"Mrs. Cruz, we've finished your check-up. Your health has been fragile, and it's been quite an effort to keep the pup safe so far. You need to be extremely cautious in these last two months; otherwise, there’s a risk of complications with the pregnancy."

"I understand, thank you, healer."

I looked down at my swollen belly, feeling a deep sense of loneliness. The pup within me stirred faintly, as if sensing my emotions. I placed a hand over my abdomen, trying to soothe it, but the ache in my heart only grew.

"Oh, Mrs. Cruz, can you see now?"

Dr. Jason Bailey, the pack healer, noted my restored vision and seemed genuinely pleased for me. His kind eyes softened as he spoke, and for a moment, I felt a flicker of comfort.

"Yes, during my last check-up, I suddenly started seeing again. The healer said it might be due to the pregnancy hormones."

"That’s wonderful news! Alpha Cruz must be thrilled, right? By the way, why didn’t he come with you today?"

I hadn’t had the chance to tell Hayes about regaining my sight. Would he be happy? Probably not. My wolf stirred in the back of my mind, a low growl of disapproval. *He doesn’t deserve you,* she whispered, her voice tinged with bitterness.

I managed a weak smile. "He’s busy."

Busy accompanying his beloved Miriam, with no time to join me for the prenatal visit. I unfolded my white cane, though I no longer needed it, and left the healer’s den.

As I walked through the Crimson Fang Pack’s territory, I saw Hayes in a pack-wide broadcast. The large screen in the pack square displayed him sitting beside Miriam, her hand resting possessively on his arm.

"Miriam’s pup isn’t born out of wedlock; it’s mine. We’ve been together for a long time now."

The interviewer, a Gamma from the neighboring pack, leaned forward with interest. "But Alpha Cruz, I heard you were already mated."

"Yes, I was, but we are divorced now. I’ll soon mate Miriam and give her the status she deserves as my Luna."

"Well, congratulations to you both! I wish you a happy life together!"

They snuggled up to each other, smiling warmly at the camera. "Thank you."

I looked up and saw Hayes, holding Miriam close. Sadness washed over me, and my wolf growled again, louder this time. *He’s a fool,* she snarled. *He’ll regret this.*

"This Alpha Cruz, he’s truly committed! Imagine divorcing his mate for his first love!"

"Apparently, he never loved his mate. Otherwise, why was Ophelia Perry never in the spotlight? Five years of mating, and the moment his first love returns, he divorces her. Poor Ophelia."

"I heard Miriam ran into some problems abroad, leading to her pregnancy. Could it be false?"

"Real or not, when someone truly loves another, they wouldn’t hold it against them; they’d feel sympathy. Didn’t you see the way Alpha Cruz looked at her? If I were Ophelia, I would have left ages ago."

The broadcast was blinding, and the whispers around me felt like knives piercing my heart. I listened and watched as tears streamed down my face.

Just days ago, Hayes had brought Miriam, also eight months pregnant, back to the pack house. Despite Miriam’s troubles abroad and the uncertainty regarding the pup’s father, Hayes announced to everyone that her child was his. I was pushing my body to its limits to carry our pup, yet he told everyone we were divorced.

Well, Hayes Cruz, I was blind to you all these years. Since you want a divorce, I shall grant it!

I walked back to the pack house, feeling like a hollow shell. As soon as I entered the estate, the Omegas fell silent.

"Stop talking, stop talking, she’s back. Turn off the screen."

"What a tragedy. Fortunately, she can’t see; otherwise, she’d be heartbroken."

"Mrs. Cruz, welcome back."

Kamila, one of the Omegas, approached to assist me, but I didn’t respond. I just stood there, staring blankly at the turned-off screen.

I lost my sight saving Hayes Cruz. Ever since I was ten, I adored him. But all along, he only ever loved Miriam Mendoza.

Five years ago, Miriam and her family left for another pack territory. Devastated, Hayes drowned his sorrows in alcohol. While driving back to the pack house, he nearly got into an accident, and I rushed out to push him to safety.

Hayes was unharmed, but I lost my vision.

Now, as I stood in the pack house, the weight of those years pressed down on me. My wolf whined softly, her presence a small comfort in the midst of my despair. *We’ll get through this,* she murmured, though her voice lacked conviction.

I clenched my fists, determination hardening within me. Hayes Cruz, you may have taken my sight and my heart, but you won’t take my strength. Not anymore.

Later, my parents insisted that Alpha Hayes Cruz take me as his mate.

"You've loved him for fifteen years, Ophelia, and now you’ve lost your vision saving him. He must fulfill his duty and claim you as his Luna," my father, Gamma Luke Perry of the Silver Moon Pack, declared, his voice firm and unyielding.

The Crimson Fang Pack elders also applied pressure. "If you do not mate Ophelia, Alpha Hayes, you risk the stability of this pack and your position as our leader," one of the senior warriors warned, his tone leaving no room for argument.

In the end, Hayes gave in. We performed the mating ceremony, and he marked me as his Luna. For a while, it seemed he was fulfilling his obligations. At first, his attention felt perfunctory, but eventually, he began to bring me gifts on every full moon and shared late-night conversations with me under the moonlit sky.

Everything seemed to be improving—until Margaret Young, the Luna of the Crimson Fang Pack and Hayes’s mother, decided she wanted grandchildren. She spiked his drink with a potent herb, and that night, we conceived a pup. Hayes, however, saw it as a manipulative ploy and distanced himself from me afterward.

A few days ago, I woke up to a miracle. My vision, lost in the rogue attack, had returned. The pack healer, Dr. Jason Bailey, explained that the hormonal changes of my pregnancy had triggered a rare healing phenomenon among werewolves. Overjoyed, I rushed to the Crimson Fang Pack’s den to share the news with Hayes.

But when I arrived, I found Miriam Mendoza there. She was seated on the alpha’s couch, sipping tea while Hayes hovered over her, his voice soft and tender.

"Careful, it’s hot," he murmured, his tone dripping with concern—a tone he had never used with me.

In just five days, Hayes had nearly forgotten me, his blind mate, and was completely wrapped up in Miriam.

"Take it easy. You’ve been under so much stress," he continued, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

Miriam nestled into his arms, acting as if I were invisible. "Don’t worry, Alpha. I’m just a bit tired."

The aroma of spiced honey cake wafted from the kitchen, catching Hayes’s attention. "Kamila," he called to the Omega, "what’s cooking?"

"It’s the honey cake Luna Margaret sent for Ophelia," Kamila replied hesitantly.

"Bring it to Miriam," Hayes ordered without hesitation.

"But Alpha, it was meant for Ophelia. There’s only one serving!"

"Miriam’s health is fragile, and the pup is small. She needs the nourishment," Hayes said firmly, his gaze briefly flickering to me. "As for Ophelia, she barely eats. It’s a waste every time. From now on, all the supplements my mother sends will go to Miriam."

My body trembled violently, my fists clenched at my sides. My reduced appetite was due to the constant nausea of pregnancy. While most expectant mothers gained weight, I had lost nearly ten pounds. Luna Margaret often sent me supplements out of concern, but to Hayes, my eating them was just a waste.

"Is this really okay, Alpha Hayes? After all, they were meant for Ophelia," Miriam said, feigning innocence.

Hayes squeezed her hand, whispering reassurance. "It’s fine. You’re carrying my pup. There’s nothing to worry about. Besides..." He glanced at me once more, his expression cold. "She wouldn’t mind."

"Thank you, Alpha Hayes. You’re so good to me," Miriam purred, lifting her head to kiss him lightly.

They thought I couldn’t see, but I saw it all clearly.

"Sure, I don’t mind. Enjoy, Miriam," I said, my voice steady despite the ache in my chest.

Pulling my gaze away, I headed upstairs. I hadn’t gotten far when I overheard Miriam ask, "When do you plan to discuss the divorce with Ophelia?"

"Soon," Hayes replied. "Don’t worry. I’ll find a way to make her sign the papers. I promise I’ll mate you properly and claim you as my Luna."

I froze on the stairs, my heart shattering into pieces. I had given him my unwavering loyalty and love, and in return, he cast me aside for an outsider.

At that moment, I was utterly disenchanted with Hayes Cruz, the Alpha I had once thought would be my mate for life.