"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.

Thalia sprawled across the sofa, radiating the confidence of an Alpha’s Luna, her smug satisfaction clear in every word she spoke.

"Oh, come on, you're treating me like I'm fragile just because I'm carrying pups. Don't you think they're making too much of it?"

Before I could reply, she suddenly feigned regret, her smile mocking.

"Oh, right, I forgot you can't have pups."

Her eyes glinted with mischief as she continued.

"Are you upset by all the attention I’m getting as the pregnant one?"

My silence only deepened the tension, and my pack quickly moved to intervene.

"Of course not! Selene has always been kind. She cares about you just as much as we do."

Thalia shot them a skeptical look, then fixed her gaze on Beta Corwin.

"And you, Corwin? Do you love me too?"

Her eyes flicked to me, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of hesitation in Beta Corwin’s expression.

His discomfort was obvious as he struggled for a response.

Looking at my pack, their faces full of fake affection, a coldness washed over me.

"Of course."

"Your Corwin sees you as part of the pack, so of course, he loves you."

I didn’t spare them another glance, turning on my heel and muttering an excuse before storming out.

I was done playing their games.

By the time I returned home, after making arrangements to leave the pack with the orphanage director, it was past ten.

My pack had already left, and the villa was dark, save for the faint glow seeping from Beta Corwin’s study.

On a whim, I pulled up the security footage from that room.

There she was—Thalia, draped across his desk, her clothes in disarray, still awake and very much in control.

She was supposed to be upstairs, resting.

She leaned in, her arms wrapping around Beta Corwin’s neck, her voice low and seductive.

"So, you married Selene just to make sure Alpha Leif stays loyal to me?"

Her fingers trailed down his chest, her voice thick with allure.

"You’ve loved me for so many years, yet you married a Luna who can’t even have pups.

"Corwin, don’t you regret it?"

Beta Corwin’s breath caught as he turned his face away.

"As long as you’re happy, nothing else matters."

But Thalia wasn’t going to let him slip away.

She seized his chin, forcing him to meet her eyes before she kissed him fiercely.

"You’ve been so good to me… I need to repay you somehow.

"Tonight, I want to be yours."

Beta Corwin froze, but before he could pull back, Thalia’s smoldering eyes and smile told him everything.

"Relax… I’m already seven months along.

"The pack doctor said it’s fine as long as we take it slow."

Those words shattered whatever restraint Corwin had left.

He pulled her into his embrace, and they succumbed to the moment.

Outside, lightning cracked across the sky, thunder rumbling ominously.

Just as Beta Corwin reached the peak of their passion, a thought struck him.

"Selene is afraid of thunderstorms—I should check on her!"

In a panic, he scrambled to get dressed and rushed out, only to find the soft light of the bedroom lamp glowing faintly.

I was already asleep.

He exhaled in relief, kissed my forehead tenderly, and slipped into bed beside me.

For the next two weeks, Beta Corwin played the role of the devoted mate during the day.

But at night, he was lost in Thalia’s arms behind the closed doors of his study.

Eventually, Alpha Leif returned, ready to reclaim Thalia and take her back to where she belonged.

When he saw me, a fleeting look of surprise—maybe even admiration—crossed his face.

He asked how I’d been over the past two years, then sighed, almost apologetic.

"It’s not that I didn’t care about you," he said.

"But for the sake of the pack’s image, I had no choice."

"I hope you don’t hate me."

BANG!

The bedroom door flew open, and Thalia stormed down the stairs, her heels echoing with fury.

"Alpha Leif , I forgive you! Go upstairs and pack my things—I’m coming home with you."

The moment he disappeared from sight, her mask dropped.

Her eyes narrowed with malice as she turned on me.

"Selene, you pitiful leftover—do you honestly think you can compete with me for Alpha Leif ?"

I started to walk away, unwilling to engage, but her anger only flared.

She lunged, grabbing my arm with a grip that dug her nails into my skin.

"I actually thought you had some luck in you.

"Even as an abandoned Luna, there was still someone ready to accept you." Her laugh was harsh and mocking.

"But it turns out, Beta Corwin never loved you! How pathetic is that?"

Her eyes sparkled with contentment as she drove the knife in further. "So what if you were once bonded to Alpha Leif , the true heir of the pack? In the end, he still married me, didn’t he?"

She leaned in close, her voice venomous as she whispered in my ear.

"Listen to me, Selene—while I’m here, no one will ever love you.

"Not your father. Not your mother. Not Alpha Leif . Not Beta Corwin. Not the pack."