As I indulged in a spa treatment at the pack’s luxurious salon, my phone buzzed with a message from Katherine, my best friend and a Delta in our Silver Moon Pack.

"Luna, I just saw Alpha Brody at the mall buying jewelry for some woman," her text read.

"Got it," I replied, my tone calm.

"Aren’t you going to confront him?" she pressed.

"No need."

It had only been three months since I gave birth to the twins, and after this appointment, I had a gym session scheduled. At five, I needed to pick up Hudson from the pack’s daycare. I didn’t have time for distractions.

---

I first discovered Brody’s infidelity when I was five months pregnant with our twins. The revelation had led to an explosive argument, and I moved back to my mother’s house, the former Luna of our pack. It had been three months since the birth, and I was still staying with her.

When I returned home, my mother, Naomi, was entertaining the twins while giving me a once-over. "You’re almost back to your pre-pregnancy shape," she remarked, her tone a mix of pride and concern.

I touched my slightly rounded belly with a faint smile. The personal trainer and nutritionist I had hired for $9,000 had indeed worked wonders.

My mother’s gaze was a blend of relief and sympathy.

"Alpha Brody stopped by earlier," she mentioned casually.

I continued playing with the twins, barely glancing up. "Oh."

"He left when he found you weren’t here," she added, searching my face. "Are you sure about the separation?"

I looked up and smiled softly. "No, I’m moving back tomorrow."

My mother raised an eyebrow in surprise but nodded.

"It seems like you’ve thought this through. That gives me some peace."

The next day, I packed my things and, with the help of Orlando, our pack’s Omega, moved the kids back to the Alpha’s residence.

After Hudson fell asleep and Orlando took the twins to bed, I headed to the shower. When I stepped out, Brody was already back—I hadn’t heard him come in.

I glanced at him, spotting a red lipstick stain on his crisp white shirt.

I stared at it for a moment, recalling how the first time I saw such a mark, it had led to a massive row. I had screamed, scratched, and fought with Brody, even dragging our parents into the mess.

"You’re back?" he asked, his voice neutral.

I smiled faintly, "Yeah."

I turned to my dressing table and began my meticulous skincare routine.

"Not angry anymore?" he asked, scrutinizing me.

I met his gaze in the mirror. "I’ve done a lot of thinking. Alphas like you always seem to seek excitement outside. I used to be naive, always making a scene. I’ve moved past that. I’ll try to be a good Luna so you have fewer worries."

He looked at me, puzzled and unsure.

I continued brushing my hair, and seeing that it was late, I said, "It’s getting late. Let’s get some sleep."

As I stood up, he wrapped an arm around my waist, but I gently pushed it away. "Go take a shower. You smell like alcohol."

The next day, I met with a financial advisor. I invested part of my father’s inheritance—he had been a respected Alpha—in gold funds, another portion in fixed-term investments, and kept the rest in my account for future real estate opportunities. I also went to the pack’s notary office to make a formal declaration. In the event of my passing, all my assets would be divided equally among my mother and my children. If my mother passed, it would go to the kids.

The notary asked, "What about your mate, Alpha Brody?"

I smiled, "He’s got more than enough. He won’t miss my money."

Back home, Brody was surprisingly there.

"Why are you home so early today?" I asked.

"It’s Saturday," he said, eyeing the bags I carried. "What’s all this?"

"I bought some properties. Think they’ll appreciate?"

Brody looked at the contracts. "The price is good. The area near North Park Road is a designated development zone. In a few years, it’ll be booming."

"Good to know." I took my purchases to the bedroom and began organizing.

Brody was somehow standing at the door. I didn’t pay him much attention as a message popped up on WhatsApp. I set my things down to check my phone.

I vaguely heard him mention "Katherine," so I casually replied, "Katherine? She called a few days ago. What’s up?"

The message was from Hudson’s kindergarten teacher. They were organizing a parent-child fashion show for Thanksgiving this year.

Brody seemed hesitant.

"Did she tell you anything?" he asked.

"Yeah," I replied, looking at him. "Next weekend, Hudson’s school has a parent-child event. Will you join?"

He watched me for a moment before saying, "Sure, we can go together."

Hudson dropped his blocks and ran into my arms, excited. "Mommy, are you and Daddy really coming? You won’t leave me again, right?"

A wave of guilt hit me. Last year, in anger towards Brody, I had missed Hudson’s Thanksgiving event. The memory of his disappointed face still haunted me. I hugged him tightly, stroking his hair, and promised, "Hudson, you’re Mommy’s favorite. Daddy and Mommy will both be there."

Brody approached, his commanding Alpha presence filling the space as he wrapped a strong arm around my shoulders. His muscles, honed from years of pack leadership, tensed slightly as he spoke. "Luna Laylah, thank you."

Hudson nestled in my arms, his tiny body a comforting weight. I remained silent, my gaze steady.

He pulled me closer, his deep voice softening. "About Delta Dallas Alexander, let me explain..."

I cut him off with a calm that surprised even me. "There's nothing you need to explain to me, Alpha."

His eyes widened briefly, but I continued, "I've figured it out. You're not entirely wrong. I should learn from my mother, Luna Naomi. Look at how gracefully she handles everything now."

Brody and I had chosen each other, defying expectations.

My father, Alpha Royce, had wanted me to mate with someone from a powerful pack—a strategic alliance to strengthen our pack's position.

But those potential mates were already indulging in their status, frequenting exclusive clubs and bars before even solidifying their own ranks. Back then, with my confidence and the grace expected of a Luna, how could I settle for someone so unfaithful?

So, against my father's wishes, I chose an outsider—Brody.

Brody was not only striking in appearance but was one of the few heirs who didn't squander his time. His reputation was impeccable, and after completing his training, he dedicated himself to leading his pack with his father.

He carried himself with the poise of a born leader, and though his pack's wealth didn't rival my father's, they were far from destitute. Naturally, their fortune was modest compared to the empire Alpha Royce had built.

It took persistence to win him over, but I succeeded.

Initially, my father didn't approve of our union, but after observing Brody's leadership and integrity, he relented and even opened up some pack alliances to Brody's family.

After meeting Brody a few times, my mother, Luna Naomi, remarked, "At the very least, he's intelligent. He knows exactly what he wants and how to achieve it. Dealing with someone so astute is less taxing and more efficient."

At the time, I thought my mother was praising Brody. Only now do I realize that men like Brody share similarities with my father.

Alpha Royce was a self-made Alpha, who spent decades building his pack's influence. Like many Alphas, he strayed once his power solidified.

When I was ten, he began having affairs, and it quickly spiraled out of control. But my mother never dissolved their bond.

I used to think my mother was too timid, letting women down everywhere.

It wasn’t until I discovered Brody’s inappropriate relationship with a pack member that I understood. When I confronted my mother, insisting on breaking our bond, she stopped me. I lashed out, "Do you think I'm like you? A coward who stays silent when betrayed, making women appear weak."

She was angry and wanted to strike me but held back, considering my five-month pregnancy. When I calmed down, she simply said, "Breaking the bond isn’t the answer. True courage is making life better despite the challenges."

But I had always been committed to maintaining our mate bond.

Brody never had to worry about anything. I ensured his needs were met, frequently visiting his parents with the kids while he was busy with pack duties. Even during my pregnancy with the twins, when my belly grew unbearably heavy, robbing me of sleep and appetite, I kept the pack's domestic affairs running smoothly. I made sure he never had to concern himself with them.

And how did Brody repay me?

Not only did he cheat with a pack member, but he also flirted with female associates from other packs.

During that time, we argued and fought. I smashed objects around our home, shredded our bonding photos, and even ended up in the hospital twice from stress, threatening to terminate my pregnancy.

Brody's parents, Alpha Alessandro and Luna Dani, were both anxious and furious, even striking Brody in the hospital.

After being struck, Brody felt ashamed and lost his patience with me. Holding down my flailing arms, he said, "Laylah, listen to me carefully."