On the day of my marking ceremony, my mate, Alex Burke, and my sister, Rose Roth, are caught mating in the dressing room. This renders me the laughingstock of the entire pack.

While I'm drowning in humiliation, the Alpha, Nate Hyland, steps forward and marks me in front of everyone!

After we get married, Nate treats me exceptionally well. However, we're never able to conceive a pup. Eventually, I turn to IVF and finally get pregnant.

Nate becomes even more attentive to me. He even calls me "Darling" in his sleep. I think this is a blessing from the Moon Goddess.

This continues until I hear the conversation between Nate and his Beta one day.

"How could you, Nate? Luna Diana adores you and cares for you so much. But just because Rose is scared of pain and doesn't want to go through pregnancy, you secretly switched their eggs and made Luna Diana carry her child? The pup is due in two months! What are you going to do about this?"

Nate goes silent for a moment. Then, he sighs softly and replies, "When the pup is born, I'll hand him to Rose and let her live out her dream of being a mother. I'll tell Diana the pup was stillborn. She's just an abandoned Omega. Staying with her for life is compensation enough."

So all the love and tenderness he showed me is fake.

I immediately schedule an abortion, as I don't want this filthy pup. And I am certainly not holding on to this sham of a marriage either.

I may be an Omega, but I am no one's pawn.

"How could you do this? Aren't you afraid that Luna Diana will notice?"

There was a long moment of silence before Nate Hyland replied coolly, "She won't find out."

"Why are you so sure?" his Beta asks.

"She depends on me completely." He sounded so sure of himself as he said that without hesitation. "She'll believe whatever I tell her."

His Beta went silent for a few seconds before lowering his voice and saying, "Then I hope you won't live to regret it."

Nate let out a light and relaxed chuckle, like there was nothing to worry about. "That day will never come."

The truth was unimaginably cruel.

I stood outside the meeting room with my nails digging so hard into my palm that they drew blood.

But at that moment, I didn't feel a thing.

I had come to bring Nate his cloak. The northern winds had turned bitter these past few days, and I didn't want him catching a cold while patrolling the territory.

Now, it felt like a wolf's claw had torn straight through my chest, and the freezing wind was slicing through the raw wound.

My wolf howled in my mind, feeling my pain.

I staggered back to the villa we shared and collapsed onto the rug before the fireplace. I curled up tightly and hugged myself as my whole body shook. The tears just wouldn't stop.

Suddenly, the door opened.

Nate was back.

His heavy boots clomped on the rug and drew closer to me. Soon, he was crouched over me.

His voice was low and gentle as he spoke, full of the usual warmth and concern I'd grown used to.

"Why didn't you ask the maids to light the fire? The butler said you haven't eaten today. He also said you didn't look too well," Nate said.

He reached out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear, frowning worriedly. "Tell me what's wrong, Diana."

Then, he took my hand in his. It was just as warm as always.

He added, "You need to eat something. Our pup is counting on you for nourishment."

I looked up at him. The tender expression he showed on his face was flawless.

So this was how convincing an Alpha's love could look, even when it was all an act.

Four years ago, my fated mate, Alex Burke, and my younger sister, Rose Roth, were caught kissing during my marking ceremony. My parents forced me to step aside. They said Rose and I shared the same blood, and that it wasn't worth causing a rift over a single male werewolf.

They publicly claimed that the invitations they had sent out contained a mistake. They further clarified that the marking ceremony was actually for Rose.

As I was drowning in humiliation, Nate stepped out and took my hand. Without hesitation, he marked me by biting down on my neck in front of everyone.

I once believed he was my savior who rescued me from shame and scorn.

I had a mind for business since I was young. Actually, I was the secret leader behind the largest merchant guild in the South.

After marrying Nate, I gave it all up. I quit the guild and devoted myself to supporting him as his Luna. I worked hard to build up our pack.

While using my knowledge of the southern tribes and their resources, I helped him strategize and plan. In just a few years, I helped him transform a collapsing minor pack into a powerful rising force in the South.

And this year, we finally conceived our heir through IVF. Everything was falling into place.

Nate had held me close and said the pup was a gift from the Moon Goddess. The love in his eyes made me willing to give him everything—my body and my soul—for him and our pup.

But now, I finally understood that it had all been a carefully woven lie.

If he could pretend to be so loving, then why couldn't I?

I closed my eyes. When I opened them again, they mirrored the same warmth he showed me.

I said, "I'm fine. I'm just a bit tired."

My voice was soft and sweet, even sounding a little playful. It betrayed none of what I truly felt inside.

Nate visibly relaxed as he patted the back of my hand. "That's good. I'll have the butler bring in someone to give you a massage."

In my mind, I scoffed and thought, "Alright, then. My wolf and I will keep up the act for three more days. In three more days, this ends for good!"

The next morning, Nate accompanied me to the royal healing center for a prenatal check-up.

He stayed by my side the entire time, occasionally asking the healer about the pup's condition.

The experienced she-wolf healer smiled and said warmly, "Alpha Nate is so responsible. It's very rare for someone as busy as he is to take the time to care for his mate like this. You're truly lucky!"

Nate held my hand, his gaze full of tenderness and certainty. "This is the Moon Goddess' blessing we've waited so long for. Of course, I'll protect both mother and child."

As we stepped out of the examination room, we ran into Rose.

She was wrapped in a loose-fitting gold cloak that concealed her figure. Still, she stuck her belly out proudly. When she saw me, there was a flicker of smug satisfaction in her eyes that she couldn't hide.

I stared at her stomach without a word.

No wonder she kept saying things like, "What a coincidence, we conceived around the same time."

She had known about Nate's plan all along.

Rose walked over briskly. Her voice was soft and sweet as she asked, "Did the healer say when we will finally get to meet the little prince?"

As she spoke, she reached her hand toward my belly.

I remained expressionless and abruptly raised my arm to block her.

"Why won't you let me touch you?" she questioned in a darkened tone as her smile faltered. She felt embarrassed by my rejection.

She was about to say more, but I gently lowered my head and placed a hand over my belly. Then, I whined with a trembling voice, "My stomach... It hurts..."

Rose was stunned, and the smugness faded from her expression instantly.

Nate immediately reached out to steady me, his face tense. "Maybe you've been standing too long. Why don't you sit over there for a bit?"

His words were full of concern, but I clearly saw him lock eyes with Rose. He directed a subtle shake of his head at her.

I looked down and replied softly, "I want to use the restroom."

He frowned slightly and reached out to guide me, but I stopped him quickly. "No, don't follow me."

He hesitated for a moment and nodded. "Alright, just take it slow."

As soon as the restroom door shut behind me, I peeked out the window and saw him hurrying off.

I knew exactly where he was going. He was hurrying to catch up with Rose.

I quietly followed and hid behind a clump of tall grass. From there, I could hear him speaking to her in a low, coaxing tone, like he was calming a wolf pup.

Rose frowned and complained like a spoiled pup. "Have you fallen for her? She was about to smack me just now, and you didn't say a word. Was everything you said about loving me just a lie?"

Nate let out a soft sigh, relenting and giving in to her. "I'm just looking out for her because… she's carrying our pup now."

He then pulled a small box from his coat and opened it. Inside was a diamond-studded bracelet. He gently slipped it onto her wrist.

"I got you the bracelet you wanted. It just arrived this morning," Nate said dotingly.

Rose's expression softened a bit. She smiled and leaned into his arm like a spoiled pup. "Remember that gem mine you mentioned? I bought the mining rights. I made a nice profit, too. Keep an eye out for more good opportunities for me, won't you?"

As I stood at a distance, the wind carried their conversation to my ears. Suddenly, it all felt laughably absurd.

Nate was using everything I had given him to win over another she-wolf.

When I got back home, I pulled out my phone and called my former personal healer, David Efrat.

I went straight to the point. "Hey, David. It's been a while. I'd like to schedule a procedure with you tomorrow… An abortion."

"Understood. We'll be ready first thing in the morning tomorrow," he replied from the other end.

Just then, I heard familiar footsteps behind me.

Nate's voice held a hint of suspicion. "Are you going out tomorrow?"

I turned around and met his gaze with a smile. "I signed up for prenatal yoga. Thought I'd get my body moving a bit. I want the pup to come into the world without a hiccup."

His expression faltered slightly. There was a flicker of hesitation in his eyes.

I deliberately raised a brow and teased, "What? Don't feel like joining me?"

He opened his mouth, his eyes avoiding mine. "It's not that… I just don't want you to overdo it. Besides, there's an elders' council meeting tomorrow. Could we go next week instead?"

I chuckled softly, my tone gentle. "That's alright. Your work is more important. I'll be fine on my own."

He visibly relaxed as a faint smile graced his lips. Then, he reached out to ruffle my hair affectionately and say, "You're so sweet. Where else could I find a mate as considerate as you? What would I even do without you?"

The next day, Nate suddenly pulled out a delicate pink diamond pendant strung on a fine platinum thread just before leaving the house. With gentle hands, he clasped it around my neck.

"Happy anniversary," he said in a low and warm voice, which was as intoxicating as always.

I looked down and realized that it was the same pendant that had been included as a free gift with the diamond bracelet he had given Rose.

My fingers trembled as I touched it, and I felt a sharp pain in my heart.

Still, I kept the smile plastered on my face and replied sweetly, "Happy anniversary. I love it."

He kissed my forehead, his voice filled with the same doting affection. "You're so agreeable, Diana. You always give me peace of mind."

Before heading to the private healing center, I decided to make a quick detour home to see my parents.

But just as I reached the doorway, I heard voices from inside.

Rose's tone was honeyed and petulant. She sounded aggrieved as she ranted, "What makes Diana think she's so great? She hit my hand yesterday! And she's supposed to be my sister!"

My mom, Elle Baker, spoke up in a comforting tone. "She won't get to be smug for long. Your father and I are on your side. Didn't we already get her to give up her mate when you wanted him? Nate is yours too."

My dad, Charlie Roth, let out a heavy sigh, exhaustion thick in his voice. "You need to stop making trouble. You're already married to Alex. If his parents find out about this baby, things will blow up. If he wants to break your mate bond, even Alpha Nate can't protect you."

As if the cosmos was playing a sick joke on me, Nate's voice joined in. "Don't worry, Rose. Here are the test results from yesterday. Everything's fine with Diana's pregnancy. We just have to wait for the pup to arrive."

He turned to my parents and added, "Don't worry, Mr. and Mrs. Roth. I'd do anything for Rose."

I felt my blood run cold. It was followed by an intense burst of pain in my heart that made me feel as if I was being split apart.

My wolf let out a devastated howl and collapsed like she was torn and trampled by countless enemies in our shared mind space. She was too broken even to stand.

So they had all planned this together…

And I was the only one left in the dark. From the beginning, I was just a tool and nothing more than an expendable piece in someone else's game.

Not long after, a maid knocked gently on the door and came in to serve drinks.

Nate opened the door and reached out to take the tray. The next moment, he froze in horror as his eyes caught sight of a glittering thread on the floor.

There, on the ground, lay a snapped platinum necklace. It was the very one he had clasped around my neck that morning!

His face went pale. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. He then bolted out the door, eyes scanning in every direction. His wolf was on high alert, and he was clearly panicked.

Frantically, he tried to reach me through our mind-link over and over again.

When it finally went through, his voice shook with urgency. "Diana, where are you? Listen to me…"

I said nothing.

He was almost losing his mind. "Diana! Don't do this, where the hell are you?"

Right then, a she-wolf's clear and calm voice sounded right beside me.

A trainee healer of the private healing center said, "Luna Diana, we're ready for the procedure. Please follow me."

On Nate's end, everything went silent.

His voice faltered and cracked. Then, it broke completely. "Procedure? What procedure? Where are you? What are you doing?"

He was full-on screaming now. I could hear the utter terror and despair in his panicked voice.

I sat quietly, listening to his anguished wails. Then, without a word, I drank the potion I'd bought from the witch to sever the mind-link between us.

From that moment on, neither he nor those heartless, backstabbing family members of mine would ever sense me again.

None of them would ever find me again.