I fell in love with my brother's combat training instructor, the Alpha of the Stormfang Pack.

He was very kind to me.

I pursued him for eight years, thinking that he wanted me to be his mate.

But he betrayed my sincerity, ignored my efforts, and even used my love to pursue his childhood sweetheart.

Realizing the truth, I chose to leave.

But he regretted it and did everything possible to win me back, but everything was too late by then.

I fell in love with my brother's combat training instructor, the Alpha of Stormfang Pack.

He was six years older than me, so I crushed on him from a distance, careful with every stolen glance.

One night, I couldn't resist. In the dim lighting of his apartment, I leaned in and kissed his sleeping form.

I was about to run when his eyes suddenly flew open.

He lazily lifted his eyelids. "Looking for a kissing lesson? Sorry, I'm not interested in little girls like you."

My face burned crimson, but I gathered my courage. "So you think I'm too young? That's okay, I'll grow up!"

He froze for a second, then broke into a smile. "Alright then, when you turn 22, if you still feel the same way, I'll think about it."

My heart hammered against my ribs. From that day on, I stuck to him like glue until my 22nd birthday.

When I rushed to him to claim his promise, I stopped dead when I heard a baby's cries coming from the private room.

I watched in shock as Stormfang Pack's Alpha, Liam Blackwood, the right person I had secretly fallen in love with for six years, held a wailing child, trying to soothe it.

His pack members surrounding him covered their ears, looking tortured.

"Liam, you're brutal," one of them laughed. "To reject the girl, you actually hired a baby to pretend it's yours?"

My mind went blank.

"What else was I supposed to do?" Liam's voice was the lazy drawl I recognized so well. "She turned 22 today. Came to collect on my promise."

"You really don't like Sera? The girl's beautiful, sweet, and completely devoted to you..."

"It's not about whether I like her or not," Liam's voice suddenly dropped. "You all know who's always been in my heart."

The room fell silent for a moment before erupting into understanding laughter.

"Sylvia! No wonder... If I were you, I'd just ask her out. With your looks, who wouldn't fall for you? It's just that you overthink everything."

"I've never known how to tell her. I was worried it would ruin our friendship. At this time, Sera, whom I could make use of, showed up. Everything worked out perfectly."

A smile played on Liam's lips. "I told Sylvia about a persistent girl I couldn't get rid of. Asked her to be my fake mate for a while. Then I'll show up with her and this baby, and we'll pretend to have a mating ceremony. "

"That way, Sera will finally give up, and I can get closer to Sylvia. Right after the ceremony, I'll propose to her for real."

Hearing Liam's brilliant plan, the pack members murmured their approval, laughing and slapping their backs.

In the midst of all the noise, no one noticed me standing outside the door.

The cake box slipped from my hands, hitting the floor with a dull thud.

I couldn't bring myself to push the door open. Tears streamed down my face as I turned and ran.

The rain pounded outside as I sprinted, uncaring as it drenched my carefully chosen dress.

So that's how it was. Liam never liked me. It was all just in my head.

I was fourteen when I first fell for him. During a pup hiking mission in the mountain territory, I'd wandered too far from the group and stumbled into rogue wolf territory. Three rogues cornered me.

I was too young to shift. I screamed for my brother Damine as the largest rogue lunged at me.

Just when I thought it was over, Liam burst through the trees like an angel.

His massive black wolf form tore into the rogues with deadly precision, sending them fleeing with their tails between their legs.

Afterwards, as I sat bleeding and shaking against a tree trunk, Liam shifted back and knelt beside me.

My eyes were swollen from crying and terror. He shrugged off his jacket and wrapped it around my torn shirt, then handed me two chocolate bars from his pack.

"Little crybaby, your nose is running," he chuckled softly, his voice gentle despite the teasing words. "Your brother is handling the other pups. Come on, I'll carry you back to the pack house."

That day, I tasted the sweetest chocolate of my life and fell for someone for the first time.

Because of my brother, Damine, I saw Liam almost daily. My teenage love bloomed like summer vines.

I learned to make packed lunches, preparing extra portions for my brother to share at pack meetings, all just so Liam might taste my cooking.

I found out everything about his preferences and carefully prepared all kinds of gifts. , giving them to him whenever there was an occasion.

I turned down a scholarship abroad to stay in the Stormfang Pack territory, all just to wait until I turned 22...

I waited eight years, believing that finally, my dream would come true.

But today I learned that my feelings were just a burden to Liam.

I don't know how long I ran before I finally calmed down. Shaking, I pulled out my phone and dialed my brother's number.

"Damine," my voice choked, "I've thought about it. I'll go abroad for further studies. And that... good friend of yours you mentioned? I'd like to meet him."

For years, everyone in our social circle knew I was pursuing Liam.

My brother would watch me pine after him, always looking like he wanted to say something but held back.

Then he'd subtly try to set me up with other wolves, hoping I'd finally give up on Liam.

This good friend abroad was the 18th he'd introduced to me.

My brother said this friend was tall and handsome, not a bit different from Liam. Since I studied design, studying abroad for a few years would be perfect...

Now I realized he probably knew all along about Liam's feelings for Sylvia and was trying to get me to let go before I got hurt more.

There was silence on the other end. "You... know everything?"

I closed my eyes, rain mixing with tears on my face. "Does he really love Sylvia that much?"

"...Yes."

"Then I hope he gets his wish," I wiped my face. "And I'll do as he wishes. I won't love him anymore."

Back home, I mechanically opened my suitcase and started packing clothes.

My phone vibrated, the screen lighting up.

[ Liam: Why didn't you come? ]

I stared at the message for a long time until the second one appeared.

[ Liam: Little girl, I have a mate now. We even have a child. We're having our mating ceremony soon. Stop loving me.]

Then he sent two photos.

One was of a tiny baby's foot, the other an elaborate mating ceremony invitation.

I stared at the screen for what felt like an eternity before typing two words.

[ Okay. ]

After sending it, I threw my phone on the bed and pulled a metal box from the back of my drawer.

Inside were movie tickets, amusement park passes, a basketball jersey I'd stolen from his locker, a doll he'd won for me at the pack festival...

Eight years of memories all centered around Liam.

I picked up the box, walked to the trash, and dumped everything without a second thought.

Meanwhile, Liam Blackwood stared at his phone screen, his brow furrowed.

He'd expected me to cry or cause a scene, but he never imagined I would react with such calm.

"What did she say?" one of his pack members leaned over, his eyes widening. "Just... just 'Okay'?"

"That's not right," another rubbed his chin. "For a girl who was so infatuated with you, she wouldn't be this calm..."

The ceremony site was confused, but then someone caught on, realization dawning on his face.

"Damn, she must have been here earlier and overheard our conversation outside the door! She already knows the baby is fake and the ceremony is fake, that's why she's pretending to be so unbothered!"

After their analysis, Liam's frown deepened.

With my personality, after waiting all these years and learning he had someone else and even a child, I would definitely have made a huge scene.

The only reason I was being so calm was that I must have discovered the truth and was playing hard to get, trying to make him chase her again.

The pack members immediately agreed with this theory, offering their suggestions.

"If that's the case, Alpha, you should keep up the act with Sylvia. This is a perfect opportunity to get closer to her. Anyway, the girl obviously hasn't given up yet. Once you two are actually together, she'll have no choice but to move on."

"Exactly. What Sera thinks doesn't matter. What matters is that you should strike while the iron is hot and win over the heart of Sylvia. Once she's carrying your pup, all your problems will disappear."

The pack was chatting excitedly when my brother, Damine, pushed through the door, his gaze locking directly on Liam.

"Liam, step outside. We need to talk about Sera."

Was I running to my brother to complain?

Liam lazily lifted his eyes, about to speak, when his phone rang.

"Liam? Are you free right now? Remember you said you needed to put on an act for your friend's little sister? I was thinking you could come with me to pick out some baby supplies. It would make the act more believable."

Hearing Sylvia's gentle voice, Liam agreed without a second thought.

He immediately stood up, leaving only one sentence for my brother.

"Next time. I'm busy right now."

"Just for a minute..."

Seeing how eager he was, Damine tried to call him back, but a few pack members blocked his path.

"Come on, Damine. Liam's in a hurry to see the girl he loves. Don't stop him."

"Yeah, you know how he feels about Sylvia. After waiting for so many years, this is finally his chance to confess love. You shouldn't try to set your sister up with our Alpha anymore."

Hearing their advice, Damine frowned.

"That's not what I meant."

He just wanted to tell him that I was going abroad and would no longer bother him.

After resting for a day, I went out and applied for my visa.

The officer told me it would take at least two weeks to process.

After staying home for a couple of days, it was Damine's birthday.

Damine loved parties and always hosted a big celebration. I changed into a dress and went to attend.

The ballroom was filled with guests and buzzing with activity. His pack members were all there.

I didn't want to run into any of them, so I just stayed in the corner.

After a while, Liam entered the room, one arm wrapped around Sylvia and the other holding the baby, immediately drawing everyone's attention.

Seeing him looking so smug, everyone couldn't help but envy him, murmuring amongst themselves.

"Who would have thought Liam would be the first to find his mate? I've heard he's had a thing for Sylvia for years. Now with a child and a mate, he's truly the lucky guy who has it all."

"What a shame for all those girls who had a crush on him. Their hearts must be completely shattered!"

Hearing these comments, I showed no emotion on my face.

Moments later, Liam led Sylvia over to me, calling out to me nonchalantly.

"Sera, I don't think I've introduced you to my mate and our pup."

All eyes in the room fell on us.

My expression remained unchanged as I forced a smile. "Nice to meet you."

Sylvia, the excellent actress he'd hired, seeing this, took the initiative to extend a hand, a warm smile on her face.

"You must be Sera? Liam has mentioned you a few times. You're so young, you just can't tell the difference between love and infatuation."

She added, “Now that Liam has me and our pup, you can finally let go of those silly feelings. We're planning our mating ceremony for next month, and we expect you to attend."

I lowered my gaze. "I understand, Sylvia. You'll be our future Luna. I overstepped before, but I know my place now. I wish you both happiness."

Hearing me say that, the pack members around us immediately started teasing.

"What things are we talking about? The times you called Liam in the middle of the night, asking him to pick you up?"

"Or when you got drunk in public and declared you was going to be Liam’s mate?"

"What about when you went to the Blackwood estate and questioned the staff about his preferences?"

"Sera, now that Liam is taken, if you keep clinging to him, you're just shaming yourself and your family's name. You need to be smart about this. Don't be the one cause to drive a wedge between your brother and Liam!"

Every word felt like salt being rubbed into my wounds.

I instinctively looked at Liam, standing just a few feet away, his expression cold and indifferent.

For a moment, he seemed like a completely different person—no longer the Liam in my memories who always looked out for me.

But then I thought, he'd always been this cold toward other girls, never giving them any false hope.

It seemed his tolerance for my affections was only out of respect for Damine. He didn't want to make things awkward.

Now that he was with the woman he truly loved, he had to draw a clear line between us.

After all, in his heart, Sylvia was more important than anyone else, wasn't she?

With that thought, a deep sense of bitterness washed over me. I just nodded and turned to leave.

The birthday banquet was just getting started, and the late-arriving Damine was busy greeting guests. He didn't notice me at all.

Meanwhile, Liam eagerly and openly introduced Sylvia to everyone as his future Luna.

He took drinks meant for her, fed her tasty pastries, gently straightened her skirt when it got messy, and even massaged her tired shoulders...

Everyone praised how doting he was on his mate, how lucky Sylvia was to be bound to him, calling them the perfect, destined couple.

I watched from a distance, my mouth tasting bitter, forcing myself to look away.

I sat alone in the corner until Sylvia, holding a wine glass, walked over and broke the silence.

"It's your brother's birthday, yet you're sitting here saying nothing. Are you angry?"

I didn't expect her to approach me and instinctively moved two steps back.

"I'm not angry, Sylvia. I've let Liam go completely."

Sylvia paused for a moment, her gaze becoming complicated.

"Liam told me you've been chasing him for years, determined to be with him."

"That was in the past. I gave up after I found out he'd loved you for so long. I truly wish you happiness."

After saying that, I tried to get up, but Sylvia grabbed my arm.

"You said Liam loved me for years? Where did you hear that? Did he tell you that himself?"

I didn't feel like talking to her anymore, but still in friendly behavior "Everyone says so. Maybe you can ask him yourself."

But Sylvia wouldn't let me go, insisting on getting a clear answer.

As we struggled, the chandelier above us suddenly loosened and came crashing down.

I looked up at the black shadow falling rapidly, my mind going completely blank.

Before I could react, Liam's face changed drastically. He rushed forward to shield Sylvia and move her away, leaving me alone under danger.

The heavy silver chandelier slammed into me completely, knocking me to the ground.

The burning candles ignited my dress immediately. The fire and the silver prevented my wolf from healing.

Blood gushed from my wounds, my body screaming in agony as if every bone was being shattered.

I lay in a pool of my own blood, unable to stop trembling and convulsing, listening to the terrified screams around me.

Through the flames, my vision grew blurrier. The last thing I saw before losing consciousness was Liam holding Sylvia, whispering soothing words to her.

I don't know how much time passed before I slowly woke up to see my brother, Damine, sitting by my bedside with red-rimmed eyes.

"I'm sorry, Sera. It's my fault. I failed to protect you and let you get so badly hurt."

I shook my head, my voice weak and hoarse.

"It's not your fault, Damine. It happened too suddenly. You were too far away to help me."

Hearing my words, my brother recalled the events leading up to the accident and felt even more guilty.

"I couldn't help you, but Liam was right there. If it weren't for Sylvia keeping you talking, you could have avoided that disaster..."

I shook my head, comforting him gently. "Damine, when he and the woman he loves are both in danger, it's instinct to save the one who matters most. I was just being foolish before, but after this, I've truly let him go."

"Good. As long as you can move on, I'll support any decision you make."

Damine tightened his grip on my hand and nodded firmly.

I forced a faint smile and slowly composed myself.

Once my condition stabilized, my brother, who hadn't rested in days, finally allowed himself to get some sleep.

The quiet room returned. I took out my phone and booked a flight to Finland, departing in ten days.

The airline called to confirm my reservation. I was listening carefully and didn't notice footsteps at the door.

"Yes, it's the first flight to Finland on the 19th. First class."

"What first class?"