Chapter 1

I was nine months pregnant, expecting to deliver my baby in a week, when I received a receipt from the "Moonlight Resort" - the most luxurious hotel in the territory, along with a small note.

"Hope you and your mate had an amazing night."

My mate of seven years, Dominic Blackwood, was here again with his mistress - at the place where we spent our first night together.

The first time was on the day I miscarried two years ago.

Just then, an anonymous message appeared on my phone:

"Last night we had sex in your mating suite."

Multiple photos and two videos were attached.

I felt numb, tears streaming down my face as I clicked on one of them.

"You're the only one I love. I'll reject my bond with Luna Reyna and mark you instead." I closed my eyes, hearing my mate's recorded confession.

Message after message flooded my screen.

"Now you know the truth."

"I am Dominic's true love."

"All those nights he claimed to be patrolling the borders? He was in my bed."

"He only stays with you for an heir to lead the pack."

"Check my Instagram - it's full of our photos together. Even on your mating anniversary, he was with me."

I clicked the link, and the Instagram page opened to reveal countless intimate photos of a couple.

The latest showed Victoria sitting on a man's lap, kissing him passionately.

The caption read:

"January 23rd - the day when he first saw me two years ago and it was love at first sight."

January 23rd was my birthday.

I laughed bitterly as tears threatened to fall.

As I scrolled, I noticed a pattern - Alpha Dominic's face wasn't visible in any photo, but I could identify him instantly. After all, I was the one who gifted him that collection of silver wolf pendants he always wore.

My hands froze as I came across one particular photo.

A woman embracing a male, showing off her moonstone ring.

The background was decorated with wolf's bane flowers, with the full moon glowing bright in the night sky.

The caption made my blood run cold.

"March 19: He asked me to be his Luna and I said yes!"

A year ago, this was the day I lost our pup.

I remember calling Dominic repeatedly, but he never answered. When I texted that I was in the hospital, he finally called back irritably, saying I should stop trying to get his attention with fake emergencies, before hanging up.

I remember watching them take away my lifeless pup, the shock leaving me bedridden for over two months.

When Victoria's next message arrived, my heart shattered completely.

An ultrasound image and a healer's prescription were attached, along with a single line:

"I'm carrying Dominic's heir."

The attached video captured my mate's loving voice meant for his mistress.

"You're... you're pregnant?" Dominic stared at Victoria in elation. When she nodded, he lifted her up joyfully before marking her neck.

"I'll reject Reyna as soon as she gives me a son. Then we can start our family! Two powerful heirs!"

I had to replay the video multiple times before the reality sank in.

Clutching my chest, feeling my childhood sweetheart and true mate's betrayal pierce my heart, I struggled to breathe.

While I sat on the floor trying to hold myself together, the front door opened as Dominic returned home.

"Reyna?" He called out several times before frowning and illuminating the room with his power.

When he couldn't find me downstairs, he entered our bedroom only to see me sitting silently in a dark corner, tears glistening in my eyes.

"Reyna? Are you alright?"

When he gripped my shoulders, trying to help me up, I had to fight the urge to push him away with my wolf's strength.

"You're due any day now, you need to be more careful. Why are you sitting in the dark? What if you'd fallen?"

"Where were you until now?" Taken aback by my direct question, Dominic quickly fabricated an excuse.

"Love, I was discussing border patrols with Beta Marcus."

"Really? My friend saw you by the river today buying hot chocolate." Dominic paled momentarily before composing himself.

"So what? I can't get something to drink? Why are you having me watched?!" The guilt in his eyes was evident - he'd spent the whole day with Victoria.

"I just asked because I wanted some hot chocolate too."

I wanted to see how far he'd go with his lies.

Chapter 2

"Fine. I'll get you some next time. I'm going to shower." With barely contained irritation, he said this calmly before walking out of our bedroom.

Just then, Dominic's phone buzzed. I glanced at the caller ID and felt sick seeing how brazenly he'd saved his mistress's contact as 'My Darling'.

I picked up his phone, surprised to find it unlocked with an ultrasound image as the background.

If Victoria hadn't sent me that same image earlier, I might have assumed it was mine and never questioned Dominic.

I checked their message history.

"Baby, I heard pregnant she-wolves crave moonberries, so I've asked Marcus to bring some from the sacred grove. I'll bring them to you later."

"Dom... won't your Beta be suspicious?"

"Why would he be? He'll assume they're for Reyna."

"So will you give her half? I thought I was your only love."

"Of course not. She's too picky and wasting my efforts on her is pointless. You're my true love, my only love."

"I would have rejected her already, but she once miscarried and fell into depression, making the pack pity her. She became so dependent on me that leaving then would have made you look bad. That's the only reason I kept her."

"You're the best Dom, but I'm lonely now and craving some fresh takeout."

"Alright love, I'll pick something up for you."

I bit my lip hard to hold back my sobs. My pups had never meant anything to Dominic beyond being stepping stones to becoming the most powerful Alpha.

I quickly took screenshots of their conversations and surprised to discover an attached document sent to Victoria.

"River Moon Manor"

Rage consumed me when I realized the property I'd inherited from my parents had been given to Victoria.

Earlier, Dominic had claimed the pack was facing financial troubles and asked me to sell my inheritance to help. Like a fool, I'd trusted him with everything.

Only for it to end up in his mistress's hands.

My body trembled, and sensing my distress, my unborn pup kicked restlessly.

I documented everything - screenshots of messages, evidence from restaurants and luxury stores showing deliveries to my family estate now occupied by Victoria.

Then I carefully placed the phone back and lay down, pulling the blanket over my shaking body as I tried to muffle my sobs.

Soon Dominic's footsteps approached as he returned and picked up his phone, smiling softly at Victoria's messages.

He sat beside me, his palm gently caressing my swollen belly.

"Love, Beta Marcus and I need to track some rogues tonight. I won't be back until tomorrow."

When he stood to leave, I desperately grabbed his arm with what little strength I had left.

"I've waited for you all day. Can't you stay just tonight?" I wanted to deny that my childhood mate, my true pair, had betrayed our sacred bond. I wanted to forget this nightmare and try again for our pup's sake.

Dominic looked at my broken expression and noticed my tears, making him gently wipe them away with guilt in his eyes.

He couldn't even meet my gaze.

"I... what is it, love—" Just then his phone chimed with a notification and his expression changed.

"Darling, I can't put you above the pack. Please understand. I'll ask your mother to come watch over you."

When I didn't respond, he looked at my face only to see me staring at him like he was a stranger.

"Reyna—"

"Just go then." Even the last chance I'd given him was discarded like trash.

I turned away without another word, making him freeze for a moment before he decided to leave.

As soon as he was gone, I dragged myself out of the house and called a taxi.

"To River Moon Manor," I told the driver.

When we parked outside the estate, Dominic's car was already there. I watched my mate glance around nervously before pressing the doorbell.

I stroked my belly as it churned painfully, making me gasp. Still, I raised my phone to record as the door opened and Victoria rushed into Dominic's arms. He held her close before kissing her deeply.

My vision blurred with tears as I watched my mate kneel lovingly before his mistress to caress her stomach.

The pain in my womb intensified but I sat frozen in the car, unable to speak through the shock.

Soon Dominic led Victoria out, carefully helping her into his car. Her delighted laughter carried through the night air.

I gasped as another wave of pain hit, but instead of panicking, I took deep breaths.

"Sir, can you follow them? I think they're heading to the hospital." The driver glanced at me with understanding and quickly pulled out after them, even helping me inside when we reached the entrance.

"Ma'am, bringing new life into this world is precious. Being healthy and happy is more important than staying with someone who would so shamelessly abandon his wife and children. Please take care of yourself first." The elderly driver had seen many seasons pass and when he reassured me, I nodded gratefully.

Yes, I must live for my baby.

"Don't worry sir. That man means nothing to me anymore."

Chapter 3

I stood in the shadows of the hospital entrance, watching as my mate lovingly guided his mistress to the prenatal department.

Two years ago, when I miscarried, the healer told me it wasn't due to my health but rather Dominic's negligence. He didn't bring me to the hospital in time when my water broke, causing my pup to suffocate.

Even after that catastrophe, he never bothered to accompany me to any checkups this time either, always citing his duties as Alpha.

"Stop whining like a weak wolf! Can't you do something productive for once? You're the Luna of the Silver Crescent Pack, so for Moon's sake stop being selfish! I have a pack to lead - ask your mother to take you to the doctor."

That's what he'd said when I begged him to come with me. Yet here he was, looking so concerned as he collected prescriptions for his mistress.

I realized it wasn't that he was too busy.

I just was never his priority. He had long since abandoned our bond in his heart.

Since the hospital was crowded, Dominic held Victoria close before speaking.

"Baby, about the takeout I brought... it's been sitting out too long, don't eat it anymore." Victoria laughed at his fussing.

"It's just a few hours old, what's the big deal Dom!"

"No, what if it makes you sick? Come on, I'll buy you your favorite hot chocolate, it's getting cold baby."

"I'll let it go this time, but you have to promise we'll have all my favorite foods at our mating ceremony."

"Anything you want, baby. Our ceremony will be the grandest the neighboring packs have ever seen. Just wait another month - once Reyna delivers, I'll send her away to 'recover.' Then I'll make you the most envied Luna of Silver Crescent Pack."

"If you say so." She pouted, making him kiss her.

I froze at his words, my heart shattering. It was ironic how they resembled the loving couple Dominic and I used to be.

And to think he was already planning to get rid of me.

I followed them as if bound by invisible chains, needing to see what they would do next.

I shivered as the cold wind cut through my clothes while I watched my mate carefully wrap Victoria in his jacket and scarf.

When thunder cracked ominously overhead, I stood behind a pillar as Dominic hurriedly guided his mistress to his car, worried she might catch cold in the coming rain.

Through the lowered windows, I could see my husband of seven years gently cup Victoria's face and kiss her.

To my surprise, she opened her eyes and looked directly at me before deepening the kiss. The jacket was discarded as they made out passionately.

She had known I was watching the whole time.

Again and again, Victoria's gaze found mine, as if to prove my husband had never truly been mine.

With shaking hands, I took out my phone and called my mate.

My mate, still kissing his mistress, saw my caller ID. For a moment, guilt flashed across his face, but as soon as Victoria wrapped her arms around his neck and called his name sweetly, he gritted his teeth in annoyance and declined the call.

When I called again, he answered angrily.

"What?! Don't you have anything better to do than constantly disturb me?!" He hung up and blocked my number.

Rain poured from the thundering skies as their car drove away, leaving me standing alone on the sidewalk getting drenched.

‘I reject you as my mate, Dominic Blackwood. From this moment on, our bond is broken. You can have him, Victoria.’

Gathering my courage, I made my way to the Lycan Council building in my soaked clothes.

I presented all my evidence to them, including the audio and video where Dominic explicitly told Victoria:

"If she gives me a son and agrees to you being Luna, I wouldn't mind keeping her as a mistress. If she refuses, I'll use our pup against her and banish her from the pack."

I winced, my heart throbbing painfully at those words.

"Ma'am, with all this evidence before me, I assure you we'll ensure you're freed from Alpha Dominic and can build a better life."

As I left the building, my mother called.

"Reyna, the housekeeper told me you had a high fever yesterday? Did Dominic take you to the hospital?"

My lips trembled as I fought to hold back heart-wrenching sobs. Hot tears streamed down my face as I struggled to contain my emotions.

"Mom, I'm better-"

"Don't lie, Reyna. Your voice is so weak. Are you really alright?"

"Yes, yes mom." I closed my eyes, lying to spare her worry.

"Dom's here with me. He bought me hot chocolate and took me for a checkup. The doctor says I could go into labor any day." My mom sighed.

"That's good then, but honestly, I don't trust Dominic after how irresponsible he was before. But if you two are together, it's alright."

I took a deep breath as my body shook from the cold.

"Reyna, it's pouring out there, darling. Come home soon. I made your favorite dinner."

I couldn't answer, hanging up before she could hear me breaking down. I fell to my knees on the pavement as my legs gave out.

I cried because I had lost everything.

My entire life had been a lie.