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?"

Kya POV

"Oh, it’s a car key. Lina found it while helping the soldiers with their wounds. She didn’t know whose it was, so she gave it to me," Owen said, glancing at me. "I can’t grab it right now while driving, but if you don’t believe me, you can check my pocket."

"I was just asking!" I responded quickly.

He was sure I wouldn’t search his pocket.

After we got married, he even told me his phone password. But I had never looked at his phone. There were many things I just couldn’t be bothered to do.

At that moment, Owen’s phone rang, disrupting my thoughts.

Unlike before, Owen didn’t pick up; instead, he turned the phone off.

"Tonight, I’m not answering anyone’s calls. I’m going to spend a nice dinner with my baby!"

Once we got home, he immediately went into the kitchen, becoming the perfect husband.

"These are all your favorites, try them," he said.

Before we got married, Owen didn’t know how to cook.

Since I was picky about food, he even found a French chef to mentor him and spent six months learning how to cook.

When I first found out about his affair, I tried to convince myself that if I left him, no one would treat me this well.

But now, I no longer had that struggle. He could teach another woman how to play tennis and probably cook for her, too.

In fact, he might have already cooked for Lina.

What he enjoyed was the chase, and I wasn’t the only one he was chasing.

"I’m full." After taking a few bites, I quickly returned to the bedroom.

"Kya, are you upset because I didn’t have dinner with you the other day? I promise I’ll cook for you every night this month," Owen followed me.

"It’s fine," I shook my head and forced a smile.

"Are you really okay? You seem... different," Owen asked carefully.

"There’s nothing different. I think you’re the one who’s changed," I said, forcing an even bigger smile.

"I have changed. I love you more than ever, Kya. I will always love you," Owen said, kissing my neck. I could see the desire in his eyes.

He wanted to use his body to prove that nothing had changed between us. But we can’t fake everything.

I gently pushed him away, avoiding his kiss.

"I took some of the doctor’s sleeping pills today. I’m really tired now."

Sex was the last thing I wanted at that moment.

Before going to bed, I received a message from Lina:

"Don’t think just because you’re Luna that you’re something special. Owen doesn’t even like you!"

I thought it was probably because Owen had scolded and ignored her today, which angered her and led her to attack me.

But her attacks didn’t matter to me anymore.

I didn’t reply. I would leave in three days, and I didn’t want anything to interfere with my plans.

Since everyone was lying and playing a role, I could play with them in this final scene.

Maybe the frustration of hitting a soft target made Lina even angrier. She sent me a few more messages, including some pictures.

"He proposed to you seven times but made love to me 700 times. He married you because of the mate bond! When he sleeps with me, it’s irresistible, it’s true love!"

"Even though your mate is lying next to you, he’s playing with remote-controlled sex toys with me."

It turned out the remote-controlled sex toy was what Lina had slipped into Owen’s pocket this afternoon.

I then understood why Owen had been in the bathroom for over half an hour.. Usually, he only needed 10 minutes to shower.

I swallowed another sleeping pill without water. The pill stuck in my throat, bitter and unpleasant.

***

The next afternoon, Ash came to see Owen and told him that Alpha James had finalized the deal.

"I'm going to inspect a factory and will be gone for two days. I’ll definitely be back before the Moon Goddess Festival," Owen explained as he packed his bags.

"Okay, go ahead."

"Wait for me to come back!"

Before leaving, Owen looked back at me again, his eyes filled with concern.

"I’ve noticed you haven’t had much of an appetite these past couple of days. I’ve hired a chef to cook for you, to change things up a bit."

That was actually a good thing for me. I could take the opportunity to finalize my new identity and book my flight.

The place I was going was far away. I couldn’t leave any clues behind that might let Owen find out.

When Owen landed, he sent me a message informing me he arrived safely. Ironically, a message from Lina followed right after.

It turned out that Lina had gone with him on this business trip. Or rather, the business trip was just a cover, and it was actually a vacation he had arranged for Lina.

For the next two days, I received messages from both Owen and Lina.

On one hand, Owen would send me goodnight messages every night.

On the other hand, Lina sent me intimate photos of her and Owen.

Owen even video-called me to prove he was alone, purposely showing me his hotel room.

"Baby, I can’t sleep without you by my side," he said, holding the camera towards the empty iron-framed bed.

After Owen hung up, Lina would immediately send pictures.

On the same iron-framed bed, the sheets were messy, and she had her legs wrapped around Owen's waist while his hand rested on her hip. That hand also had our wedding ring on.

But nothing bothered me anymore. I was too busy with my plans.

I processed my new ID and set up my phone and SIM card.

I even got my refurbished car ready with the gas in it.

The flight ticket, which spans half the globe, was also booked, and pre-marriage savings were transferred.

With the help of sleeping pills, I spent the last two peaceful nights at Starry Pack.

And quickly, the Moon Goddess Festival finally arrived.