Chapter 2

After a prolonged silence, Father finally spoke, "Are you certain, sweetheart? Joining the royal medical team for the Werewolves Committee means a lifelong commitment, and you'll have to abandon your pack and your position as Luna. Once you make this decision, there's no going back."

I nodded, despite knowing he couldn't see me through our mental connection. "I've made my decision, Dad. I've come to realize this is my true purpose."

"What about Alpha Owen? I thought you were in love with him. You chose to stay in the Hidden Spring Pack for his sake," Dad inquired, his voice tinged with sadness. "What's changed your mind now?"

I bit my lip hard enough to draw blood, tasting its metallic flavor. I anticipated Dad's confusion about my sudden change of heart, but I was ready to explain. "Let's just say I've had an awakening—my love-induced blindness led me astray, but now I see things clearly."

In my youth, I believed that genuine love didn't require the Moon Goddess's matchmaking, as I had been secretly infatuated with Owen. We were the closest of friends. Our families were also tight-knit, and people often joked about us being future spouses.

However, when we both reached eighteen, Owen discovered that Amber, our childhood companion, was his destined mate.

My wolf and I privately mourned our unrequited love, watching their joyful relationship unfold.

Then one day, Owen crept into my room, his eyes brimming with tears. He revealed that Amber had rejected him, as she was betrothed to a widowed alpha visiting our pack.

"I thought our mate bond would overcome any obstacle," he had whispered, weeping on my shoulder. "It turns out she's ashamed of me because I'm only a beta's son, and she claims she deserves better than what the moon goddess chose for her."

I embraced him tightly, unknowingly pouring all my hidden affection for Owen into that hug. He then gazed into my eyes. "Let's be each other's mates, Aleli."

My jaw dropped in shock as I processed his words. "W-What did you say?"

"I know you've loved me since childhood, and I've always cared for you. Now that she's gone, we can be together. I'm choosing you as my mate, Aleli. Will you be mine?"

I didn't hesitate to agree, my heart overflowing with happiness.

But now...

I never imagined that choosing him as my mate would lead to the collapse of my entire world, especially when two days later, an envelope addressed to me arrived, containing intimate photos of Amber and my husband. A note was attached, reading, [Dear Aleli. It's been some time since we last met. I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I enjoyed taking them. Your husband is quite the passionate lover. Love, Amber.]

Tears of anger welled up in my eyes as I shredded the pictures. How dare this woman inform me of my husband's unfaithfulness as if she were doing me a favor? Despite my fury, I remained silent. After all, I was planning to leave soon anyway.

Amber continued sending photos, and even included videos of my husband and her together. This time, the attached note read, [How can you still endure the pain of seeing your husband betray you like this? Don't you see, I want you to leave so we can reunite. Love, Amber.]

This time, I didn't destroy the videos and photos, instead storing them in a secure place.

Owen even stopped sharing my bed, claiming he was working late at the office, busy with virtual meetings with other pack alphas. In reality, Amber was the one occupying his late nights. The hidden cameras I installed in his office revealed everything, and as I watched him on my phone, I noticed more bruises appearing on my skin.

It seemed he was so blinded by his betrayal that he failed to notice he was neglecting the pack as well. A week later, Owen approached me as I ate breakfast alone in the kitchen.

"We have an issue," he said, his face etched with concern. "I need to travel to the other pack territories to negotiate a peace treaty before the situation escalates. Alpha Wilson reported rouge sightings near our borders, and we need to act swiftly to prevent potential conflict."

"Alright," I replied, sipping my coffee. "I'll manage the pack in your absence."

His brow furrowed, but he planted a quick kiss on my forehead, saying, "I'm incredibly fortunate to have a Luna like you, always ready to support me and the pack." With that, he hurried out the door, leaving me clutching my mug so tightly it shattered in my hand.

That night, I examined my bruises in the bathroom mirror. They nearly covered my entire arm and torso. A wave of self-pity washed over me. How could I endure such pain and still maintain a brave facade for the pack?

As I stepped into the shower, an intense pain tore through my chest—as if it were being ripped apart. My wolf howled as I collapsed to the floor, my breathing becoming shallow and labored. There was only one explanation for this: Owen and Amber were being intimately involved. I bet they were currently in the throes of passion!

This was the curse of a mate bond—one would feel the physical and emotional agony of their mate's infidelity.

I screamed in torment, wishing death would come and release me from this suffering. The shower water mingled with my tears as I lay there, shattered and defeated.

"D-Damn you, Owen!" I shouted through gritted teeth, blood trickling from my mouth. "I will never forgive you for what you've done to me."