Chapter 1
Leon and I were known as the perfect couple in our circle.
We'd been together for 8 years. The bloodthirsty werewolf Alpha would tuck away his fangs to make me breakfast and fight his urges during his rut to stay by my side when I was sick.
The socialites always joked, "If Leon ever cheats, we'll never believe in love between species again."
So at this yacht party, we played truth or dare. Anyone who lost had to reveal the private nickname they'd saved their partner under in their phone.
Smiling, I held up mine.
Beside Leon's profile picture was the name Wild Wolf Who Can't Get Enough Every Night.
Everyone started teasing me. Only my best friend, Joanna, kept her screen covered, stammering excuses instead of showing it.
"You've had a secret sugar daddy for 7 years, and you're still this shy? Come on, let us see this mysterious big shot who's so well hung and so good in bed!"
She forced a smile.
"He doesn't like showing his face. Give me a different dare."
Thinking she was just embarrassed, I laughed and teased her as I snatched her phone when she wasn't looking.
"You've hidden him for 7 years. Let's see whose bed you've been sleeping in every night."
My voice cut off.
There, beside the name Master, was a shirtless photo of Leon showing off his wolf tattoo.
Joanna's expression changed. She snatched the phone back.
"It's not what you think!"
A second later, it rang.
In her panic, she turned on the speaker.
Leon's low, husky voice, thick with desire, filled the private lounge.
"Baby, why aren't you back at the estate yet? My rut's started. I want to rip your dress apart."
Then a little boy called out in a sweet, babyish voice, "Daddy, your little pup misses Mommy!"
The suggestive laughter around the table fell silent.
I looked down at the engagement ring on my finger.
Everyone envied our 8 years of devotion. I was the only one who hadn't known he'd already marked my best friend in the most primal way.
*****
All laughter in the lounge stopped.
Joanna hurriedly switched off the speaker, the color draining from her face.
"Chloe, let me explain. It's really not what you think!"
I looked at her, cold spreading through my whole body.
"When did you and Leon get together?"
Joanna clutched her phone, tears spilling down her cheeks.
"7 years ago."
'7 years ago?'
At the alumni reunion 7 years earlier, Leon had gone down on one knee in front of everyone. He'd said werewolves recognized only one fated mate in their entire lives, and he would surrender his soul to me forever.
Joanna had held me and cried for a long time that day, telling me over and over that I'd finally found happiness.
Yet that very same day, she'd already been in his bed.
Someone lowered her voice.
"She and Leon even have a child out of wedlock. Where does that leave Chloe, his fated mate? Is she just his walking emotional support system?"
Joanna hurriedly grabbed my wrist, shaking her head as she cried.
"Chloe, I never meant to hurt you! You're the one Leon's always loved. He only touched me because the pack needs a pureblood heir. We lost control on the night of the Blood Moon..."
"You lost control once, and it lasted 7 years?"
My words left her frozen.
Her phone rang again. Master appeared on the screen.
Joanna tried to hang up, but I grabbed the phone first and answered.
Leon's impatient voice came through the line.
"Joanna, I've brought the pup downstairs. How long are you going to leave him waiting in the wind?"
My hand began to shake around the phone. Taking a deep breath, I softly said his name.
"Leon."
There were 2 seconds of silence. Then he hung up.
I stared at the dark screen before throwing the phone back against Joanna's chest.
"Your husband and child are here to pick you up. Go."
My heels struck the stairs as I hurried all the way down.
Leon stood beside an SUV. The moment he saw me, stark panic flashed in the eyes of the wolf king who usually wouldn't flinch if the world fell apart.
Joanna came running after me in only a thin evening gown. Leon instinctively took off his trench coat and wrapped it around her.
"How many times have I told you to stay out of the wind? Humans are fragile. You only just had a fever a few days ago, and you still won't listen."
His scolding was full of instinctive concern.
Head bowed, Joanna reached for his sleeve.
Their movements were practiced, so familiar there was no room for anyone else.
The mate mark over my heart throbbed with sharp pain. Yet I laughed.
"Leon, she's half werewolf. You've even helped her keep up this act of being human for 7 years."
Leon pushed Joanna's hand away and strode toward me, urgency in his eyes.
"Chloe, there are too many people here. Let's talk at home."
"Last week, you told me there was an uprising in the northern territory and you wouldn't be back anytime soon."
I raised my hand, showing him the engagement ring on my finger.
"So by putting down an uprising, you meant coming back to the human district to spend time with the pup she bore you?"
Leon looked at me, silent for a long time.
He'd once said werewolves were absolutely loyal, and the Moon Goddess would tear apart the soul of anyone who deceived their fated mate.
Now that his lies had been exposed in front of everyone, he couldn't offer a single word in his defense.
The car window suddenly lowered. A boy with partly wolf-like ears leaned out.
He looked at me, then at Leon. His wary golden eyes were identical to his father's.
"Daddy, who's that lady?"
