After I pushed him away, a flicker of hurt crossed Kael’s eyes, quickly replaced by fury.

His scent turned dangerous.

An Alpha’s instinct was to take his mate by force.

"Clara, you can't refuse me like this," his voice was low and threatening. "I am your Alpha."

"You are, but not now." I hugged myself tightly. "I need time to calm down."

He stared at me for a long moment before finally scoffing and heading upstairs.

The next morning, Kael came downstairs, his expression all business, clearly on his way to manage the fallout from last night.

"Clara, about last night..." He sat across from me, his expression serious. "I've looked into the matter."

I put down my coffee cup and looked at him.

"He blamed a low-ranking data clerk from the Red Fang pack, a man named Marcus. He confessed to stealing your design drafts three years ago and presenting them to Selene."

Kael’s face was calm, as if he were recounting a trivial matter. "Selene is innocent. She merely used the drafts as inspiration, improving upon the original concept."

I couldn't believe my ears.

"And you expect me to believe such a ridiculous story?"

"Marcus has already signed a confession and been exiled from the pack."

Kael stood up, adjusting his tie. "The matter is closed. Clara, I need you to let it go. Selene is innocent, and you shouldn't have humiliated her in public."

"Humiliated her?" I shot up from my chair. "She's the one who stole my design!"

"Enough!" His wolf gave off an impatient scent. "The matter has been investigated. What you need to do now is consider the bigger picture."

The bigger picture.

Always the bigger picture.

"Tomorrow night is Selene and her mate Ethan’s anniversary party."

Kael picked up his briefcase. "You will attend with me, you will apologize to her, and you will present a united front for our alliance."

"I'm not going."

"You will go," his tone left no room for argument. "As the Luna of the Silver Moon pack, it is your duty."

After he left, I sat alone in the dining room, the anger in my chest about to explode.

Just then, my encrypted phone vibrated.

A message from Europe: [Extraction greenlit. Three days, midnight, North Harbor docks. Codeword: Moonlight Forest. We are go.]

The sender: A.M.

I knew it was from my grandfather's assistant, Ben.

Looking at the message, a surge of excitement washed over me.

In three days, I would be free from this nightmare.

As I was about to delete the message, I heard footsteps from the study.

Kael's back?

My thumbs flew, and I quickly switched to my spam folder, pretending to clean out my inbox.

"Forgot a file." Kael appeared in the living room, but his gaze landed on my phone. "What are you looking at?"

"Just clearing out spam," I said casually. "Shopping ads and stuff."

He walked over, his nostrils flaring slightly.

A wolf's sense of smell is incredibly keen; he could smell the change in my emotional scent.

"You were excited just now," he frowned. "Why?"

"Probably saw a good discount," I said calmly. "You know how it is with a good sale."

He stared at me for a few seconds, trying to determine if I was lying.

"Let me see your phone."

"Why?"

"I'm your Alpha. I have the right to know what you're doing." He held out his hand. "The phone."

I had no choice but to hand it over.

He scrolled through my spam, then checked my inbox and sent mail.

Thankfully, I had already deleted all relevant messages.

"Just junk mail," he said, handing the phone back, but his eyes were still full of suspicion. "Clara, if you're hiding something from me, you'd better tell me now."

"There's nothing," I shook my head. "What could I possibly hide from you?"

He watched me for another moment before finally nodding.

"Remember, you must attend the party tomorrow night."

The next evening, Selene and Ethan’s anniversary party was held at the city's most luxurious private club.

The venue was a fairytale of white roses and shimmering silver ribbons.

The air was filled with the pleasant scents of happy werewolves.

I wore a black evening gown, a stark contrast to the warm atmosphere.

"Clara!" Selene greeted me as soon as she saw me. "I'm so glad you could make it!"

She reached out to hug me, but I took a step back.

"Happy anniversary," I said coldly.

"Thank you." A flash of triumph crossed her eyes before she turned to Kael. "Alpha Kael, thank you both for coming."

"Of course," Kael smiled gently. "You and Ethan are a perfect match."

I watched them interact, a wave of nausea rising in my stomach.

An hour into the party, I noticed Kael growing distracted, his gaze restlessly scanning the room.

When he saw Selene and Ethan talking intimately, his wolf gave off a complex mix of emotions.

Jealousy, longing, and a deep sense of resentment.

"I'm going to get a drink," he said, quickly leaving my side.

But he didn't go to the bar. He went to a corner table and started drinking moodily.

Watching Kael drink alone, a terrible truth dawned on me.

He was jealous of Ethan.

He was jealous that Ethan could openly have Selene.

I wandered through the venue alone. No one spoke to me.

Everyone avoided the "mentally unstable" Luna.

Tired of walking, I decided to get some fresh air on the balcony.

The club had tiered balconies, and I found a relatively secluded one.

Just as I was about to head back inside, I heard voices from the level above.

"...I can't go on like this, Kael."

It was Selene's voice.

I quietly moved to the staircase and peered through the reflection in the glass door.

The scene made me freeze.

In the reflection, I saw Selene clinging to Kael, her face buried in his chest.

"Ethan is too weak," Selene's voice was choked with tears. "He’s nothing like a true Alpha. I need a true Alpha, Kael. Someone like you."

Kael’s hand gently stroked her back, his wolf exuding a scent of comfort and protection.

"Selene…" his voice was soft.

"If I break my bond with Ethan," she looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, "will you mark me?"

My heart nearly stopped.

Kael was silent for a few seconds before pulling her into a tighter embrace.

"You know the situation is complicated right now."

He didn't answer directly, but his actions spoke volumes.

"I know," Selene nuzzled against his chest like a pup seeking comfort. "But Kael, I can't wait much longer. My wolf craves you every day."

"Just give me some more time," Kael kissed her forehead. "I'll handle everything."

I felt the world spin.

The mate mark on my chest burned fiercely.

I clapped a hand over my mouth and stumbled away from the balcony.

I ran out of the club and into the back garden.

A river flowed nearby, its current swift under the moonlight.

My stomach churned, and I leaned over the riverbank, dry heaving.

It all made sense now.

Kael had never loved me.

He only marked me to shield Selene, to buy her time to secure her position as heir.

And I was just a tool in their plan.

"Clara?"

Selene's voice came from behind me.

I slowly turned to see her walking gracefully toward me, her cheeks still flushed from Kael's comfort.

"What are you doing out here?" she asked with concern.

"I saw," I looked straight at her. "You and Kael on the balcony."

"Saw what?" she feigned innocence.

"Your embrace, your conversation... everything."

Selene's expression slowly changed.

The pretense of innocence vanished, replaced by pure malice.

"Oh, so you heard everything," she chuckled. "Saves me the trouble of acting."

"Why?" my voice trembled. "Why would you do this to me?"

"Why?" Selene sneered. "Clara, you have no idea how much I've always hated you."

She advanced on me, her eyes filled with undisguised jealousy.

"You're the true daughter of the Red Fang pack, with the purest Alpha bloodline. I'm just an adopted stray. The moment I heard my father had found you, I knew my good days were over."

"But I never wanted to compete with you for anything…"

"Shut up!" she snapped. "You think I'd believe that? The moment you regained your strength and revealed your true Alpha power, where would that leave me, the adopted daughter?"

My eyes widened.

"So you know what happened with that rogue attack."

Selene’s smile twisted. "Right after you were found, I contacted Kael. I told him if he helped me cripple your wolf and turn you into a useless waste, I could remain the Red Fang heir, and the alliance between our packs would be stronger than ever."

"What?"

"Why do you think Kael showed up just in time to 'save' you? Why do you think he was so 'kind' as to marry you?" her voice grew shrill. "It was all planned!"

I felt my world crumble.

"The attack three years ago... you planned it?"

"Of course! Those rogues were Kael’s men. Their mission was to injure you badly, to sever your connection to your wolf, but not to kill you."

Selene gloated, "Then Kael could swoop in as your savior, mark a 'cripple' like you, and make everyone think he was so merciful."

"And I would continue to be the secure heir of the Red Fang pack."

"The Silver Dust..."

"That was my idea, too," she nodded. "We had to make sure you never regained your strength. After all, a true heir with a pure Alpha bloodline could awaken at any time."

I could barely stand.

Three years of pain and humiliation, all a meticulously crafted conspiracy between her and Kael.

"You... why would you be so cruel?"

"Cruel?" Selene burst out laughing. "Clara, this is the world of wolves—survival of the fittest. You're too naive, thinking you could just waltz back into the pack and claim your birthright."

She moved closer, her eyes venomous.

"You know what the most ironic part is? Kael is sick of you. Every night he's with me, all he talks about is what a burden you are. He wishes he could get rid of his useless Luna, but he's afraid of damaging his reputation."

"You're lying..." my voice shook.

"Lying? Then why do you think he still hasn't completed the final mating ceremony with you? Why does he never talk about the future?"

Selene sneered, "Because in his heart, you're not worthy of him! He loves me! He has always loved me!"

My wolf roared inside me.

Even suppressed by the Silver Dust, the rage and despair made it fight to break free.

"Have you had your say?" I trembled.

"Done? Not even close!" Selene's face suddenly contorted with madness. "Clara, did you know? After tonight, you won't be a problem anymore."

She grabbed my arm and shoved me toward the river.

"Go die, you wolfless waste!"

The icy water swallowed me whole.

The swift current pulled me downstream as I struggled desperately to surface.

"Help!" I screamed with all my might. "Kael!"

Just then, I heard a familiar voice shouting from the riverbank.

"Selene!"

It was Kael, his voice filled with panic and urgency.

I saw him rush out of the club and dive into the river without hesitation.

But he wasn't swimming toward me.

He was swimming toward where Selene had fallen in.

Before Kael ran out, she had jumped into the river herself.

I watched in horror as he pulled Selene from the water, holding her tightly in his arms.

"Selene, are you okay?" His voice trembled with raw concern.

"Kael... I almost died..." Selene sobbed in his embrace. "Clara's lost her mind... she tried to drag me down with her..."

"What?" Kael looked toward the river in shock, but by then I had been swept far downstream.

"She said I had to pay for stealing her design, then she grabbed me and jumped into the river..." Selene wept. "Thank goodness you came..."

I tried desperately to shout, to explain, but water filled my mouth.

"Where's Clara?" Kael asked.

"She... she was washed away..." Selene clung to him. "Kael, I'm so scared..."

Kael glanced downstream, then focused all his attention on the woman in his arms.

"It's okay, I'm here now," he soothed her gently. "Let's get you back inside. You need to change."

I was swept away by the river.

And my Alpha, my husband, chose to believe another woman’s lies, chose to abandon the search for me.

When I opened my eyes again, I was staring at the white ceiling of a hospital room.

I was in a bed, hooked up to monitors.

My head throbbed; I must have hit a rock in the river.

"You're awake," a nurse said, checking my vitals. "You were in the river for a long time before someone found you. You're lucky they got to you in time, otherwise…"

"My mate?" I asked weakly.

"Alpha Kael?" The nurse looked uncomfortable. "He's... he's with another lady. I heard she also fell in the water and was quite shaken up."

I closed my eyes.

Even when I was on the brink of death, he still chose to be with Selene.

"I'd like to rest."

"Of course. Press the button if you need anything." The nurse left.

I was about to drift off when I heard familiar voices outside the door.

It was Kael and his Beta.

"Are Clara's test results back?" Kael's voice sounded exhausted.

"They are, Alpha," the Beta’s voice was strange. "And there's an unexpected discovery."

"What is it?"

"Alpha... Luna Clara is pregnant. About six weeks along."

I froze.

Pregnant?

"Are you sure?" Was that... a hint of joy in Kael's voice?

"Positive. And according to her bloodwork, the child possesses an incredibly strong Alpha bloodline. It's likely because Clara was the pure-blooded heir of the Red Fang pack. Even with her wolf suppressed, the power in her blood remains."

"In that case..." Kael was silent for a moment. "This child... is a valuable asset."

Valuable. Asset.

"Alpha, what do you mean?"

"Let Clara have the child. A pup with the pure bloodlines of two great packs will undoubtedly become a powerful Alpha," Kael's voice became cold and calculating. "Once the pup is born, I can officially dissolve my mate bond with Clara."

"And Alpha Selene...?"

"There will be no obstacles then. An ex-mate who has borne my child is much easier to deal with than a burden I have to constantly protect."

I felt my heart tear in two.

In his eyes, my only value was for breeding.

"But Alpha, Clara's actions tonight..."

"Selene was right. Clara is likely mentally unstable due to her damaged wolf. After the child is born, I'll have her committed to a private sanatorium," Kael’s voice was cold and detached. "It will be for the best."

The footsteps faded away.

I lay in the hospital bed, silent tears streaming down my face.

Half an hour later, Kael came in.

He wore a look of concern, like a good Alpha worried about his mate.

"Clara, how are you feeling?" He sat by my bed, taking my hand. "The doctor said you're going to be fine. I'm so relieved."

"How is Selene?" I looked at him.

"She was badly frightened, but she's physically okay," Kael's eyes held a hint of blame. "Clara, can you tell me what happened last night?"

"I..."

"Selene said you were emotional and tried to kill you both." His tone turned stern. "Is that true?"

I looked at him, this Alpha who had once sworn his undying love to me.

Now, he believed another woman's lies without a second thought.

"What do you think?"

"I think you need treatment," his expression turned cold. "Your mental state is unstable, Clara. If this continues, you'll hurt yourself and others."

"Like hurting Selene?"

"Yes," he looked me straight in the eye. "Selene is innocent. She doesn't deserve to be the target of your resentment."

I couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

"By the way, I have some good news," Kael's face suddenly broke into a smile. "You're pregnant."

He said it with a calculated gleam in his eyes.

"We're having a pup, Clara. Isn't that wonderful?" He kissed my hand. "This child will be strong, with the best bloodlines from both our families."

"However," his tone suddenly grew serious, "regardless of the outcome, after the pup is born, I'm sending you to a sanatorium. That is the price you will pay for what you did to Selene."