The next morning, I gathered up the tiny clothes and toys I'd made for our unborn pup. Each little jacket I'd sewn with trembling excitement after learning I was pregnant, each rattle I'd painstaalphaly crafted under a master's guidance-they all went into the fire.

As the flames devoured them, my heart ached so fiercely I could barely breathe.

By the time alpha Lucian returned from the morning court session, the fire had burned out, leaving only cold ashes in the basin.

He let out a heavy sigh and pulled me into his arms.

"Luna, don't take it so hard," he murmured.

"I heard the priest at the church is powerful. I've arranged for him to perform a blessing for the baby."

Numb, like a walalpha corpse, I let him guide me to the carriage.

At the church steps, he was helping me down when a guard approached.

"My lord, someone's here to see you..."

Alpha Lucian's brow furrowed in irritation.

"What is it? I told you, today's for Luna. No interruptions."

Before he could finish, a figure pushed past the guard and dropped to their knees before him. His eyes widened, words catching in his throat. I expected him to explode, but instead, he stepped in front of me, blocalpha my view, his face tight with unease.

"Luna, I just remembered-His Majesty gave me urgent business. Go find the priest. I'll handle this and be right back."

I stared into his eyes, catching the flicker of panic. In that split second, as he turned, I glimpsed the person kneeling. Despite the oversized men's robe, the delicate waist and pale skin gave her away-Vanessa, his mistress.

But I played the dutiful mate, as always.

"If it's urgent business, go. Don't rush back."

Relief washed over him. He grabbed Vanessa's arm and hurried off without a backward glance, missing the grief in my eyes.

Alpha Lucian had never put work before me. He'd stay up all night drafting reports just to spend a day with me, saying every moment together was precious.

Yet now, for another she wolf, he left me without a second thought.

Their figures blurred through my tears.

I brushed off the guard with some excuse and followed them quietly. In a narrow, deserted alley, alpha Lucian stopped and rounded on her.

"Are you out of your mind?" he hissed.

"I told you, show up in front of Luna, and you're done."

His hand gripped Vanessa's throat, leaving red marks as he squeezed.

She sobbed, trembling. "My lord... I didn't mean to. I had a nightmare about our baby last night. I was so scared, I had to see you."

His fierce expression softened, his hand dropping as a trace of tenderness flickered in his eyes. "It was just a dream," he said gently. "Don't take it seriously."

Vanessa, sensing his shift, nestled into his arms, pouting playfully. "But I'm so scared. Can't you stay with me, just for today?"

He pushed her back, voice firm.

"I promised Luna I'd be with her at the church. She's fragile after the miscarriage. I have to be there for her."

Undeterred, Vanessa unbuttoned her blouse, leaning in to whisper against his throat.

"You've always wanted to try it outside. No one's around. How about..."

Before she could finish, alpha Lucian's demeanor changed.

He yanked her close, wrapping her in his cloak, and pressed her against the wall with a hungry edge.

"You little tease," he growled. "Always pulling me in."

I crouched behind a corner, torturing myself with their muffled gasps and whispers.

My legs went numb, but I stayed until the sounds faded. Soon after, alpha Lucian emerged, carefully draping his cloak over Vanessa and carrying her out.

I trailed them from a distance.

He'd changed clothes and donned a mask, blending in like any ordinary mate as he led Vanessa into the church.

They approached the priest, asalpha for a blessing for their pup.

In his hand was the golden pendenlant I'd seen him carve late into the night.

Back then, his gentle smile had convinced me he loved our baby as much as I did. But now, I saw the truth etched into the metal: Vanessa.

Stumbling back , my mind was consumed by that pendenlant.

From the moment I told alpha Lucian I was pregnant, he'd seemed distant, watching coolly as I poured my heart into maalpha things for our pup.

Yet that pendenlant, crafted with such care, had made me believe he cherished our baby.

Now, the illusion was shattered.

He'd never wanted our pup. All his love was for Vanessa-and he'd destroyed our baby to secure a future for hers.

The room was filled with treasures he'd scoured the world to give me, each one now a bitter reminder.

I was ready to smash them all when a maid entered, holding out a hairpin. "My lady, someone outside is asalpha to see you with this."

I recognized it instantly-the hairpin I'd lost near the church in my haste. And the visitor? Vanessa.

She sauntered in, hand resting on her belly, a smug smile on her face as she sat beside me. "You saw everything in the alley, didn't you?"

I stayed silent.

She didn't care, barreling on with glee.

"The first time with alpha Lucian was two years ago, on the fifteenth of the winter moon. Even after all this time, he's still obsessed with me."

My hand shook, knocalpha over a cup.

Two years ago, on that exact date, I'd been grieving my first miscarriage, unable to sleep from the pain. And he'd been with her.

Seeing my anguish, Vanessa leaned in, relishing it. "When you're asleep, he's with me. Once, we were right by your bed. You've never seen him lose control like that, have you?"

"They say he loves you," she sneered.

"But I think you're the most pathetic. Did you know? He promised only my pup will inherit his title. That's why he slipped you that abortion wolfsbane-laced with enough saffron to make sure you'll never conceive again."

Her words tore open every wound. I clenched my fists, cutting her off.

"What do you want?"

She tossed my hairpin to the floor, grinding it under her heel.

"You're just his old toy. Why should my pup call you mother? alpha Lucian's marrying me in six days. With how much he adores me, you'll be out of the picture soon enough. If you've got any pride, step aside and give me the title of lady."

I sank back in my chair, a bitter smile twisting my lips.

"Fine. The title's yours."

And alpha Lucian? You can have him too.

After Vanessa left, a downpour started.

I stood in the rain, lost in a daze, until alpha Lucian rushed to my side, holding an umbrella. Only then did I look up, numb.

His eyes were full of guilt and anguish as he pulled me close.

"Luna, I'm so sorry I broke my promise. Punish me however you want, but don't torture yourself like this. You know seeing you hurt kills me a thousand times over."

He ordered someone to shield me with an umbrella, then dropped to his knees in the rain. "If you're mad, I'll kneel until you're not."

The rain soaked him as much as me, his face pale, lips turning blue from the cold, but he didn't budge. It was like he'd stay there forever unless I gave in.

I stared at him for a long time, then shook my head faintly.

"I'm not mad. I just didn't expect the rain."

He stood, wrapping me in his arms, his gaze heavy. "In a few days, I'll take you back to the church," he said softly, then hesitated before adding,

"Quorven pack's been hit by famine. The alpha just summoned me about it. I have to head out for relief efforts-won't be back for six days."

I nodded calmly, playing the dutiful mate, and told the servants to pack his bags. Then I pulled a small box from my pocket and handed it to him.

"What's this?" he asked, reaching to open it.

I stopped his hand. "Sweetheart, it's a good-luck charm I got from the church for you. Don't open it until you're back from Quorven pack, or it won't work."

His eyes lit up, a flash of guilt crossing his face as he tucked the box close to his chest. "A gift from my Luna? I'll treasure it. Wait for me at home."

At the door, he paused, turning back. "About a pup... we can adopt one later. Make things whole."

I didn't answer, just watched his retreating figure.