"You sold the moonstone?"

Derek burst through the door in the rain, clutching a jewelry box. Water dripped from his hair onto the expensive carpet below.

"Why? I bought that specifically for you! It could enhance your Luna abilities!" His voice rang with disbelief.

I looked at him calmly. "Because I don't need it."

"Katherine Vance." His voice took on that Alpha authority. "Why did you get rid of it?"

"I donated all the money to Pup Relief Foundation." My voice stayed light. "Anonymously. Abandoned wolves need the help more than I do."

Derek froze, then opened the jewelry box. Inside lay the Deep Sea Moonstone, glowing with ethereal blue light.

"I tracked it down at the auction house and bought it back." He walked toward me and grabbed my hand. "This belongs to you. It always will!"

He gently fastened the necklace around my neck again. The gemstone settled against my collarbone, feeling ice-cold.

"Katherine, you've been acting strange lately." He stared into my eyes. "Tell me what's going on."

I didn't struggle and let him do as he pleased. "Nothing. I just think money should be used for something meaningful."

Just then, his phone rang. It was his Betas.

"Alpha Derek, the inner circle is meeting tonight. Are you coming?" Noisy chatter came through the speaker.

Derek instinctively started to refuse, but I spoke up. "You should go. Spend time with them."

He looked at me in surprise. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'll go with you." I smiled. "I haven't seen them in a while."

An hour later, we sat in a private room at the city's most exclusive restaurant. Derek's three Betas and several core pack members were already there. The table overflowed with expensive dishes and fine wines.

Derek always acted especially attentive toward me at gatherings. Tonight was no exception.

He forbade anyone from shifting in front of me. "Katherine doesn't like seeing that wild side."

He wouldn't let them discuss bloody territory disputes. "We're only talking about light topics tonight."

All evening, he devoted himself to serving me. He cut my steak, peeled my shrimp, and poured my wine. Every gesture was meticulous.

"Katherine likes her steak medium rare."

He placed food on my plate tenderly. "She doesn't eat spicy food, but she loves sweets. I remember all her habits and preferences."

The Betas always marveled at Derek's attentiveness.

"Alpha Derek, the way you treat Luna Katherine is just..." One of them sighed. "We're genuinely touched."

"It's what I should do." Derek's tone was firm. "Katherine is the most precious person in my life. She deserves all my tenderness."

He turned to look at me, his gaze overflowing with warmth. "Right, my moon?"

I nodded, my lips curving into a perfect smile. "Derek has always been wonderful to me. He's never let me down."

The room erupted with teasing laughter.

"Alpha Derek, you're a role model for all male wolves!"

"No wonder Luna loves you so much! Look how sweet you two are!"

"This is what a perfect mate bond looks like! We should all learn from you!"

Derek beamed at the praise and pulled me closer. "Katherine deserves the best of everything. Nothing makes me prouder than being her Alpha."

He announced in front of everyone, "In this world, no one is more important than Katherine. She's my everything."

Applause and admiration filled the air. The Betas raised their glasses in toast.

"To Alpha Derek and Luna Katherine's eternal happiness!"

"A match made in heaven!"

"The perfect mates!"

I raised my glass and clinked it gently against Derek's. The wine sparkled under the lights, just like the devotion in his eyes.

If I didn't know the truth, I'd feel lucky to have someone so attentive. But now, I only felt disgusted.

"I'm heading home."

After several rounds of drinks, I stood up and smoothed my skirt gracefully. "You all keep talking. I'm a bit tired."

Derek immediately rose. "Let me take you back."

"No need." I pressed his shoulder down. "You hardly ever get together with everyone. Stay and chat. I can get home on my own."

"Then let me have David take you."

"I'll call a cab." I kissed his forehead. "Take care of yourself. Don't drink too much."

Derek watched me leave with reluctance written all over his face.

The Betas teased him. "Alpha Derek, you two are inseparable."

I walked out of the private room and waited for my ride at the restaurant entrance. It was raining today, so the traffic was heavy.

About 30 minutes later, I spotted a familiar figure. It was Sheila.

She wore a tight red dress with a plunging neckline and stiletto heels, walking toward the restaurant with deliberate allure. Her blonde hair whipped in the night wind. Every step dripped with calculated seduction.

I followed her instinctively. Instead of walking to the front desk, she walked straight toward the private room where Derek was. Clearly, she knew exactly where to go.

The moment a server pushed open the door for her, a thick wave of pheromones hit me. Derek's cedarwood scent and Sheila's rose sweetness twisted together into a nauseating combination.

I hid in the shadows around the corner and watched Sheila throw herself straight into Derek's arms. He didn't push her away.

"Babe!" Sheila called out in that sickeningly sweet voice. "I missed you! I've been waiting forever!"

The door to the private room closed, but the soundproofing in this restaurant wasn't perfect. I heard laughter and the clinking of glasses inside.

"Come on, since Sheila's here, let's play a game!" The Betas hollered. Their voices carried through the gap under the door.

"How about Truth or Dare?"

"Great idea! That'll make things interesting!"

Then came the crisp sound of glasses clinking, mixed with Sheila's bell-like laughter. Ten minutes later, Derek's voice drifted out, slightly slurred with alcohol.

"Alright, alright. I pick truth. You guys are all such gossips."

"Alpha Derek, tell us about your most thrilling experience!" The Betas laughed mischievously.

Derek laughed. "That time in the cockpit. In the pilot's seat, high above the clouds. I felt like I was conquering the sky. I can't even describe it."

"Wow, Alpha Derek is on another level! Even having fun in the sky!"

"We can only be jealous!"

I heard Sheila's flirtatious giggle. "Then, should we go somewhere even higher next time? How about a spaceship?"

"Ha, we could consider it." Derek's voice carried an indulgent laugh. "Whatever you want."

Then came another Beta's curious voice. "Alpha Derek, what do you think is the difference between a Luna and a lover? We're all really curious."

There was a brief silence.

Derek spoke slowly, his voice turning contemplative. "A mate is your safe harbor. A lover is the thrill of the storm. The harbor gives you peace, belonging. The storm gives you excitement, the thrill of conquest."

"Exactly right!"

"Men need a little spice in life! Otherwise, it's so boring!"

"Absolutely! What you have at home gets too familiar. A lover feels fresh!"

"But Alpha Derek, you need to be careful. Don't let Luna Katherine find out," someone reminded him.

Derek's voice turned serious. "Of course. Katherine absolutely can't know. If she ever finds out..."

He paused, his tone worried. "All of you remember this. Don't slip up in any way in front of Katherine. She's my Luna. No matter what, this can't reach her."

"Don't worry, Alpha Derek. We're not idiots. How could we let Luna Katherine find out?"

"Exactly. We're all adults. We know what matters."

I stood outside the door, my body trembling. It wasn't from anger or heartbreak, but from a sense of disgust. Pure, overwhelming disgust.

So the entire pack leadership knew. Everyone knew about Derek's affair and was helping him cover it up. Only I was kept in the dark, like a fool.

Everyone was laughing at me. I turned and stumbled toward the elevator. When my finger pressed the button, I noticed my hand shaking.

It was pouring outside. I walked through the rain, letting the water hit my face. I couldn't tell if it was rain or tears.

A memory surfaced from years ago. That winter, when I was 17 years old, I got caught in a bear trap. My leg bled heavily, but Derek found me and carried me on his back through the blizzard all night long.

"Katherine, don't be scared. I'll get you home." Back then, his eyes were so clear and sincere. "I'll never let you get hurt."

How ironic.

I didn't know how long I walked. It was such a long journey, much longer than the journey Derek carried me home when I was 17 years old.

A voice calling my name pulled me from unconsciousness.

"Katherine! Katherine!" It was Derek's voice, filled with panic.

I slowly opened my eyes and found myself lying in a hospital bed. The room smelled of disinfectant. The white ceiling gradually came into focus above me.

Derek sat beside the bed, looking haggard. His eyes were bloodshot. His clothes were wrinkled, his hair messy. He looked like he hadn't slept all night.

"You're finally awake!" He gripped my hand tightly, his voice shaking. "The doctor said you passed out from a high fever. Thank God David found you in time, otherwise..."

His voice broke, and tears filled his eyes.

"I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. I shouldn't have let you go home alone. I shouldn't have let you walk in the rain..."

A nurse pushed the door open and came in to check on me. "Her temperature is back to normal, Mr. Blackwood. Your wife is recovering well."

She turned to me. "Mr. Blackwood has been watching over you the entire time. He hasn't even had water to drink. He only stepped out just now to take a very important call."

I nodded, my voice hoarse. "Thank you."

The nurse took my temperature, gave me some instructions, and left. A few minutes later, I heard Derek's voice outside the door.

He was on the phone. His tone suddenly turned cheerful, a sharp contrast to the worry he'd shown in the hospital room.

"Really? That's wonderful! This is the best news!" His voice brimmed with uncontainable excitement. "I'll be right there!"

I dragged my weak body to the window and saw Derek hurrying toward another building at the hospital. It was the werewolf fertility center.

His steps were light. His face wore an unmistakable smile. I changed into my clothes and followed him.

In the waiting area on the first floor, I saw Derek carefully helping Sheila out of an examination room. She wore a white dress that made her look pure and innocent. Her face glowed with happiness.

That was when Derek spotted me standing not far away. His smile froze instantly, and his face went pale. He released Sheila's arm in a panic and quickly stepped back.

"Katherine? How did you..." Panic filled his voice. "You're supposed to be resting in your room."

"I came to pick up medication," I said calmly. "The doctor told me to get some supplements."

Cold sweat broke out on Derek's forehead as he explained nervously, "Oh, I see. I just happened to be passing by here, and I ran into... ran into Sheila. She said she wasn't feeling well, so I came with her for a checkup."

His voice stuttered. He was obviously lying.

Meanwhile, Sheila saw me. A smug, challenging smile appeared on her face.

She deliberately stroked her still flat stomach, her voice sickeningly sweet. "Oh, Luna Katherine! What a coincidence! I just came out of the examination room. The doctor said I might be carrying a pup."

Derek's face turned even paler. He tried to stop her. "Sheila, don't..."

"Derek was nearby, so I asked him for help." Sheila completely ignored Derek's attempts to stop her. "After all, I'm expecting. Derek is my boss, so he came to help me."

She looked directly at me, smiling provocatively. "Luna Katherine, please don't misunderstand!"

Derek broke out in a cold sweat. "Katherine, let me explain."

"Good luck with that," I said calmly, my voice completely flat. "I'm going home now."

I turned to leave, and Derek tried to follow. "Katherine, wait."

"I'm tired. I want to go home and rest." I didn't look back. "You do what you need to do."

I cut off whatever explanation he was about to give. When we got home, Derek used urgent company business as an excuse and quickly shut himself in his study.

I heard him on the phone inside, keeping his voice low. But occasional fragments drifted out, full of tension and anxiety.

"How could you say that in front of her?

"What are we supposed to do now?

"This has to stay secret. Katherine absolutely can't find out..."

I sat in the living room. My phone suddenly buzzed. It was a text from Sheila with an attached photo of a pregnancy test report.

Then more messages flooded in like a tide. All from Sheila. The content was explicit and taunting.

She described in detail how she and Derek had sex in our marriage bed, in his office, and even on his Alpha throne.

Every message came with suggestive photos. His shirt was on our bedroom floor. Her heels were under his desk.

The last message read, "Dear Luna Katherine, thank you for sharing Derek with me. He says I know how to please an Alpha better than you do. Soon, I'll be taking your place."

I stared at every message with no expression, my finger scrolling slowly across the screen. Every photo and every line of text cut like a knife.

But I felt no anger. No tears came. Only a terrifying cold. Finally, I turned off my phone screen.

Just then, Derek crept up behind me.

He wrapped his arms around me from behind, nuzzling his cheek gently against my neck. His voice was as soft as a spring breeze. "My darling, what has you so lost in thought?"