After breaking the matebond, the Alpha husband finally realized his ex-wife was the heiress to the Alpha king.

-

I am the daughter of the Alpha family, raised in the utmost pampering.

But I never imagined that falling for Richard would be the beginning of my tragedy.

I devoted three years of my life to him, doing everything I could to make him love me back, but it was all in vain.

On our mating anniversary, he abandoned me to spend the night with his first love.

What he didn't know was that I was pregnant.

Even on the day of the accident, I couldn't reach him no matter how many times I called. My child, my love for him—everything was slipping away.

In my darkest, I was grateful for my timely awakening.

I returned to my alpha family and reclaimed my identity.

But now, why does Richard persistently reject my refusal, demanding I come back to him?

How should I choose? Can I trust him again?"

Ceres's POV

"You're pregnant, Luna."

I looked up in disbelief at the pack doctor, his warm smile shining down at me. I could hardly believe it.

He handed me the medical report, and as I scanned it, my eyes widened in shock. It was true! I was really pregnant! I was going to have a pup!

A surge of pure joy rushed through me, and my wolf, Elsa, purred with excitement. I placed my hand gently on my abdomen, tears of happiness filling my eyes.

Suddenly, my cellphone rang, startling me. I fumbled for it in my bag, and when I saw the caller ID, my heart skipped a beat.

It was my mate, Richard Winston, the Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack.

Today was a special day for both of us—our third mating anniversary.

Of course, he must be calling because he remembered.

My smile grew even brighter. I quickly swiped to answer and brought the phone to my ear.

“There’s an event at the Transcorp Hotel. Go there now,” his voice commanded, as cold and distant as I remembered, but I didn't mind.

“I’m in the hospital…” I began to explain, but he hung up before I could tell him why I was there or even share the good news.

I sighed, my smile softening. He probably didn’t hear me. Yes, that had to be it. Besides, news like this deserves to be shared in person.

Why didn’t he wish me a happy anniversary, though? I wondered.

“Oh, don’t be silly, Rose. Our mate wants to surprise us in person,” Elsa purred happily.

My cheeks flushed pink, and I felt myself melt a little at her words.

It had been over a month since Richard last called, but he’d been away on pack business, so I understood.

Now he was back, on the day of our third anniversary, and had even gone the extra mile to organize a surprise event for me.

Heart racing with joy, I clutched my medical report tightly and left the hospital, eager to share the good news of my pregnancy with the love of my life.

I arrived at the Transcorp Hotel and had barely stepped out of the vehicle when I was surrounded by countless reporters.

I blinked in surprise, unable to suppress my excitement. This must be Richard’s doing. He must have informed the reporters that today was the anniversary of our mating ceremony, and they decided to stay behind to deliver heartwarming well-wishes to me. Their cameras flashed repeatedly, capturing every angle as they blocked my path.

Wearing a smile, I raised my hand and waved at the reporters with poise and elegance, like the royalty that I am.

But what greeted me was their malicious questions, slicing through the air, sharp and ruthless.

“Luna Ceres, you have been married to Alpha Richard for three years. Are you aware that he has a two-year-old illegitimate son?”

“Luna Ceres, is it true that the child will be joining our pack soon?”

“Rumor has it that your marriage is simply one of convenience. Is this true?”

“Does this child belong to you and Alpha Richard, or is he really an illegitimate child birthed by the Alpha's secret lover?”

My heart pounded against my ribcage, my instincts prickling my skin like sharp needles.

For a while now, there have been rumors circulating in the pack about my mate’s supposed illegitimate child. But they are only rumors, not true in any way, so I decided to debunk them and put them to rest once and for all.

Smiling at the reporters, I addressed them. “The Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack, my beloved husband, is a very busy man. We do not have children yet, and he certainly doesn’t have an illegitimate child,” I said confidently.

Drawing a deep breath, I added, “They are all rumors, please pay no attention to them. My husband and I love each other very much, and I completely trust him.”

With that, I turned around and strutted into the Transcorp Hotel with the reporters trailing behind. After three years of being married to the Alpha of the pack, I have learned how to skillfully handle the press.

As soon as I approached the large hall, my eyes fell on a powerful figure with a tall, muscular frame. It was my mate, Richard. My smile instantly grew wider.

He was a very good-looking man with blond hair, a pair of ocean-blue eyes that draws one in, and perfectly sculpted facial features that seemed like they were carved by the gods, making him appear ethereal.

His striking features gave him an air of nobility. I just couldn’t take my eyes off him; I was…spellbound.

He seemed to be in conversation with someone standing opposite him.

He suddenly turned and when his blue eyes met my green ones, his smile instantly faded, Indifference etching his stern face.

My gaze shifted to the boy he held in his arms and my smile died a natural death. I was absolutely stunned. The child appeared to be about two years old and bore an undeniable resemblance to Richard. My heartbeat raced wildly, thudding in my ears, and my legs grew heavier with each step I took toward them.

Richard lowered his gaze to the boy and planted a subtle kiss on his forehead. There was a woman beside him. She held out her hands and gently took the boy into her arms.

I froze as I realized who it was. I blinked rapidly, trying to convince myself I was only hallucinating, but I wasn’t.

It was her.

Anita Benson, Richard’s ex-girlfriend who broke up with him three years ago after accepting a severance check from his mother. She had traveled abroad then, leaving Richard heartbroken. What was she doing here now, standing by his side? And why did the boy she held bear such a striking resemblance to her?

That was when realization hit me like a ton of bricks—the boy was their child! The rumors were true!

Richard has an illegitimate child!

My heart shattered into a million pieces, and it became too hard to breathe. After everything I have done? After everything I have been through?

Clenching my fists tightly, I tried to calm my raging nerves.

I recalled the incident that happened on the night of the full moon many years ago, when Richard saved me from a rogue attack. That was the night I fell in love with him. That encounter left a lasting mark on my heart.

When I returned home, I found out, that he was the Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack. Determined to be close to him, I decided to work at his company, Winston’s Corporation.

Unfortunately for me, he didn’t recognize who I was, but I didn’t let that deter me. Instead, I made it my mission to advance my career and gain his attention.

I worked tirelessly, and in less than a year, I became the chief secretary in his office.

His younger sister Mirabel suddenly fell seriously ill, and the pack doctor said she needed a bone marrow transplant.

Richard promised to give ten million dollars to anyone who was a match and was willing to donate thier bone marrow to his sister. Many of us got tested, and luckily, it turned out I was a match.

I was thrilled that day, knowing that the cold and powerful Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack was finally going to need something I had.

When he came to me and offered the money he had promised, I told him I didn’t need the money—that I wanted something else in return.

With confusion etched on his face, he asked, “What is it you want?”

I was nervous and scared, but I knew this was my chance, and I needed to take it. Heart pounding in my chest, I stared into his eyes and said, “I want you to make me your Luna.”

He paused and glared at me as though I had grown two heads. I lowered my head in shame. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked, I thought.

But suddenly, he said, “Okay.”

I was beyond stunned when he accepted, My wolf squirmed with joy.

It appeared as though he didn’t care who became his mate as long as his sister’s life was saved.

The three years that followed were nothing like the fantasy I had once held. I found myself isolated, ridiculed, and regarded as nothing more than a pawn in pack politics—a trophy Luna for the powerful Alpha.

I was the subject of gossip among the pack wolves, whispers of pity or disdain that stung my pride. But I stayed. I remained resilient, convinced that someday I would win his love, that my loyalty and devotion would soften his cold, indifferent heart.

But here I was, standing under the ornate chandeliers in the grand hall, watching Richard, Anita, and the boy in her arms, standing close together as one big happy family.

I felt a stabbing ache in my chest, relentlessly tearing me from the inside out.

Richard glanced coldly at the members of the pack gathered in the hall. “Thank you all for coming tonight to celebrate my son, Lucky Winston’s, birthday,” he announced, his tone authoritative. “I’d like to make it clear to everyone—Lucky is my son. My wife gave birth to him two years ago, and he is heir to the Silver Fang Pack.”

I felt my pulse roar in my ears. My face turned pale as I stared at him, feeling completely embarrassed. Just moments before, I had told a group of reporters that the rumors about Richard’s illegitimate child were baseless, but now, barely a few minutes later, he had admitted that the child was his.

Heat scorched my entire being, threatening to tear me apart. I couldn’t believe he would make such a grave announcement on our anniversary.

Does he even know that today is the anniversary of our mating ceremony?

The pain I felt was intense. My eyes stung with unshed tears, blurring my vision. Elsa, my wolf, was restless, wanting to take charge, but I managed to keep her under control.

There was pin-drop silence in the room, and all eyes turned to me, waiting for my response. Richard’s expression remained stony, his gaze daring me to contradict him. He needed me to cooperate as I always had, to uphold the illusion of our happy union.

I had been too naive, trying my best to make things work, giving him the benefit of the doubt, believing that one day, his stony heart would soften and beat for me. But sadly, it had dawned on me that the fairytale happy ending I had always dreamed of was only a mirage that would never happen. The scales have finally fallen from my eyes. It was time to put an end to all these.

I walked to the podium and took the microphone. With a forced smile, I said slowly and deliberately, “Alpha Richard, I believe you may have made a mistake. I have no connection to this child whatsoever. In fact, I am quite curious myself about who the mother is.”

Members of the pack were utterly shocked and exchanged glances with one another. The press went into a frenzy, capturing the moment.

Richard's face darkened, a dangerous glint appeared in his eyes. He stepped closer to me and said in a low growl, “Ceres, are you trying to make a scene? This isn’t just about us—it’s about the pack. Remember your promise.”

I had promised that once I became his Luna, I would never act out of order or do anything to bring shame to his family.

I let out a bitter laugh and glared coldly at him. “No, Richard. I am not causing a scene. I’m simply making sure my dignity isn’t sacrificed for your games.”

In an attempt not to embarrass him any further in public, I snarled in a voice barely above a whisper, “Let’s get a divorce, Richard.”

Ceres's POV

The press saw some altercation between Richard and me.Then I turned around and started walking away. There was pin-drop silence in the hall. I could feel the weight of everyone’s judging gaze around my neck like a chain.

My claws ached to emerge, and my heart twisted with fury.

It has been three years since I married Richard, yet his son is already two years old. This means that all those times he claimed he was busy with pack business and didn't come home, he had only been with Anita and their son.

I let out a bitter laugh as my soul crushed with pain. He had told me he didn't like children; he said they didn't quite fit into his life. But now the truth has come to light, he just didn't want them with me.

These past few days, I have been keeping up the charade, thinking that if I tried hard enough, I could make him see me.

What a fool I have been.

I glancing back one last time, my heightened senses picking up on every judging gaze and whispers in the audience.

Anita, standing beside Richard, cradled her child gently in her arms, cooing to him with a smile.

Leaning close to Richard, she asked, “Richard, why did Ceres leave? Does she not like Lucky?”

His monstrous gaze swept over me, and he said in a frosty tone, “Ignore her.”

A growl rumbled low in my throat, and my wolf stirred within me, wanting to rise to the surface, but I controlled her.

His words felt like a slap to my face. To him, I was just someone who took advantage of him to become his Luna. He probably felt caged in our marriage due to my relentless effort to make him see me.

I have been betrayed, shattered, and humiliated, and I am not going to keep taking it lying down.

It is over!

Divorce is not a shameful thing, at least not for me. But staying, trying to protect Richard after learning the hard truth, yeah, that would be shameful. The thought alone made me sick to my stomach.

I returned to the mansion Richard and I shared after our marriage, the same one he hardly comes back to. Every corner of this place had been filled with my touch, in my small attempts to turn the house into a home. But now, each familiar piece of furniture, each delicate decoration, only served as a painful reminder of my wasted effort.

I went upstairs to my room and started packing my things, my hands trembling with rage and heartache. I was halfway through when a knock sounded at the door.

“Luna Ceres, Beta Martins is here,” the housekeeper said when I opened the door.

I paused and drew a deep breath before heading downstairs.

Martins, Richard's Beta, stood by the door. There was a suitcase beside him, indicating that he had just arrived. My eyes strayed to his hands, he held a jewelry box and a bouquet of roses.

“Luna Ceres,” he said with a warm smile as I approached, “Alpha Richard prepared these lovely gifts for you to celebrate the anniversary of your mating ceremony.”

I came to a halt and met his gaze.

Just then, as I watched him, the full reality of the situation sank in. I have had suspicions for years, but this felt like the final missing piece of the puzzle.

Martins has always been the one bringing my anniversary gifts over the years, acting as though they were from Richard and today, Richard is busy celebrating his illegitimate child, so it is impossible for him to have prepared these gifts.

It was all Martins’ doing!, it has always been his doing!

Searching his eyes, I asked softly,

“Martins, Richard doesn't even know today is our anniversary. You prepared these gifts yourself, didn't you?”

Martins’ smile faltered, and he looked at me with pity, “Luna Ceres... It’s... It’s not like that...”

His hesitation told me everything I needed to know. I released a slow breath; it felt as though a heavy weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I had let myself believe, let myself hope in the past that Richard actually cared because he never forgot our anniversary and always sent gifts through his beta. Now every shred of that hope is gone.

Without uttering another word, I turned around and ascended upstairs.

I took out my phone, tempted to call my family, but I stopped myself. Three years ago, I had married Richard against my family's wishes, leaving my pack to join his. Now look where that has gotten me. I smiled bitterly and tapped absentmindedly on my phone's screen.

The headlines that swarmed my feeds immediately caught my attention. I saw rumors about me flooding the internet. Each of them stung like salt on an open wound.

“Shocking! Luna Ceres used to be a mistress, had an abortion, and can’t bear children!”

“Why can’t the Alpha and his Luna have pups?”

“Alpha Richard is a victim; he is mated to a wolf who can’t bear him pups!”

“Alpha Richard and Anita: Fated mates reunited!”

“Luna Ceres's secrets exposed—the dark side of a she-wolf who married into wealth.”

I clutched my phone, my fingers trembling. Tears prickled at my eyes, falling down my cheeks. It was as though the dam that held them had finally collapsed.

With my heart twisting in pain, I snarled bitterly, “After everything I have done for you, Richard, this is how you repay me? Fine! Thank you for clearing out the lingering feelings I still had for you!”

My wolf, Elsa, rose to the surface, whimpering in my head, “I hate our mate! I hate him so much!”

“I know, I hate him too, and he is no longer our mate!”

I wiped my tears and steeled myself. I resumed packing my bags, taking only my belongings, leaving behind everything that belonged to the Winstons' family.

By tomorrow, I will sever the last of my ties with Richard.

*****

The night dragged on, my exhaustion finally overtaking my anger. I fell into a drowsy, troubled sleep.

When I heard heavy footsteps outside the door, my muscles tensed, and my eyes flew open.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and that familiar scent of rain in the woods wafted in, hitting my senses.

It was him. It was Richard.

I clenched my fist in anger and remained on my side of the bed, not moving. What was he doing here? Isn't he supposed to be with his lover and supposed heir?

Suddenly, the bed dipped beside me, and his cold hand brushed against my skin. Now that he was near, I could smell alcohol on him. He was drunk.

I instinctively recoiled, shifting away from his touch. My wolf snarled from within, and I clutched my stomach protectively. Anger simmered in me like a storm, waiting to break out.

In the next moment, Richard flicked on the lamp beside the bed, illuminating the room.

His tall frame loomed over me, his expression stone-cold as his angry gaze pierced through me.

“Haven't you caused enough trouble?” he growled.

Caused trouble? Did he really think I had made that scene earlier just to stir drama? My chest tightened with pain and hurt at hus words, but I forced myself to stay calm.

Glancing up at him, I said, “I am serious about getting a divorce.”

His face hardened, and his jaw clenched. His eyes changed from ocean blue to flaming red, and his gaze remained fixed on me. It appeared as though he was trying to hold back his anger.

“You've gone nuts, Ceres!” he snarled. “You are afraid of the child, afraid he would threaten your position in this pack. That’s why you’ve asked for a divorce in a pathetic attempt to get my attention, right?”

Color drained from my face, and my eyes widened in shock at his words. Searching my face, he smirked, as though convinced he had seen through my ploy.

He sneered dismissively, “Let me warn you—”

But before he could finish, I swiftly rose from the bed, my movement fluid and fast as I strode to the closet. I grabbed my coat and my already-packed suitcase. Then, I turned to face him one last time before leaving.

A look of shock etched on his face, and he narrowed his gaze as he watched me. I stared back at him with eyes that held nothing but calculated fury.

“Richard, I will meet you at the courthouse tomorrow at 10 a.m. to finalize our divorce. If you do not show up, I will make sure every pack in this territory hears of the dirty secrets you and your family have been hiding!”

As I expected, his face instantly turned cold, and his gaze remained as frosty and dangerous as ever. The air around us thickened with tension.

Having known Richard for years, I have come to learn that there is nothing he hates more than his family's reputation being tarnished, which is why I resorted to this tactic.

Even though my heart was still filled with sorrow, I knew everything would be all right eventually, as time goes on.

I gave my all to this relationship, loved Richard with every fiber of my being, but right now, everything has changed.

Ignoring the slight ache in my heart, I turned on my heel and pushed my suitcase toward the door.

Just as I was about to leave, Richard’s hand shot out and grabbed my wrist. “Ceres!” His voice was cold, and his eyes were gloomy. “Don't regret this!”

“Regret?” I scoffed, glaring at him furiously, my wolf stirring angrily within me. “The only regret I have is not leaving you long ago.” I saw an unreadable emotion flash across his eyes.

With a final tug, I freed my hand from his grip, turned around, and left without looking back.

The night outside was inky black, and the chill of early autumn sank into my skin.

As I stepped out of the large wrought iron gate of the mansion, emotions I had buried deep within me began to rise to the surface. Tears welled up in my eyes and cascaded down my face.

I took my cell phone from my bag and decided to reach out to someone I had let down years ago when I made the decision to become Richard's Luna.

I dialed the person's number and it startef ringing. My heart pounded against my chest as I prayed they would answer.

Ceres's POV

After a few seconds, the call connected, and that very familiar voice of my best friend, Jasmine, rang out. “Ceres, is that you?” she asked in disbelief.

As soon as I heard her voice, I was choked up with emotions all over again.

I couldn't blame her for asking that question. After all, it had been three years since we last spoke to each other. I had abandoned her, as I did every member of my family and pack, and now, look where that had gotten me. I wiped my free-flowing tears with the back of my hand and sniffled.

“It’s me, Jasmine.” I tried to hide the emotion in my voice. “Please, can you come and get me?” I sobbed, my voice finally betraying me.

“Are you crying, Ceres? Did something happen?” she asked in a panic-stricken voice.

I couldn't bring myself to utter any more words as I was filled with emotions. At my silence, Jasmine said in a fierce and steady voice, “Wait right there for me, Ceres. I’m coming to pick you up right away!”

The line went dead.

Jasmine had been my best friend since our childhood days. She was the only daughter of Alpha Frederick, Alpha of the Crimson Pack. Their pack and ours shared the same border. Our fathers were childhood friends, just like us.

Jasmine was a beauty to behold, with wavy blond hair, aquarium-blue eyes that turned gray whenever her wolf emerged, a perfectly carved face, and a beautiful slender body. She was the definition of perfect.

She had strongly opposed my marriage to Richard, but I had stubbornly ignored her advice and followed my heart, completely cutting her off. I stopped taking her calls, refused to see her whenever she came looking for me, until eventually, she stopped trying to reach out.

Thirty minutes later, headlights cut through the darkness as Jasmine's red luxury car pulled up. As soon as she got out of the car, she rushed toward me, her eyes filled with tears as she pulled me into a tight hug.

“Goddess, I have missed you so much!” she said.

Releasing me from her embrace, her eyes landed on my suitcase, and she looked at me, already understanding what had happened.

“Let's go back to my apartment first, babe.” Her voice was filled with a cocktail of anger and sympathy.

Half an hour later, we arrived at a luxurious downtown apartment in Crimson Pack. It looked even better than I remembered. The paintings on the walls was immaculate and new, indicating it had been done recently. I wasn't surprised; Jasmine never went more than a year without renovating her apartment. She had always lived a life of luxury. She was never in want of anything.

Whatever Jasmine needed, all she had to do was ask, and her father and two older brothers would make sure it was delivered to her. She was what I would call a spoiled brat.

As soon as we stepped into Jasmine's apartment, she cursed angrily, “I wanted to storm over to the Transcorp Hotel and curse him out when I saw the news today. That heartless piece of shit! How dare he try to force his illegitimate child on you?”

Hearing her angry words, I thought I would feel hurt all over again, but I felt nothing. It was as though everything about Richard had become a distant memory.

Shaking my head, I smiled bitterly. “We’re getting a divorce tomorrow.”

“Way to go, girl!” she exclaimed proudly. “You have no business being with someone who treats you like trash. Imagine the only daughter of the Alpha King, ruler of all Alphas, being treated with no value or respect. You deserve better, babe!”

As she spoke, she walked over to help me unpack my things. I heaved a long sigh upon hearing her mention my father, Alpha Triston of the Snowfall Pack.

The truth is, a few years after I was born, my parents sent me abroad for my studies.

As soon as I came home many years later, I decided to go Richard's pack and work in his company. I had always been that wolf who didn’t like the limelight, so I kept my identity as the Alpha King’s daughter hidden from everyone.

Although my parents and brother had their reservations about it, they decided to support my decision. But when I told them that I wanted to become Richard’s Luna, they kicked against it. My father even threatened to disown me if I went through with it, yet i did.

Just the thought of it made my heart grow heavy. I had turned my back on my family, and it had all been for nothing. I bet none of them would want to set eyes on me now.

When we were done unpacking my things, Jasmine pulled me into her arms in a warm hug. “It’s good to finally have you back, babe. You are not allowed to fall in love with that jerk in the future, do you hear me?”

My eyes welled up with tears again as I thought of everything I had been through, all the time I had wasted pursuing the wrong man.

I replied Jasmine with resolution, “I won’t. It’s a promise.”

The promise I made to Jasmine was more for myself than for her. It was a reminder not to allow myself to be vulnerable to Richard ever again.

****

The next morning, the weather was gloomy, as though the clouds were conspiring to block out the sun's light.

I adorned myself in a black off-shoulder, knee-length gown that I hadn’t worn in three years, abandoning my usual dignified style of dressing as the Luna of Silver Moon Pack. I was completely done with that life.

I stood in front of the mirror, my green eyes catching my reflection. I could feel my wolf stir happily within me. The dark color of my gown complemented my very pale skin so well. Instead of tying my red hair in a knot like I would usually do, I let it loose, allowing it to cascade around my face.

Jasmine and I left for the courthouse at 9 a.m., arriving thirty minutes early.

We waited in the car at the entrance of the courthouse until 11 a.m., and still, there was no sign of Richard.

“Maybe he’s just running late. Let's wait a bit more,” I said to Jasmine, sensing her impatience.

An extra hour passed, and there was still no sign of him.

Jasmine glanced outside the window. “What the hell is keeping him? How can an Alpha not know how to keep to time?” she yelled.

“Let me call him,” I said, taking out my cellphone from my handbag. I called Richard several times, but he declined all my calls and ignored my text messages.

I then scrolled through my contacts for the number of a reporter who I knew had a good relationship with the Winston Corporation and dialed it.

As soon as it connected, I went straight to the point in a calm voice. “I have evidence of Alpha Richard's infidelity, and I’d love to give it to you for free. Are you interested?”

He was completely taken aback but quickly agreed and hung up.

Impressed with what I had done, Jasmine gave me a high-five. “I am so proud of you, girl! That’s how you do it!”

I flipped my hair back and smiled. “Let's wait a little longer. He’ll be here soon now that he knows what’s at stake.”

In less than ten minutes, my cellphone rang. I glanced at the screen and chuckled softly. My strategy had worked.

It was Richard.

I answered the call but before i could get any word in, he growled angrily,

“What the hell do you think you are doing, Ceres?”

“You’d better come to work at the Corporation right away, or I’ll fire all these incompetent members of staff in your department!”