Five years after my bonding ceremony with Damien Blackwood, he was declared dead following an assault on a rogue encampment.

When his twin brother returned with the news, my inner wolf howled in agony as our mate bond shattered, and my world crumbled with it.

The agony of the Withering threatened to consume me.

I couldn't accept the reality of losing him. I tried to take my own life five times.

Each time, Damien’s mother, Lyra, or his twin brother managed to save me.

They pleaded with me to live on, for the sake of Damien’s last wish for my happiness.

But in the third month of my mourning, I discovered the truth—he had never died.

He'd deceived me.

He'd taken his twin brother's name, staying by Seraphina Thorne's side day and night.

He told me he still loved me. He swore he'd explain everything once she delivered an heir for the pack.

To protect Seraphina and her unborn pup, he asked me to move out of the Alpha mansion.

Then, he promised, he would bring me home.

But don't bother, Damien.

I'm never coming back.

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1

This was the fifth time I had collapsed on the verge of the Withering. And once again, I was saved against my will.

My grief was so overwhelming that I lost all control.

The love of my life, my fated mate, Damien Blackwood, was gone.

My wolf curled up inside me, and all the light drained from my life.

That night, I slipped away to the pack’s memorial grove.

I wanted to go to his memorial stone, just to be near him for a while.

Just as I reached the entrance, I heard a voice. It was my mother-in-law, the Luna Lyra Blackwood.

“Damien, are you sure you want to keep up this charade?” Lyra asked, her voice laced with exhaustion.

“I have no choice, Mother. Seraphina just lost her mate, and she's carrying Kaelan's only legacy. The shock would kill her if she learned the truth. I'm sure of it.”

“But Elara will find out sooner or later. What do you plan to do then?” Lyra demanded.

“I’ve already used the illusion spell to sever my mate bond with Elara, making her believe I’m truly dead.”

I froze.

What were they talking about?

Wasn't Damien dead?

Who was impersonating whom?

“Seraphina just lost her mate, Mother! How could I not worry about her? Once she gives birth and has a reason to live, I'll reveal everything to Elara. I trust she'll understand.”

They were talking about Seraphina Thorne, the mate of Damien’s older brother, Kaelan Blackwood.

Lyra sounded utterly helpless as she insisted, “Even so, you shouldn't be impersonating Kaelan! Elara is heartbroken enough as it is. Have you considered the pain she'll feel when she discovers you, her mate, are not only alive but also pretending to be Kaelan to stay by Seraphina's side?”

Pretending to be Kaelan?

My mind went blank. It wasn't until that moment that I realized it was Kaelan who had died.

For the past three months, Damien had been impersonating Kaelan!

A bone-deep chill washed over me, as if I'd been plunged into a frozen lake.

Damien and Kaelan were twins.

Since they were pups, they had been identical.

Even Lyra mixed them up sometimes.

But I never thought Damien would use that to deceive me.

My heart clenched painfully as I recalled Damien's cold distance over the past three months and the intimacy he shared with Seraphina.

There was a time when he was just as gentle with me.

From the day we first met, his gaze had never left me.

Even after our bonding ceremony, every moment we shared was filled with love and desire.

But now, this was how he treated me.

He had been deceiving me all along…

Distraught, I stumbled back to my room and collapsed onto the floor, an empty shell, my spirit shattered.

I thought this was my home, but Damien had destroyed it with his own hands.

Finally, I activated my secret communicator and contacted my parents, Alistair and Isolde Crestwood.

“Elara, how have you been? Are you okay?”

My mother's voice broke the tense silence.

“Your mother and I miss you terribly. When are you coming home to visit?” my father added.

Hearing their voices, tears stung my eyes.

I had been a lone wolf since childhood, separated from my family. It was only two years ago that I found my birth parents.

But I couldn't bear to leave Damien, so I never told him I had reconnected with the powerful Crestwood Clan.

Who would have thought Damien would treat me like this…

“Mom, Dad, I…” I started, but I didn't know how to explain it all.

Finally, I choked out, “Mom, Dad, I miss you. I don't want to be a lone wolf anymore. I want to come home.”

My parents were thrilled. They immediately announced they would send someone to pick me up.

Damien and I met at the Moon Goddess Festival five years ago.

At the time, I had no intention of finding a mate.

When he asked me to dance, I’d brushed him off with a sharp no.

However, he didn't push. Instead, he watched over me silently, in his own way.

He brought me berries still wet with morning dew every day. He always appeared by my side with a dry cloak whenever it rained.

Even when I fell ill from being unable to control my powers, he never left my side, tending to my every need.

Slowly, he won my heart. When he professed his love for me again, I finally said yes.

When he found out I had been separated from my family and grown up as a lone wolf, he held me gently and promised to give me a home.

But now, this was no longer my home.

Perhaps it was time to leave.

Suddenly, Damien strode into my room.

He frowned, his Alpha aura carrying a hint of pressure. “Elara, who were you just contacting? I sensed an energy fluctuation. Where are you going?”

I took a deep breath, forcing down the ache in my chest. “What are you talking about? I didn't contact anyone. I'm not going anywhere. I just wanted to go for a walk to clear my head.”

His gaze narrowed. “Are you telling the truth? I know you're devastated by Damien's death, but you need to take care of yourself. His last wish was for you to be happy.”

“If you want to travel, I'll take you myself when I have the time. Don't do anything foolish like trying to take your own life again.”

I nodded silently.

Damien was about to say more when Seraphina emerged from her room, her face pale.

She clutched her stomach, crying out, “Kaelan, my stomach… the cramping is unbearable. There's blood…”

Damien’s focus snapped to her, his body going rigid. “What's wrong? I'll take you to the medical center right away!”

He swept Seraphina into his arms and rushed out of the room.

As he hurried past, he didn't even glance at me, commanding in a tone that brooked no argument, “Elara, come with us. Your abilities can soothe her emotions.”

I had no choice but to get up and follow them. My heart tore itself to shreds as I watched my mate carry another woman.

As soon as we arrived at the medical center, Seraphina was taken for a series of examinations.

Finally, the healer returned and said, “Congratulations, Ms. Thorne. You are one month pregnant. However, her body is under a great deal of stress. She'll need extra care to ensure the pregnancy remains viable.”

Seraphina was pregnant?

I stood there, stunned, while Damien’s face lit up with elation.

He grasped Seraphina's hands tightly, exclaiming, “This is incredible! We're finally having a pup, Seraphina!”

Seraphina looked equally happy. “Thank you, Kaelan.”

Watching them share their intimate moment, jealousy, sharp and bitter, twisted in my gut.

Damien had once showered me with such deep love, but now, he gave it all to another woman.

“There's one more thing,” the healer said. “The patient requires a transfusion of rare 'True Blood' to stabilize the pup's life force, and I'm afraid the pack's reserves are insufficient. Does anyone here possess 'True Blood' from an ancient lineage? It would be best to transfer some to the patient.”

At the healer's words, Damien’s head snapped toward me. “You have 'True Blood,' Elara. Please, help Seraphina.”

I was taken aback.

I never expected him to make such a request.

“I…”

Damien cut me off. “Elara, I know this is a big ask, but Seraphina is weak. If she doesn't get this energy infusion soon, both she and the pack's heir will be in danger. Please, save her! I'm begging you! I'll compensate you with anything.”

Seeing the desperate plea in his eyes, my heart filled with bitterness.

He once cherished me with all his heart, but now, he was asking me to give up my precious bloodline for another woman's child.

How ironic.

But in the end, I agreed.

After all, a life was growing in Seraphina's womb.

Giving up a little 'True Blood' was a small price to pay.

What broke my heart was his betrayal.

“Alright. I'll do it.”

Surprise flickered across his face, as if he hadn't expected me to agree so easily.

“Thank you, Elara! You're so selfless!”

He looked at me gratefully.

I caught a flicker of guilt in his eyes, but what difference did it make?

I had already lost all faith in him.

I lay on a bed in the medical center as the healer inserted an energy-channeling needle into my arm.

Watching my life essence flow out of my body, my heart was as cold as ice.

The last time I lay here was after a battle with rogue werewolves.

Damien had frantically carried me in.

Just before my treatment, he held my hand, his eyes filled with tears as he said, “My love, I swear I will never let you suffer again.”

And now, he had shattered that promise with his own hands.

After giving the 'True Blood,' I went home alone.

The house was empty, my presence the only sign of life.

Damien was still at the medical center, keeping Seraphina company.

It was as if he had completely forgotten about me.

A few days later, Seraphina was discharged.

Damien brought her home and took meticulous care of her. He wouldn't even let her pour a glass of water for herself.

He also told all the neighbors that he was going to be a father, reveling in a joy that wasn't rightfully his.

Seeing their happiness, a familiar ache throbbed in my chest.

I had dreamed countless times of having a pup with Damien, fantasizing about the three of us sharing a happy life. Now, that dream was nothing but ash.

To thank me, Seraphina suggested taking me to dinner.

“Thank you so much, Elara. If it weren't for you, the pup and I might not have made it,” Seraphina said, holding my hand.

On her wrist was a moonflower bracelet Damien had woven to please her.

I forced a smile and replied, “Of course. I'm glad I could help.”

After we got to the restaurant, Damien took the menu and ordered some calming herbal tea and all of Seraphina's favorite foods.

He spent the entire meal doting on her, as if I wasn't even there.

Not wanting to see their loving display, I kept my head down, focusing on my food to avoid watching them.

Suddenly, my throat closed up. A searing heat tore through me, my skin prickling as if on fire. I gasped for air before collapsing to the floor.

My vision went black.

Damien had ordered it because Seraphina liked it, completely forgetting my fatal allergy to the herb.

Damien's head snapped toward me, his eyes wide with alarm. He rushed to my side, helping me up.

However, Seraphina clutched her stomach and cried out, “Kaelan! My stomach hurts so much...”

At her cry, Damien dropped me, scrambling to her side. “What's wrong, Seraphina? Are you feeling unwell?”

He held her and left without a second thought.

I watched them go, a new kind of fissure cracking open in my chest.

Just before I lost consciousness, I heard the footsteps of the pack guards.

When I regained consciousness, I found myself lying in a stark bed at the medical center.

There was no one beside me.

All I saw were the healing runes silently glowing around me.

Neither Damien nor Seraphina had come to see me.

It was as if I didn't exist at all.

I checked myself out of the hospital.

As soon as I reached the entrance of the medical center, I saw Damien.

His arm was wrapped protectively around Seraphina, his focus entirely on her.

When he saw me, a flicker of guilt crossed his face before he masked it. “Elara, you're discharged?” he asked.

I nodded without a word.

He spared me a single glance before his attention returned to Seraphina.

“Be careful, Seraphina. Don't fall.”

Hearing his gentle, concerned voice, a bitter pang of jealousy struck me.

He used to care for me like that, but now, Seraphina was the only one he cared about.

Not wanting to see them anymore, I turned and walked away.

As I returned home, I passed some pack members and overheard their conversation.

“Alpha Kaelan is such a good mate. Ever since Seraphina got pregnant, he's been so attentive!”

“Poor Elara, though. Lost her mate so young, and now she’s all alone. Did you hear she nearly died?”

My nose stung with the threat of tears.

They were right.

The moment Damien decided to deceive me, I lost my mate.

That night, Damien suddenly returned.

He placed some restorative herbs on the table and said, “Elara, I bought these for you.”

I thanked him stiffly, but my heart remained a block of ice.

His concern felt like a hollow gesture now.

Suddenly, the world went black as I collapsed, the combined weakness from the blood donation and allergic reaction finally overwhelming me.

I wasn't sure how long I was unconscious.

When I woke up, I was back in the medical center.

Relief flooded Damien’s face.

He rushed over and hugged me tightly, exclaiming, “Elara! You're finally awake! I'm so happy!”

His voice cracked with emotion.

I could feel his body trembling.

I started to speak, but he cupped my face, his lips descending toward mine.

I pushed him away, my gaze cold. “Be careful, Kaelan.”

He froze. “What did you call me?”

Panic flared in his eyes before he stammered, “I'm sorry, Elara. I... I was confused. I thought you were Seraphina.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, he fled the room.

Of course, I knew he wasn't confused.

He was just pretending.

Watching him flee, the last shred of hope in my heart crumbled to dust.

The man I once loved so deeply was now a complete stranger.

After returning home, I lay in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Suddenly, my communicator vibrated.

It was my mother.

“Elara, I'm sending someone to pick you up in three days. Are you ready?” my mother asked with concern. “We've prepared a room for you. We're just waiting for you to come back.”

Tears pricked my eyes. “I miss you guys so much too. Yes, I'm almost ready. I can leave in three days.”

Just as I cut the communication, the bedroom door suddenly opened.

Damien strode in, furious. “What's this about leaving? Where are you going?”

I frowned and ignored him, but he snatched my communicator, his Alpha command lacing his voice. “Were you contacting those outsiders again? How many times have I told you not to associate with werewolves of unknown origin?”

Snatching the communicator back, I finally snapped. “What right do you have to order me around? I'm not your property! You've kept me confined to the pack lands ever since I got back from the hospital.”

“You won't let me work or even see my friends! How far are you going to push me?”

Damien was taken aback.

A flash of panic crossed his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. “Elara, I'm doing this for your own good. You haven't fully recovered. What if you faint outside again?”

I retorted coldly, “You don't need to worry about me. You should be worrying about Seraphina. As for me, my mate is dead, and I have the right to live my own life!”

Damien stared at me, a mixture of conflict and disappointment clouding his eyes.

After a long silence, he left.

I collapsed onto the floor, silent sobs wracking my body.

That night, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Suddenly, my bedroom door burst open, and a tall figure stumbled in—it was Damien.

He reeked of alcohol, clearly drunk.

He fumbled his way to the bed, held my hand tightly, and said, “I love you, Elara. I really love you. Don't leave me, okay?”

His voice was choked with emotion.

I could feel the warmth of his hand.

However, I yanked my hand from his grasp and stared at him coldly. “You're drunk.”

He shook his head, his eyes hazy. “No, I'm not drunk. Do you have any idea how much I love you, Elara?”

“From the moment I left on my mission, I couldn't stop thinking about you. Every day, my wolf howled to return to your side.”

“But I had no choice. Seraphina is pregnant. I couldn't just abandon her. Can you forgive me, Elara, please? After she has the baby, I will...”

He trailed off and began to lean in, his hot breath fanning across my lips, trying to kiss me.

I shoved him away and shouted, “Kaelan! Snap out of it! I'm Elara, not Seraphina!”

Just then, footsteps sounded at the door, and Seraphina appeared in the doorway.

The moment she saw us, her expression twisted into a mask of fury.

I quickly composed myself and explained, “Kaelan is drunk, Seraphina. I think he mistook me for you.”

“You should take him back to your room.”

Seraphina didn't speak.

She shot me a cold glare and then helped Damien away.