Dad was shocked when he heard the words come out of my mouth.

Back then, I had threatened him with my life just to avoid an arranged bond with Shane Russell. Now, here I was, giving in of my own accord.

Dad asked, "Have you really thought this through? Shane hasn't changed his mind about you in all these years. He truly insists you're his fated mate. If you back out halfway like you did before, you'll really embarrass the Vida pack."

"I've made up my mind, Dad," I said firmly.

Back then, Dad saw right through Grote's sweet talk. He warned me I'd end up heartbroken, but I was already blinded by Grote's empty promises.

Under the moonlight, Grote had sworn I was his fated mate and one and only Luna.

I had believed him. But after seven years of waiting, those promises were never kept.

Dad had told me that Shane was still there, waiting for the moment I'd change my mind.

But I wouldn't listen. I was even willing to cut ties with him just to be with Grote.

It broke his heart, yet he still couldn't bring himself to blame me.

I looked down at the mess of tapes I had smashed on the floor. Swallowing the sharp pain in my chest, I gathered them up, box by box.

I never imagined that Grote—the wolf who claimed he'd love me until death—would be so bold as to record every piece of evidence of his betrayal.

Suddenly, the house I had called home felt like a stranger's.

I took a deep breath to push down the rising tide of emotion and began to pack.

Over the years, I had cared for Grote in every possible way.

He suffered from chronic headaches and struggled to sleep, so every night I made him soothing tea. I never went to bed until I was sure he was sound asleep.

I knew Grote had twisted kinks. I was terrified of the way he forced those large objects into me, but for his sake, I endured it all.

I endured him forcing himself into me without a single moment of foreplay. Once he finished, he would simply fall asleep immediately, completely indifferent to my needs.

I never asked for much. Just a little love and care would be enough.

But as I looked back now, I realized that Grote had never actually loved me. He only cared about satisfying his own desires, leaving me to heal my own wounds in silence.

Even when my private part was rotting from the infections, he didn't care. He'd still use those toys to violate me.

Every time I tried to say no, he would look at me with those soulful eyes and coax me softly.

"Please, honey. I can't help myself when I see you. Just bear with me, please. I'm burning up for you. If you really loved me, how could you stand to see me in this much pain?"

His voice was low and seductive, and his expression was a mask of restrained primal instincts.

I fell for it every time. I gave in over and over, enduring daily humiliation.

I turned to look at the home we had shared for seven years. Now that a third wolf had forced her way in, every warm memory felt tainted and hollow.

Just as I was about to walk out, Grote's name flashed on my phone.

"Fine," I thought. I'd tell him I was leaving, say my piece, and put the past behind me for good.

But before I could say a word, Grote's panicked voice came through the line. "Renata! I'm at the healer's. It's bad. It's really bad! I don't know what to do!"

I didn't even stop to ask questions.

Seven years of putting him first had become a reflex. I was worried sick about him.

I hated myself for it. He had shattered me so completely, yet I still couldn't bring myself to stand by and do nothing.

Despite the struggle within me, I found myself racing toward him anyway.

When I arrived, Grote pulled me into a tight embrace. "You're finally here. If you hadn't come, I honestly wouldn't have known what to do!"

I had never seen him this shaken. Grote was typically calm and collected. Aside from the moments when his urges took control, he was a steady and capable Alpha in managing all the pack's affairs.

But today, he looked like a panicked pup.

My heart hammered in my chest as I asked, "Are you okay? What happened?"

But then, a soft moan drifted from inside the room, causing me to freeze.

"Honey, don't worry about me. It wasn't your fault. I'd die happily for you if I had to…"

Grote rushed to reply, "No, it's my fault. I shouldn't have been so rough. I'll be more careful next time, I promise."

The realization hit me like a physical blow. Grote wasn't hurt at all—it was Christine, and I knew exactly why she was hurt.

Grote's appetite was insatiable, and his methods were brutal. In the heat of passion, he would lose all restraint and push with excessive force. After seven years, I knew the agony of that tearing sensation all too well.

But whenever I was injured during our intimacy, I had to visit the healer alone.

Grote had never looked at me with the panic and heartache he was currently showering on Christine. Not once.

Despair washed over me, and I couldn't suppress a sneer. "Grote, you promised me you'd never do this again."

Grote stiffened, but there was no guilt or regret on his face—only a flash of pure annoyance.

"Renata, can you grow up? Look at the situation! Do you really have to bring that up right now?

"Christine is hurt because of me. You're always dealing with those infections down there. You know this better than anyone. Go in there and talk to the healer. Help me save Christine."

A bitter taste rose in my throat, and it felt as though my very blood were running cold. What was I even doing here?

My mate of seven years was asking me to save the mistress who had destroyed our relationship.

I really wanted to ask Grote what I was to him.

But before I could speak, he grabbed my arm and dragged me into the treatment room. He barked an order at the male wolves to pin me down, then proceeded to force my legs apart.

"Healer, check her. See if her symptoms down there match Christine's."

I struggled with everything I had. I never imagined that Grote would just ignore the gazes of the other male wolves and force my legs open in front of everyone.

The healer stepped toward me, looking conflicted, but he didn't dare disobey Grote. He donned his cold, latex gloves and prepared to lay hands on me.

"Grote, are you crazy? Are you really going to humiliate me in front of everyone?" I screamed, tears of rage blurring my vision as I tried to cover myself.

However, Grote held me down with terrifying strength. I could feel the eyes of the other male wolves on me. Their stares were like needles pricking my skin.

"How could you do this to me for a mistress? Let me go!" I screamed.

Grote's eyes turned a feral, bloodshot red. "Christine is in critical condition! Stop making a scene!"

From the bed, Christine's soft voice drifted out, "Honey, don't be mad at Ms. Bowers. It's all my fault. I just loved you too much. I'm the one who seduced you.

"Blame me if you have to. I'm completely satisfied now. If Ms. Bowers won't save me, then let me die in agony. I have loved you, and for that, I have no regrets!"

Her words made me want to gag. Since when did an affair become some grand, tragic romance?

But Grote was visibly moved.

At this very moment, I finally tasted the true bitterness of this poison called "love". I was finally, completely awake to reality.

The healer pulled back, and his expression turned solemn as he addressed Grote. "But Alpha Grote, Ms. Henson… is with pup."

Outside the partition, the Betas and warriors fell silent for a heartbeat before their expressions shifted to pure, unadulterated awe.

Everyone knew Christine was a renowned expert in bed. The number of male wolves she'd been with was endless.

Rumor had it she possessed a mystical power. Because of that, she could only be satisfied by truly strong male wolves. And now, Grote had gone so far as to get her pregnant.

To think that the legendary male wolf was none other than my mate of seven years.

The wolves erupted into cheers, the sound thundering against my eardrums.

"Congratulations, Alpha Grote! You're truly the pride of our pack! Ms. Henson's pup will be a warrior for the ages!"

"The Valkyrie Pack has a new heir!"

Seeing their looks of sheer admiration, Grote could no longer suppress the smug grin spreading across his face. He was ecstatic.

I stood there, watching as he gathered Christine into his arms.

She leaned into his chest, weeping happy tears. To me, the scene was so sickeningly blissful.

They completely forgot I existed.

Grote swept Christine up in his arms, carefully carrying her out without a single glance in my direction.

"Wait!" Christine chirped.

Grote stopped instantly, hanging on her every word.

She tilted her chin up to look at me and asked coyly, "Ms. Bowers, you aren't mad, are you? I didn't mean for this to happen. If it hadn't been for your infection down there, this stroke of luck should have been yours."

The humiliating words stung, but I felt strangely numb. I forced a smile and replied, "Congratulations. You should take good care of her, Grote."

A flicker of guilt crossed Grote's face at my thoughtfulness.

"I'm sorry, Renata. This was an accident, but the pup is innocent. You're going to be my Luna. Surely you're generous enough to accept this, right?"

I kept the smile fixed on my face as I looked at him. "Of course."

I was leaving him anyway. Whether I accepted the pup or not didn't really matter.

"I'm glad you feel that way. You know, if you'd managed to get pregnant at any point in the last seven years, you'd already be my Luna."

He tightened his hold on Christine and continued sincerely, "Christine is in this state because of me. I can't turn my back on her now."

How poetic. He'd once said the exact same thing to me—that he wouldn't turn his back on me and wouldn't let anyone hurt me.

In the end, he was the one who tore my heart to shreds.

A single tear escaped and tracked down my cheek.

Grote saw it, and for some reason, he felt bad for me. He reached out to brush the tear away, sighing as he made another promise.

"Don't worry. My love for you has never changed. I'm just asking you to bear with this for a while and help me take care of Christine, okay?"

So he did know this was something I had to endure.

But it was too late. My heart was already closed to him.

"How could I possibly complain?" I whispered.

Sensing the shift, Christine tugged at Grote's sleeve and gestured for him to set her down.

"Ms. Bowers, I know you're angry, but please, let me keep this pup," she said, her voice trembling.

Suddenly, she cried, as if her tears had been summoned on command. "I know you hate me. I know you're furious. But I… I…"

She took a step toward me, looking small and pathetic, as if I were the villain tearing two lovers apart.

"I truly love Grote. Please, just let me have this pup. Don't make me abort it. I'll leave once the pup is born. I promise. Just please!"

Before I could react, she dropped to her knees with a heavy thud and began slamming her forehead against the floor.

I looked down at her coldly. Nausea rolled through me so violently that I had to cover my mouth to keep from gagging.

I remained silent. Grote's heart ached as he watched Christine's frantic display. He hurried to help her up.

"Stop it! Get up, Christine!"

But seeing that I wouldn't relent, she kept hammering her forehead against the floor, seemingly determined to draw blood.

I wasn't about to fall for such a pathetic ruse. Sickened by the performance, I turned to leave.

"Just say yes, Renata! Don't make this harder for me!" Grote grabbed my arm, forcing me to agree.

I spun around, my eyes blazing as I glared at him. "Don't touch me!"

I had reached my limit.

But in the next second, Grote lost control. A sharp slap landed hard on my face. "Don't push it! Christine is bleeding! How can you be so heartless?"

The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth. I spat a red glob onto the floor.

My head spun from the impact. Even my self-healing abilities couldn't dull the throbbing in my cheek.

He hadn't held back at all. An Alpha's strength was more than I could endure.

The pain radiated through my entire body, leaving me trembling.