Chapter 2

That young woman planted a sweet kiss on Carlen's cheek. Something shiny glinted on her left ring finger.

I looked closely. It turned out she was wearing a moonstone ring on her ring finger.

"Alpha Carlen, the ring you've given me is so beautiful. I believe our pup can already feel how much you love me."

Carlen gently draped his coat over her shoulders and bent to stroke her rounded bump.

"I'm looking forward to meeting our pup too," he said tenderly.

I watched them and laughed. But somehow, tears silently slipped down my face.

For seven years, Carlen had maintained an appropriate distance from other women. At one point, there were even rumors in the pack that he was averse to the opposite sex.

He never cared about these gossips, saying only that it was out of respect for his Luna.

Later, he even asked a professor for advice on how to be a better Alpha mate.

I used to tease him for taking it so seriously, but he always said it was to give me a sense of security.

Carlen once told me that his heart would only belong to me.

Yet now, he had given that unique love to the woman carrying his pup.

I watched silently until Carlen felt my gaze.

The moment our eyes met, he straightened up as if the woman in his arms had suddenly turned scalding hot.

He rushed over and took my hands in his.

Carlen's eyes were filled with concern as he asked, "Irene, why are your hands so cold? And why are you crying? You're making me so worried."

The concern in his eyes was so real that it made me waver for a moment.

However, behind him, the woman carrying his pup was watching me like a victor.

She was supporting her belly with one hand, while the other gently rubbed it in slow circles. Her gaze was provocative.

I pulled my hand from Carlen's and took two steps back.

"Who is she? Is the pup she's carrying… yours?" I asked with my last ounce of strength.

At that moment, I staked our seven-year marriage and all my courage on this question. As long as he denied it and said that pup wasn't his, I was willing to believe him and forget all the pain.

However, the woman suddenly let out a sob, as if mocking my naivety.

A flicker of guilt crossed Carlen's eyes.

He closed them in agony. And when he opened them again, he gave me the cruelest answer. "It's mine."

My legs instantly gave out, and I fell heavily to the ground. My palms scraped against the rough surface as I tried to brace myself.

Carlen immediately kneeled before me, his eyes filled with anxiety. "Irene, punish me if you want, but please don't hurt yourself."

He reached for my hands to check the injuries, but he suddenly froze. "Where's your wedding ring?"

Pulling my hand away, I smiled bitterly as I pointed in the other woman's direction. "Isn't it already on her finger? You only need one wedding ring."

When Carlen heard this, a panicked look filled his eyes. He wanted to say something, but he couldn't.

Suddenly, he raised his hand and slapped himself twice. The force was so great that red marks immediately appeared on his cheeks.

That woman immediately rushed over and shielded him with her body.

Her voice trembled, but she flashed a provocative look as she stared at me. "Irene, I'm Lily Chalvez. Alpha Carlen and I were forced to be together. Please don't blame him!"

Carlen's face instantly darkened, and his voice turned cold. "Do you think you have the right to call her name? You should address her as Luna Irene!"

Lily flinched slightly, but still raised her head and spoke again. "Luna Irene, please believe me, I'm still so young. If it wasn't for Alpha's mom, I never would have kept this pup!"

The moment those words escaped her lips, Carlen abruptly turned to her and shouted, "Don't!"

In that instant, I knew it would be impossible to save our marriage.