chapter 1
I balanced the freshly brewed herbal soup for my mother-in-low as i mode my way toward her yard. my steps light and quick.
For five years now, the med cine on her bedside has never run out
When l first came into the family my mother-in-law was gravely ill trapped in her bed and the Pack Doctor had declared she wouldn't last a year.
it was me, pregnant and determined, who used my dowry and savings to hire the best Healer and source the rarest herbs, pulling her back from the brink of death and the clutches of the Moon Goddess.
As l reached the door, i could hear lowered voices from inside.
It was my mother-in-law's voice.
"Evelyn has waited for you all these years. You come back just to play dead and ignore her, while gallivanting with other women. isn't that a bit much?"
My heart skipped a beat, nearly dropping the tray in my hands.
Who were they talking about?
After a long silence, a voice l recognized but felt distant from finally broke the quiet.
“Serena's mate was my best friend,and he died on the battlefield
protecting me. l can't just ignore his wife and child."
It was Liam.
No, that voice-it was unmistakably my Alpha, Aaron!
My wolf spirit screamed inside me,clashing with my reason.
I promise, once Serena's kid turns ten, I'll reclaim my Alpha status and reunite with Evelyn!”
With a deafening crash, my world crumbled.
The tray fell from my hands,splattering the brown herbal mixture allover me.
I leaned against the door frame to keep myself from collapsing
The conversation inside continued
“But look at Serena's belly, she seems to be pregnant again? You and her.” My mother-in-law's tone was probing.
Alpha Aaron cleared his throat his voice betraying a hint of guilt
"That night was my comrade's death anniversary, We both drank too much, and Serena broke down in my arms.
“My wolf spirit lost control for a moment, that's all."
I couldn't listen anymore.
Tears streamed down my face like a broken string of pearls, silent and relentless.
Aaron and i were fated motes chosen by the Moon Goddess childhood friends with a deep bond.
The night before l left, he left me an everlasting mark on my neck, his warm breath whispering promises of a lifetime together.
He said, "Evelyn, my Luna. toke core of the estate, and wait for me with our child."
For five years, l held those words close to my heart, pouring everything into our pack, never daring to slack off.
But I sacrificed everything only to be met with such a total betrayal from him!
As despair swallowed me, my mother-in-law sighed heavily
“it's a tragedy for Evelyn. She was the most dazzling gem in Lunar City turning down many werewolf suitors to marry you."
A flicker of hope ignited within me.
My mother-in-law was on my side,she would take my side.
But the following words threw me into an abyss of despair.
“l am destined to be with Evelyn; l won't abandon her."
Alpha Aaron interrupted her sharply.
"There can only be one Luna in this estate.
Serena is just someone l’ll keep on the side. Once the kids are old enough I'll send them off to Crescent Bay.two n't disturb Evelyn and her child's life.
My mother-i±-law coughed a few times, then said slowly, “Very well. Since Serena is already carrying Aaron's bloodline, we'll arrange it that way.
“f Evelyn asks, l will keep it a secret for you, you need to be careful not tolet anything slip!"
My heart turned to ice in an instant.
The woman l had treated like my own mother was willing to collude with him to deceive me, all because that other woman was carrying Aaron's child.
These two were nothing but ungrateful snakes!
l was engulfed in a mix of sorrow and fury, my chest tightening until l could barely breathe.
lf l stayed for even q moment longer, i feared l would burst in and tear off their hypocritical masks.
I clasped my mouth and fled back to my own yard, lost and heartbroken.
