeted me proactively.

Lina was a nurse at our pack hospital—sweet-looking and curvy. There was no way her nurse’s salary could afford the clothes in this store. But she had already paid with her body, and the person footing the bill was right here.

Owen was watching me and Lina nervously.

I merely nodded at her and shut the fitting room door, cutting off any chance for her to start a conversation.

When I came out after trying on the dress, I saw Owen helping Lina zip up the back of her gown.

I said nothing, but Owen immediately looked flustered. He hastily pulled his hands away. "Lina’s zipper got stuck, and she asked me to help."

"Why don’t you help me zip it up instead, Luna Kya?" Lina said with an innocent smile, playing coy with me.

"Lina…" Owen pulled her back slightly, likely realizing her request was inappropriate—or perhaps just feeling awkward being caught between his mate and mistress.

"It’s fine, just a small favor," I said, smiling at Owen.

His expression relaxed.

"I don’t know if it’s because my chest is too full or this store’s dresses are only designed for stick-thin models. I’ve tried so many, but none fit properly," Lina said, deliberately puffing out her ample chest.

I knew she was mocking me but didn’t respond to her provocation. Before becoming Owen’s mate, I had spent a short time as a model.

What was there to argue about? In ten days, it wouldn’t matter whether Owen slept with Lina or with someone like her, who had a curvy figure.

When you decide to discard something, there’s no point in fighting for it.

"Do you like this green dress? If you do, we’ll get it. I’ve made a reservation at a restaurant, and it’s almost time for lunch," Owen said, holding me close, eager to leave the store.

I could feel Lina’s expression darken as she watched Owen wrap his arm around me and lead me out. The hatred in her gaze was palpable.

After leaving the boutique, our driver took us to the restaurant.

I clutched my chest and leaned against the car window.

Even though I’d already decided to walk away from all this, why did my heart still ache so much?

"What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Owen leaned over, cupping my face in concern.

"I’m fine. Maybe I haven’t been resting well lately," I replied.

"I’ll prepare some aromatherapy for you tonight to help you sleep."

The love in his eyes was overwhelming. Maybe he hadn’t fallen out of love—he’d simply split his heart in two.

Just then, Owen’s phone began to vibrate.

He shifted slightly away from me, discreetly replying to the message while stealing glances at me.

The buzzing then became more frequent.