Chapter 1 Chapter 1

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.

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

"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.

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

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.

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

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."

Chapter 5 Chapter 5

"You still haven’t figured it out, have you? Beta Corwin has always been mine!" A sharp pain shot through me as my fists clenched tightly. "What... what did you just say?" My voice trembled, a mix of shock and disbelief. "Do you even understand why Beta Corwin spends all his time locked away in the study these past two years? That room is filled with his desire and longing for me! He even said, if you could have pups, he'd find a way to make you lose it.""He’d never let anyone threaten the inheritance of his pack bloodline! Hahaha!" Anger, mingled with disbelief, surged within me. "Aren’t you worried that Alpha Leif will find out?" At that very moment, the heavy footsteps of Alpha Leif echoed from the stairwell. Thalia’s face shifted instantly. She quickly seized my hand and slapped it across her own cheek. Then, as if struggling to maintain her balance, she staggered back, falling straight into Alpha Leif ’s arms. At the same time, Beta Corwin and the elders of my pack rushed into the room, their voices filled with fury. "Selene! Have you lost your mind?!" Thalia, clutching her red cheek, let tears spill down her face, her expression that of a fragile, delicate flower in distress. "Leif , I never imagined… that after two years, my sister would still hate me for taking you away." But that wasn’t even the truth! "You married me for the good of the Lovell and Graves Packs. And still, she’s jealous that I’m carrying your pup… She even said she wanted me to suffer like she did, to experience what it’s like to—" Before I could explain, Alpha Leif , Beta Corwin, and the pack elders turned on me, their fury palpable. "Selene, if anything happens to Thalia’s pup, you’ll regret it!" Alpha Leif didn’t hesitate—he scooped Thalia up into his arms and stormed out. Beta Corwin pounded the door in frustration, his eyes glowing with an unnatural red hue. "Selene, I never thought you could be so cruel.""Everything that happened to you had nothing to do with Thalia—why take it out on her?" Even my pack elders joined in, scolding me for being reckless and immature. Nothing to do with her? Beta Corwin actually dared to say that? Rage boiled inside me, but I was too consumed by it to speak. Before I could, the world around me blurred, and darkness overtook me. When I regained consciousness, I found myself in a sterile hospital bed. Beta Corwin’s hand was clasped around mine, his grip tight and unyielding. "Selene, why didn’t you tell me you were carrying our pup?" A cold, bitter glint flashed in my eyes. So he knew now. Well, if he wanted a surprise, I was more than happy to deliver. Tears welled up as I whispered, my voice breaking, "The pack doctor said it’s only been just over a month. With my health, there's no guarantee the pup will survive.""I didn’t want to tell you until things were stable." My eyes filled with tears, and they slowly traced down my cheeks. "Why would I be jealous of Thalia or want to harm her? I’m carrying your pup, Corwin… She’s the one who set me up." Beta Corwin’s grip tightened, his face full of determination. "I’ll speak to Alpha Leif and our pack elders. Thalia has gone too far this time!" I closed my eyes, weary, and murmured, "I’m tired. I don’t want to see anyone right now." Beta Corwin, understanding my exhaustion, nodded without speaking and left the room. "I’ll fix this, I promise. I’ll clear your name." A few hours later, the pack elders arrived at the hospital, wearing fake smiles and showering me with praise, calling me lucky. Right before me, they scolded Thalia for being immature and reckless, acting as if nothing had happened. Then, with casual indifference, they mentioned that if I managed to safely give birth to the pup, Graves Pack would gain another heir. Their greedy, false faces made my stomach churn. Feigning illness, I had Beta Corwin send them away. As soon as they were gone, I called my lawyer to prepare the pack separation papers. I slipped the papers between my prenatal checkups and coaxed Beta Corwin into signing them without a second thought. In one month, after the mandatory cooling-off period, the separation would be official. The date? Beta Corwin’s birthday. The same day I planned to leave this pack for good. For the next month, Beta Corwin was euphoric. He couldn’t stop talking about the pup and our future—completely unaware that soon, everything would change. He even remodeled two rooms in the pack villa into nurseries—one pink, one blue. He said it didn’t matter whether the pup was a boy or a girl; everything would be ready. He even began talking about a second pup, already dreaming of a perfect pack with a strong heir and a younger sibling. I sneered inwardly. Corwin, I hope you’ll still be smiling on your birthday. The day finally arrived. That morning, he wrapped me in his arms, saying he wanted to take me out to celebrate. But before we could leave, Thalia called. For the past month, she’d been using the excuse of visiting me to stay close to Beta Corwin, constantly trying to seduce him. To my surprise, he’d rejected her every time. He told himself that since he had chosen to be with me and raise our pup, he had to take responsibility. But just as we began to believe he had truly changed, Thalia played her final card. She claimed she only wanted to drop off a birthday gift for Beta Corwin. However, on her way, she got into a car accident. She was terrified, her stomach hurting. As expected, Beta Corwin panicked. He turned to me and lied, saying there was an urgent issue with the pack business and he’d return later. I smiled sweetly at him. "When you come back, I’ll have a special surprise waiting for you." His gaze softened when he saw the small gift box in my hand. He kissed my forehead with tenderness. "I can’t wait. We’ll open it together when I get back." As soon as he left, my phone rang. It was Thalia. "Selene, two years ago, I was the one who hired rogues to kidnap you.""I only found out recently—it wasn’t your pack elders who saved you.""It was Beta Corwin.""He spent a fortune to protect me, and he married you just to keep you from uncovering the truth.""Back when I was staying at your house, he came to the study every night, taking me over and over again.""He said he found you repulsive and had to picture my face just to get through it with you.""Did you really think he’d ever love the pup you’re carrying?" Thalia’s laughter was sharp and mocking before she hung up. "You will never take his love from me!" I recorded the call and glanced at the message I had carefully prepared to send at just the right moment. A smirk tugged at my lips. Thalia, that laughter of yours won’t last long. Then, Beta Corwin called. I let it ring. Then blocked his number. And every other way he could reach me. Clutching my plane ticket, I headed straight for the airport.