Chapter 1

While I was diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer, my MATE was kissing his lover in the hospital hallway.

I offered to break off my mate's relationship on the condition that I would be compensated with ten million dollars.

He taunted me unmercifully, “I knew you wouldn't want to leave me without getting the money.”

I miscarried for him countless times while he fathered puppies with his lovers and secretly maneuvered to bankrupt my family.

“Dominic...did you ever really love me?”

“No. From the beginning, you were just a pawn in my game. I can't wait for you to die right now!”

My tears fell on his hands and he was indifferent.

I couldn't help but think of the countdown of my life- 180 days to go.

The throbbing pain coming from my abdomen makes me feel like I'm going to pass out in the next second.

“Dominic...would you really be happy if I died?”

——————

On the day I was diagnosed with stomach cancer, my husband was accompanying his lover to a medical checkup with their son.

My nurse friend told me that they even kissed in the hallway for up to ten minutes.

At the same time, werewolf doctor Julian handed me the biopsy report.

"Celeste," he spoke softly, eyes full of sympathy, "The test results came back—it's a malignant tumor, stage 3A. If the surgery goes well, the five-year survival rate will be between fifteen and thirty percent."

I felt a wave of dizziness but forced myself to remain calm. "Julian… If I don't have the surgery, how long will I have?"

"Half a year to a year," he replied quietly, pain flickering across his eyes. "But each person's condition varies. I suggest you undergo at least two rounds of chemotherapy first to prevent it from spreading further."

180 days to go - I mentally turned on my countdown to life.

Then I smiled, refused the treatment and asked him to take care of my father for me, then I turned and quickly left.

Julian's helpless sigh echoed faintly behind me, filling my chest with bitterness.

Back then, I gave up my studies and my future to mate with Dominic. I thought it would make my life better and make me feel true love, but now, everything is in ruins.

These two years, I had been completely alone taking care of my father's treatments. Even when I'd fallen ill myself, Dominic had never once appeared by my side.

Dominic may have actually cared for and loved me when we first bonded as mates.

But when the she-wolf, Marina, claimed to have returned with Dominic's pups, everything changed.

That time, at the pack's summer festival, Marina and I both accidentally fell into the fountain pool.

It's in a werewolf's nature to know how to swim and not have to worry about drowning, but Dominic didn't hesitate to jump in and swim toward Marina, pulling her up and leaving me to climb out of the pool in a heap alone.

Also because of this accident, both of our pups were born prematurely.

Because Marina was quickly rescued from the water, her pups were born unharmed; but I struggled in the water for so long that by the time I woke up from my coma, my pups had been pronounced dead.

Seven days later, I had just been discharged from the hospital when Dominic offered to break off the mate relationship.

At the time, I was hysterically broken and couldn't understand why he was suddenly abandoning me.

It wasn't until later that I found a pair of black leopard print panties in our family car that didn't belong to me.

When I confronted him about it, he told me it was a gift for me.

I laughed; new panties don't have sperm on them, much less get ripped in the crotch.

But he wouldn't explain more.

While he slept, I unlocked his cell phone and saw the picture of Marina without panties and the hickey on her naked body and his response.

“Sweetheart, you're so sexy, I love having sex with you in the car. You make me feel better than her, I love you, I want to make love to you 9999 times ......”

And the time of their private sex meeting, was when I was hospitalized for a miscarriage.

Coupled with his cold words and attitude towards me since then, I realize that everything has been in place for a long time. I can't hold on to this relationship any longer.

My hands trembled as I dialed Dominic's number. After three rings, his cold voice came through clearly.

"If it's not about the disconnecting of the mate link, don't bother contacting me."

Before I could say anything, Marina's voice softly came from the other end, "Dominic, walk me in. The doctor wants to look at the specifics of our puppy."

The last string holding my heart together finally snapped, and tears silently rolled down my cheeks.

With none of my usual cautious humility, my voice shook as I said, "Dominic, let's break the mate link and terminate the relationship."

He seemed startled, pausing for a moment before laughing mockingly, "Celeste, what kind of new game are you playing now?"

I closed my eyes and slowly repeated myself, word by word, "Dominic, I'll wait for you at home."

Hanging up the phone, all I felt was an endless emptiness in my heart.

When I returned to our Pack Villa and pushed open the door, Dominic was standing at the dining room table, staring at the wilted flowers in the vase.

When we were happy, I would keep the flowers in the vase fresh at all times; I would make his favorite dishes early and wait eagerly for him to come back.

Nowadays, things are different.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, he raised his head, our eyes collided. His handsome face was cold, and his golden Alpha-eyes contained deep raging hatred.

Meeting his expression, my freshly drenched body felt even colder.

"Where have you been?" he demanded coldly.

I felt drained of all emotion, staring at him blankly. "Do you still care if I'm alive or dead, Alpha Kingsford?"

“Even if you die, no one will come to collect your corpse.”

His words pierced painfully through my chest. Holding back tears, I silently walked past him and took the signed Mate Relationship Dissolution Agreement, placing them firmly on the dining table.

"Don't worry. I've already signed."

He stared at the black-and-white agreement as if it were repulsive. I'd only made one request: ten million dollars in compensation.

"I've known for a long time that you would never voluntarily disconnect from mate if you didn't get the money." Dominic mocked, his voice dripping with disdain.

I just quietly met his gaze, my voice calm and cold.

"Under werewolf marriage law, I could have legally taken half of your estate, Alpha Kingsford. But I'm being modest now by only asking for ten million dollars. That's not even a tenth of your private fortune."

Dominic took a step forward, towering over me, his voice was dangerously low. "What did you just call me?"

I met his gaze directly, my expression unyielding. "If 'Alpha Kingsford' offends you, I don't mind calling you ex-husband or ex-mate instead. Just sign the papers and leave."

My defiance clearly displeased him. Dominic's voice turned colder, filled with barely restrained anger. "This is my villa. Who do you think you are to tell me to leave?"

Chapter 2

I smiled coldly, unfazed. "You're right, Alpha Kingsford. Rest assured, once we have our divorce certificate, I'll move out."

I shook off his grip, staring at him with determination, and added, "Tomorrow morning 9 a.m., take the signed agreement to the Werewolf City Hall. We'll settle everything there."

Then, without another glance, I turned and walked away, leaving him standing alone in the empty room.

There are 180 days left before I die.

Perhaps this was my punishment from the Moon Goddess. I had failed to protect my pup, so She decided to reclaim my life as retribution.

I slowly climbed into the crib, curling my body into a small, trembling ball. Tears streamed quietly from one eye to the other, soaking into the soft baby blanket beneath me.

Ever since losing my child, my emotional and mental strength had steadily deteriorated.

This nursery, once designed and furnished by Dominic and me, is dusty from the loss of its owner. Dominic hasn't come back in once.

The next day, I woke up full of exhaustion and cleaned up, pulling out mine and Dominic's MATE certificate， staring at the picture of smiling faces on it.

Just as I was about to leave, my phone rang urgently. It was from the pack's hospital.

"Ms. Parker, your father had a sudden heart attack this morning and is now undergoing emergency surgery. Please come to the hospital as soon as possible to follow up."

"I'll come immediately!" I answered in panic, bolting from the house without a second thought.

Rushing to the pack hospital, I anxiously waited outside the operating room, hands clasped tightly in prayer.

Everything else in my life had crumbled. My father’s recovery was the only remaining wish I had left.

A nurse quickly approached me, handing over a stack of bills. "Miss Parker, here's Mr. Parker's emergency bill from this morning."

I took the bill and the numbers on it made my heart sink. Dozens of formality entries were listed in front of me, totaling over ten thousand dollars for this emergency visit.

My father's monthly hospital expenses alone cost five thousand. Working tirelessly at three different jobs, I barely managed to cover those fees.

This month’s payment had already been made, leaving me with only five thousand dollars left—far short of what was required now.

Desperate and cornered, I had no choice but to call Dominic.

He answered coldly, irritation evident in his tone, "Where are you? I've been waiting for half an hour."

"Something urgent happened," I replied softly.

"Celeste, are you playing another game with me?"

"No," I insisted quietly, voice trembling.

"I've finally accepted reality. This mating bond no longer has meaning. I genuinely want a divorce now… but my father had a sudden heart attack and needs urgent surgery—"

"Is he dead?" Dominic coldly interrupted.

I was stunned by his question.

"No, he's still in surgery, but the cost is over ten thousand. Can you advance me the cost of the compensation for the dissolution of the mate relationship, the ten million dollars? I promise we'll finalize the divorce right after."

Dominic’s reply was filled with mocking laughter.

"Celeste, you should clearly understand one thing: No one wants your father dead more than I do. I'll pay you the money, but only after we've officially divorced."

He ended the call abruptly, leaving me shocked and hurt.

How could he be so cruel? How could he openly hope for my father's death? Why?

Suddenly, something seemingly unrelated came to mind-the collapse of my father's career and the bankruptcy of the Parker family two years ago.

It seemed too coincidental. Could Dominic have been behind it all along? But why? What had my family ever done to offend him?

The operating room door finally opened. I rushed forward anxiously. "Dr. Hartford, how is my dad?"

"Don't worry, Miss Parker," he reassured gently. "Your father made it through. However, he's emotionally fragile right now, so we must ensure he doesn't experience additional stress."

"Understood. Thank you so much, Dr. Hartford."

When I visited the nurse afterward, I couldn't help but ask, "My father has been in great shape lately. How could he suddenly have a heart attack?"

The nurse looked guilty. "Yes, Miss Parker, Mr. Parker did seem to be in good shape the last few days. I thought it would be okay, so leave him alone in the ward. But I didn't expect him to be passed out when I came back ...... I'm sorry, Miss Parker! It's all my fault!"

"Did anyone visit him before you left?" I asked softly.

"No. Everything seemed normal. He knew you were coming back today and asked me to get your favorite grapes. I didn't expect this to happen either ......"

She hesitated. "By the way, Miss Parker, about the payment for the emergency surgery…"

"I'll take care of it right away. Sorry for delay."

Feeling embarrassed, I quickly left the hospital, hailing a taxi straight to BlueOcean Pack's Werewolf Civil Hall.

But when I reached the lobby and looked around the waiting area, I couldn't find Dominic.

Panicked, I dialed Dominic's number again. "Where are you?"

"At the company," he replied coldly.

"Dominic. Can you come back to Civil Hall again? I can do the paperwork now."

His laugh was icy and disdainful. "Do you think the multi-billion dollar contract I'm negotiating is less important than you?"

"If your father died, I'll cover his funeral expenses."

The call was hung up on him mercilessly. When I tried to call back, it showed that my number had been blacked out.

The rain outside got heavier and I felt the cold air with numbness and regret in my heart.

If I hadn't chosen to give up my education and mate with Dominic because I was pregnant, I would have graduated by now. At the level I was at, I would have gotten a great job position, a good salary, and a bright future.

Who could have predicted that my family's business would collapse overnight, or that Dominic, the Alpha I once trusted with all my heart, would change so cruelly?

The bottom line is that I'm in desperate need of money.

My eyes fall on the mating ring on my finger. After Dominic took all my jewelry and luxuries for Marina, it's the only thing of value I have left.

With trembling resolve, I took off the rings and stepped into a high-end jewelry store.

The salesperson eyed my soaked, disheveled appearance skeptically. "Miss, do you have the invoice and certificate?"

"Yes." Ignoring her judgmental gaze, I handed over the documents nervously.

"Alright Miss. We'll need to appraise this rare Blue Moonstone ring first. We expect to spend a day on it, and we'll let you know the results of the appraisal and the valuation tomorrow, is that okay?"

"I urgently need the money," I pleaded desperately. "Could you expedite the process, please?"

Before she finished speaking, a slender, elegant hand suddenly pressed down on the jewelry box, snapping it shut.

"This ring is beautiful. I'll take it."

**

Author's Words: The sale of the ring, symbolized the beloved also signaled the demise of the love that had been so deeply engraved in Celeste's heart. But will it all go smoothly?

Chapter 3

I raised my head along with where the voice came from, and locked eyes with the beautiful she-wolf.

Seeing her face, I only felt the blood in my body freeze, and the wolf nature that had been silent for a long time seemed to have been awakened at that moment.

Marina.

Marina stood behind me, her exquisite white cashmere coat hugging her slender figure perfectly, and her ears adorned with rare Australian white pearls that gleamed elegantly under the lights.

The luxurious shawl wrapped gracefully around her neck was worth at least tens of thousands, making her appear gentle and refined.

Instantly, the saleswomen flocked around her eagerly.

"Luna Kingsford, is Alpha Kingsford not accompanying you to select jewelry today?"

"Luna Kingsford, we've received the latest arrivals today—each piece suits you wonderfully."

"Luna Kingsford, the jade bracelet you asked me to reserve has arrived. Please try it on; it will beautifully complement your complexion."

One after another, they addressed her as "Luna Kingsford," their voices echoing around me, and Marina cast a deliberate, victorious smile my way.

My hands clenched tightly by my sides, nails digging painfully into my palms. Why did I have to encounter the very person I loathed most when I was at my lowest?

Marina tilted her head gracefully, speaking to me gently with barely disguised mockery. "Selling such high-quality rings for quick cash will probably result in a significant loss, won't it?"

I forced myself to reach out and snatch back the ring box. My voice was steady, but my heart burned. "I'm not selling it anymore."

"Not selling?" Marina feigned disappointment, shaking her head lightly. "What a pity—I actually liked this ring quite a bit. Given our previous relationship, I would've offered you a generous price. Miss Parker, aren't you desperately short of money?"

Her smile told me she knew my weakness and relished exploiting it.

The saleswomen, eager to please Marina, also chimed in, trying to persuade me. "Miss Parker, this is Alpha Kingsford's fiancée, BlueOcean Pack's future Luna—surely you understand she’ll offer a good price. You wouldn't even have to go through the usual procedures; you’d get your money immediately."

Their repeated use of "Luna Kingsford" grated sharply against my nerves, turning into painful irony.

Once, I'd vowed to never give Dominic up. Yet, after barely a year, I'd become the joke of our entire pack. My mating bond with Dominic had turned into nothing but a farce.

Marina moved even closer to me, her fingers pressing gently on the ring box, her voice soft but cold.

"Celeste, there's no need to stubbornly cling to your dignity when you’re already at rock bottom. If I were you, I’d let it go. Has no one ever told you how pitiful you look, clinging desperately to things you can't have?"

Something inside me finally snapped, and I glared back at her coldly. "Marina, if you're so fond of snatching what's not yours, why don't you just rob a bank instead?"

The tension between us was growing. Not wanting to be here any longer, I reached out to retrieve the ring box, but Marina's finger remained pressed down on it. This clash caused the ring box to spin on the smooth glass countertop, fly off, and fall to the floor. The ring slipped out of the fallen open box and flew further away.

Panicked, I pushed aside the people in my way and rolled across the marble floor in search of the ring. The glittering jewel rolled next to the pair of polished leather shoes in the doorway.

My fingers froze mid-motion, and I slowly lifted my gaze upward.

Dominic stood there, tall and imposing, his expression icy and unreadable. He still held a black umbrella, raindrops dripping quietly from its edges onto the floor.

My heart twisted painfully in my chest as memories flooded back. I remembered clearly the first time I ever saw him—I was only sixteen, and he twenty, standing amidst golden sunlight in a white shirt, radiant and dazzling, imprinting his image forever within my heart.

But now, standing in front of him, I realized just how insignificant I truly was—just a pitiful speck of dust compared to his perfection.

The ring I once held so dear landed at his feet, stained with rainwater.

All the precious feelings I'd had for so many years had also fallen at the soles of his feet and been coldly and mercilessly stomped on by him.

Marina crossed to me without looking back and naturally wrapped her arms around Dominic, her voice soft and innocent: "Dominic, you've come at just the right moment. Celeste was about to sell her mating ring."

Dominic's gaze darkened further, and he fixed his icy eyes on me. His voice was filled with chilling disdain, "Were you planning on selling this ring, Celeste?"

I struggled fiercely to control the tears welling up, forcing my lips into a bitter smile. "Yes, Alpha Kingsford. Would you be interested in buying it?"

He scoffed, his lips curling into a cruel smirk. "I remember you once cherished this ring more than anything. It seems your so-called love wasn't as deep as you claimed. But it makes sense—for something without a heart, isn't it just worthless trash?"

Gritting my teeth against the pain, I silently picked up the ring. Walking back to the counter, I gathered the box and receipt without another word.

I fought back the stabbing pain in my stomach and straightened my spine as I walked out of the jewelry store. As I passed Dominic, I murmured quietly, just loud enough for him alone to hear。

"This ring is just like you, Alpha Kingsford. Once, it meant the entire world to me. But now, it’s nothing more than a worthless stone I’d gladly trade for money."

Dominic suddenly grabbed my arm, his grip firm. His voice was low and suppressed: "What's wrong with you?"

I slapped his hand away, “None of your business.”

Without looking back at him or Marina, I walked away, leaving them behind me. Even if my body trembled in agony, I would not fall apart in front of him—not ever again.

Finding a secluded corner, I quickly fished out some painkillers from my purse, swallowing them down hastily. I knew these simple medications could barely relieve my agony, but I had no other options.

Though reluctant, for my father's sake, I knew I had to try reaching out to one person I'd rather never see again.

Returning home briefly to tidy myself up, I soon arrived at that grand villa in Grandview Garden of the pack.

I received a call from her a little over a year ago, the first time she had reached out to me in almost twenty years. After all these years, I wondered how she was doing.

Observing the elegant villa, it appeared she'd lived quite well over these years.

After explaining my visit, the servant guided me into the luxurious living room. There she sat, as dignified and beautiful as I'd always remembered.

"Celeste," she said gently, looking directly at me.

But as I stood facing her, no matter how desperately I tried, the word "Mom" simply wouldn't come out of my mouth.