(Moira’s POV)

After I finished the blood tonic, Axton leaned down and kissed away the tears clinging to my lashes.

Then he dismissed the servants personally before helping me remove my clothes and preparing my bath with skilled hands.

He had cared for me this way countless times over the years without ever showing impatience.

At first, I used to grow embarrassed and tried asking the servant wolves to help instead.

But Axton would always stare at me with shameless affection.

“My Luna is too beautiful,” he would murmur against my ear. “I will never allow another wolf to lay eyes on you.”

“You belong only to me.”

No matter how small the task was, he insisted on handling everything himself. From brushing my hair to fastening my cloak, he enjoyed caring for me as though it were his greatest joy.

What made it even rarer was the fact that during our three years as mates, he never kept another woman near him.

Every servant inside the castle was male. Not a single she wolf was allowed within the inner grounds.

Axton was young, powerful, and stood at the top of the northern Alpha Kingdoms.

Even Alpha Zyon Riverfang once tried gifting him two beautiful she wolves after a successful alliance gathering between packs.

Axton rejected them immediately in front of every Alpha seated in the council hall.

The humiliation nearly caused war between their territories.

Later that night, several of Alpha Zyon’s warriors cornered Axton near the underground passage beneath the city and beat him brutally before his guards arrived.

I still remembered seeing him afterward.

His white shirt had been drenched in blood. Nearly every rib in his body had been cracked.

I cried while cursing him for acting recklessly.

Yet even while injured, he only smiled and pulled me tightly into his arms.

“Don’t cry, Moira,” he whispered gently. “I would rather betray the entire world than betray you.”

Back then, I truly believed I was the happiest Luna alive.

Every wolf in the kingdom knew Alpha Graveclaw treasured his mate more than his own life. Countless noblewomen envied me.

But Daciana Frostvein had shattered everything.

For the first time, the mate I had loved for years suddenly felt unfamiliar to me.

Every gentle touch, every loving gaze, every sweet promise now felt like part of a carefully crafted lie.

By the time I returned to my senses, I was already wrapped in soft silk robes and sitting in Axton’s lap.

He buried his face against my neck affectionately, clearly wanting more.

Instinctively, I turned away.

“I’m tired tonight,” I whispered softly. “Not today.”

Axton looked surprised for a moment before his expression softened again.

He rubbed my head gently before laying me carefully onto the bed and tucking the blankets around my body himself.

Only after his breathing became slow and steady did I open my eyes in the darkness.

Even in sleep, his arms remained tightly wrapped around me as though he feared losing me.

He loved me so deeply.

So how could all of it possibly be fake?

The next morning, Axton seemed unusually happy.

He spoke excitedly about taking me to the moonvine vineyards outside the capital. The land belonged secretly to the Graveclaw Pack, hidden far away from warriors and political matters.

Before I could answer, someone appeared outside the study requesting an audience.

The messenger had barely spoken before Axton frowned coldly.

“Today is my rest day,” he snapped. “I already ordered everyone not to disturb us inside the castle.”

I gently tugged on his sleeve.

“Don’t be angry,” I said quietly. “Maybe something urgent happened.”

I allowed the visitor to step closer.

But the moment the figure lifted their head, Axton immediately strode forward and blocked my view completely.

His throat tightened uneasily.

When he looked back at me, guilt flickered across his face.

“I suddenly remembered an important matter I need to handle,” he said quickly. “I’ll return soon. I promise I won’t miss our trip to the vineyards.”

I silently studied him.

The visitor wore the dark uniform of a castle servant, but the figure underneath looked slim and delicate.

Seeing how shaken Axton became, I already knew who it was.

Daciana Frostvein.

My fingers pressed tightly against my ring until the skin around my knuckle hurt.

Still, I kept my expression calm.

“If it’s urgent, then go handle it first,” I replied lightly. “There’s no need to hurry back because of me.”

The moment the words left my mouth, Axton turned and left immediately without another glance.

I watched his figure disappear beyond the castle hall while the warriors guarding the entrance lowered their heads respectfully as he passed.

A bitter feeling slowly spread across my chest.

This was the first time he had ever abandoned me for another she wolf.

The unease inside me grew stronger and stronger until I could no longer endure it.

After hesitating for a long while, I quietly chose an unmarked carriage from the castle stables and followed after him myself.

The moment Axton’s carriage left the road outside the Graveclaw castle, it suddenly stopped.

I watched him yank the hood off the servant beside him.

Long dark hair instantly spilled over slender shoulders.

Axton’s expression darkened.

“Who allowed you to appear anywhere near my Luna?”

The woman shrank back fearfully, looking like a frightened deer caught beneath a hunter’s blade.

“I didn’t mean to,” Daciana said softly, her eyes already wet with tears. “Please don’t be angry with me.”

(Moira’s POV)

Daciana’s face instantly brightened with happiness as she gently placed a hand over her stomach.

“The pack healer confirmed it,” she said softly. “I’m carrying your pup. I was so excited that I rushed here to tell you myself.”

Then she lowered her head pitifully.

“Please don’t be angry, my Alpha. You’re frightening me.”

Axton froze completely.

A long silence passed before his voice finally softened.

“You’re pregnant?”

His eyes immediately fell to her stomach.

“Then why did you leave the manor instead of resting properly?” he scolded in a gentler tone. “What if something happens to you or the pup?”

Daciana lifted her watery eyes toward him while pouting sweetly.

“I only wanted to share the news with you first.” Her voice turned softer. “Will you stay with me today, darling? Please?”

Axton frowned slightly before shaking his head.

“I already promised Moira I would spend today with her.”

But Daciana clearly had no intention of giving up.

Her cheeks slowly flushed red as she stepped closer and whispered softly beside his ear.

“Don’t you miss me at all?”

The restraint inside Axton finally shattered.

He suddenly pulled her into his arms and pressed her body tightly against his chest, letting out a low laugh filled with desire.

“You little troublemaker.”

Then he lowered his voice near her ear.

“Same as before. Don’t leave marks on me.”

I watched everything clearly.

Every shameless moment felt like claws tearing deeper into my chest.

During all our years together, Axton had always appeared calm and noble before me.

The powerful Alpha everyone feared was always controlled and restrained, even during our most intimate moments.

I had never seen him lose control like this before.

Axton carefully helped Daciana into the back seat of the black carriage as though she were the most precious thing in the world.

The carriage moved away from the castle.

But before it traveled far, it suddenly stopped at the end of the street.

The windows slowly fogged over from the inside.

They could not even wait.

I did not know how much time passed before the carriage finally started moving again and blended into the crowded roads of the capital.

I followed them silently the entire way.

I watched Axton gently slide a golden moonstone pin into Daciana’s messy hair before fixing it carefully in place.

I watched them walk together through the old district of the kingdom, passing taverns, bakeries, and gathering halls while pack members lowered their heads and pretended not to notice them.

I watched them sit together inside a small restaurant beneath glowing moon lanterns, sharing food from the same plate while his large hand covered hers atop the table.

Finally, they returned to the carriage while laughing softly together.

Soon, the road began leading toward the outer borders of the capital.

Toward the hidden manor.

So Axton was capable of being this gentle and caring toward another woman after all.

I stared until my eyes burned painfully before finally looking away.

“Take me back to the castle. And no one speaks about today. Not a single word,” I ordered quietly.

During the ride home, my mind remained trapped on one image.

Daciana’s hand resting protectively over her stomach.

That glowing smile on her face.

Then I remembered the moonroot poison Axton had secretly fed me for three entire years while pretending it was medicine meant to protect me.

The grief inside me became so overwhelming I could barely breathe.

Until today, part of me had still been deceiving itself.

Even if Axton lied about the tonic, maybe he still loved me in some way.

Maybe he simply did not want pups.

But the way he looked at Daciana’s stomach just now…

The warmth in his voice…

He cared deeply about that pup.

Suddenly, I remembered something he once told me before our mating ceremony.

“Only mates who truly love each other should bring a pup into this world.”

So that was the truth.

He never loved me from the very beginning.

That was why he had done everything possible to stop me from carrying his heir.

But if he truly felt nothing for me, why continue this lie for so many years?

I returned to our chambers like a wandering spirit.

Without hesitation, I threw every object connected to him into the fireplace.

The moonbird folding screen he once gifted me.

The rare ancient books he searched for across every Alpha territory because he knew I loved reading them.

The countless letters we exchanged during the early years when I still believed every word he said.

I watched the flames slowly consume everything until nothing remained except ashes.

Only then did the suffocating pressure inside my chest lessen slightly.

But then I suddenly remembered something else.

Not enough. Still not enough.

Like a madwoman, I rushed toward Axton’s private study and found it resting exactly where it always had been.

The journal.

He began writing in it the day we first met.

Every little thing I liked. Every habit. Every preference.

Year after year, page after page, until the journal had grown thick.

My trembling fingers opened the worn pages.

Every sentence made my eyes sting painfully.

“Moira loves sweet desserts and dislikes sour flavors. Every meal must include something sweet for her.”

“Moira fears the cold. The fireplaces inside her chambers must be lit before autumn arrives.”

“Moira dislikes sleeping alone in darkness. She falls asleep easier in my arms.”

Then the final line appeared before my eyes.

“I love Moira more than my own life.”

“Never make her cry.”

(Moira’s POV)

People always said written words could never lie.

So how could the love filling every page of that journal possibly be fake?

I tore through the pages one after another, ripping them apart without mercy.

Then my eyes suddenly landed on an elegant wooden box resting nearby. Something inside me urged me to open it.

Hidden carefully within a secret compartment was a delicate portrait of a woman. She had soft features and beautiful, charming eyes.

Along the edge of the portrait were several small handwritten words.

“I wish to become the sparrow beneath the roof, so we may stay together morning and night.”

“The fifth day of the Frost Moon.”

“The year we became mates.”

My body slowly collapsed onto the floor.

My vision blurred before I could stop the tears from falling.

That date was only one month after our mating ceremony.

His heart had already belonged to someone else back then.

I truly was a fool. A complete fool.

The food on the dining table had already been reheated many times.

I waved tiredly toward Rietta.

“Clear everything away. I want to rest,” I said softly.

Rietta stared at me in shock.

“My Luna, are you not waiting for Alpha Axton?” she asked carefully. “He promised to return and take you to the blossom valley today. The moon cherry flowers are finally blooming.”

I quietly shook my head and began removing my outer robe.

Axton would not return tonight.

The next morning, the first thing I saw after opening my eyes was Axton kneeling beside the bed.

Guilt filled his handsome face.

“Moira, forgive me,” he said hoarsely. “I lost track of time yesterday. I broke my promise.”

I stared at him silently for a very long time.

Who would believe it?

The mighty Alpha Graveclaw who controlled the northern territories without fear, the ruler who could decide life or death with a single order, was kneeling before me over a missed promise.

A mate like him made it impossible for anyone to stay angry.

When I remained silent, Axton grabbed my hand and pressed it against his chest.

“If you’re upset, then punish me,” he coaxed gently. “Hit me if it makes you feel better.”

I slowly shook my head.

“I’m not angry,” I replied calmly. “I only think it’s unfortunate. The moon cherry blossoms were in full bloom, but I never got to see them.”

Relief instantly appeared on his face.

He lifted my fingers and pressed a long kiss against them.

“Silly girl,” he murmured softly. “There will be many more chances. I promise I’ll take you there next time.”

Then he hurried away toward the main castle hall.

There was always pack business waiting for him.

Always meetings with warriors and Alphas that could not be delayed.

Soon the castle doors closed behind him while two guards followed closely at his side.

I watched his tall figure disappear slowly down the stone pathway and sat there motionless for a long while.

Axton.

There will not be another chance for us anymore.

After Axton left, I ordered someone to bring Daciana from the hidden manor.

She arrived not long later, one hand resting lightly against her lower back while walking slowly across the hall.

The warrior escorting her remained outside until I nodded for him to leave.

The moment Daciana stood before me, she met my eyes calmly without even a trace of fear.

“So you recognized me yesterday after all, Luna Moira?” she said lightly.

I silently looked her over.

She had a slender body and a beautiful southern appearance delicate enough to fit inside one hand.

Earlier, I had secretly investigated her background.

Only three days after our mating ceremony, Axton had traveled south on behalf of the Graveclaw Pack to assist territories destroyed by violent storm magic and floods.

That was where he met Daciana.

During the disaster, Axton rescued survivors from collapsing buildings while injured and burning with fever.

In his delirious state, he mistook Daciana for me.

That single reckless night became the beginning of everything.

Afterward, perhaps because she was an orphan with nobody left in the world, he brought her back to the capital.

He hid her inside the secluded manor. Stayed beside her day after day.

When I followed him there before, I noticed how carefully every corner of the manor had been decorated.

Every detail reflected affection and care. Axton must have truly loved her deeply.

A painful bitterness spread through my chest.

Daciana clearly noticed the expression on my face.

Satisfaction slowly appeared in her eyes.

“Moira Vaultere,” she said softly. “Everyone in the Alpha Kingdom believes Axton worships you like the Moon Goddess herself.”

Then her lips curved into a faint smile.

“But from what I see, you are actually the most pitiful Luna alive.”