Liam's car was gone when Katie pulled back into the mansion's driveway.

Great.

It meant she had time to sneak around.

She had always respected his boundaries, but not anymore.

Very cautiously, she made her way to the private study Liam had always kept her out of.

She pushed the creaking door open to find a room crammed with papers and books.

Her eyes found a safe in the corner, partially hidden behind a bookshelf.

When she reached the safe, she tried to think of the password number.

She used Dakota’s birth date and the safe clicked open.

Inside was a written contract between Liam and the Ember Moon Pack. As she read Ruby's sale terms, her eyes grew wide. It was true!

Next to the contract, she found a medical record, detailing the acquisition of a rare potion linked to Dakota's treatment.

She swiftly used her phone to take pictures.

Just as she was ready to go, she heard the front door open and knew Liam was back.

Katie hastily placed the documents back in the safe but bumped into Liam at the door who looked surprised as hell to see her there.

"What are you doing in here?" he asked, eyeing her all over.

She tried to think fast. "I was looking for you. The door was slightly ajar, and I thought you were in here. We planned on going to the park, right? You've been pushing for it for weeks, and it's Ruby's favorite place. It helps me feel closer to her."

"Let me take a shower first," he said in a soft voice as he caressed a flyaway hair from her face. "How come your eyes are bloodshot, though? Have you been crying again?”

Anger swept through Katie, but she controlled herself. "I had a dream that Ruby died."

Liam froze for a moment before he brought his strong arms around her. "The Moon Goddess will take pity on us and Ruby will be found eventually. Don’t worry."

Katie gripped her dress with her fists, refusing to hug him back. The audacity of him, pretending to be concerned about their daughter's disappearance when he was, in fact, her killer.

He guided her out of the study, and they walked to their room together. Katie sat on the bed while he jumped into the shower.

Her eyes fell on his beeping phone on the nightstand.

She had always assumed that the password was her name, just like he had told her. However, when she tried typing it in, the phone remained locked.

‘Deekay’ was the nickname Liam used to call her cousin Dakota. She wondered if he might have used it as a password.

Of course it worked.

The first thing Katie saw was a discussion about the cozy vacation house that her parents had given to her as a wedding gift.

She had spent countless special events and holidays there with her family as a child.

But then Liam had just gifted Dakota for being pregnant with his heir!

Dakota carrying Liam's child? Her stomach churned at the thought.

There were also pictures of the house being refurbished to Dakota's taste.

Liam had deceived Katie by adding his name to the deed of the house.

He said he would be able to protect it better if anything went wrong. And, foolishly, she had trusted him, because she loved him.

There were older messages from Liam, declaring his love for Dakota, and Dakota's responses, saying she couldn't bear the secret relationship anymore.

Liam consoled her by saying, "When the time is right, my love, I'll dump my good-for-nothing wife. You know you're my true mate."

Katie felt like she was reading a nightmare. She also saw transaction receipts for expensive things Liam had bought for Dakota.

Things he had rebuked her for asking for.

It got worse. There were nasty messages between them talking about their sex escapades.

Liam also said she couldn’t satisfy him like Dakota did. And it seemed like the moon goddess locked her womb after giving birth to that frail daughter.

She couldn't take it anymore and locked the phone, her eyes stinging with tears.

She remembered how she was never Liam’s fated mate but only chosen by both their families.

Dakota was his first love, and they had been forced to break up when Dakota went overseas for her schooling.

Katie had married Liam at twenty years old, two years after Dakota left, and had given birth to Ruby.

Now, six years had passed, and Katie realized that her entire marriage was a total waste of her time.

Dakota had returned a year ago terribly sick, and Liam found the potion to save her.

Now she knew it was at the expense of her child.

The phone vibrated again, and a message from Dakota popped up in the notification bar.

"Honey, where are you? You have to come with me for a prenatal visit. I miss you, by the way. And please bring my favorite creamy mushroom soup you always bring."

Katie's anger and hurt turned to disgust. Liam had always made her cook the soup regularly even though he didn’t like it.

He claimed that he brought the soup for his beta's elderly mother.

Such a liar.

The sound of the shower stopped, so she quickly placed the phone back.

Liam came in with a bathrobe and grabbed his phone, glancing through.

"I'm sorry, but the pack needs me. Can we reschedule our outing?"

With a tight-lipped smile, Katie answered, "It's okay."

He placed a hand on her shoulder, saying, "I would make it up to you, okay? Oh, and another thing, can you help me make that creamy mushroom soup you always do?"

Katie answered bluntly. "I'm sorry but I won’t cook today. I'm not feeling too well."

Liam's countenance went from composed to shocked. "You don't feel good? "What's wrong?"

With a shrug, Katie got to her feet. "It's simply a headache, nothing more. Go take care of your pack business."

Before now, she had never turned down any of his requests, even when it was inconvenient.

Liam looked puzzled, his eyes searching hers for any sign of what was really going on. "You usually want to tag along when I go out or want me home with you. Now it seems like you want me to leave."

"The pack needs you and I need my rest."

She excused herself without saying anything more and left the room, leaving Liam looking perplexed and worried.

She took out her phone and called the clinic as soon as she was out of sight. "Hello, I'd like to schedule an appointment for an abortion,"

"We have an opening tomorrow morning, Luna. Can you come in at 10 am?"

"Yes, that works. I'll be there."

There was no way she was having Liam’s baby.

Liam left the house that night but didn’t return home. For the first time, Katie didn’t care.

Her 26th birthday arrived the following morning. She wasn't shocked when Liam didn't call or message her because she hadn't thought he would remember.

He always forgot her birthdays. Their anniversaries. Any important event really.

She freshened up and dressed in a black lace dress, taking a mirror photo. She shared it on Instagram with a caption: "Another new year."

The comments flooded immediately, with friends and acquaintances wishing her a happy birthday.

But Liam didn't even see the post, let alone comment.

Katie sighed and made her way to the hospital.

Before long, her fingers were gripped together as she sat in the waiting chair. Suddenly, a pregnant lady and a woman who appeared to be her mother sat next to her.

The pregnant lady's mother gushed about how she couldn't wait to be a first-time grandma.

Something changed inside Katie as she listened and her maternal instinct took over.

So when the doctor called her name, she stood up and shook her head. "I'd like to keep the baby,"

She already lost Ruby, but she was going to protect this little one with her life. And Liam had no right to know about it.

As she left the clinic, she came across Dakota’s internet post.

It was a celebration for her new makeup line. In the background, Liam could be seen.

She drove to the venue and found Liam and Dakota in a secluded spot. Liam's hand was on Dakota's stomach. Their cheeks were beaming with joy as they laughed.

Dakota praised Liam for organizing the “awesome party," and Liam said that she should be celebrated more since she was carrying his heir.

Katie’s disgust grew. So he forgot her birthday and threw a party for his mistress?

She cleared her throat to draw their attention. They were startled.

Dakota began, "Katie, please don’t misunderstand. My own fiancé isn't in town yet, so Liam came just to help."

Katie folded her arms across her chest. "So you could invite my husband yet you didn't invite your cousin?”

"I apologize for forgetting. I assumed you were gonna be busy.”

Katie raised her brows. "The Alpha himself isn't busy, so why would the Luna be busy?"

Liam was quick to contribute. "I really didn't want to bother you, you said you were unwell. I only came because Dakota is delicate, being pregnant."

Katie pretended to be surprised. "Oh, really? Congratulations, Dakota."

Dakota gave her best smile. "Thanks cousin."

Then she added, "Oh, isn't it your birthday today?"

"Yes, why?"

Dakota grabbed the cake from the nearby table. "How about you have this? It was supposed to be mine for the celebration, but the flavor isn't good for the baby. Liam has already sent for another of my choice."

With a cheesy smile she handed the cake to Katie.

Katie's eyes shifted from the cake to Liam’s face.

Liam took a step closer. "I was actually going to send you a birthday surprise, but now you've ruined everything."

Katie knew he was lying. He hadn't remembered her birthday.

She forced a wry smile. "Thanks, Dakota. I'll take it."

She had to hold back from smearing her doll-like face with the white buttery cake.

"I'll be on my way home." she announced.

Liam called after her. "I'll join you soon."

Her eyes rolled in exasperation as she reached the exit. She quickly tossed the cake in the bin then went home.

Afterwards, Liam showed up with a lot of pricey presents. Katie looked around the room, uninterested.

Liam’s smile was as broad as a Cheshire cat's. "Kate, happy birthday. I chose these presents just for you. I hope you love them.”

Katie stared at him dead in the eye and stated calmly, "I don't want them. I don't want anything from you."

Liam's face scrunched in amazement as Katie declined the gifts.

"What's wrong with you?" he asked, irritated. "You're being paranoid because I went to support your own cousin?"

Katie shot him an icy glare. "You're missing the important part – you both had a freaking relationship."

"That was such a long time ago." He growled.

The tense moment was broken when Dakota suddenly arrived.

With a sweet smile, she held a modest wrapped gift. "It wasn’t nice that I found the cake in the trash. Perhaps you didn’t like it? I came with another gift you might want."

"Oh goddess, what do you want?" Katie asked dryly. "I might have to disinfect this house now that a pest got in."

"Hey, be nice." Liam cautioned.

Just then, his phone rang, so he excused himself to the other side of the room.

Dakota’s attitude changed instantly.

"Aren’t you just a worthless bitch? You’re pained Liam didn’t acknowledge your birthday right?"

Scoffing, Katie folded her arms. "Oh, so you couldn't keep up the pretense of a good girl for long, right?"

Dakota shot daggers at her. "Can you stop talking? Liam was mine first, and I'm only taking him back."

Katie took the small box from her and threw it at her face. "Get out with your gift. I don't accept gifts from snakes."

Dakota shot her an evil smirk as she pierced her sharp fingernails into her own wrist. Then she started screaming for help as her blood dropped on the marble floor.

Liam rushed back, his face furious.

"What's going on?"

Dakota’s voice was shaking as she pretended to cry. "Your wife just came at me for nothing. I was only trying to give her a gift."

Liam grabbed Katie by the neck, almost choking her. "You're cruel," he yelled. "How could you hurt a pregnant woman?"

Katie struggled to breathe, her eyes bulging as she tried to pry Liam's hands off her neck. He released her abruptly and pushed her carelessly.

Katie fell, her stomach striking the staircase hard.

As she yelped in pain, Liam put his arm around Dakota. "Let's get that checked."

Katie was horrified as she felt blood trickling down her thighs.

She called out to Liam, but he didn't spare her a glance. His attention focused solely on Dakota.

Her eyes began to blur as she slowly lost strength.

Desperate for help, she mind linked with the gamma of the pack. "Please, come help me," she whispered, before losing consciousness.

When she woke up, the doctor sadly announced that she lost the baby. The impact of the fall was too severe.

Katy sobbed uncontrollably till she went numb.

This was the saddest birthday ever. No kids. No mate. No love.

She walked idly out of the hospital after being discharged.

She didn't realize a car was approaching until she heard the blaring horns. The owner ran out, and his face came into view.

It was Dakota's arranged fiancé, Lucian Knight, Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack!

Previously, she had only seen pictures of him. This was their first meeting in person.

He was so tall, ridiculously handsome and had this powerful aura.

As Lucian grabbed her hand, Katie felt an electric connection. "Are you okay? Were you planning to get yourself killed?" he asked, concerned.

Her wolf stirred in her head, and it hit her that they were mates!

She had given up on her real fated mate, thinking he was dead, and had fallen in love with Liam instead.

Lucian, too, had felt the connection. He had spent years searching for his mate, and now, here she was.

"Get into the car," he said gently. "I'll take you home. You look like a mess."

Katie didn't resist, getting into the limo's seats.

The silence between them was quite heavy until Lucian spoke up. "Isn't it your birthday today? I saw your photo on Instagram."

Katie nodded quietly. "Yes."

Lucian's eyes narrowed. "Why didn't your husband celebrate with you?"

"That's because my husband was busy with your own fiancée, Dakota."

Lucian pinched his nose bridge and exhaled.

"Dakota isn’t who I thought she was."

Katie gazed at him. "You know about it?"

He drummed his fingers on his lap, looking away. "Even though I've been busy with my pack and other businesses, I made my findings, and I knew for like a few days now."

Katie scrubbed a hand over her face. "Well, I found out yesterday. And my husband is actually a monster."

There was a short pause before Lucian spoke up again.

"Do you feel the mate bond between us?" he asked with an intense stare now.

Katie gave a stiff nod. "Yes. Crazy, right?"

Lucian's face broke into a smile, and he leaned in closer. "How about an even crazier proposal?"