I was five months along, carrying the pup of my fiancé, Ryan Hebert—

a Beta from the Darkmoon Pack.

On the day of our marking ceremony,Ryan abandoned me.

He turned and marked Daisy instead.

She was with pup too.

He declared that the pup growing inside me wasn’t his,

that it was a bastard of unknown origin.

What was even crueler,

in front of the entire pack,

he accused my father of colluding with outsiders,

calling him a traitor to the Darkmoon bloodline.

My father collapsed from a heart attack at the entrance of the banquet hall.

I miscarried on the spot.

Wearing my ceremonial gown,

I knelt in a pool of blood,

begging him to save us.

But he looked at me with nothing but ice in his eyes,

while holding Daisy protectively in his arms.

“Daisy can’t handle stress.

Stay away from her.”

Later, it was my childhood friend, Andrew Rasmussen, who saved me.

He brought in the most skilled wolf healers for my father,

and stayed by my side, night and day.

A week later, my father had another heart attack.

Before he passed, his only wish was for me to be protected.

Andrew knelt by the bedside,

and solemnly swore to my father’s lifeless body

that he would marry me,that he would protect me for the rest of my life.

And I believed him.

After the funeral,

I ended things with Ryan and married Andrew instead.

But five years later,

I overheard a conversation between Ryan and Andrew.

“If Eleanor ever finds out that it was you and me who traded her purity for Daisy’s happiness on the day of the ceremony…

do you think she’d still love you?”

So Andrew’s love was a lie too.

They had always loved Daisy.

And after I finally walked away,

why did the man who destroyed me

lose his mind trying to win me back?

I was Eleanor Silverclaw, daughter of Carlos Silverclaw, the most respected elder of the Darkmoon Pack.

The night Dad died from a heart attack, Andrew Rasmussen, my childhood friend and the pack's greatest warrior, stayed by my side.

That same night, he stood over my father’s fading body and swore to protect me for the rest of his life. He promised to take me as his mate, to shield me from every storm.

And I believed him.

Even after Ryan Hebert, my former fiancé and a Beta of the Darkmoon Pack, publicly rejected me and marked Daisy instead，humiliating me and denouncing my unborn child.I still took Andrew’s hand. I believed he was my last safe harbor.

I had been carrying Ryan’s pup.

On the day of our marking ceremony, he turned his back on me and marked Daisy, who was also with pup.

He declared, in front of the entire Pack, that the child in my womb wasn’t his.

That it was a bastard.

A pup of unknown blood.

Then he did something even crueler—

He accused my father of treason, claiming he had conspired with outsiders and betrayed the Darkmoon bloodline.

My father collapsed in front of the great hall.

And I—under a sea of judging eyes—lost my pup that same moment.

Dressed in white, soaked in blood, I knelt on the cold stone and begged Ryan to save us.

He looked at me with nothing but indifference, holding Daisy tightly in his arms like she was something sacred.

“Daisy can’t handle stress,” he said coldly. “Stay away from her.”

That was the moment my world shattered.

It was Andrew Rasmussen who pulled me from the wreckage.

He brought the best wolf healers for my father.

He sat by my side every night.

He buried my past with solemn silence and promised me a future.

After the funeral, I left it all behind and became Andrew’s mate.

For five years, he was nothing but tender.

He held me through nightmares, made me breakfast on our anniversary, stood beside me in the rain at my father’s grave.

I thought he was my redemption.

I thought he truly loved me.

Until tonight.

My hand paused on the handle of a private tavern booth. The door wasn’t fully shut.

And what I heard inside sliced through me like a blade.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” Ryan’s voice sneered. “You, playing the loyal mate to Eleanor? Cooking breakfast, crying over her dead dad’s grave? All while hiding the fact that you and I planned that entire damn marking ceremony? That we let her lose her pup and her father just to keep Daisy safe?”

“If it weren’t for Daisy, I never would’ve covered for your ass,” he added. “I don’t even like Eleanor, but at least I never pretended.”

A sharp sound pierced the room—a blade unsheathed, steel glinting in the dim light.

Andrew’s voice dropped low, furious and cold.

“I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to her,” he growled.

“I helped you back then because I wanted Daisy to be happy.”

“But if you ever hurt her, if she sheds even a single tear because of you,

I swear I’ll carve your heart out myself.”

Ryan let out a dark laugh. “Romantic, aren’t you?

Too bad Daisy’s already marked by me.

She never looked at you, Andrew. Never will.

So go back to Elinor. She’s all you’ve got left.

You killed her father—

when that old man rises as a ghost-wolf to take revenge, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Clang！

The sound of silver slamming into stone shattered the air. Sparks flew as Andrew’s blade struck the pillar behind Ryan.

I didn’t wait to hear more.

I ran downstairs and made my way to the bar.

I’d never drunk before in my life,

but I threw back a glass of fire-whiskey,

and the burn clawed down my throat and forced tears from my eyes.

But what stung more than the liquor

were those words, now seared into my bones:

Andrew… had been part of it all.

He was the one who held me in that hospital hallway, crying with me, whispering,

“No matter what you lose, I’ll be your whole world.”

But he helped destroy it.

That night, as my father lay dying, I remembered the look in his eyes as he stared at Andrew. It wasn’t gratitude.

It was accusation.

And I fool that I was took it as a blessing.

I took Andrew’s hand.

I became his mate.

I gave him five years of my life.

My marriage.

My home.

My lover’s touch.

It was all a lie, wrapped in guilt.

Because the one he loved… was never me.

It was always Daisy.

And I?

I was nothing but a penance,

a shelter built out of his remorse.

I set the empty glass down.

And just as I turned to leave, a familiar arm slid around my waist.

Andrew pressed his lips to my neck. His breath was warm and wine-sweet.

“You were gone so long,” he murmured. “I missed you… let’s go home, Eleanor… I love you. So much…”

He always said that when he was drunk.

And I used to believe him.

I used to think his slurred whispers were truth.

But now?

Now it was just another kind of cruelty.

I said nothing.

Gently, I guided him out to the car. He collapsed against me, head resting in my lap, peaceful like a child.

Then came the whisper.

Soft.

Shaky.

“Daisy…Daisy...

why didn’t you choose me…

why…”

That was the moment everything snapped into place.

The name he had whispered in his sleep for years.

It wasn’t mine.

It was never mine.

Daisy Blackthorn was the adopted daughter of Ronan Blackthorn, Alpha of Darkmoon Pack. With her striking beauty and graceful demeanor, she was admired by many in the pack.

But her true origins remained a mystery. Rumor had it that her parents were executed for treason. After being brought back to the pack, Daisy hid behind a mask of innocence and climbed her way up step by step to where she stood today.

She stole my fiancé, Ryan, and she was also Andrew's unattainable first love.

It turned out that Andrew had never forgotten her. He even married me to cover up his obsession with her.

Our entire marriage, our so-called love, was nothing but an act. I had underestimated the depth of his feelings for Daisy and his acting skills.

A soft clink broke the silence as Andrew's phone slipped from his pocket. I bent down to pick it up just as a new message popped up on the screen.

"Thank you for risking so much to get me the diamond, Andrew, but I can't accept it. It's too precious."

Then, out of instinct, I tapped into Instagram. Daisy's latest post appeared at the top.

"Love is priceless."

The attached photo was a legendary diamond known across the entire wolf pack.

Rumor had it that it was the most coveted prize in the Werewolf Arena, where the strongest warriors fought to claim it.

With their lives on the line, they wagered everything for this gem. It was hailed as the most precious artifact in werewolf history.

I knew Daisy had posted it for me to see.

For months, Andrew had been training relentlessly from dawn till dusk. Last week, he even collapsed from exhaustion and ended up in the emergency room.

But the moment he regained consciousness, he was ready to continue battling with warriors from other packs.

I thought he was pushing himself so hard to protect the pack to the point that he was neglecting his own well-being, but only later did I find out that he had been fighting in the Werewolf Arena.

Even though he was covered in wounds and barely able to stand, he still pushed through and won the duel, all to earn that priceless diamond for Daisy. He hid everything from me and chose to risk his life just for the sake of her smile.

A sharp pain twisted in my heart as my trembling fingers hovered over Andrew's phone's lock screen. The password prompt glowed in front of me.

He never let me touch his phone. But without thinking, I entered a familiar set of numbers.

The screen unlocked instantly. His password was Daisy's birthday.

As soon as it unlocked, Daisy's radiant smile filled my vision. No wonder Andrew's expression always softened whenever he unlocked his phone.

As I tapped into his gallery, my heart ached as if it were being torn apart.

"Daisy's Smile Collection."

"Daisy's 10th to 18th Birthday Parties."

"Daisy's First Ball."

The photos stretched endlessly, with folders upon folders all named after Daisy. Andrew had carefully kept all images from her childhood to every smile she had as an adult. But I couldn't find a single photo of myself—not even one.

I opened the notes app and accidentally tapped on his hidden diary.

"I got married today. The moment I saw Daisy at the wedding, I wished the person standing beside me was her.

"Daisy had an allergic reaction to the argent lilies. It's my fault. I shouldn't have allowed them to grow in the garden.

"Today marked round 13 of the duel in Werewolf Arena. My shoulder was broken, and my left arm was torn, but I couldn't stop. I had to win. For Daisy. She deserves the best the world has to offer.

"Her eyes are so bright. Only the most precious diamond can match the brilliance of her gaze.

"Tomorrow is her birthday. I'll put the diamond around her neck myself, no matter the cost."

As I stared at the screen, my body froze with a cold that seemed to seep into my bones.

I looked up sharply, my eyes catching the wilted argent lilies outside. That place used to be a sea of blooms, planted by Dad ten years ago. It was the last piece of him he left behind for me.

But one day, all the flowers started to rot. I broke down, crying uncontrollably. Andrew held me for three whole days and nights, comforting me.

I finally understood now. He was the one who had destroyed that sea of flowers. He had ruined the only thing Dad left for me.

Just then, a message from his lawyer popped up.

"Your will has been finalized according to your instructions. All your assets will be bequeathed to Ms. Daisy Blackthorn. It's now ready for your signature to make it official."

Through my blurred vision, I thought I saw the man who had held me close at the funeral and promised me the world.

"I'll give you a home, Eleanor. Everything I have is yours."

So all of it was just another lie he told me.

I laid Andrew on the bed, but this time, I didn't cover him with the blanket or take off his blood-stained leather boots like usual. Instead, I turned and walked to the guest room.

As I closed my eyes, his loving face from all these years flooded my mind.

The morning sun streamed over me. When I opened my eyes, I found myself staring into Andrew's gentle gaze. His hand gently brushed through my hair. He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.

"Were you upset last night, Eleanor? I'm sorry. I drank a little too much at the party. I promise I won't do it again."

His demeanor was as tender as always.

After a soft hum, I pushed him aside and headed to the bathroom to wash off the warmth he left on my forehead.

When I came out, Andrew was holding a delicate dress in his hands. The light blue silk fabric was adorned with silver floral patterns. It looked both elegant and noble.

"I got this for you, Eleanor," he said with a smile as he handed the dress to me. "You'll look beautiful in it."

If it had been before, I would have been thrilled. But after reading Andrew's diary, I knew this was Daisy's favorite brand, and clearly, it was an older style from years ago.

Just as I was at a loss for how to respond, the door suddenly opened.

Daisy walked in with grace. Her blonde hair glowed in the sunlight as if it were coated in gold. When she smiled, her perfect white teeth gleamed.

She moved in with ease as if this was her home. Smiling, she said in a light tone, "Sorry to interrupt, Eleanor. I'm hosting today's warrior celebration with Andrew, so I thought I'd just come over."

My gaze fell on her hand, where I saw a familiar set of keys. The keychain looked exactly like mine.

Andrew seemed to notice the shift in my mood and quickly leaned in to explain in a low voice, "Daisy is our best friend. It's normal for her to have a key to our house."

I didn't say anything. I was about to leave when Andrew insisted on dragging me to the event.

The square was lit with a bonfire, and the air filled with the scent of grilled meat and alcohol. The werewolves danced excitedly around the flames. The howls of wolves echoed in the night sky.

Daisy stood tall in a red dress. It looked like the moon itself had brightened to honor her.

Linking arms with Andrew, she slowly walked up the stage to the cheers and applause of the entire pack. I stood at the edge of the crowd.

"Eleanor, I heard you're good with cameras. Tonight's celebration is an important event. Could you take a few pictures for me?"

Daisy's words caught everyone's attention.

I didn't want to, but Andrew handed me the camera without waiting for me to protest. Since Dad passed away, I hadn't touched a camera.

Every time I held one, I thought of Dad, who had taught me photography when I was young. His image lingered in my mind, especially the look of helplessness and reluctance when he had left.

Since then, I never dared to press the shutter again.

Andrew knew this. He had even locked my camera away in the closet and told me not to force myself. He'd said he would help me heal until that one day I'd be ready to pick it up again.

But now, without waiting for me to speak, he pulled me forward and quietly urged, "Just relax, Eleanor. It's only a few photos."

His voice was calm, but his eyes shifted between Daisy and me.

Daisy, noticing my discomfort, softened her tone, but it still had a prickling edge to it. "Eleanor, I'm sure you won't disappoint me, right?

"Don't be like your dad. He played with a camera his whole life but never got one good photo before he died."

My breath caught in my throat. Her words pierced through me like needles.

"What are you waiting for?" Daisy struck an elegant pose. "Come on. Take the picture. Don't waste any more time."

I pressed the shutter. The image of her standing beside Andrew was glaring. I forced myself to hold back the sadness welling up inside me and took shot after shot.

After the photos were done, everyone gathered to feast, but Daisy called me into the lounge.

As she flicked through the photos on the camera, her voice dripped with mockery as she said, "Eleanor, you really are just as useless as your dad. You can't do anything right. Guess the Silverclaw family really is full of empty shells."

I dug my nails into my palms. My body trembled slightly as I fought to keep my anger from exploding.

Suddenly, a slap echoed, and a sharp sting burned across my face.

Daisy shook her hand and looked down at me with disdain.

"You really have no shame, Eleanor. I didn't expect you to hook up with Andrew right after your engagement was called off. What makes you think you deserve him?

"Let me make it clear. Both Ryan and Andrew are mine. You don't deserve either of them."

The slap made my head tilt to the side. The ringing in my ears was deafening.

Before I could even react, Daisy suddenly grabbed my hand and slammed it against her own face, then gracefully collapsed to the floor.

As she covered her face with both hands, her eyes glistened with tears. She looked so pitiful, a complete transformation from the woman she had been a moment ago.

"Don't be so angry, Eleanor. I really didn't think you took bad pictures. I just wanted you to try a different angle, that's all."

The moment Andrew opened the door, the wine glass slipped from his hand and shattered on the floor. He rushed over, pushing me aside, and crouched down to urgently check on Daisy.