After escaping the burning house, I stumbled through the smoke, coughing until my lungs hurt. My chest felt painfully tight as I spotted an old phone booth by the roadside. With trembling hands, I picked up the receiver and dialed the number I had memorized years ago.

“Alaric...” My voice barely came out above a whisper. “Does your offer still stand? Can I... still return to the pack?”

Silence lingered for a moment before his familiar, deep voice reached me, warm and steady.

“Always, Arianne,” he answered without hesitation. “The Northern Pack has never stopped waiting for you. Everyone keeps asking when their favorite she-wolf is finally coming home.”

I closed my eyes and gripped the receiver tighter.

“There's just one problem,” I admitted quietly. “Changing my identity will take at least three days, and slipping out of New York won't be easy. Rowan knows me too well. He'll never let me leave if he realizes what I'm doing.”

Alaric sighed softly.

“You're right. Rowan has always been possessive where you're concerned. The moment you step outside that glass house, he'll know. So how are you planning to get away from him?”

I drew in a shaky breath.

“Then I'll make sure the only thing he finds... is my dead body.”

The words left my mouth without emotion, yet they carried every ounce of my resolve. If he'd been able to let another woman become me, then I could disappear from his life forever.

Before I could say anything else, a pair of strong arms suddenly wrapped around my waist from behind.

I gasped.

“My wife...” Rowan's voice cracked as he buried his face against my shoulder. “Thank goodness you're safe. If I'd lost you today... I don't think I'd want to keep living.”

My body went completely rigid.

Every instinct screamed at me to shove him away, to run as far as I could, yet I couldn't make myself move.

“Luna, are you hurt?” Kieran asked as he hurried over. Anxiety was written all over his face. “Alpha rushed into the fire after you. He knew you couldn't see. The chandelier almost came down on both of you.”

“Kieran.” Rowan cut him off sharply. “That's enough.”

His arms tightened around me.

“She made it out alive. That's all that matters. I couldn't care less about the house... or anything else.”

Smoke clung to his clothes. Ash stained his skin, and several places on his jacket were scorched from the flames.

My heart clenched.

I hated that it did.

I hated that he had risked his own life to save mine after letting Celeste steal the life that should have been mine all along.

Then my gaze landed on the person walking toward us.

Celeste.

She emerged from the lingering smoke dressed in spotless white, calmly pulling a suitcase behind her as though the fire had never happened.

“Alpha Ashcroft,” she greeted gently.

Rowan immediately released me, though I sensed his reluctance. After smoothing his hair, he turned to face her.

“Sweetheart,” he said softly, “one of my business associates is here. Just give me a moment.”

He walked over, took both of her hands, and began signing.

Why did you come here by yourself? Didn't I tell you I'd visit tonight? I wanted to stay with you and the babies to make sure you were safe.

Celeste answered in fluent sign language, her expression filled with guilt.

I missed you. I wanted to come because I owe Lillian an apology. I've done her wrong, and I wanted to make things better.

Rowan slowly shook his head.

“No... you're not the one who owes her anything.”

His fingers moved with quiet sorrow.

I've failed both of you. I forced you to live someone else's life because of my own selfish decisions. I lied to Lillian, and I trapped you inside those lies too. Everything happened because I was too afraid to face the truth.

He gently rested his forehead against hers.

I couldn't let Lillian find out... and I couldn't bear to lose you either. I kept convincing myself I was protecting both of you, when really I was only protecting myself.

Celeste's eyes softened as she signed again.

I never wanted any of this, Rowan. I only wanted Lillian to be safe... and our baby too. You've been carrying this burden alone.

Rowan leaned forward and kissed her.

It wasn't passionate.

It was tender.

Heartbreaking.

When they finally pulled apart, he smiled faintly before signing once more.

I've already picked our babies' names. If it's a boy, he'll be Rowann. If it's a girl, she'll be Chanelle.

Something inside my chest shattered.

This was my Alpha.

My mate.

The man who had once sworn there would never be another woman.

Yet every belief I had built my life around was crumbling right before my eyes.

Why did love have to hurt this much?

Almost exactly a year earlier, I had discovered I was carrying his child.

I thought fate had finally chosen happiness for us.

Rowan had been ecstatic.

He reserved an entire hot spring resort so we could celebrate alone, insisting we deserved time away from the rest of the pack.

Everything felt perfect.

Then his phone rang.

A young woman was crying on the other end. Her voice was faint, but I heard enough to know she was desperate.

For reasons I couldn't explain, my heart began to sink.

Rowan crouched beside me and kissed my stomach.

“My love,” he whispered, “there's an emergency back at the pack. Wait here for me. I'll come back as soon as I can.”

I believed every word.

I waited.

Morning passed.

Then night.

I stayed there believing he'd return.

Instead, an avalanche came crashing down the mountain.

Snow swallowed everything in its path.

Our unborn pup...

Our baby...

was gone.

I lost the child before I ever had the chance to hold them.

Later, I saw Rowan resting his hand against Celeste's pregnant belly.

He touched her with the same tenderness he'd once shown me.

The same gentle smile.

The same promises.

The same careful affection.

A bitter smile found its way onto my lips.

The only one buried beneath that winter's snow had been me.

Not long afterward, I overheard him speaking to her.

“Sweetheart,” he said warmly, “I've been busy with pack matters, so I hired a nutritionist to look after you while I'm away.”

His hand covered hers with effortless familiarity, and the look in his eyes was impossibly gentle.

As though she were the only woman who mattered.

“Hello, Miss Brightman,” the nutritionist greeted politely.

Miss Brightman.

Not Mrs. Ashcroft.

Not Luna.

Not me.

For a split second, Rowan hesitated.

Then he said nothing.

He didn't correct the mistake.

He didn't even react.

He simply accepted it.

I dug my nails into my palms so hard they nearly broke the skin, forcing myself to stay silent instead of falling apart where I stood.

A few moments later, Rowan draped a thick wool coat over my shoulders.

“You'll catch a cold,” he said gently. “Let's head home.”

I instinctively turned toward him.

But from the corner of my eye, I saw Celeste give him a small nod.

Rowan leaned down and pressed a lingering kiss against her lips.

The tenderness between them wasn't accidental.

It was natural.

Comfortable.

Like something they'd shared countless times before.

That evening, I watched him move around the kitchen.

Nothing had changed.

He still served me soup with the same careful attention he'd always shown, placing the bowl in front of me as though I were precious.

Then he turned toward Celeste.

With a smile, he wiped a streak of sauce from the corner of her lips.

His eyes shone with unmistakable affection.

He signed playfully,

You're unbelievable. How can someone be this adorable?

I lowered my gaze to the bowl in front of me.

The soup was warm, but I couldn't taste it.

My eyes stung, yet no tears came.

I wanted to cry.

I desperately wanted to.

But I couldn't.

Because I knew that smile.

I knew those gentle hands.

I knew the softness in his eyes whenever he looked at someone he loved.

And at that moment, the truth became impossible to deny.

Every embrace.

Every promise.

Every gentle touch he'd given Celeste...

None of it had been an act anymore.

Somewhere along the way...

Rowan had truly fallen in love with her.

And I had become nothing more than the forgotten woman he left behind.

unbearably heavy.

Even if I could see again...

What difference would it make?

Would I simply witness him choosing Celeste with my own eyes? Would every lie become impossible to ignore?

A long silence followed.

Then Rowan answered.

“No.”

The doctor sounded stunned.

“...No? Alpha, perhaps you misunderstood me. This is wonderful news. She has a real chance to recover her vision.”

Rowan's reply came without the slightest hesitation, colder than winter itself.

“Didn't Pierce explain the situation? For the past five years, I've instructed him to prescribe nothing beyond ordinary supplements.”

The room fell silent.

When the doctor finally spoke again, disbelief filled his voice.

“You mean you've deliberately withheld the treatment? Alpha... that's wrong. Lady Lillian deserves to know the truth. She deserves the opportunity to recover.”

Rowan released a slow breath.

“And if she regains her sight, then what?” he asked evenly. “Have you considered what happens after that? What becomes of Celeste once everything is exposed?”

“With all due respect, Alpha,” the doctor insisted, “your mate's well-being should be your priority. You can't keep her blind simply because it makes your situation easier.”

“It isn't about convenience.”

Rowan's tone turned dangerously calm.

“It's about maintaining balance. I'm protecting both of them, and that decision isn't yours to question.”

My fingers instinctively closed around my wedding ring.

They wouldn't stop trembling.

So...

He had known all along.

He knew my blindness wasn't permanent.

He knew there was treatment that could have given me my sight back.

And he chose to keep it from me.

Why?

Was I nothing more than someone easier to control if I remained blind?

Someone he could hide away whenever it suited him?

A sharp snap broke through my thoughts.

Only then did I realize I had yanked the ring from my swollen finger with so much force that it tore the skin. Blood slowly trickled between my fingers, warm against my palm.

I turned and ran.

I wasn't even sure where I was going.

All I knew was that I had to get away before I fell apart.

By the time I reached my room, I was shaking so violently I could barely breathe.

My shoulder struck the edge of a table.

A framed wedding photograph toppled onto the floor with a loud crash.

I stared down at it.

In the picture, Rowan was gently kissing my forehead, his eyes overflowing with love and devotion.

As though I had once been his entire world.

“Why...?” I whispered hoarsely. “Why would you deceive me like this?”

Tears slipped down my face before I even realized I was crying.

Then, somehow...

I started laughing.

A broken, hollow laugh echoed through the room.

“Haha... Rowan...” I choked out. “You're incredible. You planned every bit of this, didn't you?”

Nausea twisted violently in my stomach. I bent over, retching as bitterness burned my throat.

“All those years I blamed myself... all those nights I thought I was broken... you made sure I'd never know the truth.”

I cried until there were no tears left.

Then I picked up the photograph.

I removed it from the frame.

Without hesitating, I fed it into the paper shredder.

The machine slowly pulled the picture inside.

Its grinding sound echoed through the room while tiny strips of paper fell into the bin below.

With every piece it destroyed, it felt as though another part of my heart disappeared with it.

Every promise.

Every memory.

Every “I love you.”

Reduced to scraps.

“My love... what are you doing?”

Rowan's voice came from behind me.

I never looked back.

Silently, I gathered the shredded remains and dumped them into the trash.

“Nothing,” I answered calmly.

“It was just... a damaged file.”

“I don't need it anymore.”

He walked closer, frowning.

“A damaged file?” His eyes narrowed as he glanced at the shredded paper. “Why does that look so familiar? Lillian... what exactly did you—”

The bedroom door opened before he could finish.

“Rowan.”

Celeste's gentle voice floated into the room.

He turned immediately.

Without another glance at me.

She entered carrying a bouquet of white lilies, their fragrance filling the room almost instantly.

“I brought these,” she said shyly. “I thought Lillian might like them.”

The concern in Rowan's eyes appeared at once.

“You shouldn't be walking around so much,” he said. “What if something happens to you... or the baby?”

She smiled reassuringly.

“I'm alright. I only wanted to do something thoughtful.”

Rowan accepted the bouquet before placing it into my arms.

“These are for you.”

Celeste smiled sweetly.

“Happy birthday, Miss Brightman.”

The overwhelming scent struck me immediately.

My throat tightened.

I couldn't breathe.

A violent coughing fit overtook me, tears streaming uncontrollably from my eyes.

Rowan frowned.

“What's wrong? Are you allergic to lilies? Why didn't you tell me before?”

Before I could answer, Celeste walked behind me and gently covered my eyes with both hands.

She laughed softly.

“Come on,” she teased. “Just a few more steps. No peeking. I prepared a surprise especially for you.”

I didn't resist.

I simply let her guide me forward.

What reason did I have to argue anymore?

“Okay,” she said brightly. “Ready?”

She removed her hands.

“Surprise!”

My eyes settled on the dining table.

Raw meat sat across the marble surface, still dripping with fresh blood. White foam clung to it as though it hadn't even been washed properly. Beside it, the vegetables were burned beyond recognition, blackened from being left over the fire too long.

I simply stared.

Was this supposed to be a gift?

Or was I the one everyone was laughing at?

Celeste suddenly slapped a hand against her forehead.

“Oh no!” she exclaimed. “I completely forgot. Miss Brightman... you can't really see, can you? I didn't even think about how this would look.”

She covered her mouth in embarrassment, acting as though she'd made an innocent mistake.

Rowan immediately took both of her hands.

His movements were gentle as he signed reassuringly.

It's alright. Don't blame yourself. Lillian won't take something like this personally. She's not that sensitive.

Not that sensitive.

Celeste lowered her eyes, her fingers moving hesitantly.

Why do I keep messing everything up? I only wanted to make her happy, but I can't seem to do anything right.

Rowan smiled with quiet affection.

Don't say that. You're trying your best, and that's enough for me. You never have to be perfect.

She sniffled before signing again.

I baked her a mango cake too. I thought maybe something sweet would cheer her up.

Rowan turned toward me with the same gentle expression that had once made me believe I was loved.

“Come on, sweetheart,” he coaxed softly. “She put a lot of effort into this. At least have a taste.”

I remained exactly where I was.

My hands slowly curled into fists.

I was exhausted.

Not physically.

Emotionally.

I didn't think I had anything left to give.

“Rowan,” I said at last, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Do you even remember what today really is?”

He looked confused.

“What are you talking about?” he asked. “Today's your birthday.”

I met his eyes.

“No.”

A painful smile touched my lips.

“It isn't.”

Silence settled between us.

Finally, I broke it.

“Today is the anniversary of our son's death,” I said quietly. “The day the avalanche buried everything... the day you never came back.”

His expression faltered.

For the briefest moment, I caught something in his eyes.

Regret.

Maybe guilt.

At that point, I couldn't tell the difference anymore.

I glanced at the mango cake still in his hands.

“And one more thing,” I added. “I'm allergic to mangoes.”

His face drained of color.

“Lillian... I...” His voice stumbled. “I didn't know. I thought—”

“No,” I interrupted gently. “You never thought about it.”

“You're wrong.” He took a step toward me. “Please don't walk away like this. We can talk. I know you're hurting, but don't push me away.”

I slowly shook my head.

“I'm not angry anymore.”

I looked at him one last time.

“I'm simply tired of talking.”

Without another word, I walked past him.

I ignored him calling my name.

I ignored Celeste's quiet sobs.

And when Rowan's voice softened as he turned to comfort her instead, I kept walking without looking back.

...

The moment I reached my room, I closed the door and shut the rest of the world outside.

Sleep eventually claimed me.

I had no idea whether I'd been asleep for hours or nearly the entire night.

A faint noise downstairs pulled me awake.

Voices.

Soft footsteps.

I slowly opened my eyes.

Rowan was sitting beside my bed.

He watched me with the same gentle expression he used to wear years ago.

“My love,” he said quietly after noticing I was awake. “You're finally up.”

I offered no reply.

I only looked at him.

“I made something for you.” His voice was careful, almost hesitant. “A strawberry cake. It's your favorite. Will you eat a little?”

When his fingers reached for mine, I quietly pulled my hand away.

“I'm not hungry.”

His hand remained suspended awkwardly before he lowered it with a sigh.

“Don't pretend,” he murmured. “You're still upset with me, aren't you?”

I remained silent.

After a long pause, he tried again.

“Once things settle down at the pack, I'll take you out. Your favorite orchestra is performing soon. We can go together, just the two of us. Doesn't that sound nice?”

I turned my face toward the window instead, refusing to answer.

He pressed his lips together before taking my hand again.

This time he didn't let go.

“Celeste prepared something especially for you,” he said. “She arranged an animal performance because she wants to apologize properly. Just come see it. Please.”

“I don't want to.”

The words came quietly.

He ignored them.

Naturally.

Without asking again, he slipped one arm beneath my knees and lifted me into his embrace before carrying me downstairs.

The cold night air struck me the moment we stepped outside.

I wore nothing but a thin nightgown.

The freezing wind instantly made me shiver.

My body trembled uncontrollably.

Rowan either didn't notice...

Or he noticed and simply chose not to care.

My eyes followed him as he picked up several warm coats nearby.

For one foolish second, I thought one might be for me.

It wasn't.

Every piece belonged to Celeste.

He walked straight to her, carefully helping her into a thick protective outfit. He adjusted every strap himself, gently settled the padded jacket over her shoulders, pulled gloves over her hands, then carefully fastened a safety helmet beneath her chin.

His every movement was impossibly patient.

As though she were something precious that might break.

When he finished, he leaned over and kissed her cheek.

“Don't overwork yourself,” he told her softly. “You and our baby matter more than anything else. Nothing is more important than keeping both of you safe.”

The wind carried every word to where I stood.

A moment later, Celeste pulled away the heavy cloth covering a large iron cage.

I immediately froze.

Inside paced two enormous beasts.

A fully grown black bear.

A shadow lynx.

Their claws scraped violently against the metal bars as restless growls echoed through the clearing.

The instant the cover disappeared, both animals stopped moving.

Then...

They looked directly at me.

“ROAR!”

The bear's thunderous roar shattered the silence.

Its dark eyes remained fixed on mine with terrifying intensity.

My heart nearly stopped.

Why...

Why were they staring at me like that?

Almost instinctively, I backed away.

Then a strange scent drifted through my memory.

The lilies.

The bouquet Celeste had given me earlier.

That overpowering smell...

A chill raced through my body.

No...

Surely not...

I swallowed hard before forcing myself to speak.

“Rowan...”

My voice shook.

“I don't feel well. Can we leave? Please... I really don't want to stay here.”

Once upon a time, he would've rushed to my side without hesitation.

He would've carried me inside.

Asked if I was hurting.

Made sure I was alright before anything else.

Now...

His brows drew together impatiently.

“Lillian,” he said with obvious annoyance, “don't start making trouble. Celeste has been preparing this for days. Can't you stay for a few minutes instead of spoiling everything?”

Spoiling everything.

The words stung far more than they should have.

I forced another breath.

“I'm not trying to ruin anything. I honestly don't feel well. Can we please leave afterward... or even now?”

He let out another sigh.

“You're worrying over nothing. Nothing bad is going to happen. Just watch the performance. It'll be finished soon.”

Watch?

I nearly laughed.

Celeste stepped into the performance area while carefully holding the control chains attached to the animals.

“I practiced every day for this,” she said nervously. “I really wanted to make it up to you. Please... let me do this.”

I couldn't bring myself to answer.

The performance began.

The bear and the lynx obediently leaped through flaming hoops before balancing across narrow wooden beams. Everything appeared perfectly under control.

“That's right...” Celeste encouraged shakily. “Slowly... good... just like that.”

Rowan applauded proudly.

A bright smile spread across his face.

“You're doing wonderfully,” he praised. “I knew you could.”

His eyes never left her.

Not once.

Not even for a second.

He had completely forgotten that this performance was supposedly arranged for me.

But even that wasn't what frightened me most.

My breathing became uneven.

My hands wouldn't stop shaking.

Because no matter where they moved...

The bear and the lynx kept looking at me.

Again.

And again.

Every time our eyes met, something inside their gaze seemed darker.

Hungrier.

Like they were waiting for the perfect moment.

I quietly stepped backward.

Then another step.

I have to leave.

Now.

No one noticed me.

Of course they didn't.

I had almost slipped beyond the edge of the clearing when—

“Ah!”

Celeste screamed.

I spun around.

She had lost her balance on the raised platform.

Her body tipped sideways.

The control chains slipped from her hands.

Everything happened at once.

The bear and the lynx became completely still.

Then deafening roars erupted from both of them.

“Celeste!”

Rowan shouted her name without a second's hesitation.

He sprinted straight toward her.

“Celeste! Are you alright? Talk to me!”

He reached her first.

Not me.

Never me.

The two beasts slowly turned their heads.

Toward me.

My breathing stopped.

“No...”

I stumbled backward.

“Please...”

Too late.

They charged.

Everything happened in a blur.

A crushing force slammed into me.

Agonizing pain exploded through every part of my body as claws tore into my flesh. It felt as though my bones were breaking apart one by one.

“Aah!”

My scream echoed through the night.

The pain was unbearable.

I couldn't think.

Couldn't breathe.

I collapsed onto the ground as blood spread beneath me, warm and endless.

Through my fading vision...

I searched for him.

Rowan.

He was holding Celeste tightly in his arms.

He never looked my way.

Not even once.