I thought I was finally free. However, reality was far more brutal than I had imagined.

I walked out of the villa gates, but before I could even get into my car, two warriors blocked my path.

"Luna, you can't leave right now. The Alpha has ordered you to return."

My heart sank. "Why?"

The warrior's voice carried no emotion. "He needs your blood."

"No, let me go!"

I struggled desperately, not for myself but for the little angel in my belly who had not yet taken form.

A sharp pain shot through my abdomen at that moment, as if the pup was warning me to stay away from danger.

I did not understand why the Moon Goddess had granted us a mate bond. I had given him my body, offered my loyalty, and even tied my future to his pack. Was it still not enough?

I did not even dare ask him what he truly thought of me deep down.

An obedient mate? A useful Luna? Perhaps a toy he could discard at any time?

Carrying the fear that my pregnancy might be discovered, I was dragged into the basement. They pressed me into a chair and bound my hands and feet with cold chains.

I looked up and saw Xavier standing in front of me with his arms crossed, as though examining prey that could not escape.

"Why did you bring me back?" I asked through gritted teeth. "To drain my blood? When did you become a vampire?"

He replied coolly, "Stop pretending. This is the mess you caused. Lily is bleeding nonstop and needs a transfusion. Just help her out."

I let out a bitter laugh. "To you, I'm just a free blood bag wearing the Luna title."

"Stop being dramatic," he said with growing impatience. "You always put yourself in the victim's position, but this is what you owe Lily!"

"What do I owe her? An Alpha mate?"

"Watch your words!" His hand suddenly gripped my chin, his touch cold and precise.

"What if I don't?" My eyes glistened with tears. "You're already taking my blood. What else do I have to fear? Will you take my life next?"

"You're still alive, aren't you? That's mercy enough."

I shouted hoarsely, "I already moved out of the main bedroom, and I lost my moonstone brooch. I never had any malicious intention toward that she-wolf. Now, I'm asking for your mercy. Let me go!"

Speaking those words, I felt a sorrow that sank deep into my bones.

His Omega mistress was enjoying private care in the Alpha estate, while I, the legitimate Luna, was chained in the basement.

I would not tell him the secret that I was also carrying his pup. He did not deserve to know.

Even if he learned of this pup's existence, it would only give him another pawn to exploit. Therefore, I would lock this secret tightly in my heart.

"Answer me, Xavier. Either let me go, or reject me. Don't act like a coward."

Xavier turned around, his back facing me. "You think I'll do what you want?"

A sharp pain shot through me. The needle pierced deep into my chest, the pain burning like flames as it drilled straight toward my heart.

They did not draw blood from my arm because they said "heart blood" worked better. So this was my reward for seven years of loving Xavier.

Everything I had given him was repaid with the agony of a needle stabbing into my chest.

Through my tears, I said, "When I first recognized you as my fated mate, I should've turned and run instead of joyfully throwing myself into your arms!"

"Then why didn't you?" Xavier sneered. "The truth is, you belong to me for life!"

I could not respond anymore. My strength was being drained away along with my blood through the needle.

I did not know how long they drew blood, only that it continued until my body convulsed and my vision went black.

Finally, the healer interjected, "Alpha, that's already 600 milliliters. Should we continue? The Luna's energy feedback is somewhat abnormal. If we keep going, something might happen..."

I thought it was all over. However, from the room above came the sound of Lily deliberately crying out in pain.

"Continue." Xavier glanced at me, a flicker of reluctance crossing his eyes before it quickly vanished.

I looked at him in disbelief. "For your mistress, you want me to die here?"

"You won't die," he said coldly. "I know your body better than you do. You can take it."

I let out a bitter laugh as tears blurred the world. I could take it, but the pup in my belly could not!

"Xavier, if you don't stop, I swear you'll regret this..."

Xavier remained unmoved, his actions giving me his answer. He believed he was always right.

Just then, Lily cried out even louder from the room upstairs.

Xavier immediately rushed out the door. I did not need to guess who he was going to.

Meanwhile, I was left in the basement, watching the blood bag fill with crimson as the numbers slowly climbed.

Each drop that left me was not just blood, but also the nights we once shared, the loneliness I endured waiting for him, and the humiliation I had shielded him from.

The needle pierced down again.

My consciousness gradually blurred. Before I sank completely into darkness, I only managed to say one thing to the pup in my belly.

"I'm sorry… I'm sorry I couldn't protect you."

...

When I opened my eyes again, I was lying on a cold hospital bed. The healer, Dr. Riley Johnson, stood beside me, his eyes red-rimmed.

"Luna, your vital signs are normal now. You're recovering faster than I expected."

I tried to sit up, my hand instinctively pressing against my stomach. It was flat.

My heart was instantly shrouded in boundless terror.

Dr. Johnson lowered his head, his voice trembling. "I'm very sorry. When the Alpha ordered more blood to be drawn, the pup couldn't be saved."

"No, no…"

My wolf screamed inside me. I stumbled toward the door, consumed by rage.

"Xavier! You killed my pup! I'm going to tear you to pieces!"

He was not there. No comfort, no explanation.

Perhaps at this moment, he was holding Lily's hand, making her promises in a low voice.

Dr. Johnson steadied me, his eyes filled with helpless guilt. "Please, Luna, rest first."

"Rest?" I pushed him away and collapsed to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.

Every time I closed my eyes, all I could think of was my lost pup. How could I rest?

"I had no way to resist the Alpha's orders," Dr. Johnson said, his voice tinged with regret, though it was not enough to undo anything. "If there's anything I can do to help you, I'll do it without hesitation."

Gradually, my tears turned into dry, ragged breaths. I had begged enough. I had cried enough.

The pain in my heart had transformed into the flames of vengeance. I would reduce everything they cherished to ashes!

I looked up at Dr. Johnson and said coldly, "Prepare my discharge papers and copies of all my medical records. I need them."

I lay on the hospital bed, my body so weak it felt hollowed out.

Dr. Johnson's footsteps echoed around me, yet I heard nothing. It was as if all sound had drained away. It was a silence only a mother who had lost her pup could understand.

That silence was broken by a message. Someone from the pack's internal network sent me a video.

Xavier was laughing confidently at a banquet, his arm wrapped around Lily's waist as he whispered something in her ear. She laughed aloud and leaned into his embrace. The lights reflected on their faces, as if they were the fated pair.

On the day of my discharge, Xavier did not come to pick me up. Not even the lowest-ranking pack member came.

I carried the old cloth bag the hospital gave me and faced the cold wind alone.

At that moment, I truly understood. To them, I was nothing.

I did not want to return to the Alpha's estate. The air there reeked of humiliation.

However, I had no choice. My identification documents, papers, and even my bank cards were still there.

Yet, fate was cruel. In the corridor outside my ward, I saw them again.

Lily smiled freely, her white dress seemingly making her skin glow. Xavier stood beside her with his hand steady on her waist, their posture painfully intimate.

A nurse passing by laughed and teased, "Alpha, your Luna looks radiant today."

I nearly retched.

However, I did not correct her. There was no point. If she wanted that title, she could have it.

I turned to leave but was stopped by a familiar voice.

"Clara? Why are you here? Are you following me?"

The moment he spoke, my feet froze in place, as if bound by invisible chains. I took a deep breath and turned around.

"I'm not following you," I said flatly. "I just got discharged. I didn't know you were here."

He narrowed his eyes, about to say something, but Lily spoke first, gently linking her arm through his.

"Darling, let her come back with us. She donated blood for me. We should at least help her this much."

A cold laugh nearly escaped me.

Xavier reached up and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "You're too kind."

Then he turned to me. "Get in the car."

I did not refuse. I needed an opportunity to retrieve my luggage.

The air in the back seat was eerily quiet, until my eyes were stabbed by a piece of lace lingerie.

It was crumpled and tossed on the seat, stained with a white smudge. It was Lily's.

Lily noticed it too but showed no embarrassment. She turned and smiled at me. "Oh my God, I forgot to clean up. We got a little wild in the back seat last week, didn't we, darling?"

Xavier laughed lazily. "Your moans almost attracted attention from passersby."

They flirted in front of me as if I did not exist. Each word scraped across my flesh like a blade. My nails dug deep into my palms, but I made no sound.

I lowered my head and opened my phone. The screen lit up with an encrypted email.

[Clara, here's your new flight ticket. I hope you can make it this time. It's 9:00 PM tonight.]

I smiled slightly, feeling for the first time a sense of being alive.

I replied: [Thank you. I'm sorry I missed the last flight, but I won't this time.]

Almost immediately, a new message came through. [What happened? Do you need my help?]

My finger hovered over the keyboard. If I told him what I had been through, it would likely spark a war immediately. However, I wanted revenge with my own hands.

[I'll tell you after I leave. Now isn't the right time.]

Xavier suddenly turned and stared at me, as if seeking a sense of presence.

"Clara, what are you looking at? You've been glued to your phone since you got in the car. Who are you chatting with?"

I did not even lift my eyes. "Just checking the weather forecast."

He clearly did not believe me. He reached over and snatched my phone.

The screen's light reflected in his cold eyes.

"What's the password?"

"The day we confirmed we were fated mates." My tone was calm, almost cold, as I told him directly.

His expression darkened. He tried once, then again. On the third attempt, a warning popped up and the screen locked.

Lily leaned over with a light laugh, her voice sickly sweet. "Forget it, Alpha. She doesn't have any friends. What else could she use her phone for besides checking the weather so she doesn't get soaked like a drowned rat?

"Or maybe she's been feeling neglected these past few days and found another werewolf outside. She just doesn't want to tell you."

"Shut up!" Xavier said through gritted teeth.

Xavier and I did not speak on the drive back.

When we returned to the estate, he practically supported Lily the entire way.

Her face was pale, and she said she felt a bit nauseous. Xavier immediately ordered the butler to spray air freshener, specifically requesting a floral scent.

I dragged my luggage downstairs and happened to run into him.

His gaze lingered on me for a moment before he added casually, "Also put two stems of lilies in the vase. Clara likes those."

That comment made me pause mid-step.

Was it guilt? Pity? Was he trying to pretend nothing had happened, expecting me to play along in this absurd domestic charade?

I wanted to laugh and vomit at the same time. He had forgotten the day we confirmed we were fated mates, yet he still remembered I loved lilies.

Without a word, I dragged my suitcase to the guest room.

The room was quiet as a coffin. I could only hear my own breathing.

When I opened my luggage, I froze. Everything inside was damp and reeked of a pungent odor.

Fortunately, my documents were still hidden in the waterproof compartment, completely intact.

It could only have been Lily. Who else would do something this petty?

Nevertheless, it did not matter. I would just let her think she had won. I was busy preparing to leave.

I had just tucked the documents into my jacket when the door suddenly swung open.

Lily leaned against the doorframe, her fingers toying with a lighter, her smile contemptuous.

"Clara, your grandfather died not too long ago, right? You don't have any family left, so you can only cling to Xavier. How pathetic.

"Remember when you begged him to take you in his fastest car to see your grandmother one last time? He refused because he took me to watch the sunrise on the mountain that day.

"The scenery was beautiful. We even took a photo of us kissing. Want to see it?"

I stood frozen. Every word she spoke was like a blade stabbing into my heart.

I felt rage rising within me. My wolf growled low, and my rationality began to crumble.

"You think destroying me will make you the next Luna?" I asked coldly.

She raised an eyebrow and smiled. "I don't need to become Luna when I can be treated better than one. Xavier just drained your blood for me. Did you forget?"

"You're nothing but a thief coveting my life!"

She scoffed. "Well, I've stolen everything from you, haven't I?"

In that instant, I lunged at her, my fingers nearly closing around her throat.

She cried out and threw the lighter in her hand. It hit the ground with a strange explosive crack.

The next second, flames erupted. A searing wave of heat nearly knocked us both over.

My suitcase had been doused with gasoline!

The fire spread rapidly, triggering a violent blaze. Smoke choked into my lungs, and my throat burned instantly.

Having just been discharged from the hospital, I could not withstand it. My knees buckled, and my vision blurred.

In my ears were her hysterical screams and the sound of frantic footsteps.

"Clara! Are you in there? Answer me!"

"Alpha, the fire is fierce inside. You can't go in!"

"Get out of my way! She's still in there!"

I struggled to open my eyes. He actually called my name?

For a moment, I almost believed he had come to save me.

However, immediately after, another cry rang out. "Xavier, save me! Save our pup!"

His footsteps shifted direction. Just like that, he scooped Lily up and fled the inferno as if protecting a treasure.

Meanwhile, I lay in the black smoke, watching his back disappear.

"Clara, just hold on a bit longer! Lily's pregnant. She can't be in danger. I'll come back for you right away!"

I laughed, tasting blood in my throat. He had not come to save me. Even if he shouted my name, his hands would still reach for her.

At this point, I no longer dared believe a single word from this werewolf's mouth.

He did come back later, searching the entire estate. However, I was already gone.

I did not know how I escaped.

Flames scorched my skin, and smoke blocked my throat. I almost thought today would be my death.

In the most dangerous moment, my wolf awakened. My bones twisted in agony, and my skin tore open with silver light.

At that moment, I was no longer anyone's Luna. I was just a wolf desperate to survive.

I protected my documents and charged toward the window. With a loud crash, I smashed through the glass and landed heavily on the grass.

Glass shards tore through my skin. The night wind cut like knives.

However, I was still alive.

I dragged my wounded body through the backyard, the warehouse, and the fence. My lungs burned, and blood dripped onto the ground. My movements held no hesitation.

Only after I boarded the flight to the Western Territory did I allow my body to relax even slightly.

Right before takeoff, my phone screen lit up. It was a message from Xavier.

[Clara, stop throwing a tantrum and come out. I've been looking for you.]

Expressionless, I closed my eyes and turned off my phone.