Chapter 3

Early the next morning, Louis came by with breakfast, but he reeked of another Omega.

The scent hit me instantly, and I doubled over with nausea, gripping the bed as I dry-heaved.

He rushed to my side, gently rubbing my back like he actually cared. "Sweetheart, is it your wound? Don't be scared. I'm here."

I looked up at him in silence.

If he didn't love me, why did he keep pretending? Why couldn't he let me go? Why must he destroy me?

Just then, Beta burst into the room, his panic all over his face. "Mr. Ross, something bad happened! Someone leaked the video of Mrs. Ross being assaulted by the rogues!"

Louis spun around, his face draining of all color. "What? Who the hell recorded that?"

Beta stayed silent.

Turning sharply, Louis glanced at me before storming out. "Sweetheart, wait for me. I promise I'll fix this!"

I nodded but quietly followed after him.

"Mr. Ross, if we act now, we can still take it down. Just give the order!" Beta said.

However, Louis let out a cold, dismissive laugh. "There's no need."

Beta froze. Then, he spoke in a trembling tone. "Alpha?"

A dark glint flickered in Louis' eyes. "I want every wolf in the territory to know what happened to my Luna. Only then will they help me find the rogues and get revenge for her."

I stood quietly behind him. I knew the truth.

Louis wasn't doing this to avenge me. He wanted the world to believe I had betrayed him.

Even though I was an unwilling participant, I was no longer worthy of him. I couldn't give him a pup, and I no longer deserved to be Luna.

Beta's face went stiff. "Jody is not even as valuable as a low-ranking Omega anymore. How could a woman like that possibly stand beside you? Mr. Ross, you're too sentimental."

Louis frowned, putting on a show of disapproval. "Don't speak about my Luna that way. Everything she did was to protect me."

My fingernails dug into my palm until it went numb, but my heart hurt worse.

All the love I had given was utterly wasted on someone so deceitful.

Then, a familiar voice broke the moment. "Louis, maybe we should just let this go? Our pup and I don't need a title."

Amanda wrapped her arms around him, her eyes wide with innocent sorrow. "I'm just happy being by your side."

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she spoke. "If Jody ever found out you ordered her wolf to be killed and that you leaked the footage, she would never forgive you."

Louis' expression shifted.

He quickly dismissed Beta and pulled Amanda into his arms.

"You're still as understanding as ever," he said, his eyes full of affection.

"I promised you and the pup a beautiful future. I'm sure Jody will understand. I'll announce to the altar the day after tomorrow that Jody has lost her wolf, can no longer bear pups, and is no longer fit to be Luna.

"I'll also declare our pup as my rightful heir so that he can stand proudly before the whole pack."

Amanda shook her head through tears. "Oh, my great Alpha, you've done so much for me. I don't even know how to repay you…"

Louis kissed the tears on her face. "I would do anything for you."

I stood at the doorway, watching it all with a cold, detached gaze.

My body felt hollow, numb to any pain, but the suffocating weight of betrayal made my body tremble.

In my haze, I accidentally knocked over a candleholder.

The two, locked in their intimate moment, suddenly turned and met my gaze.

Louis' expression flashed with panic. He let go of Amanda at once and rushed toward me.

"Jody, w-what are you doing here?"