When we arrived at the altar, we knelt before the Moon Goddess's statue, praying for a moonstone to bless our pup with safety and health.

"Rebecca, you must be tired. I'll have someone take you home first. I have some official matters nearby to handle, so I need to deal with them. I'll come back later to be with you," said Christopher.

He arranged everything thoughtfully, seeming very considerate.

I was indeed a little tired, but I didn't get in the car. Instead, I walked along the edge of Moon Lake and rested on the far side of the altar for a while.

Just then, I heard a man and a woman murmuring behind the tree, and the man's voice was one I recognized instantly.

He said, "Scarlett, you're still weak. Be careful."

"Christopher, you have no idea how much I missed you while you were away. But now, it seems Rebecca has completely taken my place in your mind," Scarlett replied.

The altar of the Moon Goddess represented pure love, yet there they were, meeting in secret. It was an utter desecration.

Christopher held Scarlett gently in his arms. His voice was soft and indulgent. "What nonsense are you talking about?

"I came to see you, didn't I? Look, this is the moonstone I specially prayed for the two of you. It'll surely bless our pup with a safe birth."

Scarlett accepted the moonstone and nestled into Christopher's embrace. "It's beautiful, but what if Rebecca finds out?"

"Don't worry. I'll just trick her with some random blue stone. She's easy to fool," Christopher replied.

I thought Christopher's conscience might have stirred, but I hadn't realized he never meant it for the pup in my womb.

Scarlett was still full of concern. "Christopher, you gave me all of Luna's authority and duties. She's the Alpha King's daughter and has never endured this kind of slight. What if she grows jealous and bullies me after delivering the pup?"

Christopher chuckled lightly. "You're overthinking it. Your womb carries the future Alpha of our pack. Once our pup is born, I'll give it the position of Alpha heir. By then, even Luna will have to follow your lead."

He paused for a moment and continued with an icy voice, "But knowing Rebecca's temperament, she won't accept it right away. When the time comes, I'll have the elders put pressure on her.

"For her daughter's sake, she won't dare stop me from choosing the Alpha heir. You'll be the mother of the next Alpha."

I crouched behind the tree, trembling uncontrollably.

He wasn't just having an affair with Scarlett. He was even trying to force me to give up Luna's authority, making me the laughingstock of the entire pack.

It was utterly ridiculous. I walked away silently.

Christopher must have forgotten the reason he ever rose to the Alpha throne.

If I hadn't chosen him back then, he would still be that outcast bastard son. His brother would've taken the Alpha title and likely cast him out of the pack as a Rogue.

But instead of showing the slightest gratitude, he repaid me by trying to topple me.

Hearing their triumphant laughter from across the way, I clenched my fists, forcing back my tears.

I wouldn't shed another tear for Christopher. He wasn't worth it.

My delivery date was drawing near.

Christopher kept claiming he was too busy with pack affairs to come home and be with me. Yet word reached me that he had recently bought a villa in the suburbs for Scarlett.

On the day I went into labor, while I was suffering in the hospital, he was hosting a grand promotion ceremony for Scarlett in the pack's most sacred altar. He even invited the leaders from the surrounding packs.

Christopher showed up in an impeccably tailored suit. On his way to the altar, he passed by the hospital and came to take a look at me.

When he saw how pale and weak I was, a flicker of guilt crossed his eyes. "Rebecca, don't be afraid. The best healers in the pack are here. You're going to be fine."

My gaze landed on the dazzling outfit he was wearing, and I frowned. "Why are you dressed up like this?"

A hint of anxiety flashed across Christopher's face, but he quickly came up with an excuse. "I happen to have an important banquet to attend.

"It may concern the future of the pack. You know that as the Alpha King, I have to put the bigger picture first. You'll just have to manage on your own here."

After a brief pause, he added, "As the tribe's Luna, you understand me, don't you?"

Just then, Christopher's phone rang.

I recognized that ringtone immediately. It was the one he had set exclusively for Scarlett.

Christopher glanced at the screen and grumbled, "See? They're already urging me. But as the Alpha King, I can't skip a banquet like this. Don't worry, I'll definitely come back to see our pup."

His tone was annoyed, yet the smile on his face gave him away.

Before I could even react, he pulled his hand from mine and strode off without another word.

Watching him walk away coldly, I forced a bitter smile.

My bestie stormed in furiously. "Christopher is throwing a promotion ceremony for Scarlett at the pack's altar, and he's making such a big show of it that the nearby packs already know."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. A sharp pain shot through my lower abdomen.

Seeing that, my bestie immediately panicked and didn't dare say another word.

I'm not sure how long I fought through the pain before a sudden, overwhelming sense of relief washed over me.

A newborn's cry echoed through the hospital. My pup was born. She was an adorable little she-wolf.

No one was pleased about my pup's birth except for me and my bestie. Even Christopher didn't bother to come take a look.

I watched the livestream of Scarlett's promotion ceremony on my phone.

Christopher, all smiles, called Scarlett onto the stage. "In recognition of Scarlett's exceptional work, I'm granting her the position of Beta."

As he spoke, he took out a necklace from behind him.

All the wolves present were stunned.

Only the Luna of each generation was allowed to wear that necklace, yet Christopher openly presented it to Scarlett in front of everyone.

As the wolves stood frozen in disbelief, the doors to the banquet were kicked open, and my father, the Alpha King, appeared before them all.