"Selene, your bloodline is too lowly. You don't deserve to be a Luna! You must let your Alpha mark his sister-in-law!"

My mother-in-law despises me because I'm a lowly Omega.

When my mate's brother dies in an accident, my mother-in-law wants me to allow my mate, Eugene Latham, to have pups with his sister-in-law, Kristy Unwin, because of her superior bloodline. Otherwise, Eugene will lose his right to become Alpha!

He wraps his arms around me and says, "You're the only one in my heart, but you need to understand that the pack can't go without an Alpha. I'll announce to everyone that you're my Luna once Kristy's pregnant and I become Alpha, okay?"

I love him deeply, so I believe his lies. However, when Eugene goes from sleeping with Kristy once a month to sleeping with me once a month, I realize he's no longer my mate.

When Kristy announces that she's pregnant and that she and Eugene are going to get married, I'm the only one who's kept in the dark.

My heart shatters into pieces when I see the glimmering Luna's ring on her finger. I'm in so much pain that I can't breathe.

If this is what Eugene wants, I'll fake my death and leave him. I won't ever return.

My sister-in-law, Kristy Unwin, lounged lazily in the arms of my mate, Eugene Latham. She lifted her hand and admired the precious moonstone ring on her finger.

Her gaze flitted to me for a moment. Then, she put on a conflicted expression and said, "This ring is the Nightwind pack's heirloom. Only a Luna can wear it. Technically, this should be given to Eugene's true mate. But you gave it to me. Wouldn't Selena be upset?"

My mother-in-law, Grace Wilson, laughed and said, "She's just a lowly werewolf, so she doesn't have any right to be angry. The others in the pack have long wanted you to be the next Luna. Now that you're carrying the pup with Alpha bloodline, you're the only rightful Luna."

No one cared what I thought.

I looked down at my bare ring finger and didn't know what to say. Tears welled up in my eyes.

Finally, Eugene noticed me standing to the side. He let go of Kristy and gently took my hand.

His touch was tender, but I could smell the sickly-sweet scent of wine mixed into his usual woody musk. That scent belonged to Kristy.

I held my breath as he explained, "Ever since my brother passed away, Kristy's been deeply unsettled. Moonstone has calming properties, so I let her wear the ring. You don't mind, do you?"

I pressed my lips tightly together and said nothing, staying silent to show my disapproval.

How could a woman not mind her husband giving a ring to another woman? It was even worse when that particular ring symbolized the Luna's status.

I found it unacceptable.

Upon seeing my reaction, Kristy rolled her eyes and immediately made a great show of pretending to remove the ring.

"Come on, Selena. You know I'm pregnant. I've been having trouble sleeping at night. Eugene was concerned that my body wouldn't be able to take it. I didn't expect you to be so bitter. You're such a petty and cruel she-wolf. Fine! I'll take it off now and give it back to you!"

Kristy yanked hard at the ring. But after several tugs, it didn't budge. Instead, her pulling just rubbed her skin raw and red around the base of her finger.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she choked out, "Eugene, I wasn't trying to keep it for myself. It just... somehow fits my finger too well. Trying to take it off really hurts."

Eugene immediately stopped her. "There's no need to take it off. It's yours now. I'll buy Selena another ring later."

He turned to me and said, "Selena, you've always been so understanding. Just let Kristy keep the moonstone ring. It'll help her carry the pup better."

Grace couldn't help but chime in. She scolded, "Selena, you know full well that you have Omega blood in you. Any pup you bear would taint our Alpha bloodline! Kristy is carrying the heir of a noble bloodline for the pack.

"How can you have any objections to letting her have the moonstone ring? She took it upon herself to carry a pup for the future of our pack. Yet, all you do is get jealous. You're so shameless!"

Everyone looked at me with the same expression that implied I was acting like a clown. They made me feel like I was the one making a scene and that all of this was somehow my fault.

But I loved Eugene. I wanted to be the one standing by his side. What had I done wrong?

The moonstone ring shimmered with a soft, sacred glow that stung my eyes. I remembered when Eugene promised me that he would give that precious ring to me one day.

Ironically, it was on Kristy's finger now.

I swallowed the bitter taste of humiliation and said in a hoarse voice, "The moonstone ring suits Kristy better than me. If this is what Eugene wants, then she should keep it."

Grace snorted coldly. "I'm glad you're being sensible for once."

Eugene looked uneasy. I hadn't reacted as he had expected because I wasn't crying or making a scene.

As an Omega, I had always felt insecure in love. I used to cling to him, constantly asking for his reassurance. He used to call me his "sweet burden".

But now, my quiet restraint unsettled him.

That night, Eugene came to my room for the first time in a long while. He lifted the blanket and pulled me into his arms from behind.

"Selena," he murmured. "I know things have been hard on you lately. Kristy's pregnant now, and I've been confirmed as the next Alpha of the Nightwind pack. I can finally spend time with you."

I froze, pleasantly surprised. "You said that once she was pregnant, you'd stay away from her for good. Did you mean it?"

Even with everything that had happened, I couldn't ignore the flutter in my chest as he held me. He was my true mate. Even though he always used my frailty as an excuse not to mark me, the pull between us was undeniable.

If there was even the smallest chance, I still wanted to save our love.

Eugene cupped my face, smiling. "Of course I meant it. You're my true mate appointed by the Moon Goddess.

Everyone is aware that Kristy and I merely got together for political reasons. Now that she's pregnant, I don't have to go to her anymore. Even my mother can't say anything about this.

"We should plan for your marking soon. Once you're carrying my pup, you'll stop overthinking."

He kissed my cheek gently.

I wanted to respond, but the cloying scent of wine from Kristy enveloped my sense of smell. It felt as if there was an invisible third presence between us.

Reflexively, I covered my mouth and nose. I couldn't help but gag.

Just then, a sudden commotion broke out outside the room.

"Get the healer now! If anything happens to Kristy, can any of you bear that responsibility?"

"Alpha Eugene!" someone shouted from the hallway. "Luna Kristy says her stomach hurts. She seems to be bleeding!"

Eugene shoved me aside and bolted for the door. "What happened? Ask the guards to get the best healer for Kristy now!"

With that, he shifted into his wolf and tore off toward Kristy's residence. In his haste, he knocked over some furniture and shattered the anniversary gift we once exchanged.

My maid, Daria Newell, who had been with me since my childhood, came in to clean the mess.

She handed me a handkerchief and said sadly, "Stop crying, Selena. Crying too much is bad for your health."

I blinked, surprised. Had I been crying?

I reached up to touch my face and realized it was soaked with tears.

I wiped away my tears with a bitter smile and changed my clothes.

Then, I said, "It's fine. Let's go check on Kristy."

If I didn't go, I was sure I would never hear the end of Grace's criticisms of me being cold-hearted and uncaring.

By the time I reached the door to Kristy's residence, I saw through the gap that she was lying on the bed. Her upper body was leaning against Eugene's chest, and he had her in his embrace.

With tearful eyes and a pitiful voice, she said, "I'm not really in pain… I didn't mean to lie. It's just… every time I think about how you won't come see me anymore after I'm pregnant, it makes me so upset. This was the only way I could see you again.

"Eugene, I don't even know why… But whenever I'm alone, all I can think about is you. I just can't forget you… Please don't be mad at me. I only wanted to see you. I don't want you to leave me."

Eugene shook his head and stroked her belly tenderly. "It's because you're carrying my pup. Your hormones are driving you to feel attached to me. Also, you're my sister-in-law. How could I possibly ignore you?"

Kristy clung to the front of Eugene's shirt and pleaded, "Really, Eugene? Then promise me… Promise you'll come see me every day. I don't want you and Selena to have a pup from an inferior bloodline. The whole pack would be humiliated. You can only have a pup with me. Let me be the Luna, please?"

Eugene hesitated for a long while. He seemed conflicted. But in the end, he still gave her the answer she wanted.

"Okay."

"And how's our wedding prep going? I want the gown with the biggest train."

"Don't worry. As the Luna of the Nightwind pack, I'll give you the grandest wedding there is."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

A wedding? Eugene and Kristy's wedding?

So the actual reason Eugene never completed my marking was because he was planning to marry Kristy!

A peal of triumphant and delighted laughter rang out from the room. It cut deeper than any weapon wielded by our warriors, carving scars across my soul.

My wolf howled in agony from deep within me.

While clutching my handkerchief, I turned away slowly as my body shook violently.

I was the adopted daughter of the old Alpha of the Nightwind pack. Eugene and I were the same age, and we had grown up together. So, we were childhood sweethearts.

Back then, Grace had tried to send me off to another pack for a political marriage. Eugene had stopped the escort team himself, begging his parents with all his heart to let me marry him instead. He swore he'd love only me for the rest of his life.

No one could change his mind. In the end, they gave in and betrothed me to him.

Grace had been baffled as she asked him, "What do you even see in her? She's an Omega. She'll never bring you happiness."

"Love doesn't need a reason," Eugene had replied back then, gripping my hand with satisfaction. The fresh wounds from stopping the escort team that was meant to take me away gleamed on his body.

"The Moon Goddess led me to her. I have this feeling that if I let Selena go, I'll regret it for the rest of my life."

Not even three years after that heartfelt, romantic promise, he had another she-wolf carrying his pup. Now, he was even planning to marry her.

Not even the guidance of the Moon Goddess could hold back his fickle heart.

Daria quickly caught up to me and whispered a soft comfort, "Don't worry. You're the Alpha's true mate. Once you bear his pup, you'll definitely become the Luna of the Nightwind pack."

I shook my head as tears streamed down my cheeks soundlessly. "No. I'll never bear his pup."

Daria stared at me in shock. I met her gaze with a gaze filled with pain and firm resolve.

If Eugene had chosen to fall for someone else… then I would let him go. I would disappear from his life completely.

I no longer wanted this filthy love.

I sat alone under the lamp all night and worked out a plan to leave.

The next morning, Grace sent someone to fetch me to see her before I had even had breakfast.

In the dining hall, Kristy sat comfortably while Eugene was feeding her peanut brittle. When he saw me walk in, his gestures became a little awkward. He set down the candy and came over to me.

"Selena, you look pale. Did you not sleep well?" he asked with concern.

Grace scoffed coldly. "She's not pregnant. Why wouldn't she be sleeping well? She's always making a fuss unnecessarily. Kristy, my poor sweetheart, is the one who hasn't been able to sleep all night. It's so worrying."

"Oh, right." Eugene seemed to suddenly remember something upon hearing Grace's words.

He explained, "Kristy's been feeling unwell lately, so we had a healer come and take a look. He said the land beneath her residence is tainted with dark energy. Her wolfspirit rejects it. That's why she hasn't been sleeping well.

"The healer also said your place is ideal for a pregnant woman to stay and rest. I gave it some thought. Since you're not pregnant right now, why not let Kristy move in and stay there? It'll be better for the pup. What do you think?"

Daria responded anxiously, "But that's the home you gave Selena as a wedding gift! You two haven't even gotten married yet. How can you let Kristy have it instead?"

Grace snapped, "Does someone like Selena deserve such a nice place? I raised her for all these years and didn't sell her off. I even let her date Eugene for this long. She should be grateful! Now, Kristy's carrying the Nightwind pack's heir. It's just a house. What's the big deal?"

Kristy put on an innocent expression full of grievance and said, "Forget it, Grace. Don't pressure Selena. I can live anywhere, really. It's just… uncomfortable. I can handle it. But if this keeps up, I can't guarantee the pup will stay healthy…"

She sighed dramatically and rubbed her belly.

Eugene turned to me with a frown. "Selena, it's just a house. Please let her have it. If something happens to Kristy or the pup, what will become of the pack's future? Once she gives birth, you can have the house back."

I stared blankly at his face. At that moment, he felt like a complete stranger.

His voice echoed in my ears. His tone was low and calm, like it was only fair of him to ask that of me. It was as if he was casually commenting on the weather rather than making an absurd request for me to move out of our marital home.

We had picked that house together. Every piece of furniture carried our shared dreams for the future.

And now, he was forcing me to hand it over to another woman.

"You promised…" My voice was barely a whisper. "That would be our home… just ours."

Eugene fell silent for a while before looking away. "Don't make this harder than it needs to be, Selena. You know the situation. Pack up in the next few days so that Kristy can move in."

His words left me feeling utterly cold, and the coldness seeped into every fiber of my being.

I took a deep breath and stood up while saying, "It's fine. I'll move out today. I won't be a drag."

Eugene looked hesitant. "Well, there's no need to rush—"

Before he could finish, Kristy interrupted cloyingly, "Thank you, Selena! Eugene, I want more peanut brittle. Feed me a few more, please? I don't feel like lifting my hand."

"Okay. I'll ask someone to bring more." Eugene's attention immediately shifted. Everything now revolved around his pregnant sister-in-law. He was eager to fulfill Kristy's every whim.

He sat beside her again. Then, he put one hand on her belly while feeding her the snack with his other hand.

No one paid me any attention as I quietly left.

Once I got back, I asked Daria to help me pack immediately. I didn't take any of the gifts Eugene had given me, even though they were extremely valuable.

Daria said very worriedly, "But Selena, your wolfspirit doesn't adapt to new environments easily. If we move to a new place, it'll take a long time for her to recognize the scent. You'll feel miserable. Won't this be too hard on you?"

My throat felt constricted, which suffocated me. I gave her a sorrowful look and replied, "It's okay. We won't be miserable for long."

It would all be over soon.

…

That night, Eugene came to see me again. He looked troubled.

"Selena, just endure this one last thing. Please," he pleaded.

I looked at him silently and asked, "You're going to marry Kristy, aren't you?"

His expression stiffened right away.

He hesitated before replying, "Selena, I don't have complete say over this. You know how important it is for a Luna to be powerful and of noble blood. Kristy fits the pack's expectations."

"Then what about me?" I cried. "What am I to you?"

Eugene looked at me with that familiar, gentle gaze. "You're still the one I love the most. Even if I marry Kristy, you'll always be my Luna in my heart."

So he was going to marry her after all.

That moment shattered something inside me completely.

I looked him in the eyes and said, "Let's break our true mate bond."

"You're breaking our bond over this?" Eugene's eyes widened in disbelief.

He scolded me harshly, "All of this is to help me be a better Alpha and solidify our pack's power. You're not a child anymore. Don't make rash decisions you'll regret later! I won't agree to this!

"Why are you still hung up about Kristy? I told you a million times! Once she gives birth, things will return to normal. As punishment, I'm going to see Kristy now. You stay here and think about what you just said!"

Things would return to normal?

From deep within, my wolfspirit whispered, "No. Things can never go back to the way they were."

I thought about how much we had once loved each other, and the stark contrast with our current situation made my heart bleed.

Even if he didn't agree to the rejection, I would find another way.

A shattered bond couldn't be repaired. Our love had deteriorated beyond fixing.

I thought mournfully, "The moment I walk away from you completely is drawing closer, Eugene. And this time… it is by your very own hands."