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.

Xavier's POV:

"Lily has a prenatal checkup at 9:00 AM tomorrow. You'll accompany her. Also, get yourself examined."

The message was sent a long time ago but remained unread. I was not at all surprised she did not want to see my messages.

However, what I had not expected was for Clara to block me.

She vanished just like that, decisively and resolutely, like a lock that would never open for me again.

The next morning, the healer's room was filled with the scent of herbs. Lily clutched my arm tightly, her voice trembling.

"Xavier, is our pup okay?"

I nodded, trying to keep my tone calm. "The healer says the pup is strong. Looks like he's eager to be born."

Lily exhaled in relief. "Thank the Moon Goddess. You've looked terrible since last night. I thought something had happened."

Something had happened.

I could not forget Clara's expression.

She lay on the floor, struggling to breathe, yet she did not cry out, did not show disappointment, and did not even call for my help.

It was as if she had already known I would not choose her.

Perhaps this was my punishment for saving Lily first. By the time I sent Lily to the healing cottage and went back to find Clara, she was already gone.

…

After lunch with Lily, I sent her back to the estate and headed straight to the council hall.

"Alpha, your father has returned. Tomorrow's his birthday." My Beta, Marcus Duskbane, gave me a report.

I was startled. I had actually forgotten tomorrow was Father's 60th birthday.

I maintained my composure. "I know. Prepare a gift for me."

My steps remained steady, but something inside me began to pull and tug. Unease, oppression, and a wrongness that threatened to spill over.

Clara had never missed Father's birthday. Each time, she carefully prepared two gifts, hers and mine.

However, this time, she had not gone to the treatment room. She had not returned to the estate either.

She had not contacted a single friend, and no one in the pack had caught her scent. She had simply evaporated from our world.

Where had she gone?

I had no idea how she slipped away right under my nose.

I turned to Marcus again. "Go buy some of the latest fashion and shoes."

"For Ms. Shaw?"

I paused. "Send them to the apartment Clara used to live in."

If Clara had run away from home, she could only have gone back to that apartment.

However, what if she were not there?

Just thinking about it made my chest tear with pain, like the day of the fire.

The scent that belonged only to her was fading bit by bit from my wolf's senses.

My wolf kept questioning me, "What if she's gravely injured and near death? Or worse, what if she has truly left?"

...

A week later, I returned home after a meeting. It was already late at night.

Under the soft lighting, a figure was curled up on the silk sofa. That posture was so familiar it made me hold my breath for a moment.

"Clara," I said softly with a smile. "I told you I'd come back. You don't have to..."

The she-wolf turned her head, and I froze. It was Lily, not Clara.

"Alpha, Clara hasn't come back in so long. Is she angry with me? Maybe I should move out?"

She looked up, her eyes reddening. I sighed, reached out to stroke her hair gently, and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

It was only meant as comfort.

"Don't overthink it. Your mood will affect the pup."

I hesitated for a moment before finally saying the words I loathed even as they left my mouth. "This is your home now, and the pup's home too. Whether Clara likes it or not."

Lily smiled. I knew that was exactly what she had been waiting to hear.

...

That night, I stood alone on the terrace in my robe, pouring myself a glass of moonlight wine.

I had not drunk this wine in a long time. The last time was at my bonding ceremony with Clara.

The wind blew, and the starlight reflected in the wine flickered like some kind of countdown.

I pulled out my phone and found Clara's name. I stared at it, and countless things I wanted to say stuck in my throat.

In the end, I only sent one message.

[Clara, tomorrow is my father's 60th birthday. You'd better show up on time.]

I waited a long time, and there was still no reply. The wind grew colder.

…

Father's 60th birthday banquet was extravagantly lavish.

I entered with Lily on my arm. Her belly had begun to show slightly, drawing every eye in the room.

Whispers rippled through the crowd, but none of it mattered. No one dared question their Alpha.

Not until my father, the former Alpha, walked in did I release Lily's hand.

Father had always liked Clara as my Luna. He disapproved of me spending time with an Omega she-wolf.

"Where's Clara?" Father asked me directly.

"She's preparing your gift. She'll be here shortly," I answered naturally, almost convincing myself.

Father gave me a long, meaningful look but said nothing.

Two hours passed. The gift-giving ceremony was about to begin, yet there was still no sign of Clara.

I tried to look unconcerned but kept glancing toward the entrance.

Where was she?

I was about to step out to make a call when a delivery wolf walked in, carrying three gift boxes.

The courier's gaze shifted between me and Father, unsure who to hand them to.

"These are from Ms. Lachmann. The receiver is listed as Xavier's father."

The moment I heard her name, my heart raced.

I cleared my throat. "I'm Xavier. Give them to me."

The courier hesitated. "But she said they must be delivered directly to your father."

I stepped back, my voice cold. "Do as she said, then."

Father had been conversing with another elder when the courier's voice drew his attention.

"Sir, these are from Ms. Lachmann. She wishes you a happy birthday."

Father looked surprised. "Where's she? Why didn't she deliver them herself?"

The courier shook his head gently. "I'm sorry, sir. I was only instructed to deliver these to you. I don't know where she is now."

Father's eyes filled with confusion, but he opened the gifts anyway.

The first gift revealed an exquisitely embroidered cloak with lines of blessing prayers sewn into it, wishing for longevity.

Clara had sewn this herself. I had seen her working on it by lamplight late into the night.

The second gift was a Luna crown, the bonding token I had given her.

My chest tightened. What did it mean for her to return this now?

Before the third box could be opened, I could no longer restrain myself. I reached out and seized the gift box from Father's hands.

The moment I tore open the wrapping, my blood ran cold.

Inside were two documents.