I was the true-born Luna heir, mistakenly switched at birth, while another had been raised in my place. When I was thirteen, my birth pack found me, bringing me home after a lifetime of being misplaced. But instead of the happiness I deserved, I was met with nothing but betrayal.

My birth parents favored their adopted daughter over me. My destined Alpha was stolen by my so-called sister. The Beta mate who saved me from despair turned out to be part of a carefully laid scheme.

Unloved by my own parents. Provoked by my sister. Abandoned by my Alpha. Deceived by my Beta. Happiness was never meant for me—so why should any of you have it?

Since I can't have it, I choose to leave;

On the night before my fated mating ceremony, I was abducted, degraded, and subjected to two nights of relentless torment.

When my pack finally ransomed me back, the healer delivered a cruel verdict—I might never bear pups.

Without hesitation, my powerful Alpha mate abandoned me, turning instead to the Luna heir who had replaced me—Thalia Lovell.

Whispers spread like wildfire, poisoning every corner of the pack.

Drowning in despair, I sought an escape, choosing to end my suffering in the depths of the river.

As the icy water closed over me, darkness creeping in, a figure plunged in after me—Beta Corwin Graves, my mate’s younger brother. He fought against the raging current, risking his life to pull me back.

When he regained consciousness, his first words shook me—he had loved me for as long as he could remember. More than his own life.

He swore to claim me as his mate, to stand by me, to cherish me forever.

Moved beyond words, I accepted his vow.

Two years passed, and against all odds, I discovered I was with child. Overcome with joy, I rushed to share the news with Corwin.

But just as I stepped forward, their hushed voices reached my ears.

"Thalia lost control and sent rogues after Selene that night."

"Thankfully, you paid a fortune to silence them and protect Thalia’s name."

"And you still took Selene as your mate, knowing she might never bear an heir. We’ve thought it through—"

"You cannot be the last of your bloodline, Corwin. Thalia’s first pup will take the Alpha’s title, but the second heir must come from you."

Corwin’s voice, low and weighted, cut through the tension.

"That won’t be necessary. My brother’s pup will be the sole heir of this pack. As long as Thalia is happy, that’s all that matters to me."

"And Selene… I will spend my life atoning for what she’s lost."

A sickening chill spread through my bones. My breath turned shallow, my body shaking uncontrollably.

So the one who orchestrated my abduction—the one who condemned me to suffering—was my own pack sister, Thalia.

And Beta Corwin… the male who had pulled me from despair… had done so only to shield her crimes.

Even my own blood—my parents—had chosen her over me, casting me aside for the sake of the pack’s honor.

I pressed a trembling hand to my mouth, swallowing my sobs, forcing myself into silence.

Barely holding myself together, I turned and fled.

When I returned to our den, my phone lit up with a message from Corwin.

"Selene, I have a pack meeting tonight. Don’t wait up—get some rest. Love you."

My fingers hovered over the screen, but I didn’t reply.

Instead, my gaze drifted to the keypad of his private study.

In the beginning, when we first bonded, I was haunted by nightmares. I could only sleep when Corwin held my hand.

More than once, I had woken in the dead of night, reaching for him—only to find the bed cold.

He would always be here. Behind that locked door.

Hesitation curled in my chest before my fingers moved on their own, keying in Thalia’s birthday.

With a soft click, the door unlatched.

I stepped inside and froze.

The walls were a shrine.

Photographs, portraits—Thalia, from puphood to now. Every moment of her life meticulously preserved.

The shelves overflowed with relics of her past—gifts, trinkets, tokens of affection that had once belonged to Alpha Leif , his older brother.

Thalia had spent years chasing after Alpha Leif , offering him everything she had, only to be discarded time and time again.

And Corwin…

Corwin had collected everything Leif had rejected. Guarded them like sacred treasures.

A strangled sound escaped me as realization clawed its way in.

When I was thirteen, my birth pack found me, bringing me home after a lifetime of being misplaced.

They had told Thalia to call me sister.

That was when I learned the truth—I was the true-born Luna heir, mistakenly switched at birth, while Thalia had been raised in my place.

For thirteen years, she was the cherished daughter.

For ten more, I was an outsider, always on the outside looking in.

My parents, burdened by guilt, treated me kindly but never like their own.

But Thalia…

She remained their beloved daughter, in every way that mattered.

So when the Graves Pack chose me for an arranged mating, my parents agreed without hesitation.

I never imagined that Thalia had already set her sights on my mate.

She had orchestrated my abduction, had me defiled, all in a bid to take my place.

And my parents… and Corwin… they had known.

And still, they had chosen her.

A sob tore from my throat, raw and agonized, as I collapsed under the weight of betrayal.

Just then, my mother’s name flashed across my phone screen.

"Thalia had a fight with Alpha Leif."

"She wants to stay at your place for a while. Beta Corwin has already agreed."

"Just go along with it, okay? Otherwise, seeing you will only remind her that you were once his mate."

"You know how she is..."

"But, Mom, why?" My voice wavered, cutting her off.

"Why what?" There was a brief pause before my father’s slurred voice came through the phone.

"Sweetheart, I know you still blame us for letting Thalia become Alpha Leif ’s Luna. But if we hadn’t, the Lovell Pack would’ve crumbled..."

My chest tightened. I had heard these excuses too many times before.

But that wasn’t what I wanted to ask.

I wanted to know why they had been so willing to sacrifice me. To bury the truth. Was protecting Thalia—the switched Luna—and the Lovell Pack’s reputation really more important than their own blood daughter?

On the other end, my father kept rambling, his drunken words swirling in my head like poison.

"I understand. I’ll do as you say."

The moment I hung up, I stumbled to the bathroom and retched violently.

As I wiped my mouth, I caught my reflection in the mirror—pale, hollow-eyed, exhausted.

I had made my decision.

If everyone only cared about Thalia, then fine—I would disappear.

I returned to the living room and dialed the number of the pack doctor, the one who had once cared for me.

"Mama Maris, I want to your pack with you to help establish a new haven for abandoned pups."

After a brief pause, I nodded. "Yes, I’ve made up my mind. I can leave with you at the end of the next moon cycle."

Once I ended the call, I dialed another number—my private pack doctor.

"Don’t tell Beta Corwin about my pup yet. I want to surprise him."

"What surprise?"

At that moment, the front door swung open, and Beta Corwin stepped in, catching the last part of my sentence.

"Your birthday is at the end of the next moon cycle. It’s a birthday surprise," I replied smoothly.

His face lit up, and he stepped forward to pull me into his embrace.

"Thank you, my mate. You don’t have to do all this. I just want you to be happy every day."

Once, those words would have melted my heart.

Now, they left me cold.

"My parents called just now," I said quietly. "They told me not to cause trouble during my sister’s pregnancy."

"Corwin, I’m really upset."

"They mean well." His arms tightened around me.

"My brother said ever since Thalia got—" He let out a sigh. "Her temper’s been unbearable. He even fled abroad today just to get away from her."

I shook my head slightly, my eyes burning.

"I’m not upset about that."

I hesitated before whispering, "I’m just sad... that I can’t give the man I love a pup, like my sister can."

Beta Corwin stiffened, a flicker of something unreadable in his gaze.

Regret? Disappointment?

"I’m sorry, Corwin... I’ve been a burden to you."

Tears burned my eyes as I bit down on my lip.

His expression softened, and he cupped my face gently.

"Don’t think like that, Selene. I told you two years ago, even if you couldn’t have pups, I would still love you just the same."

He hesitated, then added, "By the way, I promised my parents that Thalia could stay with us for a while."

His tone was careful, as if seeking my approval, but the silent plea in his eyes told me it wasn’t really a request.

"Sure, that’s fine," I murmured.

"I wouldn’t want to put you in a tough spot with your parents."

His face brightened in relief. "Selene, you’re amazing!

A bitter taste filled my mouth. "Amazing how?"

"You’re a wonderful mate, a great sister, a good daughter... You’re just good in every way!"

I forced a smile, the weight of those words pressing down on me.

So, this is what being ‘good’ meant?

Watching my pack rally around Thalia?

Protecting a criminal?

Turning a blind eye to my suffering?

Noticing my slight tremble, Beta Corwin pulled me closer, his voice soft. "Are you tired? Come on, let’s get you to bed."

Later that night, after making sure I was sound asleep, he carefully slipped his hand from mine and disappeared into his study.

Beta Corwin had no idea that earlier that afternoon, I had installed a hidden surveillance camera in his study.

On the screen, he clutched a photo of Thalia, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Thalia, Alpha Leif didn’t leave the country just to avoid you today."

"Why do you only ever have eyes for him? Why do you want his pup?"

"Today, Selene told me she wanted to have my pup too..."

"For a moment, I was touched. She’s a good woman... but she’ll never be you."

"If she could give me a pup, maybe I’d love her a little more... but that’s impossible now."

I gripped my phone tighter, my nails digging into my palm as the truth settled in.

He wanted a pup.

He had some feelings for me.

And yet, for Thalia, he was willing to suppress all of it—even resist the temptation of fatherhood with me.

Fine, Beta Corwin. Since you love her so much, I’ll make sure you have her.

The next morning, Luna Thalia arrived with her entourage, bags of luggage in tow as she officially moved into my pack house.

I barely glanced her way. Instead, my eyes flickered toward the kitchen, and I instantly understood.

In two years of marriage, Beta Corwin had never once set foot in the kitchen to cook for me.

But now, he was there, carefully preparing a meal.

It wasn’t for me.

At the dining table, Thalia bit into a shrimp dumpling, then smiled sweetly as she turned to me.

"Sis, how does Corwin not know you’re allergic to shrimp?" She let out a soft chuckle before adding, "Ah, well... I suppose it makes sense. He probably just remembers that I love shrimp."

My fingers tightened around the spoon, but I said nothing.

"And here comes the final dish—shrimp and egg omelet!"

Beta Corwin entered, his hands covered in heat-resistant gloves as he carefully placed the dish before me.

"Selene, your health has always been fragile. Eat more of this—it’s good for you."

Thalia’s lips curled mischievously. "Corwin, don’t tell me you didn’t know Selene is allergic to shrimp? Then again, I suppose it’s not surprising. How well can a couple really know each other in a flash marriage?"

Beta Corwin stiffened, his gaze shifting to me.

"I... I’m sorry, Selene. This is my first time cooking, I didn’t—"

Before he could finish, nausea surged within me. I slapped a hand over my mouth and bolted to the bathroom.

Beta Corwin hurried after me, concern lacing his voice. Thalia, however, leaned lazily against the doorframe, her tone laced with amusement.

"Tsk, tsk, Sis, you look just like I did a few months ago when I was dealing with morning sickness."

She let the words linger before adding, "Too bad... that’s not even a possibility for you, is it?"

Beta Corwin cut in before she could continue. "Thalia, did you struggle with morning sickness too?"

His hands, warm against my back just moments ago, suddenly felt unsteady—as if at any moment, they might slip away toward Thalia instead.

"Of course! I’ve been through so much for your big brother, yet he doesn’t appreciate it at all. Instead, he picks fights with me!" Thalia pouted, resting a hand on her stomach. "Being pregnant is exhausting. Honestly, I don’t even want this pup anymore."

Beta Corwin instantly grabbed her hand. "Don’t say that. Once you give birth, this pup will be the future heir of Graves Pack. Alpha Leif will be grateful to you."

Hearing those words, Thalia’s eyes gleamed, and she leaned into Beta Corwin’s embrace.

"Selene, you’re lucky! Beta Corwin is way more caring than Alpha Leif !"

A faint flush crept up Beta Corwin’s ears as he quickly steadied her. "You’re far along now—you need to be careful."

Thalia suddenly clutched her belly and let out a small gasp. Beta Corwin panicked, lifting her effortlessly into his arms.

"Selene, I’m taking Thalia to the pack doctor."

I said nothing. I simply watched as he carried her away, the weight in my chest growing heavier, more suffocating.

Hot tears dripped into the sink.

Beta Corwin, you’re not even trying to hide it anymore.

As soon as my parents heard Thalia wasn’t feeling well, they rushed over, their faces lined with worry.

Not for me.

They showered her with concern, their voices filled with warmth, reminding Beta Corwin and me to take good care of her

Even going as far as hiring the best nanny for her.

Of course. Because Thalia’s well-being would always come first.