A few months had passed, and to my relief, my father's condition had improved. He had regained some of his strength, and his seizures had become less frequent. He was finally home, out of the infirmary and resting. But, as always, I couldn't stop him from tending to his duties as the pack's Alpha. No matter how hard I tried, he just wouldn't listen. So, the best I could do was help him, easing his burden where I could. In a way, it felt like my own preparation for the role of the Luna that would soon be mine.

After finishing the last of the pack work my father had assigned to me, I hurried to my room. I quickly freshened up, then stood in front of my closet, sifting through the hangers. My fingers paused on a soft, yellow sundress—it looked perfect, light and bright, just like my mood. I slipped on it, pairing it with white heels, and a few delicate accessories. After brushing my hazelnut hair into soft waves, I sprayed on my favorite perfume, the scent instantly lifting my spirits.

I then moved quietly, sneaking out of my room and moving past the mansion's doors, careful not to catch my father's attention. Once outside, I inhaled deeply, the fresh air filling my lungs.

A smile formed at my lips, growing wider as excitement grew inside me. My heart pounded in rhythm with the anticipation building within as I get into my car. I couldn’t wait to see him again...

The moment I pulled up to our favorite coffee shop, I jumped out, my eyes instinctively scanning the crowd. And then I saw him—standing by the entrance, looking as effortlessly handsome as ever. My heart skipped a beat.

"Edward!" I called out, my excitement bubbling over as I approached. He flashed that familiar smile and, with a soft laugh, pulled out a bouquet of red roses from behind his back. It was a gesture that instantly melted my heart.

Edward wasn't the wealthiest man I knew, but he always found ways to make me feel cherished. It wasn't about grand gestures or expensive gifts; it was the thought and the effort that counts. And this bouquet, simple as it was, spoke volumes to me.

"It's always a pleasure to see your beautiful eyes, Young Lady," He greeted me warmly, taking my hand in his and pressing a soft kiss to the back of it. My heart fluttered at his touch.

I rolled my eyes, though the smile never left my face. "I've told you a thousand times—stop calling me Young Lady," I teased, glancing down at the roses. "But thank you, they're lovely."

His smile grew wider, and without another word, we made our way inside. The familiar scent of coffee filled the air as we ordered our usual drinks and headed to our favorite spot—the quiet, cozy corner tucked away on the second floor. It was always our place, far from the bustle below, where we could talk freely.

We settled in, falling into easy conversation, catching up on each other's lives, sharing laughter, and simply enjoying the moment. With our busy lives, we didn't get to see each other as often as we'd like, but every visit to this coffee shop felt like a ritual—one I treasured more than I could ever put into words. And every time, I found myself eagerly anticipating the next.

As our orders arrived, Edward gently touched my hand, and our eyes instantly locked. I tried to remain composed, but inside, my heart was already racing. His sweet gestures always had this effect on me, no matter how hard I tried to hide it.

"I have something important to tell you, Caroline," He said softly, his eyes shimmering with an intensity I had never seen before.

"Go on…" I replied, my voice a little shaky. I couldn't look away from him.

He held my hand a little tighter. "I love you, Caroline. I've been sure about this feeling for a while, and now that you know, I want to prove it to you—right here."

My heart pounded so loud I thought he might hear it. I hadn't expected this confession today.

"How can you prove it?" I managed to ask, my voice almost a whisper.

He took a deep breath, his gaze fixed. "Yesterday, I met with Diana Louis, my fated mate. I rejected her, Caroline. I rejected her for you, for us. I rejected her because I wanted to pursue you, to see where this connection between us would lead."

I blinked, trying to process what he had just said. My mind raced, but there was a quiet understanding settling in my chest. I knew what it meant to reject a fated mate. It wasn't a decision made lightly. A part of me felt sorry for Diana, knowing she would be mateless for a while. But another part of me, a larger part, understood that Edward had made this choice not out of recklessness but out of love—a love he was offering to me.

In our pack, rejecting a fated mate for a chosen one wasn't forbidden, as long as you hadn't done the mating ceremony yet. Choices like this were allowed and fully accepted. And now, with Edward confessing his feelings and giving up his fated mate for the chance to be with me, I knew I couldn't turn away. I don't want to turn away. I wanted to follow my heart, no matter the risk.

"I've never felt this way about anyone," I admitted, my voice soft. "Not even with my fated mate. What you've said made me happier than I ever thought possible. Edward… I can finally have you for myself this time. I don't understand this feeling though. My emotions are mixed up." I paused for a while. "Am I in love with you too? Is this how love feels like?"

He leaned in closer, whispering. "Maybe..."

Slowly, he leaned in, his face so close I could feel the coldness of his minty breath. We were alone on the second floor of the coffee shop. So, I guess it's the quiet intimacy of the space giving Edward the confidence to close the distance between us.

"Caroline," He began. "It's been almost a year since we started seeing each other. In all that time, my feelings for you have only grown stronger, but my intentions have never changed. I intend to give you the love that you deserve. I intend to treat you right." He paused, his gaze flickering to my lips before he gently licked his own, a subtle gesture that made me crave the touch of his mouth on mine. "You know what they say—that you can truly understand your feelings for someone with a kiss. If, in that moment, everything else fades away and it feels like the world stops spinning, then it's love."

"Then kiss me, right now," I whispered, my heart racing.

With deliberate tenderness, he cupped my face in his hands, his thumb tracing my lips before he pulled me closer. When his lips finally pressed against mine, time seemed to slow. Just as he said, the world stopped spinning, and all that existed was us.

I smiled and breathed deeply once the kiss ended, "I guess I'm in love."

The next day arrived, but the memories of yesterday lingered, playing over and over in my mind. I had officially opened my heart to love Edward Tudor, and now, he was my boyfriend. Letting him into my life felt like the best decision I had ever made.

I was still lost in daydreams when a knock on my door pulled me back to reality. "Come in, it's open," I called.

A maid stepped inside, bowing her head slightly. "Young Lady Caroline, the Alpha has asked you to come to his room. He said there is something very important he needs to discuss with you."

Uneasiness had quickly settled over me as I nodded and followed the maid down the halls toward my father's bedroom. My nerves were on the edge, and as we walk, I was trying to guess what this was about.

When I entered the Alpha's room, I greeted him quietly and sat on one of the couches. He wasted no time, cutting straight to the point. "Do you have something to confess, Caroline? Something about your fated mate?"

My heart jumped. "What do you mean, Father?"

He adjusted his sitting position, his eyes scrutinizing my every movement. "One of the mansion guards saw you at a local coffee shop yesterday. He reported that you were with someone—a man, specifically. So I'll ask again, Caroline, do you have something to confess?"

I swallowed hard. Despite the nerves, I saw this as the perfect opportunity to introduce Edward to my father. So, I gathered my courage and I began telling him everything about Edward—his background, how we met, my feelings for him, how he treated me as a lady, and our relationship.

As I spoke, I kept my head down, afraid of how my father would react to the wolf I had chosen. But when I finally glanced up, I saw nothing but understanding in his eyes. Perhaps it was his perspective as an Alpha, a leader who believed in treating everyone in the pack equally. His belief had always been the same, and it's to give someone a chance before casting judgment. I admired him for that.

Eventually, Alpha Gregory told me he was willing to meet Edward in person. Not only that, but he was also open to putting Edward through Alpha training to see if he had what it takes to become the next leader of Green Valley.

It didn't take long for Edward to meet my father, and after a few weeks, the training began. Edward threw himself into every task, determined to prove something. And, in such a short time, he exceeded expectations. He's completing the challenges efficiently and with unwavering determination. I could see the growing respect in my father's eyes and the quiet admiration as Edward pushed beyond what was asked of him.

With every day that passed, a feeling took root in me, a sense that this journey was leading to something meaningful. And if Edward were to ascend as this pack's next Alpha, I knew he would be more than deserving of it.

Edward's Point of View

After the intense Alpha training, I headed straight back to my small, cramped house. Once inside, I tossed my things to the floor and slumped onto the old couch, exhausted. I pulled out a cigarette and lit it, the flame instantly flickering in the dim room.

The heat inside this house was unbearable, and every muscle in my body ached from the day's demands. Frustration boiled inside me as I took off my shirt, letting it fall carelessly beside me.

Damn it.

I'm Caroline's boyfriend, her future mate and the next Alpha of this pack. So why in the hell won't they let me live in the kingdom already? I'm tired of being in this pathetic house. I want comfort. I deserve it.

It doesn't matter.

A few more years, and everything they own will be mine—the Windsor properties, let alone this pack. A few more years, and I'll be the Alpha. Then, no one will tell me where to live or what to do. No one will control me anymore.

I inhaled deeply, letting the cigarette smoke deep in my lungs before releasing it in a slow exhale. "Damn it, Caroline," I muttered, equally annoyed and satisfied. "I won't ever let you go..."

Two years had passed since I moved into my own mansion, and it had been a year since my father allowed Edward to live with me.

Unfortunately, his health had taken a turn for the worse, leaving him unable to do anything without assistance. Because of this, although my father was still the reigning Alpha, Edward was forced to step into doing his tasks. Thankfully, the pack's Beta was there to help and guide him.

The first year of our relationship had been nothing short of perfection. We built our life together, just like any other couple. Every morning, I'd prepare his meals and make sure he had everything he needed for the day. In the evenings, I'd greet him with a smile, and he'd pull me into a warm embrace, always sealing the moment with a gentle kiss. Most days, he'd bring me flowers—my favorite red roses. We also did our best to find time for dates, sometimes exploring the farthest reaches of our pack's territory or simply revisiting our favorite coffee shop. Other times, we'd just stay home, where I'd cook his favorite meals, and we'd laze in the comfort of each other's presence. It was everything I'd ever dreamed of, and if I had the choice, I wouldn't change a single thing.

But maybe change is really inevitable, no matter how much we wish it weren't.

Because soon enough, I found that we just stopped doing those things. Edward would leave the mansion before I could even wake up, and he would return later than he usually should. He didn't buy me flowers anymore, let alone give me a kiss or a hug. I get it—he had been busier than before—but even when he had nothing to do, he wouldn't spend his time with me. We didn't go out on dates anymore. I still go to our favorite coffee shop, but now, I go alone.

I don't know what happened to us, or when it all began to unravel. I tried to talk to him, to ask what went wrong, hoping we could work through it together. But every time I did, he shut me down. He'd either leave the mansion without a word or start an argument, accusing me of being overly dramatic or demanding. And then, there was the time he let his anger get the best of him and raised his hand against me.

I often found myself crying in the bathroom or lying in bed at night, staring at the ceiling, wondering if we could ever go back to the way we used to be. Sometimes, my father would notice the weariness in my eyes, and everytime he did, I would force a smile just to hide the pain. I couldn't let him see the truth, not just to avoid burdening him, but to protect Edward's image—the version of him my father had come to admire when we first started our relationship.

My friends advised me to let him go, to allow my heart to heal and eventually find someone better. With Edward becoming increasingly distant, I knew they were right. But I couldn't bring myself to do it. After everything we had been through, after all the moments we shared, how could I ever live without him? He was woven into every part of my future—I was supposed to be his Luna, and he my Alpha. I couldn't imagine another wolf in his place. Besides, our mating ceremony was already planned, and just a few months away from now

I loved Edward so deeply that I found myself willing to endure this treatment just to keep him in my life.

Today is my twenty-fifth birthday and my father planned a grand celebration at the Windsor Mansion. I had already spent the previous night there, but early this morning, I remembered I had left something important back at my house. I decided to return to pick it up before getting ready for the party.

Upon reaching my mansion, I immediately noticed the front door was ajar. I assumed Edward was home. Without a second thought, I stepped inside, but something felt off. As I moved further in, I heard a faint growl followed by a soft moan. It was coming from our bedroom. From a woman.

My heart stopped. Fear gripped me, not just for what I might find, but for what it could mean. My entire body went cold, trembling with unexplainable unease. But I knew I had to confirm what was happening. Gathering all my courage, I walked toward the open door of our bedroom and peeked inside.

What I saw shattered me.

There, in our bed, was Edward—the man I loved with everything I had. Beside him was a woman. Diana Louis. I knew her all too well. She was Edward's rejected mate.

But what was she doing in my house, in my bedroom, being undressed by my boyfriend, with the clothes I knew were mine?

They were so wrapped up in their infidelity that they didn't even notice me standing there, watching.

Why did Edward have to do this?

And on my birthday, of all days?

My mind raced with questions.

Did he lie to me?

Did he never really reject Diana in the first place?