Chapter 1 1

In the seven years that I have been bound to my Alpha heir mate Garrett, he had slept with every single colleague and friend around me. I pretended I knew nothing and continued to fulfill my duties as Luna. Until the day I gave birth, his new mistress led rogue wolves straight to me and my mother. My mother was killed by a rogue wolf in order to save me. My stomach was cut open by the rogue wolf and the child was torn into pieces. I begged Garrett to save us but he was busy with making love with his new mistress. When I woke up in the hospital, I stared numbly at Garrett's grandfather, the current Alpha of the Shadowmoon Pack. "Let me go," I said flatly. "Whatever I owed your pack, I've paid it back with my life." Just then, my phone kept buzzing with incoming messages. Photo after photo flooded my screen. All of Garrett and his new plaything, Scarlett Rivers. While I was fighting for my life against the rogue attack. The two of them had made love seven times in a five-star hotel bed. Scarlett was covered in kiss marks, nestled in Garrett's arms. Her smile dripped with pure provocation. The Alpha, still unaware of the truth, wanted to make one final attempt. He pulled out a pack inheritance agreement and placed it in front of me. "Aria, Garrett isn't truly bad at heart. You've loved him for so many years after all. Why not give him one more chance? As long as I'm alive, no one can shake your position as the next Luna of Shadowmoon Pack." I didn't speak. Instead, I casually opened a video that Scarlett had sent me. The sounds of their intimacy immediately filled the hospital room. Scarlett's breathless voice rang out: "Garrett, you left Aria surrounded by those rogue wolves. Don't you feel even a little sorry for her?" Garrett was nibbling on Scarlett's neck, his eyes hazy with lust. "What's there to feel sorry about? You're the one I love most. Even if Aria gave birth to my child, she could never compare to you." Those disgusting sounds made the old Alpha's veins bulge with rage. After a long sigh, he still chose to compromise. "The Blackwood family has wronged you. I'll handle the unbinding process myself. In seven days, I'll return your freedom." As the future Alpha, Garrett's mate bond and its dissolution required approval from the Alpha Council. "As for your mother and child's funeral arrangements..." The healer had already brought the baby over. It seemed even heaven couldn't bear to watch me waste away in this mate relationship any longer. So it let this child be born without breath. I turned my head away. I fought to control my emotions. "Bury the child in Shadowmoon Pack territory. I'll take my mother's ashes with me." The old Alpha nodded painfully. "It's my fault. I shouldn't have forced you to stay in Shadowmoon Pack. Go, go. You deserve a much wider world." With that, he hunched his shoulders and left, carrying the dead child in his arms. The tears I'd been holding back finally couldn't be stopped. All kinds of bitterness flooded my heart. My binding with Garrett had been the Alpha's arrangement from the start. The first time I met Garrett, we both knew we were destined mates. The old Alpha needed Garrett to have a steady, reliable Luna to help manage and assist Garrett in running the pack. I needed someone to pay for my mother's enormous medical bills. Both my parents had been great warriors. To resist rogue wolf invasions and protect werewolf territory, they fought in a brutal battle where my father died and my mother was severely injured. She not only lost her wolf but needed expensive medical treatment to survive. So we made a perfect deal. I quit my job, accepted Garrett's mark, and took on the identity of the pack's future Luna to help Garrett learn his duties as Alpha heir. After becoming mates, I learned about Garrett's childhood trauma—how his parents died in pack warfare when he was young. I also witnessed him crying out "Mommy" in his sleep during midnight nightmares. Two broken souls found resonance in that moment. I wanted to heal Garrett's wounded heart. Our similar experiences made me gradually fall in love with him. I was willing to give him everything I had. I wanted to build a happy family with him. To fulfill my duties as the pack's future Luna, I worked hard to care for every pack member. I genuinely befriended each one and took on the dangerous job of training warriors in Garrett's place. To be a good mate, I overcame my natural fear of fire. I practiced cooking relentlessly, trying to recreate the taste of his mother's food. Even when the flames burned my wolf, I never complained once. To recreate the safe house where he played with his mother as a child, I spent an entire year painstakingly restoring every detail of the cabin from his memories. I even learned various bedroom techniques to satisfy his needs. I thought we would have a happy future together. But on our mating ceremony anniversary, he brazenly took my best friend to a hotel. She was the first friend I'd made after joining Shadowmoon Pack. I never imagined she'd befriended me just to seduce my mate. I ran there like a madwoman to confront them. Garrett sneered and threw the agreement between me and the Alpha in my face. "Aria, what do you think you are? Played around for a couple days and you actually think you're the real Luna?""You're just a dog my grandfather bought. What right do you have to question me?""If you dare make me unhappy, I'll have your mother's treatment stopped immediately!" I was struck like lightning. I couldn't say a single word. After that, Garrett got worse. After he was done playing with internet celebrities and actresses, he started targeting my friends. Constantly pushing my boundaries. On one side was my mother who needed medical treatment. On the other was a marriage that had already rotted to its core. These two forces pulled at me relentlessly. I was nearly at my breaking point. My body gradually grew weaker. During a combat training session, while dodging an opponent's attack, I discovered I couldn't shift. Only then did I realize I was pregnant—the most vulnerable time for any werewolf. The old Alpha pleaded with me desperately: "Aria, please keep this child. He might be the turning point in your relationship, and he'll be the pack's future heir.""If Garrett still doesn't change his ways after the child is born, I promise I won't force you to stay anymore." Carrying all these complicated emotions, I chose to agree. Never imagining that after trying so hard for so long, I couldn't hold onto any of it. Not my mother. Not my child. Not my marriage. Not love. Nothing at all.

Chapter 2 2

I slowly wiped away the tears from my eyes and looked up at the gray window. Perhaps the only consolation was that both Garrett and I had finally gained our freedom. While I was lost in thought, Garrett's call came through. "Aria, you went running to Grandpa to tattle on me again, didn't you? You completely ruined the rare alone time Scarlett and I had together.""I'm warning you—if you dare pull this shit again, I'll cut off your mother's treatment payments!" In the past, I would have humbly explained and apologized to Garrett. I would have done everything possible to earn his forgiveness. But now, I just said indifferently, "Do whatever you want." Garrett seemed surprised by my cold attitude. But soon, he let out another cold laugh. "I heard the baby was born. Having a child really gives you confidence, doesn't it?""But don't forget—I'm the next Alpha of Shadowmoon Pack. As long as you're still here, I have plenty of ways to torment you." I closed my eyes. I had experienced Garrett's methods before. The first time I caught him cheating, I naively went to the Alpha for justice. What I got was Garrett's insane retaliation. Using my mother as leverage, he punished me by making me walk hundreds of miles in the freezing night to buy his favorite breakfast from a specific café. Since I was pregnant and couldn't shift into wolf form, and he forbade me from using any other transportation, I could only struggle through a ten-hour walk. While I shivered in the bitter cold, he and his lover spent the night in passionate embrace at a luxury hotel. When I finally brought back that cold breakfast, my feet were bloody and raw, my hair crusted with ice. Meanwhile, Garrett was eating a lavish breakfast with his lover on the top floor of a five-star hotel. After that, no matter how outrageous Garrett's behavior became, I pretended not to see. I silently endured all of Garrett's humiliation and harassment. I desperately tried to maintain my position as the pack's future Luna. But now, my mother was gone. The child couldn't be saved. This marriage that existed in name only should finally come to an end. I coldly hung up the phone. I got up and contacted a friend at the funeral home to schedule the cremation. When I returned to the hospital room, I saw Garrett standing at the door. He frowned at me, then let out a cold laugh. "Not going to keep acting pitiful anymore?""Running around right after giving birth—your body seems fine. Looks like you don't need rest after all.""I'm planning to move Scarlett into the villa. She's a young, delicate Omega who doesn't know how to do housework. Get your discharge papers and come back to serve as our maid." Garrett moved closer to me. His face wore a malicious smile. "Your expressions of pain are the best aphrodisiac I have in bed." He stared at me intently, expecting to see me hurt and heartbroken. But I just wore an expression of numb calm. Finding it boring, Garrett turned to block a nearby healer. "Where's the child? Boy or girl? Bring it here." The young healer looked completely panicked. I said helplessly, "Grandfather took the child away." Garrett was about to say something more when his phone rang. The moment he answered the call, his face changed dramatically. Then he slapped me hard across the face. "Aria, what did you do to Scarlett? If anything happens to her, I swear I won't let you off!" Already weak, I lost my footing and crashed into the handrail behind me. The healer rushed forward to steady me. "Alpha heir, your mate just barely escaped danger. This could kill her!" Garrett acted as if he hadn't heard. Filled with concern for Scarlett, he rushed away. The healer looked at me with pity in his eyes. But my pale face showed no expression at all. It was as if all the love, hate, and passion had been completely worn away during seven years of grinding torment.

Chapter 3 3

After the examination, the pack's chief healer ordered me to rest. I finally learned why Garrett had been so furious. With the child dead, the old Alpha was grief-stricken and announced he would banish Scarlett from the pack. Scarlett mistakenly thought I was retaliating. She went crying to Garrett with her exaggerated version of events. That's when Garrett attacked me. Not only that, Garrett revoked my position at the Pack House office and gave it to Scarlett instead. To make her happy, he bought twenty purple crystal healing stones at an auction for Scarlett. During an interview, Scarlett smugly showed off her diamond ring embedded with top-grade healing gems. "I never considered myself a homewrecker. Matebonds without love won't last—they won't receive the Moon Goddess's blessing.""Besides, the current Mrs. Blackwood only became Garrett's mate for the Luna's power and status. I'm different. My feelings for Garrett are pure and true." The comments were sharply divided. Scarlett's fanatic followers on Facebook tagged my account. Various insults and curses demanded I step aside for Scarlett. Watching it all, I only felt the irony. After all these years, Garrett's methods for charming women hadn't changed at all. Back then, he had done the same thing to me. When he learned my family was poor growing up and I'd never had a family vacation, he planned a month-long trip around the world. From the seaside adventures I'd missed as a child, to the mountain hiking I'd yearned for as a teenager, to the Northern Lights I'd dreamed of seeing as an adult. He said he would show me all the places I should have seen with my family. I still remember that day on the sunset yacht in the Aegean Sea, when he held my hand. "Aria, I lost my parents when I was young. From now on, I'll treat your mother like my own. I'll build the happiest family with you and take you both to even more distant places." I melted in his passionate gaze. I naively thought I'd found someone to spend my life with. But later, when the novelty wore off, Garrett quickly moved on to someone else. I had once obtained a precious top-grade healing stone. All the healers said with that stone, my mother's wolf would awaken. But Garrett took that stone and gave it to his lover. Without the best healing material, my mother lost her only chance at recovery. She remained bedridden until she died protecting me from the rogue wolves. Later I discovered Garrett's lover didn't even need that stone. She gave the healing gem that could have saved my mother to her pet dog. That should have been when I understood. This man was selfish and fickle. He would never settle down for anyone. That agreement was just an excuse he used to justify his cheating. Thinking of this, I left a comment under Scarlett's video. "Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness and many children." Not long after I posted it, Scarlett deleted the video. What followed was Garrett's angry phone call. I didn't answer. Instead, just as he always did to me, I calmly blocked him. Then I suddenly remembered—today was my mother's cremation. I explained the situation and processed my early discharge. The attending healer was worried but couldn't argue with me, so he offered to accompany me. When the funeral worker handed me the urn, I didn't feel the overwhelming grief I'd expected. I only felt that the shackles that had bound me for ten years had finally broken completely. I sighed softly, said goodbye to the doctor, and returned alone to the Blackwood house to pack. As soon as I entered the living room, I saw Garrett and Scarlett sitting on the sofa. Seeing me return, Scarlett quickly pulled up her dress zipper. But the red marks covering her body still revealed how intense their recent activities had been. I felt no sadness, no anger. As if I'd seen nothing at all, I walked expressionlessly into the bedroom. When I came out, Scarlett had already left. Only Garrett remained, sitting there drinking. Seeing me emerge, he slowly lifted his head. The dim light fell across his face, making his expression unreadable. "Aria, where did you go today?""None of your business." I didn't want to say more, but Garrett suddenly smashed his glass. He strode over to me. "Stop acting so pure and innocent. Don't think I don't know you went off to mess around with other Alphas.""Aria, are you really that desperate? Are you blaming me for neglecting you lately? If that's the case, I'll give you what you want!" With that, Garrett roughly tore my clothes and dragged me toward the bed. I was startled by his actions. I struggled desperately. "Garrett, are you insane? Our child...!" Garrett had lost all reason and wouldn't listen to anything. He bit down hard on my shoulder. I pushed Garrett away with all my strength and slapped him. Enraged, Garrett didn't hold back either. He released his Alpha wolf's dominance to suppress me. Having just suffered severe injuries and lost my child, my wolf had no power to resist. A trickle of blood slowly slid down from my forehead. Garrett froze for a moment, instinctively reaching out to help me. "When did you become so fragile..." I staggered back a few steps, trying to speak. But my body couldn't support me, and I collapsed.

Chapter 4 4

I don't know how much time had passed when the sound of arguing between Garrett and his grandfather woke me up. I realized I was back in the hospital. Seeing me awake, Garrett seemed relieved. He looked at his grandfather with displeasure. "This is the wonderful mate you picked for me. Our child was just born and she's already running off to date other Alphas." The old Alpha trembled with rage. "What date? Do you have any idea what Aria was doing yesterday...""Grandfather." I interrupted him. "It's all in the past." The old Alpha understood my meaning and said no more. He just looked at Garrett with disappointment and fury. Garrett waved his hand dismissively. "She's awake now, so there's nothing for me here. Scarlett is waiting for me. I'm leaving." The old Alpha struck out with his walking stick. "You beast.""I don't care where you go today, but tomorrow you must come to the estate with Aria..." Before he could finish, Garrett had already disappeared from the doorway. The old Alpha sighed deeply, his back bending even more. He handed me the signed unbinding agreement. "Aria, it's my fault for not raising my heir properly.""But that child was your flesh and blood too. I hope you can see him off one last time." Looking at this white-haired old man, I couldn't bring myself to refuse. The next morning, I arrived at the Blackwood estate dressed in black. This child had been conceived with my life. It was just a pity that before I could even hold him, the rogue wolves had already torn him from my belly and ripped him to pieces. I gently wiped away the tears from my eyes. This was for the best. At least without attachments, I wouldn't be reluctant to leave. I had given everything I had to this relationship. This departure brought only exhaustion, no regret. Garrett never showed up, even for the child's burial. Instead, I saw photos on social media of him and Scarlett trying on Luna ceremony dresses. Scarlett smugly sent me a message. "So what if you had his child? Garrett still chose me in the end.""Oh, by the way, did you think Garrett was taking care of you while you were unconscious? Actually, he was with me the whole time. We tried many new positions in the bed right next to yours." In the video, I lay pale and unconscious in my hospital bed. While Garrett and a glowing Scarlett writhed together naked. I didn't reply. I silently forwarded all the messages and videos to the old Alpha. Then I left the Luna ring Garrett had given me at the Blackwood house. Holding my mother's ashes, I whispered softly, "Mom, we're going home." ... It wasn't until nightfall that Garrett returned to the Blackwood estate, reeking of alcohol. As soon as he pushed open the door, he was startled to see everyone dressed in black suits with white ribbons. "Who died? Was it Aria's mother?" He looked panicked and confused. "Why didn't anyone tell me about something this important? Where's Aria? She must be heartbroken. I need to go comfort her." The old Alpha, unable to bear it any longer, threw the unbinding agreement right at Garrett's face. "Aria has already left with her mother's ashes.""Today was your son's funeral!"