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.