Chapter 2

After that, I became David's so-called "mystery Luna" in the pack. Everyone knew David had claimed a Luna, but no one knew who she really was.

So, of course, no one knew about his pup either.

He never allowed us to appear in the pack at the same time.

Holding the bond-breaking agreement in my hand, I headed to the pack hall to file my application to depart.

"Vivian, have you thought this through? Are you sure you want to leave the pack? You know the rules. Once you apply to leave, you can't come back for five years."

The werewolf clerk looked at me earnestly.

"I've made up my mind. I'm taking my pup to the North Lange to be with his father. We've been apart too long. It's time for the family to be reunited again."

I looked at the clerk, trying to steady my trembling voice, forcing out a faint smile.

He nodded. "You've been through a lot raising a pup alone all these years."

The application was quickly approved.

I thanked him and was just turning to leave when I overheard another clerk speaking in a low voice, "I always thought she didn't have a mate, that the so-called pup was her illegitimate child. I'm surprised that she actually has a mate…"

My heart jolted, and I froze mid-step. The voices behind me went silent.

I sighed, unconsciously biting my lip.

My mate had been a little more than a stranger on paper all these years. Everyone assumed I was an unwed mother who'd been abandoned.

I slowly headed for the door when someone suddenly bumped into me.

I let out a startled cry as the papers in my hands scattered to the floor.

Looking up, I saw David and Sophia walking in, chatting and laughing together.

His eyes widened for a split second when he saw me, but his gaze quickly turned cold.

"David…" The name slipped out before I could stop it, but I regretted it instantly.

He shot me a frosty glare, and I fell silent.

Of course, it was the grand pack hall, and he was the Alpha, the leader of all these wolves. Who was I to speak to him first?

In five years together, he had never once looked at me with warmth or walked beside me in the pack. Every encounter was cold, as if I were a stranger, not to mention acknowledging me as his Luna.

"The Alpha's mystery Luna finally shows herself, so it's her…"

"No wonder she caught his eye. She's the most striking she-wolf in the pack. I'm so envious of her being able to attract his attention…"

The whispers behind me started up again. I bit down hard on my lip until I tasted blood, fighting to hold back my tears.

See? Everyone thought Sophia and David were the real mates.

Looking at the gentle way he gazed at Sophia, I quietly gathered my scattered papers. He hated me so much that once I was gone, he'd probably be glad.

Then, he could finally mark Sophia.

I'd wanted to tell him I was here to process my exit papers, that I'd be taking Joseph and leaving the pack for good, never bothering him or Sophia again. However, he didn't care.

He didn't even bother to ask why I was here. His eyes were only for Sophia.

It didn't matter anymore. In three days, I'd be gone from this world.

Whether he loved me or not had nothing to do with me.

Leaving the pack hall, I got a call from Joseph. "Mom, you said this morning you'd be at the hall this afternoon. I got out of school early today and happened to pass by."

"Alright, wait there. I'm coming right now."

I turned back, but as I reached the corner of the hall, I saw Joseph standing there in a daze. Following his gaze, I saw David feeding Sophia ice cream.

Their heads were close together, sharing the same cone.

Joseph's eyes turned red.

David suddenly noticed him.

Joseph's eyes lit up, and he started to run toward him, only for David to shoot him a harsh glare before turning away with Sophia in his arms.

Joseph stood frozen. His backpack slipped from his shoulders without him noticing as tears streamed down his face.

I rushed to him and pulled him into my arms.

Before I could comfort him, he looked up at me and asked in a serious tone, "Mom, it's my school's sports day tomorrow. Can David come with me?"

Since the day Joseph was born, David had never once gone to one of his sports days.

Seeing the hopeful look in his eyes, I dialed David's number. "David, are you free to come to Joseph's sports day tomorrow? Just one morning, an hour, even…"

Before I could finish, the line went dead.

I lowered my head, unable to meet Joseph's eyes.

"Mom, is Dad not coming?" He cupped my face, looking at me intently.

Seeing that I didn't answer, he seemed to understand. He nodded thoughtfully and gave me a small, knowing smile.

"It's okay, Mom. I was just asking. It's normal if David doesn't have time. He's never had time, anyway."