Chapter 3

I didn't question Carlen further. I simply let him drive me home.

On the way, he explained everything about that incident.

Nine months ago, while negotiating a business deal, someone had spiked his drink with a strong aphrodisiac. In a haze, he was taken home by a waitress named Lily.

After that incident, he punished the establishment and gave Lily a sum of money as compensation. He told her to leave the Silvermoon Pack's territory.

However, he never expected her to end up being bred.

Carlen's mother, Judy Moran, found out about this incident. She brought Lily back to the pack and insisted on keeping what might be a future heir.

I knew how obsessed Judy was with heirs.

Right after our wedding seven years ago, Carlen and I were ambushed by rogues on our honeymoon.

During the escape, he was shot with a bullet laced with silver nitrate while protecting me.

He used the last of his strength to push me to safety so I could run. But how could I leave my mate behind?

I chose to stay, using my wolf's power to heal him and prevent him from dying from the silver poison.

By the time reinforcements from the pack arrived, I had drained nearly all of my wolf.

Carlen recovered quickly, but I lost the pup I'd been carrying during that incident. My wolf was also severely wounded. From that day on, I could no longer conceive.

After that, Carlen grew even more devoted to me. He said our souls were completely bonded, swearing that he would never leave me, no matter what.

However, Judy was extremely displeased with my inability to bear them an heir.

When Lily unexpectedly conceived Carlen's pup, it was no surprise how vehemently she would protect it.

…

In the car, Carlen held my hand tightly, guilt written all over his face. Through our mind-link, he spoke with deep remorse. "Irene, it was really just an accident… I'll give you a grand wedding to make it up to you."

Staring into his golden eyes, I held back the pain rising in my chest and asked, "Who do you choose—me or the pup?"

He fell silent, but I already had my answer.

That night, an invisible yet thick wall seemed to separate us. His embrace was still warm and familiar, but I had never felt so far away from him.

The next morning, Carlen was already gone. All he left behind was a note on the bedside table.

"There's an emergency in the pack. I've gone ahead. I made you breakfast. Don't forget to eat."

In fact, I'd heard Lily call him before dawn. She was the one who called him away.

Looking at the breakfast on the table, I suddenly felt a wave of nausea.

A thought rose in my mind. I went to the obstetrics and gynecology department in the pack's healing center.

When I saw the words "Pregnancy Confirmed" on the report in my hand, I laughed through tears.

The healer looked at me with pity and asked gently, "Have you decided what to do with the pup? Given your condition, you may never be able to conceive again if you give up this pup."

I thought for a long time before quietly giving my answer.

After leaving the healer center, I went to the luxurious estate Carlen had gifted me.

It was named after me.

My name was carved into the stone at the entrance of the estate. And just below it, there was a vow handwritten by Carlen.

"Together with my Luna, for eternity."

Looking at that, all I felt was a bitter irony.

This was Carlen's gift to me, our exclusive love nest. No other woman was allowed inside, except for the maids.

Yet now, I saw Lily in the estate.

She looked at me smugly, her tone full of provocation. "So this is the legendary Irene Estate that only the Alpha and Luna are allowed to enter. It doesn't seem that special. I got in without much trouble.

"I heard this place was your exclusive love nest. But Judy said it's perfect for pregnancy, so Carlen let me move in. You're not mad, are you? He didn't want anything in here to hurt the baby. That's why he replaced all the furniture with my favorite styles."

I looked around at the estate that had been completely transformed. The bitterness in my chest nearly choked me.

Memories flooded in like a tide, vivid before my eyes.

On our third mate-bond anniversary, Carlen had gone down on one knee and handed me the keys to this place. "Irene, I won't let anyone else step foot in here. This place carries the mark of our bond. It belongs to us, and only us."

This had once been the sanctuary of our love. Now, he had personally given it to another woman.

I felt as if all strength had been drained from my body. I could barely stand.

This place, once filled with love, had become a testament to my heartbreak.

"So how long do you plan to keep hogging the Luna title? Can't you see how much Carlen favors me and the pup?" Lily's words were filled with malice.

Hogging? Only when one occupied something that didn't belong to them was called hogging.

Perhaps in others' eyes, I truly didn't deserve the Luna position anymore.

I smiled wryly, and a sense of helplessness washed over me.

Suddenly, my gaze fell on an empty corner of the living room. Our wedding photo had once been there, but now it was gone.

"Where's my wedding photo with Carlen?" My voice trembled, rising without warning. Disbelief burned in my eyes.

"It upset me when I looked at it, so I asked Carlen to put it away," Lily said dismissively, as if discussing a trivial matter.

I glared at her. Reluctantly, she went to retrieve the wedding photo.

Right after that, a wicked smile curled on her lips. She directly set the photo on fire in front of me.

I lunged forward, trying to extinguish the flames.

Seizing the opportunity, Lily stumbled to the ground and cried out in pain.

I couldn't hear anything else. All I cared about was putting out the fire.

But Carlen's furious voice suddenly rang in my ears like thunder. "Irene, why did you push her?"