Kya POV

I knew it must be Lina messaging him.

She resented me because Owen still chose me, even now. Was that resentment born from her love for Owen, or was it just the cheap rivalry that sometimes arises between women?

I didn’t know. I didn’t want to dig deeper.

For three months, my anger and hatred had slowly cooled and fermented into numbness.

This is what people mean when they say the heart has died.

In the middle of messaging, now Owen received a phone call. It was Beta Ash.

After a few short exchanges, Owen turned to me and said, "Ash said he caught some rogues. They’re locked in the dungeon now, and I need to go check it out. I’ll have the driver take you home first."

"It seems like there’ve been more rogues recently," I said

"Yes. Ash and I are investigating. We’re not sure why," Owen quickly explained, adding, "But you don’t need to worry about these things. I’ll protect you."

"Go ahead. Be careful!"

Seeing that I wasn’t questioning him, Owen cheerfully had the driver stop the car by the roadside.

Before getting out, he didn’t forget to say, "Wait for me tonight—I’ll join you for dinner."

Once Owen got into another car, I turned to the driver and said, "Don’t head home yet. Follow him."

The driver glanced at me in the rearview mirror, then nodded. He had been a silent witness to this affair—neither siding with me nor Owen.

Owen did indeed go to the dungeon, but he stood at the entrance without going inside. He was waiting for someone.

I had the driver park the car in a wooded area near the dungeon.

Soon, a black car pulled up at the dungeon entrance. To my surprise, Ash and Lina got out.

She was dressed in a tight black dress and red stockings. The dress was so short that it barely covered her hips. She immediately threw herself into Owen’s arms, clinging to my mate like a limp rag doll.

Owen scooped her up and hurriedly carried her into the dungeon.

I clenched my fists tightly, my nails digging into my palms.

He certainly knew what spot to pick–who would suspect him of meeting someone in the dungeon?

I let out a cold laugh and used my mind-link to contact a dungeon guard. I asked him to monitor Owen’s actions in the dungeon for me.

I had known this guard before becoming Owen’s mate.

Soon, the guard sent me a video.

When I opened it, I saw a luxuriously decorated room that clashed starkly with the dungeon’s usual gloom.

The center of the room contained a transparent glass shower, a large bathtub, and a massive round pink bed surrounded by whips, ropes, candles, ice cubes, and other things I couldn’t even identify.

Moments later, Owen carried Lina into the room, tossed her onto the bed, and used his teeth to tear off her red stockings.

My hands trembled, and even my teeth chattered. When I heard Lina moan, I quickly closed the video.

"Luna Kya, shall I take you home?" the driver coughed lightly, breaking his usual silence to ask me.

Through blurry eyes, I glanced at the rearview mirror. The driver seemed to want to say more but couldn’t find the words.

"Let’s go," I said.

Shouldn’t I have expected this? Why am I upset?

I rolled down the car window, letting the wind dry my tears. I took a deep breath and gasped for air like a fish about to drown.

So this was the type of woman Owen liked and

I thought Owen was a very traditional man.

***

Three years ago, during the Moon Goddess Festival, when Owen discovered that I was his mate, he didn’t mark me right away or make love.

Instead, he took me for diving to see the stars beneath the sea.

"You’re lying. There are no stars in the sea," I had said, thinking it was just one of his tricks to charm women.

But I still followed him.

When we swam to the bottom of the sea, he took my hand, pointed upwards, and gestured for me to look.

A swarm of glowing jellyfish swam above us, twinkling like a sky full of stars.

I had turned to look at him, and through the visor of my diving mask, I could see the starlight in his eyes.

My tears had blended with the seawater.

A month later, he held a grand wedding for me on a tropical island.

That night, we made love for the first time on a bed covered with flowers.

He marked me and whispered in my ear over and over,

"Kya, you are mine. I love you. I will always love you."

That night, I believed that eternal love was real—just like stars could exist in the sea.

I thought Owen was different from my father.

But after seeing the video, I didn’t know if it was because I didn’t understand men—or because I didn’t understand him.

***

"Stop here."

As we neared home, I asked the driver to pull over.

"Luna Kya..." the driver began.

"Just go back, I have something to take care of," I interrupted.

I got out of the car, feeling disoriented and nearly losing my balance. Then, I hailed a taxi.

"Take me to the used car market," I said.

Kya POV

When I returned home from the used car market, the servants had already prepared dinner.

Owen didn’t come home for dinner as promised but called me. He always called ahead when he came home late.

As an Alpha, he always had various excuses. Now, I could no longer tell which ones were legitimate or just excuses for his affairs.

"Kya, the rogue attacks have increased these past few months, and the crime rate is rising. The dungeon rooms are running out. Ash and I are working on expanding the dungeon. I’ll be home later tonight, don’t wait for me." Owen said sincerely on the phone.

He was indeed busy expanding the dungeon but not to imprison criminals—to create a hidden and thrilling place for his affairs.

"Mm, you handle your things." I replied plainly.

"Kya, you’re so understanding. I love you."

His words made me feel sick to my guts, thinking he might be in the dungeon right now with Lina in his arms. It felt like her scent was seeping out of the phone, making me so disgusted that I almost threw up.

I quickly hung up the call.

Later that night, Owen sneaked back home.

When he opened the bedroom door, I was lying in bed, wide awake.

"Why aren’t you asleep?" He seemed a bit flustered.

This fluster came from guilt after his affair and maybe also from some concern for me.

I stared at him intently, and he sat on the edge of my bed, gently touching my face.

"You said you’ve been having trouble sleeping lately, right? After finishing my work, I specifically went to get this water lily aromatherapy for you. The scent specialist said it takes a thousand water lilies to make this small bottle. I promise you’ll sleep well tonight."

He pulled an aromatherapy bottle from the box, lit it, and placed it on my nightstand.

A half-truth is always easier to deceive with than a pure lie.

He surely didn’t go to buy it. His Beta did when he might be busy fucking Lina.

"Would you like me to massage your shoulders?" Owen continued trying to please me.

"No, the aromatherapy smells nice. I already feel sleepy." I closed my eyes, but only until Owen fell asleep.

After that, like many other nights, I just stared at the ceiling until dawn as if my fate had been written there.

***

"Did you sleep better last night?" Owen asked as soon as he rose.

"Mm," I smiled and nodded.

"I told you the aromatherapy would work. I'll buy more today. Or maybe I should just open an aromatherapy store for you," Owen said, doting on me.

"No need to go through so much trouble."

In five days, I wouldn’t need any of this.

"Kya, doing anything for you is never a hassle! It only makes me feel happy."

I suddenly remembered something my mother once said: if you can deceive someone for a lifetime, that might be love.

When I first found out about Owen’s affair, I had tried to convince myself of the same thing. But I couldn’t do it.

After breakfast, Owen mentioned that Alpha James and Alpha Travis would be coming to Pack today to discuss a business collaboration project.

"They specifically asked me to take you to play tennis this afternoon. You should really get out more and exercise."

Later in the afternoon, when I arrived at the tennis court in my baseball skirt, James and Travis waved excitedly at me.

"Kya, still as radiant as ever!" James said.

"You look so beautiful today!" Travis said, even more enthusiastically kissing my cheek, only to be pushed away by Owen.

"Go kiss your own mate, Kya is mine!" Owen held me tightly in his arms like a trophy.

James and Travis were my groomsmen at the wedding. They had even written a song and choreographed a dance for it.

Those warm memories brought a little life back to me.

But perhaps because of my emotional state, my wolf had become very weak recently.

Less than half an hour into the match, I tripped and fell.

"Kya, are you okay?" Owen quickly dropped his racket and rushed over to me.

"I'm fine, just a little scrape on my knee," I smiled.

Owen immediately hugged my right leg and blew on my knee.

"I'll take you to the hospital."

"No need, it's just a small scratch. Don’t you remember, I have Alpha blood in me, it’ll heal quickly."

James and Travis also came over.

"You guys please keep playing, I'll just head home and rest for a bit."

"I'll take you home," Owen said, picking me up.

"No, James and Travis rarely get together, you stay and play with them."

"Owen is still so considerate! You two are still so in love," Travis patted Owen on the shoulder.

Is that so? I sneered inside but didn’t say anything.

My marriage with Owen is nobody else’s business, and I didn’t feel like explaining anything to Travis.

The driver took me home, but halfway there, I realized I had left my phone in the tennis court’s changing room.

I asked the driver to turn around and return to the court.

As I walked into the changing room to get my mobile, I I heard Lina’s sharp laugh from the lobby area.

I wanted to avoid her, but other voices, along with her, compelled me to peek out.

To my surprise, it was none but Owen, James, and Travis. Owen had his arm around Lina’s waist.

Kya POV

So, they all know Lina. They all know everything!

"Lina is really good at tennis!" James praised Lina, just like he had praised me earlier.

"Well, it’s because I’m such a good coach!" Owen said smugly.

"I think her skills in bed are even better! She’s got you completely enchanted!" Travis said bluntly.

"Alpha Travis, you're so bad! How can you say that about me?" Lina said, playfully pushing Travis.

"Isn't that the truth?" Owen pinched Lina's chin. "Go change, we’re going to the bar tonight."

Lina bounced off toward the changing room, and I slipped out the back door of the tennis court.

It turned out Beta Ash wasn't the only accomplice—they all were helping Owen to deceive me!

What do they think I am? A fool or a clown?

How many others are watching me like it's some kind of joke?

I told the driver to head home, and I wandered down the street, feeling completely lost.

I thought about how Owen used to teach me tennis.

"Your posture is already good. Let me show you." He stood behind me and gently guided my arms.

"Feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent. Hold the racket—"

"That’s close, but don’t aim for the moon next time."

"You have talent. I’ll make sure to reward you tonight."

......

He looked so handsome and confident on the court and used to be so patient while teaching me.

Is he teaching Lina the same way?

Before, when I used to run into Lina, I had this sense of superiority that she was nothing more than Owen's sex partner.

But now, at this moment, my last shred of pride was shattered.

A voice in my head told me, You’re just one of his sex partners.

***

Four days are left until the Moon Goddess festival, and I went to the Pack clinic for something important to confirm.

I walked out of the consultation room holding a small paper bag with medicine inside, still processing what the doctor had said:

"Luna Kya, you're not pregnant and don't have any gynecological issues. Your recent symptoms are due to hormonal imbalances caused by emotional stress and lack of sleep. Relax, take the calming medication regularly, and things will gradually improve."

I breathed a sigh of relief.

I wasn’t sure if Owen had other lovers before Lina. Many sexually transmitted diseases have incubation periods, and I was worried that I might have caught something from Owen. I was also concerned that my period being two months late was due to pregnancy.

As I reached the stairway, I stopped.

I saw two familiar people standing below—Owen and Lina.

Lina quietly slipped something into Owen's pocket, then naturally placed her hand on his chest, whispering something with a mysterious smile.

Owen noticed someone was watching and suddenly turned his head. When he saw me, his expression flashed with panic, and he quickly stepped away from Lina.

"Kya, what are you doing here?" His tone mixed with a bit of nervousness and concern.

"And how come you're here?" I didn’t answer him but asked instead.

"I brought a few injured soldiers to the hospital, and Lina was helping to take care of them. I just came to check on their condition," Owen hurriedly explained.

Lina, however, chimed in with a light tone, "Yeah, nursing work is nothing compared to Luna's easy life."

I could hear the sarcasm in her words. My brow furrowed slightly, but I didn’t respond immediately.

Owen’s face darkened, and he shot a cold glare at Lina. "Watch your tone with Kya. Don’t forget your place! Apologize to your Luna!"

Lina looked hurt, gritting her teeth.

Owen glared at her again, but it seemed less like reprimanding and more like trying to shift my attention away so I wouldn’t suspect anything.

"Luna Kya, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have offended you," Lina mumbled.

Owen walked over and put his arm around my shoulders, speaking softly, "You still haven’t told me, how come you're at the hospital? Are you feeling unwell?"

"I haven’t been sleeping well, so I came to see a doctor. The doctor said it’s nothing."

Hearing this, Owen’s brows slightly relaxed, and his expression became more at ease. He quickly took the medicine bag from my hand, speaking firmly, "Next time you’re feeling unwell, tell me beforehand. How could you come to the hospital alone? I’ll take you home."

"But don’t you still have things to do?" I raised an eyebrow, my tone slightly mocking.

"There’s nothing more important than you," he said without hesitation, his gaze sincere.

I lowered my head and said nothing, letting him lead me out of the hospital. Behind us, I heard Lina snort, but I didn’t look back.

In the car, Owen asked a few times about my health.

I only gave vague replies. Leaning against the window, I couldn’t help but ask, "What was the thing Lina slipped into your pocket?"