Afraid to move, my heart thumped even louder.

I did my best to tell myself that this was my place as a slave, but I couldn't get used to it.

After all, I came from a rich family too.

"Why are you trembling? Are you scared?"

Hearing the deep voice, I looked up and suddenly found his face not all that scary.

And then there were those eyes that gleamed as brightly as the stars.

"I'm not scared, but just a little hungry."

How would a few slices of bread ever fill a stomach?

After a while, he laughed cheerfully. "My Uncle Ben told me to pick a slave… I guess I picked someone amusing."

Uncle Ben? As in his third uncle? The same pack elder who would instigate infighting and later assassinate Yoran himself?

Still, I kept my head down while Yoran summoned a servant, who brought so many dishes that they covered the entire table.

Just the scent of food was enough to make me drool.

"Sit. Eat."

He spoke to me with a surprisingly gentle voice.

I hesitated for a moment but eventually sat down and wolfed down everything.

How long had it been since I had a full stomach?

As I kept eating, my tears threatened to fall, while Yoran sat on the opposite end of the table and watched me eat with a twinkle in his eye.

Those eyes had to be the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen, and I really couldn't see him chewing through a person's neck.

When I had finished eating, Yoran stood up and headed outside.

Wait, he wasn't going to do anything?

"Get some rest. Uncle Ben and I have business to discuss," he said and started to leave.

"Wait," I called out as I remembered the rumors about Ben in my past life. "You should be careful around your uncle."

Those words were as rude as they could be, and to no surprise, Yoran was glaring coldly at me when I finished. "What do you mean?"

I mustered my courage and laid down the facts of what had happened in my past life, including Ben taking bribes, sending spies who hid in the ranks of Yoran's lackeys, and conspiring against Yoran…

Yoran appeared bemused by that last part. "Who is he conspiring with?"

I racked my brains and decided to take a bet. "I'm not sure, but you can perform a paternity test on the child of your father's fifth wife."

Yoran held my gaze for a long while and said, "I hope that's the truth, or else…"

He trailed off, but I noticed the threat in his voice.

I certainly knew that I'd be destroyed if I lied to him, but I had to take a chance if I wanted to survive.

-

Days later, the city put together a grand party.

Yoran was invited, and he attended it with me instead of his usual companions.

Everyone was surprised since I had nothing going for me, be it beauty or connections, not to mention that Yoran and I had only met once.

The small servant's room was renovated into a proper bedchamber, with servants bringing in stacks of elegant clothes and jewelry.

At that moment, I understood that Yoran had acquired proof of my claims.

We were the last to arrive at the party, and everyone was eager to greet Yoran.

After all, being the youngest Alpha there was, he had both power and resources.

I quietly retreated to a corner when I spotted a familiar face—Joey.

She was socializing with the other trophy wives but had trouble keeping up with their conversations.

Eventually, as she got bored and looked around, she found me and came straight toward me.

She studied me elegantly with a hint of rage but soon giggled smugly. "How lucky that you get to attend this party, Erin!

"That said, I heard you didn't get to sleep with your owner, and that he only came to you once. That's definitely not the case for Sion—it's like he's glued to me, and he's been cooking for me and feeding me ever since he took me home. I'm sure you don't get that, do you?"

The glee on Joey's face grew even more apparent as she continued, "You know, it wasn't easy for our parents to bring you to this world. But here you are, not repaying their grace and not calling once. You're so heartless, Erin."

I know that she was talking about Sion taking our parents to his castle, as word had spread across the city that Sion really doted on his slave and even brought her parents home.

She just had no idea about the demon Sion really was.

Still, I told her, "I envy you so much. Your owner really loves you."

I lowered my gaze to hide my smile.

I just hoped Joey wouldn't regret this.

"Exactly. You really can't even get jealous of me," Joey gloated, even more gleeful while her tone was filled with contempt. "I don't want to be mean, but you shouldn't leave home with that face, or you'd scare people."

She then giggled, "Oh, I'm always so blunt. You don't blame me, right?"

Everyone around me was clamoring, and the scar she left on my ear seemed to burn.

I took a deep breath, scowling as I demanded, "In that case, why don't you apologize?"

Joey's face dropped and she snapped, "How dare you disrespect me! You're nothing more than a slave!"

"And you're disrespecting all lycans, aren't you?" I retorted, my expression dark.

Stunned again, Joey pointed at me and bellowed, "Who do you think you are, taking up that tone with me?! Our parents should have strangled you in the crib—"

"Watch your words, ma'am."

Yoran was beside me before I knew it, his icy glare fixed on Joey and leaving her flinching.

Then, he turned to me, suddenly mild as he kissed my ear and touched my belly. "Don't get upset, dear. You'll hurt the baby."

Baby? What baby?!

However, I hid my surprise and leaned in to whisper, "What's going on here?"

Yoran simply flashed a roguish grin. "Just work with me. When we're done, I'll set you free."

Joey was left ashen-faced watching us flirt.

Eventually, she scoffed. "Oh, how lucky you are, getting pregnant so soon. I guess the rumors of you being neglected were false."

Hearing that, Yoran turned and frowned at Joey. "It's not up to you to meddle in my private affairs, ma'am."

Joey's face pale when she saw Yoran's eyes, and she started trembling.

She must have remembered how horribly she had died in her past life.

As she was the one who made the choice first in this life, I just hope she wouldn't regret it.

"Who's upsetting my baby?"

Sion had come to us before I knew it, menacing for a moment but tender when he saw Joey.

Joey leaned on his chest right then, pouting. "Just a little excited to see my sister. Come on, you're making a scene."

Sion looked downward at her, chuckling, "Alright, calm down. I'll buy you that mansion you like, okay?"

"Really?! I love you!" Joey exclaimed delight, throwing her arms around Sion's neck and kissing him fiercely even with all the people watching.

Pleased, Sion put an arm around her waist and led her outside.

I watched as they left, remembering myself in my past life.

Like Joey, I thought I was lucky that Sion had somehow fallen for me.

He would publicly show his affection to me just like what he was doing with Joey now, giving me cars, a house, and even cooking for me every day.

It wasn't like I wasn't touched.

In fact, I thought my happiness would revolve around him for the rest of our lives, until I eventually stumbled upon his secret…

Seeing that I was watching Joey and Sion leave, Yoran asked, "What's on your mind?"

I turned away and shook my head. "Nothing."

Pausing, I asked gingerly, "Who is Sion, really?"

Yoran shook his head, not appearing concerned. "He's a mystery. The pack knows nothing about him."

As I lowered my gaze in silence, Yoran told me about his plan on the way home. "Uncle Ben knows I'm watching him, and since I have no other child, he's going to make a move when he learns about your pregnancy. Don't worry, I'll set you free once we're finished."

I was perplexed. "But my pregnancy is fake."

His lips curled up in a faint smile. "That's only something we know."

I felt flustered as I could feel the pulsation on his chest, and my heart raced in tandem.

Other factors notwithstanding, Yoran was really handsome.

And with my 'pregnancy' becoming known, I was pampered more with each day, with countless precious stones and gourmet food pouring into my room like a waterfall.

Yoran would check in every day, spoiling me and whispering sweet nothings until the whole pack became aware that I, the ugly duckling, had claimed his heart and might become his Luna someday.

Today, he was sitting beside me when he asked seemingly offhandedly, "I heard your sister visited you earlier?"

I nodded as I looked at his cheek, dimly illuminated under the candlelight.

I still remembered the look of disdain on Joey's cheek when she entered my room that morning, snorting, "You're already pregnant—why are you living so frugally? Sion had my entire room filled with precious stones."

I stayed silent as she studied the room, until she finally revealed why she came today, "Mom and Dad said you're pregnant, so I came to visit."

She put down the gifts she brought, looking like she was in a bad mood.

"Thanks, Joey." I smiled politely, completely unaffected.

Would our parents be that nice? They probably didn't care if I died.

If anything, Joey must have come to confirm if I was being spoiled as the rumors said.

As such, I said, "It seems that Sion has been very good to you? But I wonder who he really is, since no one knows much of anything about him."

My change of subject left her stiffening. "I-I'm not sure…"

The vampires were always a mysterious bunch, and there was usually no information on them.

Naturally, there were even fewer people aware of who Sion was.

Flustered, Joey sipped her tea and turned, affording a glimpse of the redness on her neck.

It was a bite mark—it seemed that Sion was initiating his first steps with her.

"What happened? Your neck is red."

When I reached closer for a look, Joey flinched and almost fell off her chair.

She clutched her neck, frowning at me with impatience. "It's nothing. Mind your own business! I'm going now!"

I smiled as I watched her basically fled, almost tripping over the doorway.

I hoped that my dear sister would find out what was wrong soon.