I was young and ignorant then. I only knew the sweetness of love, unaware of the bitterness it could bring.

The witch drugged Rook back then and locked us up in the same room. It was then I realized how far things had spiraled beyond my control.

I pounded on the door in panic, my voice trembling with anger. "No! I don’t want to force Rook into anything. He’ll hate me for this!"

The witch cackled eerily. "Silly girl, you’re destined to be together. He likes you too. Once tonight is a success, he’ll marry you."

I broke the door's handle in anger, but the witch had placed a spell on the room. There was no way for us to get out. Things took a turn for the worse when I started to feel my body burn up.

"How dare you drug me too?!"

"Of course, I have to drug you, babe. Enjoy your night!"

It was too late. Rook’s body radiated heat like a furnace, his breathing heavy and uneven. His glowing eyes reflected the wildness of a beast under the moonlight. He pushed me down, but he did not mark me.

When the sun rose, I was aching all over and feeling weak, while Rook was already dressed. His back was facing me, and he spoke without betraying any emotions, "Moon Shadow Pack and Heavenly Wolf Pack will unite in a marriage alliance. Let's get engaged, Rhea."

I thought it was a declaration of love. Instead, it marked the beginning of my nightmare.

Rook did not return to our room the night of the engagement.

When I went searching for him, I overheard Rook chatting with this friend.

"I envy you, Rook," his friend said. "You were raised to inherit your pack, and now you’ve married Princess Rhea, the most beautiful woman from the Heavenly Wolf Pack. She’s completely devoted to you."

Rook swirled his wine, his expression shadowed, his voice cold. "She’s not bad. I used to like her. But how could I love someone so easy? The thought of her drugging me and forcing herself into my bed disgusts me."

His words hit me like a blow. I stumbled back to my room, unable to think of a way to explain what had really happened.

The next day, Rook left for the battlefield to reclaim Moon Shadow Pack's lost territories.

I stayed behind in Moon Shadow Territory, managing affairs with the help of my people from the Heavenly Wolf Pack. I poured resources into Rook’s campaigns and busied myself with work, finding some solace in my responsibilities.

Eight months later, Air was born prematurely. I begged Rook to return for the Blessing Ritual, but I never heard back from him.

I took careful care of Ari and kept convincing myself that Rook and I could repair our relationship once he returned from the battlefield.

When he finally returned, the only thing waiting for me was watching him care and dote on Sera and Anna.

That night, I made up my mind to speak with him. I wanted him to treat Ari better, to see the son who longed for his love.

When I pushed open the door, I saw Rook.

His gaze fell on Ari, but it was just a glance. He turned to look at me next. "Anna wants your room. Pack up your things and move to the basement."

I was taken aback. For a moment, I thought I must have misheard him. "What did you just say?"

Rook’s tone remained indifferent, as if his request was the most natural thing in the world. "This room is large, and Anna likes it. Hand it over to her immediately."

A bitter laugh escaped my lips.

"May I remind you, Rook, that Ari is your son? Do you have any idea what Anna said to him today? She…"

"That's enough!" Rook interrupted me. His expression was grim. "Is Ari really my son?! We had only been together eight months before he was born, Rhea. Are you trying to lie to yourself after lying to me?"

I staggered back, his words hitting me like a physical blow. "Is that what you think of Ari?"

He did not flinch. "And Anna is my daughter with Sera. You will treat her well. Whenever Anna is present, Ari will address me as 'Uncle.'"

"I agreed to marry you for the sake of peace between our packs and to make you my Luna. But my love belongs to Sera alone. You should know that you owe me for what you did—drugging me, seducing me. You’ll pay the price for it."

This was the first time I had ever heard Rook say so much. Every word was like a poisoned arrow that shot through my chest. They chilled me to the bone.

Sera approached him, her steps delicate and hesitant. She tugged lightly at his sleeve, her voice soft and sweet. "Rook, it’s okay if Princess Rhea doesn’t agree. I’ll talk to Anna about it…"

"No," Rook said firmly. "I won’t let either of you suffer here."

"Don't worry. There are no feelings between us."

He turned to leave after that. Sera gave me a big, wide smile and said to me using her mind-link, "Stop dreaming. Rook doesn't love you. Take your little brat with you and get out of Moon Shadow Territory. Rook's heart and body are both mine. Hahaha…!"

This made me downhearted.

The pride of a Heavenly Wolf Pack princess began to surge in my blood and veins. They boiled and roared for me to stand up to all these. Rook could go to hell for all I cared!

However, a mother's love and tenderness pulled me back with a tight rope and bounded all my impulses.

Ari could not be without a father.

He loved Rook more than me.

Rook was a hero to him. His hero had a silver wolf's cape around his shoulders as he held a Darksteel sword in his hand while shouting out the order to slay the rogues.

Ari would be heartbroken if I took him away from Moon Shadow Territory.

I could not give up on Rook now for Ari's sake.

The next morning, Ari swung his little wooden sword around and stabbed the air.

"I want to show Daddy the swordsmanship technique taught by my teacher."

Children have big hearts. It only took one night's sleep for Ari to forget about Rook's coldness and forgive him.

Ari ran down the stairs excitedly.

However, he saw Sera and Anna seated at the dining table while Rook cut some bread for Anna lovingly.

"Daddy, what are they still doing in our house?"

Slam!

"Take note of what you call me, Ari." Rook slammed the bread knife on the table. He looked coldly at our son. "Didn't I tell you to move to the basement? Where's your mother?"

Ari jumped from shock. He gulped but still stepped forward bravely.

"My teacher told me that I can become a warrior if I trained well in swordsmanship techniques. I'll protect you when I grow up, Daddy…"

Before he could finish, Anna trotted quickly over to him. She snatched Ari's wooden sword from his hand and flung it out of the window. It fell into the lake.

"I don't like you! He isn't your daddy. He's my daddy!"

Anna's chin was lifted high with pride. She stood arrogantly with her hands to her waist. She gave Ari a hard push.

"That's my daddy! Hmph! Everyone says you're a bastard. You have no right to call him 'Daddy'!"

Ari was not prepared for this. He fell hard on his butt and cried from the pain.

I ran over anxiously to Ari. I helped him up from the floor and stared coldly at Anna.

"Apologize."

Before my princess bloodline boiled, Sera lunged forward. She cried and knelt on the ground like a frail, little flower. "Princess Rhea, I'm begging you. Please don't hurt Anna…"

"Rhea! Why are you yelling at a child?" Rook frowned while quickly pulling Anna into his arms. "Didn't I tell you yesterday to tell Ari to call me 'Uncle' whenever Anna is around?"

I looked up and into his raging eyes. "Anna was the one who pushed Ari."

"Anna was just in a hurry to get Ari to move out. She didn't push him on purpose."

I scoffed.

"Are you blind? Didn't you see her push him on purpose?"

"Watch your words, Rhea. Stop yelling like a shrew. You're not only an easy, promiscuous woman, you don't even have basic manners!"

"That's because you'd rather believe in rumors than me!"

Rook's expression stiffened. He seemed to be holding back. He turned away not long after to cajole the crying Anna.

Sera made a show of being understanding by coming over to apologize. She could hardly hold back her smile.

"I'm so sorry, Princess Rhea. Anna is still young and blurted out the truth by accident. Please don't take it to heart."

Anna cried even louder in Rook's arms after hearing Sera's words.

"Ari is a little bastard. He's a bad person. He snatched my daddy from me! This is my home!"

I was so enraged that I started laughing angrily. I looked coldly at Rook.

He was disgusted at me and did not want to live a life with me. I decided to make his wish come true.

Rook did not even bother to give Ari his blessings when Ari was born, yet I convinced myself that Rook had been too busy.

"Stop making this my fault, Rook. You're Ari's father. Not someone else!"

Slap!

Rook slapped me hard. "That's enough. Don't treat me like I'm stupid!"

My cheek stung from the pain. I was stunned.

He turned away from me and his expression immediately turned gentle. He carried Anna in one hand and held Sera's hand in the other. "Come on. Let's go shopping. I'm buying the best pony in the pack for Anna."

"Yay! I also want a bright, shiny Moonlight bracelet!"

"Okay."

All three of them laughed happily as they walked out the door.

I closed my eyes painfully. When I opened them again, I refused to give myself any room for useless hope and blurted the words that had been on my mind the entire night.

"Let's break our engagement, Rook."