Benedetta

When I opened my eyes, the glaring white glow of hospital neon lights blinded my vision. My entire body felt heavy, as if burdened by an unseen weight. Struggling, I tried to move, attempting to sense the air around me.

Panic coursed through my veins as my breathing quickened. I couldn’t feel the sharpness of my wolf senses. The heat of auras passing beyond the door and the bland scent of their presence filled my dulled perception, leaving me questioning.

What have they done to me?

Before I could piece it together, the door creaked open. Arlott entered, followed closely by Dr. Morris.

“My love,” he said gently, his voice as soft as a whisper that once comforted me but now felt like a cold knife cutting through my heart.

“What… what happened to me, Alpha Arlott?” I asked, my voice trembling.

Arlott hesitated for a moment, then handed over the medical records in his hand. His eyes looked exhausted, but there was something strange behind his gaze. It wasn’t the loving tenderness I once knew; it was something else, something I couldn’t decipher.

“Dr. Morris discovered significant changes in your womb,” he explained, his voice low. “I… I had to make a decision for you because your life was at stake. I couldn’t bear to lose you, my Luna.”

His words cut through my soul. I had not only lost the strength of my wolf but also the greatest dream of my life, to become a mother. Yet there was something unsettling in the way he spoke, a dissonance that gnawed at me. His hand cupped my face gently, but the touch no longer offered safety or warmth.

“I want to be alone,” I said flatly, my voice devoid of emotion.

Arlott stood there silently, his expression unreadable. Before he could respond, the door opened again. Bianca stepped in, carrying a basket of fresia flowers, her small smile lighting up her face.

“I’m here on behalf of the omegas to visit you, Luna Benedetta,” she said cheerfully. Her voice was sweet, but every word she spoke rang with a sharp edge of suspicion in my ears.

Bianca was the new star among the omegas in our pack. Beautiful, charming, and adept at capturing the attention of every he-wolf, including Arlott. I had always tried to push aside the notion, reassuring myself that Arlott was my mate, my true mate. But now, doubt stormed through me.

“Thank you, Omega Bianca,” I replied softly, forcing myself to remain polite. I turned to Arlott. “Alpha Arlott, I truly need to rest now.”

Yet Bianca did not leave. She settled into the chair beside my bed while Arlott remained standing at my side. “I’ll assist Alpha Arlott if he needs anything,” she said with an innocent smile. But I knew, there was nothing innocent about that smile.

I closed my eyes, pretending to sleep. Beneath the covers, I felt Arlott’s hand gently massaging my shoulder, a gesture that usually comforted me. This time, it felt empty, devoid of love and warmth.

Not long after, Bianca moved to the sofa, crossing her legs gracefully. Her movements were fluid, like a soft breeze, but I could feel the energy radiating from her. Her foot brushed against Arlott’s under the small table with a deliberate motion.

I wanted to leap up and scream, but my body refused to move. My heart shattered into pieces, yet I knew I had to remain calm. I suppressed the surge of emotions, determined to see just how deep this betrayal ran.

I peeked as Bianca grew bolder. She stood and walked over to join Arlott by the window. Her hand brushed lightly against his shoulder. In the reflection of the wardrobe’s glass, I could see everything clearly.

Arlott turned abruptly, grabbing her hand in a swift motion. “Stop it,” he hissed quietly but firmly.

But Bianca only smiled, leaning in to whisper something in his ear. I couldn’t hear her words, but I saw the way Arlott’s jaw tightened, his eyes flicking toward me to ensure I remained ‘asleep’.

Eventually, they left the room. The door closed softly, and I opened my eyes fully. Anger and pain swirled within me like a storm. Summoning every ounce of strength I had left, I decided to follow them.

The hospital corridor was eerily quiet, illuminated only by faint overhead lights. Slowly, I crept along, peering around the corner. At the end of the hall, I saw them, Bianca and Arlott. Bianca stood too close, her hand draped casually around Arlott’s neck.

“I told you, don’t do this in front of Benedetta,” Arlott said, his tone low but firm. He looked frustrated, yet not entirely resistant. His hand rested on Bianca’s waist, as if trying to push her away; but without conviction.

Bianca smiled, her face inches from his. “You’re too tense, Alpha,” she whispered. “We can enjoy this moment. She’s fast asleep; no one will ever know.”

Before Arlott could respond, Bianca stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. It lasted only seconds before Arlott jerked away, gripping her neck roughly.

“I said enough!” he hissed. But Bianca wasn’t intimidated. She gently touched his chest, her smile unwavering.

“You know you can’t resist me, Alpha Arlott. I’ve given you everything. I even… carry your blood.” Her hand rested on her stomach, the motion delicate yet laden with meaning.

“You always have a way of breaking my resolve, Bianca.”

This time, it was Arlott who initiated the intimacy. He deepened the kiss with Bianca, one hand supporting her weight as she leaned into him.

I hated them. Twice betrayed, my eyes were now wide open. By whatever force exists, I prayed that the Moon Goddess would witness my suffering.

Benedetta

“Take it slow, Alpha Arlott. Our baby is still so young.”

“Shut up and just moan for me.”

I couldn’t take it anymore. The disgusting sight in front of me, the sounds they made; it was too much. I ran, but even as I fled, their voices echoed in my ears like a cruel, unending taunt.

Tears streamed down my face as I clung to the cold walls, trying to keep myself upright. My body was weak, trembling from the pain, until my legs finally gave out. I collapsed to the floor, utterly defeated.

As I struggled to pull myself together, a man appeared out of nowhere, his voice full of concern. “Are you all right, lady? Someone, help her!”

Soon, a few nurses rushed over. One of them placed a hand on my shoulder. “Luna Benedetta, we’ll get you back to your room.”

I let them guide me, my strength completely gone. Once alone, I cried until there was nothing left in me, and then I sank into the bed, exhausted.

When I woke, everything still felt heavy; my body, my heart, even the air around me. The November chill seeped into the room, making my already frail body feel even weaker. I reached for a cup of tea on the bedside table, my hands trembling as I brought it to my lips.

I sat there in silence, praying to the Moon Goddess for strength. Just enough to face whatever came next.

But the peace didn’t last long. The door opened, and in walked Bianca. She looked smug, her head held high and her lips curled into a grin that made my stomach churn.

“Oh, Luna Benedetta. You’re still alive this morning, I see,” she said, her voice dripping with mockery.

I looked up at her, forcing my expression to stay calm. “As you can see, a snake bite won’t kill me.”

Her laugh was cold and condescending. She leaned in closer, her face just inches from mine. “I just wanted to make sure you’re still around to see it. The warmth you once had? It’ll belong to me soon enough.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked, keeping my tone neutral even though I already knew the answer.

She tilted her head, smiling like she was talking to a clueless child. “Me and Alpha Arlott, of course. We’ve been together for two years. He loves me. Maybe it’s time you let go and set him free.”

Two years. Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. All those moments, all his promises, they were lies. I felt my chest tighten, but I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of seeing me break.

“Oh, I see,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. “Tell me, Bianca…do you always take in secondhand goods?”

Her smug expression faltered for a moment. “What’s that supposed to mean? I don’t do leftovers.”

“But you are,” I said, letting my words sink in. “You’ve latched onto Arlott, discarded as he is, and you’re flaunting it like a prize. Don’t you find that funny?”

Her face hardened, but she quickly recovered. “Listen, you fool. Arlott adores me. He was with me the night you bled. I’m the one who turned off his phone because he was too busy… with me.”

My grip tightened on the blanket as I fought to keep my composure.

“And next week,” she continued with a smirk, “we’ll have our Mating Ceremony. We’re also blessing our first descendant. It’s going to be beautiful. Make sure you come to watch, Luna.”

I stared at her, letting her think she’d won, then finally spoke. “You’re unbelievable,” I said, my voice soft but cutting. “I pulled you out of that omega auction, and this is how you repay me? You’re just a snake in the grass.”

Her smile wavered for a split second before she straightened. “Oh, Luna, you’re so naïve. This world isn’t kind to women like you. Never trust another woman.”

Slowly, I stood, my legs shaking but steady. I walked up to her, meeting her gaze head-on. “Do you think your words scare me? You don’t know a thing about me.”

Her confidence faltered. “What are you talking about?”

I smiled faintly. “I know something about you that even Arlott doesn’t.”

Her face turned pale, her hand instinctively resting on her stomach. She opened her mouth to speak but couldn’t find the words.

“You’ll find out soon enough,” I said, turning away. “Maybe it’ll make your Mating Ceremony even more memorable.”

I left her standing there, frozen, and returned to my bed.

Once she was gone, I let the tears fall again. Memories of that awful night flooded back; the searing pain, my wolf’s cries, the desperate calls to Arlott that went unanswered.

The next day, he came back, pretending to care, his eyes red and filled with fake guilt. I saw through it now, but back then, I believed him.

But I’m done hoping. My heart is numb, frozen.

The next morning, Arlott was sitting by my bed. He held my hand, his face filled with concern. When I opened my eyes, he pulled me into his arms.

“You’re awake,” he said softly. “You scared me. Dr. Morris said you fainted from dehydration.”

I stared at him, his fake empathy making my skin crawl. I didn’t move, didn’t speak. He frowned, waiting for me to react, but I wouldn’t give him what he wanted.

“Save your concern,” I said coldly. “I don’t need it, Alpha.”

Benedetta

“What do you mean, Luna?”

I watched Arlott’s face harden. He was truly a master of deception, even managing to make his eyes glisten with unshed tears. Once, I had been naive enough to be swayed by his concern, but not anymore.

It was all a façade—one I realized far too late. I refused to be a foolish mate any longer. No more would I allow him to manipulate me.

My mind drifted back to the day we pledged our vows during the Mating Ceremony three years ago. Beneath the full moon’s glow, we swore our bond to the Moon Goddess. As I remembered it, my fingers unconsciously traced the ring that still circled my finger.

“I’m tired, Alpha Arlott. I can’t endure the pain of our bond any longer. I thought I could push through it, but even I have my limits.”

“Wait, what are you saying? This isn’t what I think it is, is it? Are you planning to reject me?”

His questions came in a rapid-fire stream, his expression one of confusion. He knelt beside my hospital bed, his gaze fixed on me with a single tear sliding down his cheek.

‘Hypocrite!’ My heart screamed as he put on yet another performance with that sorrowful face of his.

“I’m sorry if I’ve made you angry. We can fix this. I promise you, Luna Benedetta.”

Arlott summoned the hospital staff who were members of our pack through a mind link. Within minutes, two omegas arrived, including Bianca, along with four warriors assigned to guard my hospital room floor. Arlott ordered them to line up across from my bed.

“Who among you upset Luna Benedetta?”

“Apologies, Alpha. I couldn’t guard the Luna an hour ago because my sister was in labor, and her mate was away on duty delivering a message to the Arrow Moon pack.”

“They are not to blame. I’m sure they’ve carried out their duties properly.” My sharp gaze fell on Bianca, who offered a faint, sly smile.

“Apologize to the Luna, whether you’ve made a mistake or not. The Luna must always be your priority,” Arlott commanded in a tone that made everyone bow their heads-everyone except Bianca.

“Permission to speak, Alpha Arlott.” Bianca stepped forward, her head held high as she addressed me. “Yesterday, I stopped by briefly to check on her, but it seemed Luna’s mood wasn’t good. She accidentally threw the bouquet of flowers I brought her. I apologize, Luna Benedetta. It won’t happen again.”

My eyes widened as anger bubbled within me. Seeing my readiness to respond, Arlott immediately stepped between us.

“I understand,” Arlott said, glancing at me briefly before turning back to Bianca. “I’ll deal with you personally after this. Now, leave and resume your duties.”

Once they were gone, I noticed a satisfied smile tugging at Arlott’s lips. He leaned in to press a kiss to my forehead.

“Are you calm now? I would never want to upset you, you know that. I’ll make sure Bianca is disciplined.”

I turned my face away, pressing my back firmly against the bed, wishing time would move faster. Slowly, Arlott reached for my hand.

“Benedetta, my love, tomorrow I’ll be leaving for the Arrow Moon pack to handle our alliance negotiations. I’ll assign the best warriors to protect you. Don’t hesitate to call me, darling.”

I nodded only because I wanted this moment to end quickly. I already knew his trip was nothing but an excuse for his infidelity. Forcing a bland smile, I replied.

“I’ll miss you. There’s not a moment in my life I don’t want to spend with you. Once I return, we’ll start the adoption process.” He sighed dramatically.

Finally, Arlott left me alone. I waited fifteen minutes, ensuring no one would enter the room. The idea to leave the hospital struck me suddenly, and I clung to it.

I crept through the hospital corridors, careful to avoid the surveillance cameras. It felt as if the Moon Goddess herself supported my decision; I didn’t encounter a single warrior guarding the hospital.

I returned to the packhouse, responding to greetings and questions from the pack members with curt answers. I had to lie this time to escape this pit of betrayal. Before leaving, I placed my ring on the nightstand, a clear sign that I would no longer be bound to Arlott.

With swift movements, I packed a few clothes into a suitcase. I figured one suitcase would suffice to slip past the guards at Ambersky Pride’s gates unnoticed. I ordered an online taxi to take me to the airport.

As the car sped away, I steeled my heart, knowing this was the right choice. I would never again dwell on the moments I’d shared with Arlott. Clenching the edge of my skirt, I fought back tears—a Luna’s tears of heartbreak.

“I, Benedetta Louise, hereby sever my bond with the Ambersky Pride pack, the pack that once sheltered me. By the Moon Goddess, I renounce any ties with them from this moment forward!”

Arlott, one day, I will make you and your mistress pay for your evil deeds!