Chapter 3

During the two years when I loved Ethan the most, I naively believed that I would have his heart if I could bear him a pup.

When I became pregnant with Joy, he indeed became more attentive. He stayed by my side more often, caring about my every move.

At that time, he was just as gentle as when he pursued me back in university.

He made me believe I had finally captured his heart.

That was until the day Joy was born.

As Ethan had vanished without a trace, I went through the pain and fear of labor alone.

I learned the truth—that day, he finally succeeded in seducing a college she-wolf he had long pursued. They spent the entire day in a luxury suite at the most extravagant hotel in Moonlight City.

I once hated him to the core.

Five years was enough to wear down all of a person's expectations.

Over the years, many women in the pack advised me to have another pup.

"Powerful Alphas always have she-wolves around them—it's perfectly normal. Honestly, compared to others, Ethan is quite loyal to you."

"You should have a few more pups. No matter who he has out there, you'll always be the Luna of the Silvercrest pack."

The Silvercrest pack's Alpha bloodline had always borne only one heir per generation. If that pup were to die prematurely, the Pack would be left without a successor.

If I had another pup—regardless of gender—the Pack's elders wouldn't allow it even if Ethan tried to get rid of me.

But this was reality. I couldn't harm myself for the sake of short-term advantage.

Besides, I already have Joy. She was my everything.

I carefully stored the test report, drove home, and made Joy's favorite pasta as I waited for her return.

As night fell, I called Ethan ten times, but no one ever picked up.

I found it hard to sit still any longer, so I grabbed the car keys and rushed out.

No one was at the office. The amusement park was already closed.

Just as I was about to head to the family estate in desperation, the butler finally called.

"Luna, Joy is already home. Oliver brought her back. She's asleep now," he informed me.

I leaned back in my seat and exhaled in relief.

He added, "Oliver also asked me to tell you that the Alpha won't be coming back tonight."

"I understand." After hanging up, I turned the car around to head home.

But just as I rounded a corner, I saw Ethan's car.

Under the warm, dim streetlights, his tall figure cast a long shadow. A cigarette flickered in his hand. There were countless cigarette butts scattered at his feet.

I knew this place all too well—it was Sophia's apartment.

He stood there motionless, gazing up at a window where the light was still on.

His gaze was focused, intense.

I followed his line of sight and saw a graceful silhouette on the curtain. That outline was as light as a feather, seemingly caressing the softest part of my heart.

At that moment, Ethan looked just like the infatuated male lead in a romance movie, watching his beloved from afar, as he was too afraid to approach.

It felt like an invisible hand was slowly crushing my heart, the pain suffocating.

While Ethan stood outside all night, I watched him all night from within my car.

At dawn, Sophia finally emerged. She looked well-rested and was surprised to see Ethan.

Ethan's weariness instantly vanished. A bright smile—one I hadn't seen in a long time—bloomed on his face.

He said something, then stepped forward.

Even though Sophia stepped back, the blush on her face gave her away.

Then, they got into the car together.

I sat frozen, feeling like my heart was being wrapped in countless threads, every breath dragging more pain.

That expression Ethan wore as he pursued her—that focused, determined look—was the same one he had when he courted me once upon a time.

It was hard to resist it when a noble and elegant Alpha decided to pursue someone.

But this time, his romance was for someone else.

I followed them from a distance as they arrived at the pack's main building.

In front of the building, the two of them instinctively widened the gap between them.

Ethan walked ahead, receiving respectful greetings from pack members. Then, he casually turned around and waved to her in the distance.

Under everyone's envious gaze, Sophia entered his private elevator.

That gesture was like a declaration that Sophia held a supreme privilege in Ethan's world.