I wasn't always a stay-at-home mom. Back when Alpha Levi and I were in college, we were equals. Our pheromones matched perfectly, and we climbed the corporate ladder together. We bonded, had Logan, and life seemed perfect. But as our careers grew, I was the one always making sacrifices.​

I quit my job, trading my ambition for the smell of diapers and laundry. While I managed the household, Levi's scent grew stronger. Now, he runs the pack, and I... I'm just the Luna at home.​

This morning, he left without our usual goodbye. No lingering touch, no shared pheromone - infused hug. Still, I cooked dinner, waiting for him like every other night.​

At 8 p.m., my phone buzzed.​

Levi: Last - minute trip. Pack my stuff. I'll pick it up in 30.​

His text was cold, like a stranger's command. I was used to it. For years, I'd sorted his clothes, making sure his shirts carried my faint scent to calm his nerves.​

When I dragged the suitcase outside, Violet was in the passenger seat of Levi's car.

"Hey, Nadia!" she chirped. "I'm so new at this. Alpha Levi said I could tag along to learn about report - writing."​

"An intern on a business trip?" I hissed, my grip on the suitcase handle tightening.​

Levi rolled down the window. "It's on the way. She needs to learn how we track business scents." His fingers drummed on the wheel, a happy rhythm I hadn't heard in ages.​

I remembered when he'd stay up all night, his own exhaustion forgotten, just to soothe my sickened senses with warm soup.

At first, I fought. But for Logan, for our family's image, I gave in. And now, with Violet... it was different.​

The second day of his trip, Violet added me on WhatsApp.​

Violet: Nadia, does Alpha Levi wear XL clothes?​

A photo followed: a messy hotel room, Levi's shirt damp and discarded.​

She typed on: He got drunk, spilled his drink. I'm buying him new stuff.​

Her messages oozed fake innocence.​

Days passed, and her social posts were all about Levi.

Photos of them watching the sunrise, her wrapped in his jacket, their mingled scents practically jumping off the screen. A video showed him peeling shrimp for her, just like he used to do for me.

A few days later, Alpha Levi called. "Pick me up from the airport."​

The rain lashed down. I waited outside, getting drenched, my clothes clinging to me. The flight was delayed. I stood at the arrivals gate, umbrella in hand, until finally, I saw them-Levi and Violet.​

His jacket was still draped over her shoulders, reeking of her overpowering peach - scented pheromones.​

Violet grinned at me first. "Nadia! The driver bailed last minute. Thanks for coming!"​

My eyes fixed on the jacket. "If lying makes you feel better, go ahead."​

Her smile faded.​

Levi climbed into the backseat.

"Drop her off first. Cloudtop Gardens."​

That address rang a bell. Last week, while sorting his clothes, I'd found a concert ticket stub with that same address scribbled on the back.​

Violet slid in next to Levi, all smiles. "Thanks for the ride, Nadia."​

In the rear - view mirror, I watched them.

Even though they didn't touch, the mix of their scents was like a slap in the face.​

It was late when we got home. I headed straight for the shower. As I was dressing, the bathroom door opened.​

Levi stepped in, wrapping his arms around me. "Missed me?" A diamond necklace dangled in front of me. "Saw it at an auction. Thought it'd suit you. Like it?" His breath was hot on my neck.​

But I caught Violet's perfume on him. I pushed him away hard. In the mirror, I recognized the pendant-it was the same one Violet had posted on X.​

Her caption had said: "Too expensive, not my style."

Translation: I was getting her rejects.​

I pulled up Violet's post on my phone and shoved it in Levi's face.

"Care to explain this?"

Alpha Levi froze, his warm breath fanning my neck, then let out a low laugh. "She's just a young she-wolf joking around, Nat. Why freak out? She's just an intern."​

Despite Violet flaunting herself, he kept defending her.​

My frustration spiked. I shoved him away again.​

His expression turned icy. "Are you trying to piss me off? Still throwing a fit?"​

"Luna Nadia, I thought staying home would have made you smarter," he sneered. "Guess I was wrong."​

Before I could retort, he lifted me onto the bathroom counter, wedging himself between my legs. "Do I need to remind you of your mate duties?"​

That night, there was no affection. Just raw anger in his actions.​

The next morning, I woke up burning up.

By afternoon, I could barely stand and dragged myself to the hospital.​

Levi called while I was hooked to an IV.

When he heard where I was, he said he'd come get me.​

After the IV, I walked out to see his car.

As I headed for the passenger seat, Violet popped up, munching on snacks.

"Hey, Nadia! I'm meeting a friend. Alpha Levi's giving me a ride."​

Exhaustion washed over me.

I didn't even have the energy to argue.

I climbed into the backseat and closed my eyes, pretending to sleep.​

Even knowing I was sick, Levi dropped Violet at the mall first. As she hopped out, she waved cheerfully at me. I stared back coldly and rolled up the window.​

In the car, Levi snapped, "She's just a newbie. Stop acting jealous. It's embarrassing."​

I stayed silent, eyes shut. The IV didn't help; my fever lingered.​

Later, his tone softened a bit. "Still feeling crappy?" I ignored him, and he didn't push.​

At home, he helped me out of the car. "Was I too rough last night?" he said, his voice gentler. "Sorry, Luna Nadia. I'll be more careful."​

I mumbled about being tired and went to bed.​

The next day, I had the nanny take Logan to school.

I only started feeling better in the afternoon.

That evening, I went to pick up Logan from kindergarten, but the teacher said a she-wolf had already taken him. Levi had approved it.​

Panic set in.

I called Levi, hands shaking. He didn't answer.

Just as I was about to call the cops, he picked up.​

In the background, I heard a loud birthday song and glasses clinking. "It's a friend's birthday," Levi shouted over the noise. "Brought Logan along for the party."​

I exploded. "Why didn't you tell me? Do you know how worried-"​

Logan's voice cut in. "Mommy, Violet's here!" Then the line went dead.​

I stood alone on the street, feeling colder than ever.​

Late at night, I was on the couch when I heard laughter at the door. Logan ran to me, holding a fancy cake box. "Mommy! Violet's cake was awesome! She taught me to decorate!"​

The sweet smell of strawberry frosting mixed with Violet's strong perfume hit me. I felt sick and rushed to the bathroom, gagging.​

Levi followed.

"You okay?" He handed me a towel, then asked casually, "Luna Nadia, when was your last heat cycle?"​

I looked up sharply. He leaned in, excited. "Could you be pregnant?"​

His eager expression stung, making my eyes water. He'd always wanted another pup.​

That night, I couldn't sleep. The next morning, I took a pregnancy test. Two bold red lines stared back.​

I was pregnant.

When Alpha Levi saw the positive pregnancy test, he lifted me off my feet and spun me around, a huge grin plastered on his face. He'd always dreamed of having a daughter.​

He swore to clear his schedule, promising to accompany me to every healer's appointment.

But on the day of our first check - up, I sat alone in the hospital corridor, clutching the early pregnancy report. I called him repeatedly, but his phone went straight to voicemail.​

Then a text flashed on my screen: Violet got into a car accident.

Can't leave right now.​

Moments later, Violet posted a selfie on X.

Her hand was wrapped in bandages, and she pouted at the camera with the caption: "Just a tiny scratch, but someone's making a mountain out of a molehill."​

The strong smell of hospital antiseptic filled my nostrils, triggering a wave of nausea.

My hands shook as I gripped the report tightly and knocked on the healer's door. "I want to schedule an abortion," I said firmly.​

As the anesthesia took effect, I closed my eyes, tears streaming down my face.

After the procedure, I leaned against the wall, barely able to stand as I made my way out of the operating room.​

That's when I saw them.

At the end of the hall, Alpha Levi crouched down, letting Violet climb onto his back.

The sight was all too familiar. Seven years ago, he'd carried me like that after my appendicitis surgery. In college, during a freezing winter, he'd waited outside my dorm for three hours just to bring me medicine when I had a cold. Back then, his eyes shone only for me. Now, they lit up at the sight of Violet's teary eyes.​

"Does your foot still hurt?" he asked, easily supporting her weight.​

Violet giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck, her hair brushing against his throat.

Before she could reply, a group of their coworkers stepped out of the elevator. Alpha Levi quickly set her down, stepping back to fix his tie and creating distance between them.​

"Violet, heard you had an accident?" one coworker said, slapping her shoulder.

"Alpha Levi's playing nurse? Talk about special treatment!"​

I tried to slip through the crowd unnoticed, but a sharp pain shot through my lower back, making me stumble. My elbow accidentally brushed against Violet's arm.​

"Ouch!" she cried out, dramatically falling to the floor.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

"Watch where you're going!" Her eyes widened slightly when she realized it was me.​

Her colleagues jumped in, yelling at me. "Apologize!"

"Yeah, what's your problem? Say sorry!" Since I rarely attended Alpha Levi's company events, they had no clue I was his mate.​

The pain from the surgery was unbearable, and my vision blurred as I leaned on the wall for support.

I didn't have the energy to argue. I took a wobbly step to leave, but Alpha Levi grabbed my wrist, his grip vice - like.​

"Apologize to her," he demanded, his voice frigid, his eyes lacking any trace of the warmth I once knew.​

I thought of the wolf who used to tilt his umbrella towards me in the rain, getting soaked himself.

Now, that same wolf was forcing me to apologize to another she - wolf. My stomach twisted. I pulled my wrist free, tasting blood in my mouth but swallowing it back.​

"What if I don't?" I challenged, my voice shaking.​

His tone was even colder. "You don't want to find out."​

His threat crushed the last of my hope. I wanted to laugh at the absurdity, but it only made me feel more miserable.​

"Fine," I said, licking my dry lips. "I won't."​

He scowled and leaned in closer. "What did you say?"​

"I said, Alpha Levi," my voice sounded foreign to me, "I want to break the mate bond."​

The entire hallway fell silent. Shock spread across everyone's faces.