I let out a sharp laugh filled with anger.

When my mother was alive, she treated Ronan like her own son of the pack. Yet he walked into our Alpha hall with another she wolf in red, stood before my mother’s spirit tablet, and still dared to call me small minded.

I lifted my head and met his eyes. My voice turned calm and firm.

“Ronan, on my mother’s remembrance day, you brought your chosen mate into our den. Is that what you call generous?”

My words made his face darken at once.

He stared at me for a moment, then gave a cold laugh.

“Valea, you are impossible. You cannot even see goodwill when it stands before you.”

He pulled Marielle into his arms, shielding her, and turned to leave as if speaking to me any longer was beneath him.

I took a slow breath.

Then I turned back, forced a polite smile, and bowed slightly to each elder and guest, offering apologies and farewells.

When the last of them left the stronghold, I walked step by step to my mother’s spirit tablet and let my guard fall.

“I am sorry, Mother. On your sacred day, I still caused unrest. Let us not speak of sorrow now. Mother, I prepared a small den for the pup. Will you come and see it?”

Holding the tablet close, I walked toward the small room. But when I pushed the door open, my body froze.

The room was ruined.

The tiny wolf clothes I had folded with care were gone. The little wooden toys placed on the shelf had disappeared as well.

My first thought was that an outsider had broken into our territory.

I quickly called the pack guards.

The guard’s voice was uneasy. “Luna… it was not an intruder. It was Alpha Ronan. He ordered warriors to remove everything.”

I stood still, a loud ringing filling my ears.

After ending the call, I opened Marielle’s public page and scrolled through her recent posts. Soon, in a few casual photos, I saw something I knew too well.

The pet wolf in her chamber was wearing the small outfit I had prepared for my pup.

The soft cloth had been bitten out of shape, soaked with saliva.

On the fur rug nearby, the toys I bought were torn into pieces.

My teeth clenched so hard my chest hurt and I could barely breathe.

If those were random items, maybe it would not have cut so deep.

But they were not.

Those clothes were gathered by asking respected elders from different packs. They were passed down from their own pups.

I repaired each piece carefully, washed and dried them under moonlight, pressing them smooth, filling them with my blessings for my pup’s future.

The toys were gifts from old allies and kin when they learned I carried an heir.

And Ronan personally took them away. To give them to his mistress’s pet.

All calm left me. I held my belly and rushed toward the company tower.

The front guard froze when he saw me and quickly stood straight.

“Luna, Alpha Ronan cannot meet anyone right now.”

I ignored him and walked forward.

He hurried after me and blocked my way, lowering his voice.

“You truly cannot enter.”

Before I answered, sounds drifted from the half-closed office door at the end of the hall.

A woman’s forced and uneven breathing mixed with a man’s low laughter. The dull sound of furniture hitting the floor followed.

Heat rushed to my head, then faded at once, leaving my limbs cold.

I did not look at the guard again.

I raised my hand and pushed the door wide open.

The door struck the wall loudly.

Everything inside was exposed.

The desk was messy, scrolls scattered, a chair pushed aside. Ronan leaned against the desk, his clothes disordered. Marielle leaned against him, her skirt wrinkled, her face red.

The air smelled heavy and sickening.

Marielle jumped. The next second, tears filled her eyes and she pressed herself into Ronan’s chest.

I stood at the doorway, fingers digging into the wood, pain tightening across my belly.

“Ronan.” My voice trembled.

“Why did you give the clothes I prepared for my pup to this woman’s pet?”

As soon as she heard that, Marielle’s tears fell.

“Luna… Valea…” Her voice sounded soft and wronged. “A few days ago, I saw those little outfits on Alpha Ronan’s crystal screen. I thought they were adorable, so I joked that my pet would look cute wearing them.”

“The next day, Alpha Ronan brought me the clothes and toys. I truly did not know they were for your pup. If I had known, how could I accept them?”

Pain throbbed in my head. I had barely parted my lips when Ronan let out a short laugh. He looked down at her gently.

“Why explain so much to her?”

“How could you not accept them?” His tone was careless. “Those old worn garments, letting a pet use them is suitable enough.”

A loud buzzing filled my mind.

Old?

Suitable for a pet?

My voice scraped out slowly. “Ronan, those were the clothes I asked from—”

“Enough.” He cut me off impatiently. “Must you turn everything into a scene?”

He patted Marielle’s back lightly, his tone dismissive.

“What you did during your mother’s remembrance upset Marielle. I sent a few clothes and toys to comfort her. What is wrong with that?”

He looked at me with cold eyes.

“And now you storm into the company to shout?”

Comfort her?

Using our pup’s clothes and toys to please his mistress?

I stood still in the office, the pain in my chest making each breath heavy.

I once believed that no matter how Ronan treated me, he at least cared about the pup.

I believed he would become a worthy Alpha father.

Now I finally understood that it was only my own dream.

Our pup was not even born, yet he could already take everything meant for her and use it to please another she wolf without hesitation.

I did not dare imagine that if my daughter were truly born, would she one day have to fight a pet for her own clothes?

The last bit of hope I had shattered completely.

When I stayed silent, Ronan stepped closer instead. He bent slightly, his eyes falling on my belly, then said with a gentle voice, “Little one, when you arrive, your father will buy you the finest and most beautiful garments in all the Alpha kingdoms, alright?”

“We do not need those old clothes from other packs.”

He reached out and lightly pinched my cheek, smiling the same charming smile as always.

“Do not look so upset, little crier,” he said softly. “Be good. I will make it right for you.”

Looking at the face I once knew so well yet now felt so far from, a bitter laugh rose inside me.

There was a time when Ronan and I stayed in this same tower office night after night, studying trade maps, speaking with allied packs, planning future territories.

Now the floor was covered with scattered scrolls, overturned documents, and even used protective charms thrown carelessly onto the carpet.

Everything in the room felt filthy.

The crushing feeling rose in my chest. I covered my mouth and rushed out.

I barely made it to the washroom before I threw up, my body shaking until I could hardly stand.

When I returned home, I never mentioned the clothes again.

Instead, I quietly packed every item prepared for my pup. The garments, the toys, the small storybooks of wolf legends, the moon charm hanging for the cradle.

I had them all sent to the house I purchased years ago in a distant human land beyond pack borders.

Ronan noticed nothing.

He thought I had finally learned to be understanding.

So he began sending gifts to please me.

Expensive maternity robes made from rare fur, limited edition jewelry blessed by minor priests, designer garments stacked high in the walk-in closet.

I never touched them.

Each time he sent a batch, I had someone remove them just as quickly.

At the same time, Marielle began streaming more often from her chamber. Sometimes, during her broadcast, with a slight turn of her head, Ronan would appear in the background.

At times he handed her water. At times he leaned close to whisper to her. At times only his blurred profile could be seen.

Even those brief moments caused excitement among viewers. More and more began pairing their names together.

Some envied her. They said Marielle was fortunate. They said Ronan was strong, wealthy, gentle, and willing to appear publicly by her side.

But not all voices praised them. Soon other comments surfaced.

“Is this not betrayal?”

“So cheat long enough and it becomes true love?”

“When Alpha Ronan once pursued Luna Valea, did he not give her everything and almost kneel for her?”

“Let us be honest. He is only playing.”

Reading those words late at night, my thoughts drifted back many years.

In the Royal Werewolf Academy, I was the top student of my division. Moon scholarships, combat contests, elder recommendations, everything came easily. My life was the library tower, the training field, and ancient spell books.

While Ronan was the opposite.

He skipped lessons, arrived late, ignored instructors, and lived wildly. If not for Elder Ardena, I would never have crossed paths with him.

That year, with her support, I completed my studies without worry. She treated me kindly and spoke plainly.

“Ronan’s wolf runs untamed. You steady him.”

I agreed.

So I dragged him to lectures, forced him to train properly, made him finish assignments, even arranged his study scrolls.

I used every simple method I knew to make him behave like a future Alpha.

Slowly, he changed.

He arrived on time. He left his reckless circle. He began focusing on study and real responsibilities.

Later, Ronan fell in love with me openly and fiercely.

He cut off all unclear bonds, declared before the entire academy that he was courting me and began taking on serious duties to prove himself.

Many said I was the chain that anchored Ronan.

Back then, I believed it. I thought I was special. I thought I was the one who saved him.

Now I see clearly. I was never a chain. Perhaps I only appeared earlier than the others.

Three days remained before the mating bond would be dissolved.

Today was the fifth anniversary celebration of Moonbond. We prepared for a full year.

I believed that even if our bond was broken, Ronan would still keep reason when it came to the company.

Moonbond was not only my work. It was the kingdom we built from nothing, the heart of the company, and the shared memories of countless wolves.

Because I was carrying a pup and easily tired, Ronan was meant to stand on the stage tonight as the main Alpha.

Two weeks ago, during rehearsal, everything went smoothly.

I assumed today would be the same.

The host’s voice echoed with excitement as he introduced the special guest of the night.

The lights brightened.

The one who was meant to rise onto the platform was a newly famous wolf actor we paid heavily to invite.

Instead, Ronan slowly rose from beneath the stage platform, holding Marielle’s hand tightly in his own.

I felt as if moon magic had frozen my whole body in place.

In my ear crystal, the voices of the backstage warriors came low and tight. Several kept asking what went wrong, yet no one dared rush onto the stage to stop it.

The crowd went silent for one breath.

Then anger exploded like a storm.

“Where is the star we came for?”

“Who is she? Did she walk onto the wrong stage?”

“Get down!”

Marielle gripped the moon mic. Her voice trembled. The moment she tried to sing, she lost the tone.

Her weak singing completely fell apart under pressure. Each line sounded worse than the last.

My head buzzed. Ignoring all rules, I almost rushed backstage and ordered them to cut the music.

But someone stepped in front of me. His face was tense.

“Luna… this was Alpha Ronan’s arrangement.”

His men blocked me from going onstage.

Meanwhile, Marielle forced the song to the end. The shouting grew louder.

According to the schedule, Ronan was next to speak.Under countless floating cameras, he began calmly.

“In these past years, for Moonbond to reach today, we must thank someone. Marielle Evergrove.”

“Because if it’s not for her livestream support, Moonbond would not have grown so fast. Today’s success belongs partly to her.”

The audience erupted again.

I closed my eyes. My chest tightened again and again. My communicator shook nonstop in my hand. The public relations team. Investors from other Alpha kingdoms. Trade partners. Core elders.

Calls came without pause. Yet Ronan stood proudly on that stage, openly shielding his mistress. He used everyone’s hard work as a gift to please her.

After he finished, the host almost ran out to fix the disaster, quickly bringing back the planned program and inviting the famous young wolf actor we had paid heavily to attend.

Only then did the atmosphere calm a little.

But the rest of the event felt rushed and broken.

Offstage, Ronan stood beside Marielle, speaking softly. Her eyes were red as she whispered.

“It is all my fault. If I had not sung poorly, they would not shout at you.”

Ronan answered gently, almost indulgent.

“It is fine. Wolves forget quickly. This will pass.”

I could not bear it any longer. I stepped forward and raised my communicator before him.

On the screen, the top trending tags glowed.

#MoonbondFiveYearAnniversaryDisaster

#AlphaVallorenBringsMistressOnStage

I looked at him and spoke each word clearly, “You think it’s not serious? Alpha, tell me. Who will repay the losses from tonight?”

He clearly did not expect such backlash from the online packs.

The livestream channel was flooded with mocking comments and anger. The backstage message box was exploding.

I held the screen toward him. Within seconds, more partner calls came in.

He only frowned slightly. “Is it truly that severe? Players only want comfort. Give them some free spirit skins and limited outfits. They will forget.”

He continued speaking lightly, “I will cover tonight’s losses. Stop making a scene.”

As soon as he finished, several partners hurried over and pulled him aside to deal with the chaos.

After Ronan left, the quiet and obedient mask on Marielle disappeared. The fear on her face faded, replaced by a faint smug smile.

“Luna, even if you carry a pup, what does it change? You still cannot keep your Alpha.”

“You are already being pushed aside. Why not step down yourself? If you wait to be cast out, it will look worse.”

I looked at her calmly, then said, “Who do you think you are, speaking to me this way?”

Her face stiffened. Anger flashed in her eyes as she opened her mouth.

I did not let her continue. My hand struck her across the face. The sound was clear in the tight backstage room.

“Being a mistress is shameful enough. But someone as low as you, this is the first time I have ever seen.”

She covered her cheek, stunned. Then tears poured down.

Almost at once, Ronan rushed back in. He shoved me aside without restraint and pulled Marielle into his arms.

“What happened? Marielle, who hurt you?”

Curled against him, Marielle cried harder.

“Alpha… I only wanted to explain things to Luna Valea… But she called me low and suddenly struck me…”

Her lies flowed smoothly.

Ronan had pushed me so hard I stumbled backward. My back hit a metal camera stand, sharp pain shooting through me.

My stomach tightened painfully. But Ronan’s eyes were already cold as he looked at me.

“Valea, have you caused enough trouble?”

“Look at yourself. What part of you still resembles Luna of Valloren? You look like a jealous and loud woman.”

“What proper she wolf behaves like this, bullying an ordinary girl?”

“How did you become so cruel? We have been mated for five years. How did you turn into this? Where is the gentle Valea from before?”

I held my belly. My fingers were cold. I fought back the sting in my nose.

“So what?”

“Is kindness only when I endure everything, hide and cry, stay silent, and never fight back? Is that your meaning of gentle?”

“Like before, staying in the den feeling pain alone, pretending not to see anything, only then am I a good Luna in your eyes?”

I lifted my head and looked at him. My voice trembled.

“I am not the same as five years ago.”

“And you, Alpha Ronan… You bring your mistress into our territory more boldly each day. Are you still the same Ronan who once swore he loved only me?”