There was a long pause before Dad finally spoke, "Are you sure, child? Being a member of the royal medical team to the Werewolves Committee means you're serving them for life, and you have to give up your pack and your rank as Luna. Once you make this commitment, there's no turning back."

I nodded even though he couldn't see my face over the mindlink. "I've made up my mind, Dad. I just realized that this is my true calling."

"What about Alpha Owen? I thought you loved him. You chose to remain in the Hidden Spring Pack for him," Dad asked, and I could hear the hurt in his voice. "What makes you change your mind now?"

I bit my lip so hard, I could taste the metallic tang of blood. I knew Dad would wonder why I had a sudden change of heart, but I was prepared to explain. "Let's just say, I've awakened—that my blindness for love had me lost, but now I see clearly."

When I was younger, I believed that true love did not require the Moon Goddess to pair me with someone, as I had been secretly loving Owen. We were best of friends. Our families were close as well, and we were normally teased about being future husband and wife.

But when we both turned eighteen, Owen found out that Amber, our childhood friend, was his mate.

My wolf and I secretly wept for having a one-sided love, witnessing how they were so happy together.

It was until one day that Owen sneaked into my room, tears in his eyes. He said that Amber rejected him as she was arranged to marry a widowed alpha that visited our pack.

"I thought our matebond will surpass all obstacles," he had whispered, crying on my shoulder. "Turns out, she's embarrassed of me because I'm only a beta's son, and she pointed out that she deserves better than what the moon goddess has paired her with."

I held him tighter and never realized that I was pouring all my hidden love for Owen in that embrace. Then he stared into my eyes. "Let's be each other's mates, Aleli."

My mouth parted in shock as I processed his words. "W-What did you say?"

"I know you have loved me since we were kids, and I've always cared about you. But since she's gone, we can be together now. I'm choosing you as my mate, Aleli. Are you willing to be mine?"

I didn't hesitate to say yes, my heart bursting with joy.

But now…

I never expected that choosing him as my mate would be the fall of my entire world as well, especially that two days later, an envelope addressed to me arrived, containing intimate photos of Amber and my husband. A letter was attached, saying, [Dear Aleli. It's been a while since we last saw each other. I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I did taking them. Your husband is quite the passionate lover. Love, Amber.]

Hot tears stung my eyes as I tore the pictures into pieces. How dare this bitch inform me of my husband's infidelity as though she was doing me a favor? But no matter how furious I was, I kept silent. Anyway, I was going to leave anytime soon.

Amber's sending of photos didn't stop, and even included videos of my husband and her together. This time, the letter attached said, [How could you still endure the pain of seeing your husband betray you like this? Don't you see, I want you to leave so we can get back together. Love, Amber.]

I didn't destroy the videos and photos this time and kept them in a safe place.

Owen even stopped sleeping with me, and this time, his alibi was that he was working late at the office, busy meeting virtually with the other pack alphas. Where the truth was, Amber was the one keeping him occupied during those late nights. The secret cameras I planted in his office revealed everything, and as I watched him on my phone, I could see more bruises surfaced on my skin.

It seemed that he was becoming so blinded by his betrayal that he didn't realize he was slowly abandoning the pack as well. Because a week later, Owen approached me as I ate my breakfast alone in the kitchen.

"We have a problem," he said, and his face was filled with worry. "I need to sail to the other pack territories to negotiate a peace treaty before things escalate further. Alpha Wilson said that rouges have been spotted near our borders, and we need to act quickly to prevent any potential conflict."

"All right," I said, drinking my cup of coffee. "I'll take care of the pack while you're gone."

His brows furrowed, but he planted a quick kiss on my forehead, saying, "I'm very lucky to have a Luna like you, always ready to support me and the pack." With that, he rushed out the door, leaving me gripping my mug tightly until it crushed in my hand.

That night, I observed my bruises in front of the bathroom mirror. They almost occupied my entire arm and torso. Self-pity washed over me. How could I tolerate such pain and still put on a brave face for the pack?

It was when I stepped in the shower that a great pain cut through my chest—like it was being ripped apart. My wolf howled as I collapsed to the floor, my breathing becoming shallow and labored. There was only one explanation for this, Owen and Amber were becoming very intimate. I bet they were presently fucking their brains out!

This was the curse of a matebond—one would feel the physical and emotional pain of their mate's cheating.

I screamed in agony, hoping that death just might come and take me away from the torment. The water from the shower mixed with my tears as I lay there, broken and defeated.

"D-Damn you, Owen!" I shouted through clenched teeth, blood dripping from my mouth. "I will never forgive you for what you've done to me."

Owen returned after a couple of days, but instead of the mansion, he rushed to the pack doctor's cottage when he learned that I was confined there.

His face was pale and worried as he held my hands and asked, "Oh, hun. Why are you in bed? What happened? You can't get sick as our baby will be affected."

I yanked my hands away and sat up, avoiding his gaze. "It's nothing, maybe just a bit exhausted because of the duties I've been handling lately," I replied. Funny how he didn't have any idea that I was here because of his infidelity, and still not aware of my miscarriage.

For a moment, a strange silence formed between us, separating us from the truth that I couldn't—or wouldn't—bring myself to reveal. I could feel his guilt through our shared matebond, but I couldn't sense all of it since he seemed to be mastering how to block me out.

Finally, he sat beside me and gently took my hand in his. This time, he didn't let go of my hand, as if he was trying to convey his remorse and willingness to make things right. "I know I wasn't always around and taking care of you. But I promise you, I will make up for lost time and be the mate you deserve," he whispered, kissing my hand. "When you and the baby are fully recovered, I want us to celebrate your birthday together. What do you think?"

I looked up at him. His excitement didn't mirror my own feelings. But somehow, I replied, " That sounds lovely. I would like that."

"Cool!" His beam widened, as though he felt that he was saved from a potential disaster.

On the day of my birthday, he took me to a restaurant in the city which was owned by a pack member in our community. He never ran out of stories about the packs that he had visited lately, as though trying to distract me from my own thoughts. Although I knew that those stories were only fabricated. He had never actually been in those packs. I knew it since I phoned those packs and asked about him. They said that Owen had never been there in a long time.

Such a big fat liar!

"…and you know what?" he continued. "Alpha Rick said that he wants us to visit when out pup—"

The sound of his phone ringing interrupted him, and Owen glanced down at the screen with a reluctant expression. "Sorry, I have to take this," he said before quickly excusing himself, rushing through the washroom without another word. And a couple of minutes later, he came back; his face looked pale and troubled.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, waiting for him to share the news—or should I say, another alibi.

"Alpha Rick... he's been attacked," Owen finally whispered, placing his cold hand on my bare shoulder. "He's asking for our help, Aleli. I must go and assist him and—"

"Go," I cut him off, forking a piece of cake and placing it in my mouth.

He seemed to be caught off guard by my nonchalant response. He said, "Hun, please don't feel bad about me leaving you alone."

"I know, Owen. We have to support them since they are our friends, and we can't turn our backs on them in their time of need." I simply nodded.

A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he shoved the phone back into his pocket and stood up from the table. "Thank you for understanding, hun. Don't worry, I'll prepare a much bigger celebration back in the pack when we return victorious."

I watched him sprint out the door, my eyes a bit misty with unshed tears. "Just go on fooling around, Owen." I whispered to myself. "You will regret all of this, and even your apology will not be enough to make up for it."

I remembered when we were seven, he was the first to greet me and even climbed on my window before 12am, so he could be the first one to wish me a happy birthday and celebrate with me. Every year, he was doing it as though it was a sacred tradition. And because of that, my foolish heart fell for him, believing that his actions were genuine and sincere. But now, I realize that no one could love me unconditionally but myself.

That night, Owen unexpectedly returned with gifts in hand, and no trace of bloody battle could be seen on his spotless white shirt.

I checked on those items when he was asleep, and my heart seemed to be stabbed again as I saw the notes attached to each gift. [Happy birthday, Amber]

My instinct was to destroy those gifts, but I chose to keep them along with the photos and videos I had collected in the past few weeks.

An idea popped up in my mind. What if I catch him on the spot so he can't deny his infidelity any longer?

With that, I followed him to his favorite bar one night later. It was a bar where shifters mostly frequented.

As I entered the dimly lit establishment, I first spotted his old friends from highschool sitting in a huge U-shaped booth in the corner. And in a loveseat, I saw him cozying up with a woman who was definitely not me. Blonde, curvy, and laughing at something he said.

"Amber." My fists clenched at my sides as I watched them together, my heart sinking. Owen's hand's explored her body as they kissed passionately and seemed to not care about anyone else around them.

I suddenly remembered the first time they announced their being mates when we were eighteen. The pain I had felt then came rushing back, fresh and raw. Only now was even worse, seeing it play out in front of me.

They only stopped when one of them faked a cough, saying, "Oh come on, Alpha. Why don't you mark Amber again? After all, she's divorced and available."

"Yeah, that's true," one woman said with a smirk. "It's been a while since we've had a good wedding. Plus, you need a Luna to run your pack, Alpha."

Owen chuckled as though he found the whole situation amusing, while Amber circled her arms around his neck, gazing at his face with adoration. "You know I'm always here for you, Alpha."

"Then what are you two waiting for? Let's make it official!" A tipsy man chimed in, raising his glass in a toast. "To Alpha Owen and Luna Amber, may your bond be as strong as the moonlight," he declared, prompting cheers and applause.

"Mark her, mark her, mark her!" they began chanting, catching the attention of other people in the bar who joined in the celebration.

"Well, I—" Owen froze when he turned to my spot at the bar, where I had been observing the scene with disgust. He stood up, slipping Amber's hand from his grasp. "A-Aleli? What are you doing here?"