On my thirtieth Moon Blessing Day, the first surprise I received was that livestream.

On the screen, Ronan gripped the back of the young streamer’s neck and claimed her lips.

Yet only an hour earlier, he had knelt before me, pressing gentle kisses to my eight-month pregnant belly.

All the guests at the feast looked at me at once. Their eyes carried pity and hidden excitement.

“Luna…”

The steward wiped sweat from his temple and quickly moved the crystal aside. “Should I close the livestream?”

He lowered his voice, afraid I would collapse again and harm the heir.

“No need,” I said calmly. “Continue with the cake.”

“Should we not wait for Alpha Valloren to return?” he asked carefully.

I shook my head. “No need.”

Those waiting to enjoy my breakdown froze.

Someone had placed the livestream in front of me on purpose, expecting me to fall apart and cry like all the times before.

But I did not.

I stood according to the plan, cut the cake, and blew out the spirit candles.

Soon whispers rose behind me without hiding.

“What’s wrong with Luna Valloren? Why is she not crying?”

“Did she not cry like the world ended every time she caught the Alpha straying?”

“Last time she found him with that young she wolf, she nearly harmed the pup from anger and cried three days until he returned.”

“On Moon Lovers Day she even ran to the seaside cliffs with her big belly, begging him to come back.”

“And what happened in the end? Alpha Valloren comforted her for a moment and left again the next day.”

“Maybe she finally understands that her tears mean nothing.”

“Perhaps she is pretending to be the strong Luna now. Too bad there was no show today.”

Laughter echoed again and again.

They believed I was acting like a proper and noble Luna.

I heard every whisper, but I did not react. I simply held my belly and looked out the window.

Spirit fireworks burst across the night sky. I had arranged them for my own celebration.

The lights reflected on the glass and in my eyes. Bright and short lived. Impossible to hold.

It was not that I felt no pain.

I had simply cried too much already. I was tired.

After the feast ended and I removed my ceremonial gown, Ardena rushed into my chamber. Her face was pale with anger. Her cane struck the stone floor as she ordered someone to summon Ronan.

No one answered.

She told the steward to cast the streamer’s livestream onto a larger crystal and opened the voice channel.

“Ronan, come home now!”

On the screen, Ronan leaned lazily against a couch, smiling at his audience. The female beside him adjusted her spell device, loud music echoing behind them.

“Grandmother,” he said lightly, “I am busy. I will not come home tonight.”

“The little wolf is in a ranking battle. It will affect her standing.”

After ending the call, he seemed to remember something and added,

“Oh, and tell my Luna she behaved well today. No crying. Finally acting like a true Luna Valloren. She is thirty now. Let her keep it up.”

The crystal tablet was slammed onto the table.

Ardena trembled with rage and grabbed my hand tightly. “This heartless cub. Valea, if you want to cry, then cry. Do not hold it in. I am here.”

I handed her a cup of water and spoke softly. “Grandmother, I am not angry. But I have something to tell you.”

I began slowly.

“When I entered the Royal Academy, my family could not afford the tuition. You paid for my studies.”

“I have always remembered your kindness. So when you asked me to look after Ronan during our academy years, I agreed. Later, when we became mates, it was because you brought us together.”

“I once believed I was very happy. But after five years of being mate, Ronan changed. He flirted everywhere. I cried and argued, but nothing changed. Six months ago, I wanted to end the bond.”

“But at that time, I learned I was carrying his heir.”

Ardena’s hand tightened, as if she did not wish to hear more.

“He became gentle again, acting like a caring father. I softened and stayed. But after a few months, he returned to his old habits.”

I lifted my head. My voice was quiet but firm.

“Grandmother, I am thirty. I do not want my pup to grow up with a father like this.”

Her eyes reddened. She pulled me into her arms, patting my back. “If you wish to leave, I will not stop you. But the pup…”

“I want to keep the pup and remove the father.”

I gently interrupted her. “The pup will still be your great grandchild, but will have no bond with Ronan. This is my only wish at thirty. Grandmother, can you help me?”

The room stayed silent for a long time. I thought she would refuse such a request.

But she closed her eyes for a moment and nodded.

“Very well. I will handle it. Though I am Ronan’s grandmother, in my heart, you are also my granddaughter.”

My nose stung as I embraced her. I heard her murmur softly, “You two were once so sweet. How did it become like this?”

I lowered my gaze.

Ronan had once truly cared for me.

The proud golden heir of Mossfang Hollow had softened all his sharp edges for my sake. He attended every class beside me, built small spirit game projects with me, and cut ties with reckless pack friends.

On the day of our mating ceremony, the game we created together, Moonbond, was released across the territories.

He said he wanted our love to last forever, just like the game remaining online.

When I conceived, his eyes turned red with emotion as he transferred all his properties into my name. He announced it before all the packs and even placed the notice inside our game world.

To countless wolves, we were the perfect pair.

But when love began to shift, I was the first to step away.

Late that night, when I returned to my chamber, my crystal slate suddenly lit up.

Ronan had sent two images of delicate undergarments.

“I heard the little crybaby did not cry today. Becoming sensible. Good.”

“Choose one for me. Which is better?”

“Pick one, and I will keep the other as your thirtieth Moon Blessing gift.”

Staring at the glowing words on the spirit crystal, I kept my face calm and sent no reply.

When the light faded, my heart did not stir at all.

Ronan had always enjoyed this. He liked seeing me jealous, losing control, breaking down because of him. Then he would watch me bow my head and forgive him, simply because I loved him too much.

But I was truly tired.

So tired that even anger felt heavy.

Ardena told me to give her seven days. She would arrange everything within the pack council and settle the bond matter.

I did not need to fight. I only had to wait quietly. When the week ended, I would be free beneath the Moon Goddess.

The next morning, when I opened my eyes, I felt a familiar Alpha aura beside me.

I did not know when Ronan had returned to our den. He leaned against the wooden headboard, lazily twirling a strand of my hair between his fingers.

His other hand rested on my round belly. His head was lowered, as if listening closely to the tiny heartbeat inside.

“The pup is moving.”

He smiled at me. “Valea, he is clawing at me.”

As if answering him, a small push pressed against his palm. Light but certain.

Pain stabbed through my chest, but I did not move away.

Ronan had always been like this.

No matter how wildly he ran through other pack lands, once he came back to me, he became gentle and patient. A caring mate. A father waiting for his heir.

He would tuck the fur blanket around me and speak in a soft voice. When I lost control of my emotions, he would whisper again and again, “Valea, I will correct myself.”

Or, “Do not cry.”

As long as I ignored the dirt outside our territory, our mating bond could still look peaceful and honorable.

But I could not live like that anymore. That was why I chose to leave.

“Sit up and eat something.”

Ronan bent down and kissed my forehead.

“After breakfast, I will take you to the healer hall for your checkup. You have an appointment today, do you not?”

At the long dining table, he watched me drink warm milk. Then he gave a low laugh, testing me.

“Valea, I thought you would howl at me through the crystal last night, just like before. Calling again and again whenever you caught me with another she wolf.”

“What happened? My little crybaby changed her nature? You truly do not care anymore?”

I held the cup without lifting my head.

“Is this not what you always wanted?” My voice remained steady. “A quiet and obedient Luna who pretends nothing happened.”

Ronan paused. It was clear my words surprised him. Then he reached out and stroked my hair, like calming a young wolf that had finally stopped fighting.

“It is good that you understand.”

He spoke casually. “Alphas like me must handle social matters between packs.”

“Relax. No matter what happens, you are the only Luna I will ever mate. Those outsiders are just passing shadows.”

Passing shadows…

The words were light, yet they pressed on my chest until breathing felt hard.

I suddenly remembered years ago, under the full moon.

When Ronan confessed his love, he swore that in this lifetime he would love only me, stay loyal, and never turn his back on me.

It seemed even vows made under the Moon Goddess could fade. Even he no longer believed them.

My nails dug into my palm. The small pain kept me awake.

“Let’s go.”

I stood, cutting off the conversation.

On the way to the healer hall, the carriage was silent.

Before, I would speak happily on rides like this, talking about the pup growing inside me. Only when we spoke of the pup did I feel Ronan still cared for this family.

But now I no longer wished to pretend.

Ronan glanced at me several times through the mirror, yet he said nothing.

Just before we reached the healer hall, his crystal slate rang.

The voice on the other end sounded anxious. Words drifted through about causing trouble at home, dragging someone away, forcing her to mate with an old Alpha.

Ronan’s expression did not change.

“That is her pack’s problem. What does it have to do with me?”

His tone turned cold. “Did I not say that when I am with my mate, do not bring me other matters?”

He cut the connection at once.

Soon after, he stopped the carriage at the healer hall gates. He placed his hand over my belly and spoke softly.

“Baby, we are here.”

For a moment, I thought perhaps he still had some conscience left.

But after I received my waiting token and turned around, the seat beside me was already empty.

A message from him appeared quickly.

“Something came up.”

“The day after tomorrow is your mother’s death anniversary. I will return to accompany you and the pup.”

“Complete the checkup alone today.”

A cold laugh left my lips.

I finished every examination by myself and sat quietly in the stone corridor, waiting for the results.

On the spirit network, the young she wolf streamer posted a new image.

The restaurant light was warm and close. The Ronan who should have been sitting beside me in the healer hall was seated across from her instead, looking attentive.

Her caption read, “Thank you Alpha Ronan for saving me from being forced by my own mother to mate with an old wolf. I will love him forever and stay by his side.”

My throat tightened.

I bit the inside of my cheek and placed my hand over my belly, rubbing it slowly.

“Baby.”

I asked in a calm voice, “If one day your father and mother sever their mate bond… will you blame your mother?”

The little wolf inside my womb stirred softly beneath the pull of the moon. I already knew my answer.

After leaving the Healing Hall, I returned alone to the Mooncrest Tower, the heart of the pack company Ronan and I built together.

I began reviewing the share ledgers, reorganizing trade routes, and dividing the warriors and resources under my command.

Anything I could settle, I resolved at once. Anything unfinished, I listed clearly with risks, numbers, and future plans, sealed them with my mark, and sent them to the wolf advocate Elder Ardena arranged for me.

The Valloren Alpha Kingdom holdings were not mine to claim. But this consortium was built by Ronan and me from nothing, claw and blood, and I would take what was rightfully mine.

Not for myself.

For the pup inside me.

Since I had decided she would not be born into the Valloren Alpha line, I had to prepare every path for her.

Her wolf name, her territory, her inheritance, her future, I would arrange each step.

Even if she did not grow within the Valloren stronghold, she would rise safe and free under the blessing of the moon, never living on another’s mercy.

After confirming the final scroll, my most loyal beta lowered his voice.

“Luna, about the project ‘Moonbond,’ do you want the gold settlement, or control of the realm itself?”

I did not answer at once. Instead, I opened the realm of Moonbond again.

When the familiar ancient kingdom appeared on the crystal screen, my fingers paused.

This old kingdom style world, from its lands and bloodlines to its fate paths, was created during the brightest years between Ronan and me.

Countless nights beneath the moon, rebuilding territories again and again, fighting side by side, those days were real.

I thought my heart had already grown cold.

Yet at that moment, a thin thread still tugged at me.

I entered the mate bond space once shared by Ronan and me, only to be expelled instantly.

The Luna title beside that space had already been changed, at some unknown time, to Marielle Evergrove.

Ronan clearly sensed my presence. He offered no explanation.

The next second, a transfer request for two million gold coins appeared. One of my minor streamers was broadcasting Moonbond and needed a proper background.

Let me use the mate territory for now.

He truly knew how to borrow. In a single breath, he claimed the secret den we spent more than half a year building.

I logged out immediately. Then I looked at my beta.

“I want Moonbond itself.”

And I wanted full authority.

I would not allow Ronan and another she wolf to stain the world we created.

During the next two days, I forced my mind away from Ronan. Yet he appeared everywhere. Inside the realm, Ronan and that streamer, Marielle, hunted side by side.

Her chamber remained open nearly all day. The titles grew more intimate each time, and her viewers increased rapidly.

I never entered.

Still, others kept sending me images by accident.

The newest image showed Ronan igniting moonfire blossoms inside her stream. He lit them for over an hour just to celebrate her winning first place in a duel ranking.

I gave a faint smile and blocked the sender, then lowered my head to arrange the rites for my mother’s death memorial.

The pack whispered that Marielle was the she wolf who had stayed beside Ronan the longest.

They guessed whether she would one day take my place as Luna of Valloren. But no one noticed that I no longer wished to fight for the title of Luna Valloren.

On my mother’s death anniversary, I dressed in pure black, a white mourning bloom pinned to my chest, standing in the center of the great hall.

The guests wore solemn expressions, speaking in hushed tones. After offering condolences, they nodded respectfully to me.

Everything should have remained quiet and dignified.

Until, as I instructed the servants to guide the guests to their seats, a deliberately softened yet sharp voice sounded from the doorway.

“Oh… why is everyone dressed in black?”

I raised my head.

Ronan stood at the entrance of the Alpha stronghold. Behind him stood a woman dressed in bright red, heavy makeup on her face, curled hair falling over her shoulders.

She leaned forward slightly, eyes scanning the hall, finally landing on my mother’s memorial portrait beneath the silver moon crest.

“Ah… today… someone passed?”

Then she seemed to realize her mistake. She pulled a red blossom from her hair and stepped toward the memorial altar.

“Sorry, I did not know. May I place this flower here?”

As her hand reached toward my mother’s shrine, the blood in my veins turned to ice. Instinct almost drove me to shove her away.

“Get out. Who allowed you to step into this territory?”

She stumbled backward, nearly falling, but Ronan caught her.

I stared at him, my voice trembling despite my effort to stay calm.

“Ronan, did I not warn you never to bring those low born she wolves into this pack hall to defile it? And today is my mother’s death anniversary.”

The hall fell silent. All eyes turned toward Marielle.

She clearly had not expected me to push her away. She stared at me blankly for a moment, then her eyes filled with tears as if summoned by magic.

“I did not mean to cause trouble. It is my birthday today, so I wore red to bring myself luck.

I truly did not know it was your mother’s memorial. I only came because Alpha Ronan asked me to return with him.”

Her voice weakened until she leaned into Ronan’s chest, as though deeply wronged.

Ronan’s face darkened like a storm over the northern mountains. He lowered his head first, checking her carefully, his tone softening.

“Did she frighten you?”

Marielle shook her head, then nodded, tears falling faster, still clinging to him.

“I am fine.”

Only then did Ronan lift his head and look at me. His eyes were cold, empty of warmth.

“Valea, I thought you had finally grown wiser. I did not expect you to behave like this.”

“Your mother has been gone for many years. I only learned today that her memorial day shares the same date as Marielle’s birth celebration.”

“I brought her here because I believed a little joy might ease the sorrow of this day. I have done nothing wrong. Yet you are upset over even this? So immature.”