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."

After I was discharged, I returned home to a situation far worse than I had imagined.

The villa was filled with at least ten unfamiliar werewolves.

Healers, nutritionists, and several strong Betas.

"Luna, I'm Dylan, the healer assigned to manage your pregnancy," a middle-aged male healer approached me. "Alpha Kael has arranged the best team to care for you and the pup."

Care.

The word sounded warm, but I knew it meant surveillance.

"Do I need 24-hour medical supervision?" I asked.

"Of course," Dylan smiled gently. "Your wolf's condition is unique, and you've been under a lot of stress lately. We must ensure the safety of both mother and child."

I looked around. There were people "caring" for me in every corner.

A nutritionist was in the kitchen preparing special meals.

Two nurses were in the living room organizing medical equipment.

Even outside my bedroom door stood a female Beta who claimed to be my "personal assistant."

This wasn't care. It was house arrest.

The next morning, while I was having breakfast, I heard a commotion outside.

Several pack staff were huddled together, whispering with grim faces.

"What's wrong?" I asked one of the nurses.

"Nothing, Luna. Please, focus on your meal," she waved her hands nervously.

But I could tell something was wrong from her expression.

When they weren't looking, I pulled out my phone and checked the werewolf forums.

As I expected, discussions about Selene stealing my design had exploded.

[Is the Red Fang Heir a Thief?]

[Did Selene really create that rune design?]

[Why did Luna Clara make such a scene in public?]

[Unstable Luna vs. Fraudulent Heir: Who's Lying?]

The comment section was even more heated:

"I think Clara has a point. That design style doesn't seem like Selene's work..."

"But didn't Clara lose her wolf? How could she create such a complex rune?"

"Maybe she designed it before she lost her power?"

"The Red Fang pack might be in for a huge scandal..."

A flicker of hope ignited within me.

Maybe the truth would finally come out.

Around noon, Kael rushed home, his face dark and stormy.

His wolf radiated a scent of anger and agitation, and everyone in the house instinctively kept their distance.

"Everyone out," he ordered coldly. "I need to speak with the Luna alone."

The room emptied instantly.

Kael sat across from me, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous light.

"You're pleased with this, aren't you?" he asked.

"With what?"

"All this talk online." He slid a tablet in front of me. "You think you've finally found people who believe you?"

I looked at the screen and saw the situation had completely changed.

The top post on the forum was an official statement, published by Kael himself.

[An Official Medical Statement Regarding the Mental Health of Luna Clara of the Silver Moon Pack]

"Following a diagnosis by a team of professional healers, my Luna, Clara, has been found to be suffering from a severe psychological condition known as 'Lunar Hysteria,' resulting from her trauma three years ago. The main symptoms include persecutory delusions, memory fabrication, and misattributing the achievements of others as her own.

Clara is currently receiving professional treatment, and I hope everyone can show understanding and compassion for a patient's behavior.

Regarding the dispute over the rune design, I can confirm it is Alpha Selene's original work. To prove this, I am now releasing another of Alpha Selene's designs..."

Below was another rune design.

My eyes widened.

It was one of my early, unfinished drafts.

I remembered it clearly. It was in my private notebook.

"You stole my drafts?" I looked at him in shock.

"I didn't steal them," Kael said calmly. "You are my Luna. Everything that is yours belongs to me, including your work."

"That was my life's work!"

"Now it's Selene's," he looked at me coldly. "Clara, you need to face reality. No one will believe a mentally unstable, wolfless woman. Everyone will sympathize with a talented heir who has been falsely accused."

I scrolled down and saw the comments had completely flipped:

"So Clara has a mental illness... that explains everything."

"Poor Selene, being humiliated by a sick person."

"Alpha Kael is so patient, having to care for a wife like that."

"This second design is even more brilliant! Selene is a genius!"

I looked up, furious. "How could you? You know the truth!"

"The truth?" Kael scoffed. "The truth is you are carrying my child, and you need to give birth to it quietly instead of causing trouble online."

"I made those designs!"

"Where's your proof?" he shot back. "What proof do you have? Your computer's hard drive? Your sketchbooks? Your witnesses?"

It hit me then.

For three years, all my personal belongings had been under his control.

Destroying any evidence would have been effortless for him.

"For the stability of the alliance, and for the child in your womb," Kael stood and walked over to me, "you will cooperate."

"And if I don't?"

"Then you'll be harming our child." His hand rested on my stomach. "Clara, do you want our pup to be born with the stigma of having a mentally ill mother?"

He was threatening me with our own child.

I picked up the tablet, wanting to argue, to defend myself.

But Kael snatched it from my hands.

"Be good. For the greater good, you must endure this," his voice was soft, but his eyes were ice. "If you have any problems, come to your Alpha."